Glamour Knows No Age

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 301, 1 October 1938, Page 4

Glamour Knows No Age

-ypu can be glamorous at any age.” This is the encouraging statement of that “Little Father to the Stais.” Max Factor, whose business it has been for more than a quarter of a century to enhance the beauty and eliminate the blemishes of Hollywood’s glittering stars. There was a time when, in order to be considered for stardom, a girl had to be in her teens. Americans were supposed to insist on youth. To-day, the majority of the favourites are approaching their 30th birthdays, and some have passed that anniversary. Shirley Temple and Jane Withers have not entered their teens, May Robson has reached 74. Age does not really matter any more. What matters is getting all you can from each decade.

“It is actually a question of enjoying the things you have at any age,” said Billie Burke, her graceful hands busy among the tea things on her silver tray. “I’ve always had a horror of those efforts to ‘keep young’ which are so freely recommended. Buying a gown, ‘it makes you look so much younger’; doing your hair in a ‘youthful fashion’; behaving in a kittenish manner to indicate that you are a ‘mere child.’ Sometimes girls of barely 20 go in for ‘baby talk’—that’s the impression this ‘keeping young’ has on me, when it’s put on fiom the outside. “Hollywood is especially kind to women, though, because it gives us con-

stant activity and change—and that’s what contributes to youth. Actual ‘renewing of mind,’ You never know what your next part will bring—sudden success, greater fame, or, perhaps, disillusionment. You can’t stagnate here, You must keep up. You must live—and that’s the difference between simply existing from day to day and living your life. It doesn’t much matter whether you are 18 or 80, so long as .you do that." Age, according to this glamorous authority, is a state of mind, anyway.

“I believe you feel older at 25 than you do at any other age,” she added. “I can remember dreading to reach 30 —and then—what of it?” Bette Davis takes each birthday as a matter of course, but says she enjoys approaching 30. “I think that by that time a woman has formed an idea of what she really

What Are Women’s Best Assets ?

little ladies. There is no attempt to hold Shirley back, so that she may seem more babyish than her age; and no effort to advance Deanna, so that she may seem a bit more exotic.” At 20, the seeker for glamour finds make-up a serious problem, according to our beauty authority. “At 20 it is important to find out just what shades of powder, rouge and lipstick belong to your particular complexion. It is still important not to us*, too much lipstick o? *ouge. “Rochelio Hudson <uvJ Tear> Parker it*. both good examples if gitor.our at this age,” said Mr Factoc 'Looking at them on the stioe\ you •'v-.'t tell that th-y ns 6 make up. except for lipstick. Their aim is to !*» ‘-atural and they ha-’e achieved if Jo the thin Sate, however, Mr. iacor concedes that e woman can afford lo he vivid. “At 30," he smfiw. “shs> .on 100-. *Jbead and look two": with a cleo; via©** i,r «at?b direction. It is the most ad van hideous age of sll. coupling both experi«nd youth—an unbeatable combiof Hollywood’s

wants to do,” she said, looking up from a book in her .sunny patio. “She has usually been married a few years, life has more interests and' presents a wider horizon. “Extreme youth is such a harrowing time—you don’t know what you want, you worry through first love—not understanding, not even trying to understand —just suffering. In these modem times, when it is smart not to bother checking off the years, it seems to me that we needn’t look on them as milestones toward a grave, but as added wealth in piling up thrilling personalities.” Elaborating on his theory that any woman can be glamorous at any age, Mr. Factor declares that his best advice to those who would maintain that elusive quality is: Be your age, whether it is 8, 18 or 80. Since the world-wide popularity of

various screen moppets, such as Shirley Temple, Jane Withers and their current rivals, American mothers have looked on their own offspring with new eyes. There has been a. wave of Temple curls and Withers bangs. Youngsters who had possibilities of individuality before are now turned out as small copies of famous contemporaries. Mothers who try to force children into another mould than

the one nature intended defeat their own purposes. “Children should never use makeup. Good soap, cooling talcum powder—these are the only cosmetics for little ladies of tender years. A little girl’s coiffure is cUrls, if her hair is naturally curly; simply bobed cuts or even the old-fashioned pigtails if her hair is straight. Use whatever style seems to bring out the child’s natural charm. “When girls I’each the age of Deanna Durbin—ls—they come to the first makeup milestone.

