Executive VP of OPI Nail Lacquer

On OPI’s surprising origin

“I never planned a career in beauty. In the 1980s, my brother-in-law owned a dental-supply company and found that dental prosthetic materials made superior acrylic nails. Together we marketed his product to professional nail salons.”

On OPI’s BIG SALE
“OPI was acquired late last year [for a rumored $1 billion] by Coty Inc. This is a huge opportunity, but since OPI was my baby, I feel the way I do about my daughter going off to college next year. It’s bittersweet.”

On the joys of “free to be”
“I grew up in Communist Hungary, where individuality was not embraced. That’s why I cherish my creative job.”

On her low-maintenance looks
“I have short hair because it’s easy. Beyond that, I’m not the plastic surgery type. My one indulgence is a manicure. This spring I’ll be wearing OPI Guy Meets Gal-veston, a bright coral [$9; opi.com for stores].”
 

Fashion Designer

On getting into fashion:

"Growing up in Michigan, I dreamt of designing clothes. But that wasn’t realistic, so I studied business in college, got married and had three children. Then, at 40, I began to design. People thought I was in-sane."

On her streamlined style:

"I detest fussy clothing. I love clean lines, black, and masculine pieces with a touch of femininity. My staple is the white blouse."

On beauty sleep:

"I’m not ashamed to say I need rest. When I am sleep-deprived, I rely on ReVive Moisturizing Renewal Cream [$165; reviveskin care.com] and Laura Mercier Primer [$30; lauramercier.com] to look decent."

On her secret passion:

"I love to sing. Last year, my friends got sick of me singing into spoons, so they bought me a karaoke ma-chine. My husband topped them by hiring Harry Connick Jr. to perform at my fiftieth birthday party. I sang backup and had the time of my life."

On her dream day:

"I’d sleep in, relax with my kids, avoid e-mails and phone calls-and sit in the sun with a bloody mary."

On family:

"For me, this is a decade of being ‘in service.’ I have a 12-year-old daughter, and my elderly father lives next door. His health and happiness are a daily concern. We’re on a hill in Napa, where we can see the silver waters of San Francisco Bay. Taking care of the land-and having family responsibilities-give my life meaning."

On keeping fit:

"I love to take heart-pounding power walks under the stars, up and down our hill with my dog. All the stress of the day melts away. I could be singing ‘O Holy Night’ in my underwear and nobody would know!"

On life in balance:

"I’m a graphic designer, writer, marketing consultant and model. It’s an ideal blend of indoor and outdoor, city and country. I commuted to an office for more than 20 years, and this is a good way to live in midlife."

On fashion: "If you have a shape at this age, show it-it’s very aging not to reveal that you have a body. If you want to fall into the abyss of middle age, go ahead and be comfortable!"

On treating herself:

"Fragrance is my weakness-fresh green and gardenia scents, especially Michael Kors, Annick Goutal Gardenia Passion and Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio."

On glamming up:

"I saved the designer clothes from my modeling days in the 1980s, and now my 13-year-old daughter puts a fresh twist on them. Some of the shoulders are a hoot, but the workmanship and fabrics are gorgeous."

On finding her voice:

"I love show tunes and singing out loud. Now I’m channeling that into doing voiceovers."

On sweet spots:

"My heart belongs in Houston, where I was born, but I’m exploring Montana. My dream is to fish the Yellowstone River. Fishing is my favorite escape."

Photographer

On being 51:

"I feel more at peace than I did 10 years ago. I’ve realized that everything around me is a source of teaching. This is aging, and I enjoy it."

On gray hair:

"My hair started turning gray when I was 12 and was salt-and-pepper by the time I hit 20. I never colored it, because I knew it was my best asset."

On creativity:

"When I work with my hands, I feel in touch with my soul. I started making jewelry two years ago. My designs are very ethnic, with turquoise, coral and shells reminiscent of my childhood on Corsica."

On eating well:

"I’m drawn to colorful foods like tomatoes, pink grapefruits and spinach. I like putting beauty and life into my body-I feel it shows on the outside."

On photography:

"I love being behind the camera. I did my first self-portrait in the Texas desert. When I’m in huge surroundings, I feel huge inside."