Regarding Complexion Treatments.

Otago Witness, Issue 3084, 23 April 1913, Page 65

Regarding Complexion Treatments.

In regard to complexion treatments, as in other concerns of life, merit never hides behind the door of subterfuge. Just reflect for a moment how many hundreds of face preparations women are daily asked to buy—products that arc put forward irresponsibly and under fictitious names!

On the other hand, there is a sterling scries of facial specialities, known by the general name of “Valazc.” Each serves a particular purpose. None professes to be a cure-all; but every article is of infinite worth and of signal service. All are put out under the hall-mark of Mile. Helena Rubinstein, whose high reputation speaks for itself. Valaze Skin lood yie.ds to the skin active stimulation, true nourishment, and convincing beauty, ensuring freedom from lines, crowsfeet, and similar defects. It makes the skin proof against all vicissitudes of wind and climate. The use of it, to produce the greatest possible benefit, does not make a greater demand on your time than about five minutes a day! Price, 4a and 7s.

Valazo Complexion Soap is perfect for toilet use. It is pure, wholesome, and lasts several months. Price, 2s 3d. Valaze Lip Lustre protects the lips from the wind and cold, prevents and cures sores, cracks* chaps, and imparts a natural colour, which cannot be displaced by biting or wetting. Price, 2s and 3s. Write for a free copy of Mile. Helena Rubinstein’s book. “Beauty in the Making,” in which will be found a remedy for every complexion trouble. Valaze Preparations obtainable of all chemists, or direct, post free, from Mile. Helena Rubinstein. 62 Maison Valazc, Strand arcade, Auckland^.

fairly close, and should repeat the rover treatment for the best effect. The best great coat materials are patternless, or when they are not the pattern is as inconspicuous as possible. The knowledge that one is becomingly dressed adds to one’s cheerfulness. The social afternoon entails pretty costumes which arc stylishly made. Incidentally they also provide food for conversation, as given the least excuse; and what is more satisfying than dress-talk with the tea cues? The curved front closing, neck to side waist, and tunic, effect, with the quaint

mousquetaire sleeve, develops well in moss green or gobelin blue Panama or voile, with dotted silk to mark the closing line. The peplum blouse has won favour. It is not only youthful, but accentuates the figure hue. It is one of the styles allow for the expression of one’s individual taste. The shoulder-poke “collar’” and bows clown the front are features. Take oharmeuse ■or crepe de meteor in taupe, and the bows and a girdle in old blue satin. The skirt may be a straight one piece, finely pleated cashmere, voile, crepe dc chine, or cnarmeuse. The peasant overblouse dross appeals. The dress may be of the one, or different. Cuffs and girdle may contrast, and a collar carry- a yoke line shoulder to shoulder, jabot to finish. Dressier is the style with the closed wing coat effect, -lines sweeping from cross-over in front to knee level. The latest is to give the ends a itanier pouching which is continuous at the back. The Robespierre collar goes with a plain upper part, save for waistcoat effect in contrast to the material. Dresses should suit their occasion, and not be too elaborate for them.. Speaking of quiet days at homo, it has been -written that our ideas change as time proceeds, bringing new conditions. Not so long ago it ■ was the prevailing notion among women that the hour spent at home, quietly reading while reclining in the luxuriously comfortable easy chair, or perhaps x’omping about with the children, or even when just merely doing nothing but letting the mind wander in delightful idleness, one should be clad in, dishabile or negligee attire. That seems to have been the conception pf perfect ease and comfort. On that point the modern woman entertains a much different opinion. She thinks that neatness and attractiveness of appearance not only do not hinder the enjoyment of real comfort but that they are conducive to it. The splendid little shirt-waists and fine, practical skirts, and also the different styles of charming little dresses, all of can readily bo made up and of material that is quite inexpensive, may be worn very appropriately for the quiet day at home. By being thus dressed the young woman or young girl can not only be entirely comfortable, but need have no fear of the chance caller making his or her unexpected appearance and being found unpresentable. We owe a duty to our homes to be xvell dressed in doors whenever it is possible. An Ideal selection —or, at least that is my opinion—is a one-piece dress in a check that owes its effectiveness partly to the materials selected and partly to the excellence of the design. . The arrangement of the collar of black satin and the revere of hand-embroidered taffeta is very pleasirfg. One of the newest ideas embodied in the gown is the low-cut front that gives opportunity for the use of dainty chemisettes. In this the chemisette is of fancy lawn, with tiny frill of lace and red crystal buttons. The attached five-gored skirt closes in the front under the wide tuck, and lhas two pleats at each side of the back, turning toward the centre. In the sketch I have merely indicated a check pattern. The most conspicuous thing about the new fashions is in the silhouette—the lino. Although the straight one prevails, it has become softened. This is done with draperies The now dress lines arc long, soft, and clinging. Skirts as a rule are narrow enough at the lower edge, but there it stops. Draperies are cleverly handled in the cutting. Sometimes they are merely suggested. Folds arc used on very many skirts, but not in the round and round style. The new folds are shaped. Thus they are used as draperies from the waist line, forming curves toward the back. The panier stood condemned from the moment that it was introduced. It was far too reminiscent of the Dresden china shepherdess. While the round or looped under panier is seen it is in a muchimproved form. Thus it is longer and as little bouffant as possible, interfering but little xvith the slender line. As such it isacooptable. and a pleasing fashion. There is everything in the drapery nowadays. All the same, not every gown is draped. The tailored are in a class by themselves, and hold their own against all comers. What is more, they are the utility gowns xvhero the wardrobe is of limited character. Bodices for the one piece have the appearance of simplicity. However, they achieve

distinction through the out, and while this may look simple enough, it entails skill. The newest feature is 1 the long-drooping shoulder with the low set-in sleeve. The latest armhole is four or five inches below the shoulder. All sleeves are more closefitting, and those referred to are the mouscuetaire.