“Now is the time to start laying a beauty foundation. Soap and water, a good skin and tissue cream are advisable. She may use face powder, because her vanity will make a shiny nose insufferable. Her nails she he well kept, but conservative, definitely not too long or too bright. Almost colourless lip rouge will keep her lips from being too dry, and a simple, well-tended coiffure will make a sub-deb. the symbol of all she seeks to represent. To go any further in the way of make-up will only rob her of what is the inherent charm of her age. Shirley and Deanna are examples of my theories, yet both are glamorous

most glamorous stars are- members of the thirties. “This is the age when lipstick may be accentuated, when eyelash make-up may be used, when eye-shadow and a glowing skin spell glamour. It is also a time when a powder base and moist rouge are most important, for the skin at 30, while still young, does not glow with the abundant vitality that is natural at 20. “It is also an age to start using skin and tissue cream consistently, at least every other night. The natural oils of the skin must be replaced, because a well-groomed skin will be even more important 10 years from now. Systematic cleansing is necessary, and if the skin is at all dry, skin freshener should follow washing.” Who are those numbered in the fashionable forties? Both Billie Burke and the Duchess of Windsor admit having reached that age. Irene Rich has made her age a commercial asset. There are scores of women in the public eye who prove that 40 has its special charm. i

I “Now. discriminating taste in dress and coiffure is especially important,” Mr. ; Factor revealed. “Rich background and poise mean glamour at 40. At this age, expert advice should be sought regarding a change in colour harmony of cosmetics, for usually the skin has become a little darker, and the hair may be greying. “Too many women of this age fail to see themselves as others see them. I advise special photographic tests both in black and white and in colour for actresses in the forties who wish to decide what to do. Blending and colour of cosmetics is especially important. Women of 40 are quite different from what they were at 20 or 30, and sometimes radical changes in make-up and hair styles may be in order. Because you looked well in bright scarlet at 16 or because pale blue was your favourite colour is no reason for going in strongly for these shades at 40. Find out if they are becoming first. “After 50, it is important to realise that an attempt to look 20 is an essay into i

i the impossible, and is also ruinous to the delicate beauty 50 may achieve. “Cosmetics should be used discreetly. Generally speaking, subdued shades are advisable. White hair is softening and flattering. Conscientiousness in care 'Of hair and skin becomes more important with every year that passes after 50.” Dolores del Rio, whose name is spoken whenever the word “glamour” is introduced into conversation about stars, says that the reason the thirties are to her the most glamorous of all ages is that when a woman approaches the age of 30 a fuller world opens to her. “She is in a position to dress in a more sophisticated manner than the young girl can do, and in a more original and interesting style than an older woman can carry off,” she explained, looking her most dazzling in black cut on simple lines and ornamented with a single flower of many shades. “She has more freedom than at any other time in life. “The woman of 30 has more to talk about; she has usually perfected herself

in whatever sports or games she enjoys, and so makes a more enjoyable partner.” Mrs. Ruth Withers, mother of Jane, has decided views about age in com nection with her famous daughter. “Jane is 12 and on the screen she plays roles of that age. I’m glad this is true, because I believe every girl should be her own age, not younger and certainly not older. “Jane is in the seventh grade, which is normal for the 12-year-old. Her teachers tell me she could easily skip a grade, but I don’t pneourage her doing so. It seems to me' that it is best for Jane to be studying the subjects other 12-year-olds are studying while she is that age.” June Lang, who is among the younge: players at Twentieth Century Studio? and not yet 21, demanded to know wh; any one should put in time trying t be glamorous. “Glamour is an artificial thing, an; way,” quoth she. “I’d much, mu rather be interesting than glamoror and. its lasts longer.