QUEST FOR BEAUTY

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 21, 25 January 1934, Page 16

QUEST FOR BEAUTY

AUSTRALIAN GIRLS' MAKE-UP. Ambassador of the court of Beauty, Monsieur Jaquinat Michel, for 10 years associated with Antoine's, Paris, has arrived in Melbourne, and all types of local beauties, from casually encountered shop-girls to formally interviewed leaders of society were submitted to his penetrating inspection. His considered verdict (says the "Star") was a triumphant vindication of the Australian girl. The only fault M. Michel's discerning eye could detect was an inefficiency in the art of make-up. His choice of a type representative of Australian womanhood fell on a Toorak girl. "The Australian girl is infinitely more 'chic' than her English cousin," said M. Michel. "Look at her anywhere in the street —and you are astonished at her smartness and her good taste. She is, in effect, almost the rival of the Parisienne in matters of dress—but elie lacks a certain vivacity which seems to be uniquely a product of France. "While the Australian is content to parade her unquestionable personal attractiveness, peacock-like, the French girl takes charge of tho situation, and reliss morn upon her personality than her person."

Modern Jason. Like some twentieth-century .Tason, M. Michel set out upon his colourful quest, but instead of seeking for a golden fleece he carried it with him, in a special little bag. It was a scintillant wig, -woven of fine sold wire, an example of the latest vogue in Parisian evening wear. "The wig is a modern interpretation of a century-old style—a headdress of the first Empire," M. Michel explained. "It weighs about a pound and a half, for it contains nearly half a mile of wire, and it can be obtained in either silver or frold, according to the type which wears it. A piece of ribbon, matching the ensemble, is threaded loosely through one of the coils. The cost, in Australian money, is about £30." On beaches, in streets, and in suburban homes, M. Michel encountered many splendid representatives of Australian girlhood, and, finally, in Toorak, he .acclaimed Miss Judy Price as the typical Australian beauty. Perfect Type. With an ambassadorial flourish M. Michel removed the gleaming wig from its wrappings, and set it carefuly upon Miss Price's head. "A perfect fit," he cried enthusiastically, "and a perfect type to wear it!" "All that tho Australian girl lacks in the way of appearance," said M. Michel, "is a knowledge of make-up. She is often crude and undiscerning in her use of cosmetics. She devotes too much attention to her lips, forgetting that a perfect make-up must treat the face as a harmonious whole.

"Properly made-up, one does not need to be ever resorting to tho powder-puff and lipstick as the Australian girl does throughout the day. The French girl makes up twice—once in the morning and again at night. That is all!" But make-up in Paris is obviously a specialised art. M. Michel tells of one fashionable eyelash treatment, whereby 250 specially curled hairs are attached to the natural lashes of each eye, at an inclusive cost of about £12, which includes freo service and replacements for three weeks. After that, to be truly chic, it is advisable to invest in another 500 lashes! In commenting on these statements, the (secretary of the Guild of Ladies' Hairdressers in Melbourne, said that he was "prepared to agree with M. Michel that the French girl generally had a better make-up, but he did not agree that she refrained from periodic lipstick and powder applications at odd moments during the day." In his opinion, tho use of lipstick was largely a matter of habit. A woman engaged in a cross-channel swim would probably take a lipstick with her, and apply it almost subconsciously every few miles!

There were many reasons for the slight superiority of the French woman's makeup. The Australian woman's knowledge of ( make-up was comparatively recent. "The French girl had a long tradition td inherit, and from the age of 14 she was vitally interested in the art of selfbeautification. "Australians, however, were rapidly waking to a realisation of what a good make-up means. They had better natural complexions than French girls to start with, though over-exposure to sunshine tended to coarsen the skin." A list of what was considered essential requirements in a satisfactory make-up was supplied. -Tho indispensable factors, nine in number, were: Skin tonic, skin astringent, cleansing cream, skin food, vanishing cream, face powder, eye shadow, eye cosmetic, and lipstick.