AMERICANS CRITICISE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20233, 17 February 1934, Page 20 (Supplement)

AMERICANS CRITICISE.

Admire English Complexions, Deplore Poor Grooming. NATIONAL TYPES. Every nation has its own type and standard of feminine beauty, states an English writer, and from each one there is a valuable lesson to be learned. Englishwomen are noted the world over —rightly or wrongly—for the beauty of their complexions. Americans, especially, wax lyrical over the fairness and delicate colouring of the English type. They are particularly envious because their climate, augmented by overheated rooms and too much iced water, has worked havoc with the texture and colouring of the skin of the American woman. But Americans, having handed the palm to England in this instance, have plenty of criticism—and well jus-

tified criticism—to make in other directions. They are shocked at the lack of grooming that eo many English women display; they, who have brought slickness and essential smartness to a fine art, think that there is no excuse for neglected hands, hair that looks untended, a figure gone to seed, and clothes that lack care in choice or later attention. In America it is a woman’s duty to look her best, and unless she does she cannot hold a job or anything else for two minutes together. It is considered inefficient to be untidy and ungroomed. One of the organisations set up in New York to help unemployed women gave each one a present of a powder and rouge compact at Christmas. This may sound trivial, but in reality it is deepest wisdom. Th© American regards these things as essential if she is to hold her own in the struggle for existence. The Y.W.C.A. gave free beauty treatments to unemployed women for the same reason. Nothing is more depressing to a woman than to look, and consequently feel, anything less than 100 per cent her beat. So from America we may learn the importance of detail that goes to the making of a well turned-out appearance. Frenchwomen, on the other hand, are frequently careless, but they sail through the world with an “air.” If they happen to have a hole in their stocking they wear it like a decoration. They suffer from no inferioi-ity complex. They are assured and there is poise and distinction in this assurance. The Parisienne. Of all women the Parisian is the most worldly and sophisticated. Her knowledge of the world and her hard-headed wisdom are a part of her charm. Her lightness of touch (in all matters excepting tile application of make-up) is another attraction. She is usually witty and quick in the uptake, but her assured bearing is, from the point of view of apj>earance, her greatest asset. Italy and Spain produce the true Southern types, with their gift for repose. These are the restful women. The nervously active American, and the energetic Englishwoman are taring creatures in comparison with the spacious leisureliness of the Southerner. There was a time when it was easy to distinguish the nationality of any woman. Nowadays it is a difficult matter to differentiate at first eight. Fashions in clothes and make-up are simultaneous in all parts of the world, and a well-educated, well-turned-out woman is a citizen of the world. But you have only to watch and you will see the definite racial characteristics of her nation assert themselves before long. Overemphasised, they usually become faults, but in their best manifestation they are an especial gift that holds a lesson for, in each case, their complete tack is a drawback to be overcome.