CULT OF BEAUTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 307, 28 December 1929, Page 4 (Supplement)

CULT OF BEAUTY.

SECRETS OF CELEBRATED COURT LADIES. ORANGES FOR COMPLEXION. (By A PARIS BEAUTY SPECIALIST.) In the Middle Ages France and England were in the throes of cosmetics and the use of them. In Queen Anne's days, one historian says, the paint of Miladi's cheek was considered one means of keeping her lover at a distance. The untimely death of more than one famous beauty of long ago has been attributed to the paint with which she covered her face. Lady Coventry, the celebrated English beauty, died from such effect. In centuries past, history tells us, men were also addicted to the use of rouge and powder. Beauty patches came from Arabia, probably beginning with the astrological signs, but drifted into conceits like small boats, cut from black court plaster. In Georgian times they were made of black velvet. The beauty patch made its appearance in England in the seventeenth century, and was supposed to have been worn principally by candle light to enhance the delicacy of a creamy complexion. However, the fad grew to such an extent that at the Restoration a bill was passed against its use. In France it came into existence together with powder and rouge in the gay court of Louis XIV. The coquetry of the beauty patch was a finished art with court beauties. Each beauty of every age has had her favourite recipe for preservation of all, or a favourite part of, that beauty that was noticeable. Creed of a Princess. The orange diet of the famous Marquise Crespy has become part of the beauty creed of all who have studied the art of the preservation of beauty. Chroniclers of the charms of women of her time assert that when she lacked but two years of being one hundred years old lier complexion resembled an apple blossom. For the secret of this marvellous preservation we are informed that for the last forty years of her life she ate as many as eight oranges a day. Oranges act powerfully upon the liver,, hence those who eat many oranges have very clear, fair complexions. The Princess Davout, at 85 years, •bore her slight, graceful figure with the upright grace of a girl. Never was a complexion more beautiful. She attributed this to the fact that she always washed her face in rainwater. Madame La Pompadour, who was celebrated for having one of the finest skins of the day, used to wipe her face every morning with a soft cloth dipped in the juice of cucumbers, it is said. One of the present queens of Europe, whose skin is very clear, washes her face with the froth of beer. Another queen has always used, as a toilet astringent, a mixture of lemon juice and milk made up in the following proportions:—Juice of half a lemon to 250 grammes of milk. This mixture is applied to the face, and the following morning washed off with tepid water. Nearly all women have been aware of the fact that a clear, smooth complexion, of delicate tint and texture, is one of the greatest assets that a woman can possess. Rosemary Leaves. Queen Elizabeth of Hungary bathed her face solely and often in water distilled from rosemary, the recipe of which she obtained from a hermit. This is said to have preserved her beauty to an old age. The celebrated Duchess of Marlborough, called the "queen of society" under the reign of Queen Anne, was captivating as a wit rather than as a beauty. Yet her loveliness in middle age remained still. Her hair, preserved by the use of honey water, was abundant and untouched by time. The beauties of the Royal Court of Louis XIV. and Louis XV. used to brighten their complexions, by sprinkling their faces with a vinegar composed of honey, vinegar and shredded sandalwood. Marie Antoinette's contribution to beauty laws was her discovery that, as the feet, so the face. "Dainty feet are an index to a dainty face," said she. "Care of the feet preserves beauty of the face." In describing the secrets of Marie Antoinette's charm, Madame Campon says: "She appeared to all eyes more than beautiful. Her TjJilk .partook at once of the noble character oi the princess of her house. Her eyes were deep blue, her smile lovely. It was impossible to refrain from admiring hei aerial deportment."

t- Use of Lemons. The lemon cure was taken by royalty and beauties who desired the extremely slender figure demanded by fashion. Copious draughts of hot lemon were taken without sugar upon arising in the morning, and the last thing at uiglit. It is said that this not only acts as a tonic, but makes one delightfully slim. Much may be said in favour of lemons.* Italian singers regard the use of emons with great favour. The reason is woith noting. When a singer was threatened with hoarseness, a quick and sure remedy, that has never been known to fail, is to beat the juice o' a lemon and the white of an egg together, and. aild a little honey or sugar to the mixture. Writers, and particularly authors of note, have learned the secrets of squeezing the juice of a lemon into a cupful of hot black coffee to relieve headache. A very simple way of keeping the skin vcrv soft is that told .by the peasants of "Franco. Steep quince peelings in water, strain it, adding a little rosewater to it, and bathe the face from time to time with the mixture.