Waistcoats are being worn with many of the coats in plain tailor-mades and the dressier variety. The waistcoat gives a d. 1 giitful note to the well tailored ooat. They arc made of satin broche or of ottoman silk. The smartest cloths for tailored coat and skirt have the appearance 'of

pique, yet they are of wool. Still, many variations of whipcord and two tone materials are used. For plain morning coats and skirt there are Scotch flannel and mixed suitings. In this skirt seams and coat edges may be bound with silk taffeta braid and trimmed with buttons of bone and silk. . Many of the buttons have the rim effect, as observe those in the full illustration. Also this, is a button season where size counts. We have revived the polonaise. They are long, opening down the centre front, and are draped in the skirt portion. The polonaise is used for the one piece afternoon or visiting gown, and is charming in siik, satin, or chiffon in plain or pompadour colourings. The skirt in such case is of the satin or silk, or, for a pleasing contrast, in broadcloth velvet or voile. Fascinating collars and cuffs have made their appearance. Indeed, the collar and the jabot, or otherwise. serve to hall mark the season. One of the pretty styles is illustrated. The' Russian blouse is the inspiration, though I cannot see much resemblance. It amounts to a coat and skirt after all the latter not requiring to be illustrated, as the lines carry down with the braid line as

indicated. These trim styles are enhanced by the collar, which gives smartness. The jabot, though a trifling feature in one way, is still of importance. Much depends on the length of a coat of this description whether it is a success or not. The sketch gives the right balance above and below the belt. A strong contrast is permissible, in which case have the bat on suite. Colour plays an important part for those who can afford colour. This inclination may bo traced back to the Durbar, which brought in Oriental colouring, gorgeous embroideries, and sumptuous brocades. These of now have all the richness and the fascination of old, but they are as

supple as chiffon, and that is indispensable for draping. Speaking of materials, a pretty promenade gown is the new blue known as ‘'telegramme.” The name is derived from the French “petit bleu,” referring to a certain kind of paper There is another colour to note —anibre, which is a shade of limpid yellow. One of the dominating notes in style is in the waist effect. Wo must look as though we were unooreeted—the clothes draped on. The waistline to-day' is the natural size of the figure. Again, where belts are not used (I include girdles), the line is as little defined as possible. On the whole I. think there was never less- show for the amateur dressmaker in regard to modish frocks and tailored suits.

I referred to the smooth, simply-treated long coat. Not everyone would care for the present one, and yet it is to be fashionable The lines are straight, the material rough, but the feature is the revers. These button very low down (note side of button over shoulder) and are of plaid. The cuff repeats. If the plaid is inconspicuous I should recommend it; but why plaid at all

if silk is preferred? Something to dwell upon is tho way the collar is stepped. It is a fancy which will be seen in other types of coats tailored. The rounded corner is a matter of choice. In both overcoats, this and the previous one, you must supply ihe length yourself. This one buttons with., throe, and so docs tho former type. One of our troubles is in having so much to choose from. However, where this apillics to materials style (the one you adopt) is almost certain to give a touch of originality But the question is in how far you may dare to be original without getting out of Fine. There is an excellent little millinery story—her husband presuming to offer a fastidious woman advice in her show room. Not every man waits outside while his wife is choosing a hat, though ho should. Ho sees something, and says “That’s nice.” Whereupon the lady exclaims, “Wear that? Certainly not. Everyone is wearing it.” He points to another, and she says, “That? Hardly. No one is wearing it.” You see you want to bo different and not different, and it is not always easy. Suppose you are choosing colours. If you have rosy cheeks you can wear pale effects. If your face is pale but flushes easily you must avoid too much pink or red. The brunette alone can choose almost anything. Apropos choosing an ordinary coat, unless your figure is like a fashion plate bo careful. If you are choosing a short coat aim for an effect one third coat two skirt; if a long one, then two thirds coat one skirt. But naturally your own good taste will serve, if you employ a mirror. Never on any account buy garments that influence your figure or face, except after studying things in a generous glass. Plaid touches lift a garment wonderfully. A plaid collar and belt will give a plain dress life. Plaid will be very much worn even so. I note plain dresses with plaid facings, and all plaid dresses (say tan and brown) with full rovers of plain silk (a lighter tan). The plaid coat over plain skirt is smart, especir.'ly if a Norfolk A plaid cap in association is additionally effective. The difference between plains and chocks is only one of degree. A small black and white check makes a handsome frock, front closing with artistic step to neck, and buttons in threes with loops. The same idea in gingham makes a very suitable house dress. All the same, good drosses should not bo worn to do housework in. Everyone so charged should have a reasonable stock of overalls, which may be pretty enough despite their nature. Even with housework there is a fashion, and it is the one that looks tho part. Aprons while not out of date are frequently objected to, especially by tho young. In fact, there arc thousands of women who won’t wear working aprons in any circumstances. While on the subject, a word as to slippers If one spends much of one’s time at home it is a mistake to wear shoes or slippers with extremely low heels or no Jieols at all. It encourages a heavy tread, and when one goes out in reasonably high cuban heels there is an inclination .while walking to stamp.