Marie Nassiff is also known in my family as Auntie Doc. My mother’s sister, she left for the Navy and then Medical School in New Orleans when I was young and a favorite childhood memory of mine was visiting her in Rhode Island – and then in Wisconsin. For someone so busy, accomplished and intelligent, she somehow also managed to develop an effortlessly cool and eclectic sense of style. From her home decor and clothes to furnishing her practices to her funky jewelry collection, her style can’t be labeled or categorized. Living in head to toe black with daily winged liner, I am envious of that natural sense of style. It’s rare.
And it is not just her style but also her skincare. An accomplished retired Opthalmologist, she successfully opened and grew cosmetic clinics 20 years ago when that trend was just starting. She was one of the first people who taught me about Obagi and brings me La Mer care packages when she comes to visit. And let’s be honest, you cannot dislike anyone who gives you La Mer Eye Balm Intense. You just can’t.
With all of this style and skincare, she was also blessed with cat eyes that look best in plum liner and wildly curly hair. And she has a super-rad daughter that looks just like her and is equally as cool. Life’s not fair.
I put Auntie Doc in the special category of OG Boss babe. Someone who did it all before people actually knew you could do it all. And, like her seemingly effortless style, she made doing it all look equally effortless.
She is someone I admire for the serious and the superficial. She looks good in crisis and couture. We have grown closer over the years and I am honored to not only know and love but actually like this beaming beauty of a woman.
Today, June 7th, is our first ever mid-week Boss Babe feature. We are breaking the mold for this Boss Babe’s Birthday! Check out how she looks this good at…21 and help me wish her a great one below.
- Name:
- Marie Nassiff
- Occupation:
- Retired Ophthalmologist, now learning investing, real estate, self care and reinventing myself.
- Beauty Philosophy:
- No apologies…I do what works for me.
- Best Beauty Advice received and from whom:
- Sunscreen on my face every day, a great moisturizer and clean it all off before bed, no matter how late it is. I got most of my information from magazines, then Medical journals. My mom was, and still is a natural beauty at 83. Minimal makeup, never dyed her hair…pretty much the diametric opposite of my approach. I wear mascara to the gym and have been touching up my roots for years. I do like my long, wavy hair, though as a teenager, when everyone else had straight, parted in the middle locks, not so much. * other best advice was when a Plastic Surgeon I was training with early in my career in the Navy told me NOT to get a nose job… he was right.
- Skincare Routine:
- I have dry skin, so I’ve always cleansed and moisturized morning and evening. I exfoliate regularly with scrubs like dr. brandt microdermabrasion or mild peels occasionally ( I like Dr. Dennis Gross alpha beta daily peel), and I have used retinoids every 2 or 3 nights for years. I don’t mind exploring almost any cosmetic line and have a collection that’s way too big, but I’m completely devoted to La Mer skin care. I think it always makes my skin look better and when I try to skimp and use something more thrifty, I always go back, so that and a little Botox between my brows every 4-5 months are my splurges.
- Signature Fragrance:
- I really don’t wear perfume. I’ve never found one I loved except the decades old brand “Original Musk Oil”. Some of my hair products and body lotions have a mild scent and I don’t like to layer fragrance.
- Fave mascara or lip product:
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I’ll use anything as long as it’s black. I do like L’Oreal for a Budget brand and Dior Addict IT-LASH for a luxury brand.
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- Top 3 Desert Island Beauty Essentials:
- Sunscreen, and gallons of it, a lip balm with spf like Fresh Sugar… a bit of berry tint couldn’t hurt, and my favorite Maui Jim sunglasses ( kids, always wear eye protection!)
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When do YOU feel most beautiful:
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tough one. I never thought of beauty as my best attribute. My sisters were both more beautiful than me, but I learned that confidence and a sense of accomplishment made me feel beautiful and made other people see me in that way.
- Fave Style Trend:
- ha ha… I’ve seen them all come and go at least twice. I currently live in tank tops and flip flops unless I have to get dressed up. I love a luxury handbag and high heeled pumps and to me, studs on shoes never really go out of style.
- Girl Glamazon/Style Crush:
- Alex Guarnaschelli – Iron Chef, sexy voice, tough Boss Babe and Alicia Keys gorgeous, natural, powerful…need I say more?
Tell me a little about YOU!
