I sure wouldn’t mind coming back as Madonna: Mehrbano Sethi

Mehrbano Sethi, creator of Luscious Cosmetics, on loyalty and her addiction to computers.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

A beautiful beach, a good book, and iced tea.

What is your greatest fear?

I fear I will lose my motivation in this turbulent economy. I try to remain optimistic in order to stay focused, but it can be a challenge in the current state of our country.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

The inability to say no. I am easily persuaded and extremely empathetic, sometimes to my own detriment!

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Dishonesty and incompetence.

What is your greatest extravagance?

I am a budding art collector and a lifelong collector of handbags.

What is your current state of mind?

Quite serene and balanced.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

I think most virtues are overrated.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

I’m quite happy and comfortable in my own skin. I think the ability to accept yourself with all your strengths and flaws is an essential step towards true beauty.

Which living person do you most despise?

Certainly not anyone I know personally. I don’t have the capacity to despise people because it involves too much negative energy.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Confidence and a sense of humour.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Loyalty and intelligence.

When and where were you happiest?

Lately I’ve been reminiscing about my college years in Boston. I think it was one of the happiest times in my life.

Which talent would you most like to have?

I’m envious of people with great singing voices. I would have liked to be able to carry a tune.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d like to be a morning person. It would make my life much easier.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

For now it would have to be the creation of Luscious Cosmetics. I aspire to take the company to the global stage, and then it will be a great achievement.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?



I am tempted to say “myself”, but I sure wouldn’t mind coming back as Madonna.

What is your most treasured possession?

My computer. It’s like a fifth limb, and I would be lost without it.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

A loss of optimism, hope and faith.

If you didn’t do your current job, what would you choose to do?

If I didn’t do my current job, I would be obsessed with finding a way to do it and nothing else.

Who is your hero of fiction?

I read a lot of adventure novels and, since I was a kid, my hero has been Dirk Pitt, created by my favourite author Clive Cussler. The fearless Modesty Blaise is a second favourite from the ‘60s  adventure series by Peter O’ Donnell.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Estee Lauder, I would like to think.

Who are your heroes in real life?

Ordinary people who have the ability to do extraordinary things simply by opening their hearts. People who try to tackle seemingly insurmountable issues with great determination.

What is your greatest regret?

I have no regrets. They take up too much valuable time.

Published in The Express Tribune, Sunday Magazine, January 16^th, 2011.