Zhu Yunchang was 72 when he walked into a cosmetics store in China and asked to be taught how to apply makeup. He did not want to look younger. He wanted to learn a trade to pay for his grandson’s care.
The child had been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease that gradually weakens the muscles. The doctors were direct: he might not live past 18 months.
Zhu did not just stand by. He learned rehabilitation techniques by watching the hospital’s therapists work and repeated every exercise at home, every day.
Then a medication arrived that could change the prognosis. The problem was its extremely high price, and the treatment had to be repeated. The family sold their house and took out loans. The mother worked during the day and sold products through livestreams at night. Zhu decided to take over for her.
So, after turning 70, he began livestreaming makeup online.
Some brands refused to give him samples. They did not believe a man his age could sell cosmetics. Zhu went back to studying: he asked questions, recorded himself, wrote the steps on a blackboard at home, and became his own model, testing lipstick shades on his forearm in front of the camera. His daughter eventually admitted that her father applied makeup better than she did. Meanwhile, the medication was added to China’s medical insurance program, and its price dropped drastically. The child made it past 18 months. Then he turned six. Today he goes to school and talks about college. Zhu still cares for his grandson during the day. And at night, he still turns on the camera.
