84-year-old man who applies blind wife's make-up films beauty tutorial

A husband who learned to do his wife’s make-up after she started going blind has starred in his first makeup tutorial.

Created in collaboration with EX1 Cosmetics, Des Monahan is filmed showering his wife of 57 years with compliments, telling her “there’s not really much to conceal, you’re perfect.”

In October last year, the 84-year-old from Ireland took make-up lessons at a Benefit beauty counter in his local Debenhams store after his wife Mona, 83, began struggling to apply it herself.

Before long, Des’ heart-warming gesture of love went viral, with their story even reaching Mario Dedivanovic, a celebrity make-up artist whose clients include Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and Christina Aguilera.

Since taking the lessons he has learned how to apply everything from foundation and bronzer to lipstick and eyeliner, and has even started choosing his own products and experimenting with different techniques.

Des, who went on his first date with Mona in December 1952, said he wanted to make sure he knew how to do her make-up so that she would always feel her best, even when she started losing her sight.

During the tutorial he explains that he does not like to use too much make-up to ensure Mona’s look is a natural one, saying: “Less is more…your skin looks flawless, even Michelangelo would be jealous.”

Mona says that she is “in absolute heaven” whenever Des applies her make-up.

“I love the idea of getting up and getting my face done, ready to face the world,” she said. “I absolutely love it.”

The video, which has been posted on EX1 Cosmetics’ Facebook page, has amassed more than 31,000 views.