THE CULT OF BEAUTY

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 271, 14 November 1936, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE CULT OF BEAUTY

Your Mouth Will Tell Its Tale.

ENCOURAGE A PLEASANT EXPRESSION.

THE beauty of the mouth and lips has been a rapturous theme for

(By A SPECIALIST.)

lovers and poets ever since the world began. Dante found inexpressible delight in the charming mouth of Beatrice, and Petrarch seems to have found 110 cliarm in tlie divine Laura greater than her "beautiful and angelical mouth." Even Milton's stern lyre was tuned to sweetest song about "The Vermil-tinctured lip." It is the sentiment of emotion which lingers about the mouth that constitutes much of its beauty. A mouth perpetually contracted as if it were about to say 110, or curled up with passions of sarcasm and illnature, cannot be beautiful, even though its lips were chiselled like Diana's and stained with the red of choicest cherries. The mouth, indeed, is scarcely less expressive than the eyes, and therefore woman must not forget that its chief beauty consists in the expression. If a woman is anxious to have her mouth particularly charming for some particular occasion, she will do well to fill her thoughts with some very delightful subject. And let her not tforget that the muscles of the mouth and face are, like the rest of human nature, "creatures of habit," and long use in the language of amiability and happiness gives that expressive organ its greatest charm. ; Ruby lips are generally the sign of perfect health. But those who are entirely well do not always enjoy the possession of cherry lips. Were this the case a little red may be used with beneficial results —a very little! The advantage gained by the artificial red, however, may be more than lost if it is so carelessly applied that it is instantly detected. * To assist Mother Nature where she has fallen down 011 her job is every woman's privilege, but it should not be obvious. The one feature a woman may make or mar is her mouth. One that droops gives the effect of peevishness or discontent. If the corners are tight, the expression is that of disapproval, if not of disagreeableness. The way in which tlie best aspect is obtained is to get an upward curve at the corners, and it is for this one must strive. It is a fact that women who think kind thoughts and do good deeds are a great deal more attractive than those who think only of themselves. The face reflects the mind and in a matter of looks one cannot afford to be disagreeable. Too Much Artificiality. There is too much artificiality in the "make-up" of the woman of to-day. What with artificial eyelashes, eyelids painted in gold and silver tints, plucked eyebrows and all the rest of it, women are heading far away from beauty. Eyelashes an inch long are being worn by some of the too artificial women of to-day. They are applied one by one, pasted on a transparent base, and they can be shortened according to taste. Eyelashes and eye shadows have been rendered t .'ar-proof. So firmly are they fixed that they cannot be laughed off, yet they can be painlessly removed. There is a familiar woman going around to-day. You meet her by the dozen, and I expect you know her, too. Her hair is platinum blonde, her eyelashes are artificial, her eyebrows have been shaved and her lids painted green. She rouges her cheeks badly and paints her lips" a pillar-box red. The result is clownish to a degree. And how often do we see that tragic sip-lit of the darkhaired sallow woman who models 'her-

self on the flashing Spanish style? With the aid of deep rcuge and heavy tint*ings she becomes glaringly artificial for all the world to see. Massage. The ancient physician and philosopher, Hippocrates, says: "Rubbing can bind a loose joint that is too loose, and loosen a joint that is too rigid." Also, "rubbing can bind and loosen, can make flesh and cause parts to waste. Hard rubbing binds, soft rubbing loosens, much rubbing causes parts to waste, moderate rubbing make them grow." Massage is a beautifier. It is a healthy exercise, and whether it rubs the skin, the muscles, or the bones, it increases the circulation and prevents the forming of fat. For those who cannot and will not take real exercise 111 the open air, massage is necessary, if only as a preservative of youth and beauty. While vibration on the face often causes the muscles to become weak and flabby, this is certainly not true of handmassage. Massage consists of more than mere rubbing. In the first place, you must know in what direction to rub, and in the second case, you must know what kind of movements to adopt. The woman who desires health and beauty would be wise to take lessons before trying to massage herself. It is not difficult to learn. Beauty Builders. Sports are valuable beauty builders, and you should give all the time you can spare to them. Dancing is an excellent tonic, keeps the body supple and gives poise and grace of movement. Golf, tennis, and basketball are also good. But if you cannot indulge in sports, you can at least spare fifteen minutes in the morning and fifteen at night, for physical culture. And cultivate happiness. You can't look beautiful at a dance or anywhere else if you are not having a good time. Enjoyment lends vivacity and charm. Remember that the greatest and .most lasting beauty comes from within. By letting your mouth droop and thinking the gloomiest thoughts you can conjure up, it is possible to achieve an expression which will almost frighten you if you look into the mirror. It is easy to see why the beauty experts insist that one massages the face with upward strokes, instead of downwards. Curved, uplifted lines mean a youthful, liappy face. Down-drfrging lines mean discontent, age, unattractiveness. A Series of Don'ts. Don't tolerate the so-called "lazy" nose. It is the duty of this organ"to inhale fresli air,and carry it through to the- lungs. See that it performs this duty, and you may help it by keeping the nose free from dust and all obstrucL tions. : Don't forget that the parched face , relishes a drink of cold water quite as ' much as the parched throat. Fill a . bowl with cool, soft water and. holding the breath, immerse the face several times in it. You will be surprised at the result.

Don't entrust the massage of your face to an amateur. Bad massage is worse than none. Massage your face yourself by a series of pattings and kneadings, always in an upward direction. And you can't go wrong. Never stretch the skin, but tap it and pat it. . Don't despair of the ageing neck. Feed it carefully with a- good cold cream and hold it high. Give it the same attention as you give your face, and it will in time regain its appearance of youth.