"The eyebrow pencil and false eyelashes were essential; my mother didn't feel dressed without them"

In this quote, Lorna Luft is explaining the significance of certain appeal items to her mother. She points out the eyebrow pencil and incorrect eyelashes specifically, mentioning that they were necessary for her mother to feel totally dressed. This suggests that her mother positioned a high value on her look and thought that these items were essential to accomplish a specific level of charm. It also hints at a potential insecurity or lack of confidence without these products. In general, the quote highlights the societal pressure placed on females to conform to certain appeal standards and the effect it can have on their self-perception.