MAINLY FOR WOMEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 February 1937, Page 12

MAINLY FOR WOMEN

ITEMS OF INTEREST

THE LONDON “DEB.” j The announcement that a dukb s daughter IS willing to chaperon one youhg girl for the Coronation season in London draws attention to that interesting, lucrative, and possibly hazardous profession of chaperonage, states an exchange. This year, with the Coronation of King George and Queen Elizabeth forming the most important and spectacular social function in the world, London’s social and society , life will be more brilliant, more gay, and more splendidly extravagant than it has been for some time. , „ . With people gathering from all paits of the world to witness the Coronation, a great number of them, no doubt, knowing little or nothing of London or London’s society, its manners, its rules, and regulations—nothing, in fact, of all that Ronald Frankau has described as “the terribly, terribly British”—the professional chaperon and the woman who knows the right people in the right places will once again come into her own. Last year, with the absence of all Royal Courts, many young girls postponed their “coming out” until this year, and now with a number of young overseas visitors eager for presentation at Court, and the added brilliance of the Coronation to the London season, chaperons will be in great demand. Although there are only about six titled women who are admittedly paid chaperons, there, are several who are willing to augment their incomes by launching or “bringing out” debutantes for mothers or relatives who are unable to do it themselves.

CHAPERON’S DUTIES. Through select agencies, acquaintance or direct appeals in the columns of the newspapers, the paid chaperons make their contracts with mothers or guardians of young girls contemplating a London season: Fees fluctuate according to the number of social functions, the wealth of the sponsors, and the personality , and looks of the girl.

Usually, when th'ey ake presented at Court, Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian girls have a decided advahtag'e over other visitors equally uhkhoiVh in London, as they are sponsored by the wives of high officials representing their Government in London. As a result their London season costs comparatively little beyond the admittedly high price of Court dresses.

The duties of the chaperon are many and varied. She has to possess wisdom and tact, a great deal of sympathy and a sound knowledge of dressing. When the girl has no woman guardian, the advice of the chaperon is expected, and very often needed, on clothes, hairdressing and make-up. Once groomed, the girl will usually give a party, to which the chaperon asks financially and socially congenial young men and women and other debutantes’. ‘ . EXPENDITURE FOR THE SEASON This year, of course, there will be many important Court functions in addition to the usuial round of social gatherings and entertainments of the London season. Although covering only the usual three months, the social season in London this year will be one of the busiest for some time. Normally the average expenditure on entertainment entailed in the launching of a debutante comes to about £2O a week, or £240 over the three months. To this is added the cost of the girl’s clothes, upon which a great t deal admittedly depends, and the fees of the chaperon. About three years ago a titled chaperon in London received £2OOO from an American family for establishing their daughter in London society. The average figure more recently has been from about £l5O to £2OO. In addition, of course, the chaperon is given a considerable amount of free entertainment. To the girl wishing to make the rignt connections, go to the right places, and play the intricate, fascinating, and diplomatic game of society as it should be played with confidence and gracp, the established l sponsorship of a well-known chaperon is invaluable. Successfully launched with all the ingenuity and social standing at her chaperon’s command, the full enjoyment of the season rests with the girl alone. CARING FOR BRASSWARE. Ornamental brassware mu'st be always gleaming if it is to look attractive. In the winter when there is so much moisture in the atmosphere brass quickly tarnishes if it is not kept perfectly dry. This can be done by rubbing every day with a soft, dry wash-leather, states an exchange. Stains cans be removed by rubbing with a piece of cut lemon dipped in kitchen salt. Tarnish can be removed with turpentine. All these cleansers should be rinsed off thoroughly afterwards. Lacquer will prevent tarnish on brass ornaments which are not in constant use and which do not need washing. A thin coating of french polish should be applied evenly with a fine brush.

Brass trays which are in use can be wiped over with a little salad oil or linseed oil after cleaning. Care should be taken in cleaning engraved brass, as polishes have a tendency to remain in the crevices. The best way to clean it is by means of hot, soapy water containing paraffin. It should be scrubbed well with a nail brush, rinsed, and dried well. Occasionally rub over with a good wax or liquid furniture polish, using very little. Do not use this on lacquered brass; it can be cleaned with a little whiting occasionally.

TATTOOED SHOULDERS. A CORONATION STYLE. LONDON, January 22. The Royal cipher, tattooed on the shoulder, is one of the fashions which photography is helping to spread among women. . Pictures published widely in London of mannequins having the monogram “G.R.” surmounted by a royal crown, tattooed on their left shoulderblades and calves have aroused a good deal of interest in that particular method of “improving beauty. The tattooed ciphers are executed in red and blue vegetable dyes. Little support is expected among the gen eral public for the fashion, but photography has certainly succeeded in bringing it before the public eye. Another tattooing fashion being accorded a growing success is that o havi’T • ' rianent complexion tattoo ' ■ cheek. Women with unnaturally pale or freckled' skins can have this “operation peifoimed by a beauty specialits who gu ai am tees an attractive girlish complexion which will stay permanently rosy at exactly the right depth of colo " r ® u . mer and winter alike. The method to apply a local anaesthetic to the Seek and then to tattoo it with W points of red with the aid of an electric needle. Great skiH mulst be taken to apply the colour at the depth in the right place and to shade it off so that it blends' with the ong inal colouring of the woman’s face at the eyes and neck. So that this will be done, the specialist and a nurse “map” out the patient’s face in zones. Women with high cheekbones need the deepest colour on their cheek at a point tar different from women who have a long, thin face and prominent nose. Thin women, as a rule, need then colouring high on the cheekbones to make them look more prominent. Others, want it lower on the cheek and as far to the side of the face as possible so as to give it a broader appearance. No pain need be attached to the operation, and, in the hands of a skilled man, it can be the best investment a plain woman can make.

