How's Your Expression?

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 169, 19 July 1941, Page 13

How's Your Expression?

<'CHE has such a sweet expression." How often do we hear that said of a woman? Yet many women do not realise that expression is an important part of beauty. An attractive expression . can transform a plain face, a "sour grapes" scowl will ruin the loveliest skin and features. *

And these days, when we are all worried and anxious, it is more than ever important to pay attention to our expression. It is so easy for mouths to fold into a thin line when minds are steeled to determination, to droop when hearts are sad. So easy for anxiety and tension to betray itself in frowns and wrinkled foreheads.

To think deliberately of happy pleasant things is not easy nowadays, when there seems to be so much of bitterness, so little of beauty, in the world. Nevertheless we must, whenever we can, and not only for vanity's sake, but for the sake of those with whom we come in contact. A smile, a twinkle in the eye, helps uplift morale, and good morale helps the war effort. Beauty in Nature There are still beautiful things left in the world: beauty in nature, in art and music and literature. And there's the future. To look beyond all the ghastliness of to-day to the world we plan to build will bring hope and serenity to our faces, if only for a moment. Not for nothing has it been said that beautiful thoughts will make a face beautiful! Nevertheless, a few practical suggestions towards charm of expression will not go amiss. JKeep the mouth turning upwards, for once it takes the wrong turning and begins to droop it gives a look of age to the face as well as detracting from the expression. First, purse the lips and force them out as far as they will go as

though about to whistle, then draw them back with a tight grin and relax. Repeat about a dozen times.

Next, put the two fingers of each' hand flat on the chin, the finger tips just touching the corners of the mouth, and pull gently downwards as though trying to increase the fault. At the same time try to lift the corners of the mouth by pulling against the fingers with the mouth muscles. It may be wise, however, to do these exercises in the privacy of your room! Then there's the little line that often appears between the eyes. Massage with the fingertips dipped in cream helps to smooth it away. But if it is caused by tenseness of the eye muscles you might try this eye exercise: Turn the eyes as far to the right as they will go, and then as far to the left, as though trying to look over each shoulder in turn without moving the head. Do this simple little trick 20 times at any time during the day when you happen to be alone. It will do wonders in banishing the hard strained look and softening the expression of the eyes. Lastly, don't forget the importance of relaxation and sleep for serenity of mind and face.