HINTS ON MAKE-UP

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22356, 29 February 1936, Page 23

HINTS ON MAKE-UP

FACE TONICS AND POWDERS Perfect complexion and regular features are very uncommon, but many a girl passes for a beauty simply by reason of knowing how to enhance her natural good points and hide her bad ones.

We have all noticed at times how the best way to revive a drooping energy is to have a quick soothing facial, followed by a touch of skilful make-up, and anyone who knows anything about psychology realises that a becoming rouge and lipstick not only makes us look better, but feel better, and consequently i>e better. For what gives one a quicker feeling of health and energy than to have some friend exclaim: "Why, how well you look." But let it never be forgotten, modern make-up does not consist of a heavy coating of powder and dabs of pink colour on either cheek. First it must be on a faultlessly clear and healthy skin. Then it should consist of a powder base which holds the powder so lightly as to show the healthy texture of the skin through, and lastly, there must be subtle and well-chosen tones of powder and rouge which harmonise with the wearer's natural colouring. There is one golden rule about makeup; never allow it to remain on too long. Before dressing to go out in the evening thoroughly cleanse the face with cold cream, and renew your powder and colour. Also have handy a tonic lotion to use after the cleansing cream. It is an excellent idea to keep a small perfume atomiser, and to spray the face with the lotion, as this is doubly refreshing and toning to the skin if one is at all tired.

The following is a simple preparation which will suit most types of complexion, and which may be easily procured: Elderflower water, three ounces; witchhazel, three ounces; white gin, one ounce; distilled water, six ounces; essence of verbena, 10 drops. There are many excellent preparations of a similar nature on the market.

Keep the eyes tightly closed while spraying the face with this type of lotion, as it would them if it got

The placing of your rouge is just as important as the' shade you select. A good way to decide this point is to hold a hot wet cloth to the centre of the cheek. When the colour subsides a little, the shape and size of the rosy patch left should be just about the right area for your colour. Equal in importance is your choice of a powder. The finer and more expensive powders are the cheapest in the long run. They go further and are not harmful to the skin. Experts say that there is a good way of testing a powder to find out if it is absolutely harmless, and that is to dip the tip of the finger in it and taste it. If it has a hot or peppery taste, avoid it. It should be quite bland, or as nearly as possible, tasteless. To suit your powder to your colouring is an art well worth studying. For instance, if your skin is past its first youth, do not use too pinkish a_ powder. Most not-so-young skins have a tinge of yellow in them, and a rosy powder makes that worsg. Try an apricot tone; it is very becoming, especially if the hair is fair and the eyes blue. * Girls whose skins flush too readily and who easily get over-heated when dancing, should try for evening use a powder in one of the new pale lettuce shades. Abroad they are being worn more and more by blondes. For sallow complexions Paris has recently created a lovely banana shade which gives a creamy softness to the face by artificial Jight. If you fancy an eye shading, be very wary of choosing a blue one. Blues are rather ageing, and inclined to make the eyes look hollow. Green is quite the most generally becoming, or a purplish slate colour for girls with white skins and dark hair.

Another don't: Don't use an eyebrow pencil if you want a natural effect. One often sees—and how inartistic it *-!s—light brows pencilled right through to the skin beneath. Instead, use a mascara in a brown shade, and put it on finely, touching each hair so none gets on to the skin. For a simple but effective powder base, try equal parts of glycerine and orange water with a few drops of oil of bergamot added, or one of the many excellent powder b,ases that may be purchased. ; '