This summer, Reagan, the film starring Dennis Quaid as President Regan and Penelope Ann Miller as Nancy Reagan—brought back many memories. But it was especially nostalgic for one Palm Beacher in particular: Deborah Koepper, founder of Deborah Koepper Beauty. Before coming to Palm Beach, she served as Mrs. Reagan’s makeup artist while she was in the White House and enjoyed many happy moments with her. PALMER chatted with Koepper about the transition from D.C. to Palm Beach.

How long did you work with Mrs Reagan? What do you remember most about that time?
I worked with Mrs. Reagan for four years during President Reagan’s second administration. Being from Hollywood, she had an ornate sense of style and beauty of her own. She always wore silver-gray eye liner with red lips. I would go to Garfinkle’s in Georgetown and buy it for her.

Why did the film directors want to consult with you?
I was in the inner sanctum of the Reagan White House being part of her beauty team with Robin Weir. We lived that life with her and all the goings on of that time in The White House, from family and friends to visiting diplomats.

What is your fondest memory of her?
On Mrs. Reagan’s 68th birthday, I was asked to join her in the Jacqueline Kennedy Rose Garden and wave to America for her birthday. I went through protocol thinking that they did not know I came from a nice family. If spoken to, I was told to simply say I was “an admirer of the First Lady.” I remember walking out first and being immediately attacked by the press spouting, “Are you part of the Reagan Re-elect Committee?” Like a deer in headlights, I responded, “I am an admirer of the First Lady.” Then, Mrs Reagan came out and grabbed my hand and we turned and waved to America! And puff! Just like that, they had disappeared in my head as I felt the strength and protection she gave to her own.

Nancy Reagan on her 68th birthday with makeup artist Deborah Koepper and a friend in the Jacqueline Kennedy Rose Garden of the White House.

What about memories of President Regan?
I was walking down P Street into Georgetown and the President and Mrs. Reagan drove by with a hand waving out of the window. I realized how special that time of my life was. Another great memory is of the President coming home at 5:00pm and looking around the White House for Mrs. Reagan just to check-in and give her kiss. As portrayed in the film, he had something special that made us all smile when he came into a room.

Whom else did you work with during that time?
I worked with everyone because when you worked with Mrs. Reagan everyone wanted to use you… Princess Di, Mrs. Sadat, Queen Noor, Mrs. Ghandi, Margaret Thatcher, and many others from Hollywood.

What was it like working with Princess Diana?
Wonderful! I had to go through protocol with Lord and Lady Wright at the British Embassy. I remember Princess Diana loved her blue lapis eyeliner. The night she came to the White House it was Tom Selleck that she wanted to dance with—not John Travolta (with whom her photo hit the press). I had a chance to share that with his daughter Hannah Selleck while doing her makeup recently here in Palm Beach. She said she knew that story and that they have a picture at home of her dad dancing with the Princess that night.

Former First Lady Nancy Regan introducing Actor Tom Selleck to Diana, Princess of Wales at the White House in 1985.

How did you end up in Washington D.C.?
I grew up in Maryland in a very nice family that did not want me in beauty. I was at City Hospital—now Johns Hopkins—when a leading plastic surgeon said I was wasting time there and urged me to go into aesthetics and work with him. So I went to Von Lee International and graduated with high honors. Then got a call from Robin Weir at The White House and the rest is history.

How long have you lived in Palm Beach?
Thirty-eight years now, 34 with my own business. I was flown in by Elizabeth Arden because they were failing on Worth Avenue. I think I was the only one that did not want to come to Palm Beach. They made it very lucrative for me, and I lived with friends on Jupiter Island for the first four years. When Elizabeth Arden was sold, I became a free agent and started my own business above Chez Jean Pierre on Sunset Avenue and the business took off.

Who are some of the famous people you have worked with here?
I have worked with Oprah four times. The last time they called, they wanted to know what movie stars I do and I replied the clients in Palm Beach own the studios that the movie stars work in. My clients who came from the old families of Palm Beach who took me under their wings, like Lilly Pulitzer and her family. They taught me about the community of Palm Beach and that you should come to bring something to the community, not to take from it.

I also remember the fashion show we did at the Royal Poinciana Playhouse for the Animal Rescue League. Everyone in town walked the runway with a dog. I was in the old musty bathroom doing hair and makeup. And lo and behold Billy Norwich of Vogue flew in and German Vogue. It was all done out of our hearts for our friend and that is very Palm Beach. Jimmy Buffett is another great example of life in Palm Beach. Janie Buffett and Savannah Buffett were clients and you would see Jimmy at Publix’s on the weekend getting groceries to make pancakes for the family. He loved Palm Beach, because nobody bothered him. He could be anonymous.