CULT OF BEAUTY

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19258, 20 December 1930, Page 20 (Supplement)

CULT OF BEAUTY

TANNED COMPLEXIONS ARE THE LATEST CRAZE (By A BEAUTY SPECIALIST.) Each one of us has to answer the burning question of the sun, individually. Our grandmothers all preferred to be lily-white. They stayed indoors most of the day, or, if compelled to go out in the sun, went forth armed with parasols, veils, gloves and general swath-To-day, we are free people, and we like the great out-of-doors. But, we like our beauty also. And well we may, for the whole world smiles more happily at us when we are looking our best. So, for the past several seasons, we women have been contemplating this question of sun-burn, or rather, the warm brown, or rosy-tans which are so delightfully becoming to most of us. The question has arrived at a definite answer. Yes, it is smart to look “coppery.” Yes, every smart girl form 10 to 60, wants to look as though she has just come from one or other of the smart resorts, marked by the rich colour of exposure to tho sun.

The sun and wind are both very powerful agents in attacking your complexion, and if you seek them recklessly, there is nothing you can expect but natural results. However, the simple way as every one knows, is to smear yourself from head to foot in petroleum oil, get into your bathing suit, and sit in the sun until you're as brown as a bun. But, there are many preparations than tan one artificially. Some women need the coppery tones, some want the yellow-tan, others the deep browns. They are all lovely and attractive, and can be had for the asking at your beauty parlour. The fashion experts are all bending towards this sun-tan idea of complexions we see sun-burn shades of stockings and accessories, and, “bisque” royale shoes are playing a stellar role in the summer ensemble. No, it is not a fad. It’s an established fashion. Now, what will you have this summer? You may have a fair complexion if you will be faithful in protecting it, you may burn quite as brown as you please, and be fashionable for the season, or, you may keep your skin fair, but give it the appearance of having freckled in tne sun and wind all through the happy days of summer. What Few People Realise. Few people to-day realise that although beauty culture has become a regular science, it must definitely be divided into two classes. First of all, comes the comparatively simple problem of the woman who has plenty of leisure for various treatments, and second, tin* far more difficult question of the professional woman who has very little time to spare for beautifying herselt. and whose complexion can receive very little attention, from the time she starts out in the morning, until she returns home again in the evening. Now that so many women are taking up a profession, this problem is becoming increasingly urgent. The important fact that a business woman has to face, is how to achieve a successful all-day complexion. This fact lias been grasped by the majority of girls who work In offices, and they are crying out to be told of a way to make the most of their looks in difficult circumstances. As a rule, their one idea is to cover any deficiencies by a lavish use of make-up. It is quite impossible in these days to condemn cosmetics as they did in the time of our mothers and grandmothers. The liarrassing conditions of modern life in a big city make their use imperative.

Apart from any improvement in the appearance, the complexion must be protected against the smoke and dust which is floating about in the air. Some women imagine that they have just to dab powder and rouge on anywhere and look beautiful. They do not realise that powder is useless, unless it is used on a surface cleansed by cream, vanishing or otherwise. The whole secret of success in make-up lies in its being applied directly on to a skin that has been cream-cleansed first, but notez bien, the cream must be taken off first, every bit of it. Powdering the face that has not been creamed, ruins the skin, and gives a dried-up appearance. What is to be Done? A good plan for a woman who is out all day, is to provide herself with paper towels and wads of cotton-wool. Every girl sh. uld keep, either a good cleansing lotion or cream in her washing bag at her office, and make a determined attempt to cleanse her skin thoroughly, before adding fresh make-up. Another method is of. course, to use one of the combinations of face cream and powder, the advantage of which being, that its use involves a great saving of time to the busy woman whose object is to achieve as far as possible an all-day complexion. The girl who has to be out all day, must remember this all the time, if she is to compete successfully with her more leisured sister. I am sure that if busi-

ness girls keep this point in mind we ’shall hear considerably less condemnation of cosmetics, for if make-up is well done none of these self-appointed critics are eonscious of its presence. Red Nose. This is an affliction that is prevalent all the world over. It proceeds from a variety of causes, and it is therefore impossible to suggest a universal remedy. If it is caused by poor circulation, an erysipelas tendency, or dyspepsia, a doctor should be consulted. If caused by too close-fitting abdominal belts, tight fitting shoes, or other garments, or intemperate eating or drinking, the first thing to do is to remove the cause. Any chemist or doctor will suggest a long list of remedies for red nose, and one may, or may not be as good as another in your particular case—you will have to experiment for yourself should you be the unfortunate sor of such an unbeautiful feature. What is sauce for the goos is not always sauce for the gander. Perhaps zinc ointment, with a slight admixture of benzoin, will be good in the majority of cases. Always, it appears to be the most popular. Apply it thickly at night, covering it with a bit of thin muslin or linen, and in the morning, wash it off with hot water which is always better than cold for the affliction of red nose.