THOSE BOTHERSOME BITES. The ankle—a particularly vulnerable part—is fair game,, and needs to be protected by two pairs of thin stockings, with a sprinkling of pyrethrum powder between. The thin individual, venturing into low-lying danger zones, may escape scot-free, for mosquitoes, and midges, as a rule, prefer succulent and oily flesh. There are several excellent antimidge protectives. Two of the most useful are the oils of citronella arid of geranium. More effective still is a mixture of aromatic oils, such as: Oil of bergamot, half an oufnce; oil of cloves, half an ounce; oil of lavender, half an ounce; oil of turps, two ounces; quinine sulphate, 20 grains; spirit vini rectificati, eight ounces; and water to the pint. Smear this over exposed parts of the body before going where you know you’ll be bitten. A capital preventive, ready to hand in most homes, is the familiar Epsom salts. Take one ounce of Epsom salts, dissolve it in a pint of water, and with a cloth moistened (but not dripping) with the solution rub the body well all over. Dress immediately, without wiping. Allow it to dry into the face and other exposed parts. The fine powder which is left is most distasteful to mosquitoes, midges, and, indeed, to all insects! Treat a mosquito or midge bite with some soothing applications, such as a mixture of limewater and olive oil —or simply with olive oil if nothing bfettfer is immediately available. A solution of bicarbonate of soda makes a splendid “salve.”

SALT BATHS. VELVET SMOOTH SKIN. Salt can do an enormous amount for your good looks if you will let it. Have you tried a brine bath? It will make your skin as smooth and soft as velvet, taking away gooseflesh and little rough pimples like magic, states a writer in an exchange. This is the way to do it. Have your ordiniairy warm batli at night, and while your skin is wet, take a handful of ordinary kitchen salt and rub this systematically all over your skin. Pay special attention to the backs of your arms where gooseflesh loves to collect, to your legs where rough skin and little pimples may mar the flesh, to youir feet where callouses wear away your stockings and don’t make walking any too pleasant —the gentle action of the salt will take all these blemishes away, and tend to reduce fat, too.

The skin will flush when it has had enough, for you mustn’t rub until it is sore, of course. Save your energy for another night. Rinse the salt off with warm water, follow' with a cold sponge down, and then dry yourself with a rough Turkish towel. You’ll feel a new woman —brimful of energy and alive in every muscle. Another way to have a brine bath Is this: Put a bath towel in a bowl, cover it with enough water to make it wet, and then put in as mulch salt as will dissolve in the 'water. This overnight, or for\some hours if you want to have the bath at night. After an ordinary wash, wring out the salted towel a little, and rub yourself all over with it. Rinse in clear water afterwards. Try this beauty treatment if you want to show a back with perfect skin at this season’s dances.

SUMMER DRINKS. Tomato juice makes a refreshing and healthful beverage at this time of the year. It can be bought in tins, but can be made at home quite easily. Wash and slice the quantity of tomatoes required, and rub through a hair sieve with a wooden spoon; do not use a metal sieve or spoon. Thin down the pulp with water until it is of the right consistency. The flavouring is important; add a little lemon juice, sugar, pepper and celery salt. Serve very cold. A delicious drink can be made with tinned or fresh pineapple. The pineapple (one fresh or a large tin) should be cut into small pieces and pressed to a pulp. Add a quart of boiling

water, eight ounces of sugar, the pineapple juice (if tinned), the juice of two lemons, and a teaspoonful of pineapple essence. Cover and leave to stand for a few hours. Then strain through a hair sieve, pressing out as much juice as possible. This may be diluted with a little plain or soda water. Here is another refreshing fruit drink which can be made with tinned or bottled fruits while fresh ones are not. available. Into a saucepan put! the thinly pared rind of three lemons,, their juice, the syrup from a tin of j pears and a tin of raspberries, four]

ounces of sugar, and a cupful of raspberry jam. Add a quart of boiling water, and simmer gently for five minutes. Strain through a hair sieve, then add the pears, diced, and the raspberries. Let it get very cold and serve with a dash of soda water, .a piece of ice, and some of the fruit in each glass. On cold evenings this drink, is equally good served hot. Here is a drink which can be made without any fruit at all. It is quite good served with slices oi lemon oi sections of grapefruit when an eco 1 nomical drink in large quantities is lequired. Dissolve a pound of sugar in

two and a-half pints of boiling water. Let it get cold, then stir in .two ounces of tartaric acid and a tablespoonful of essence of lemon. Add the whisked whites of two eggs. This drink can be bottled. Only one or two tablespoonfuls are required to a tumbler of water.