TOPICS FOR WOMEN

Waipawa Mail, Volume LXVIII, Issue 49, 12 January 1940, Page 4

TOPICS FOR WOMEN

CHAT FROM PARIS. COOL, CRISP AND CLASSIC. PARIS, December 20. Most of the materials chosen for this season’s party dressing's are entirely free of patterning'. They are cool, crisp, and classic in line and are all for dignity even when they present complete unsophistication, as some of the models for the younger set do. One, for instance, is actually in plain white cambric, though with lovely effect, banded at hem, waist and decolletage in a slotted embroidery threaded through with bright cerise ribbon. The line of the decolletage is straight and off-shoulder with blue bows finishing the hugelygathered but only-to-elbow sleeve. Very full gathering gives the bodice its fulness and draws it in to a double waistline, slotted likewise. The skirt also is full with gathers right up to waist and the whole is almost childish in its appeal. Some Other Modes.

Very different is a gown of classic line in rich brown net spotted so closely and regularly with white as to appear checked. The bodice is sleeveless, cut to a low V, finished in front with an antique medallion, and backless. The hemline of the gown is immense, but this is achieved by hugely spreading flares that are cut to fit the hips with tailored exactness.

Yet another skirt mode is the one in soft satin that is flared and yet gathered slightly into a bodice that comes low on the hip and peaks in front. In this ease the back panel is cut to train and the front is gathered with unusual fullness and set with a posy of multi-colored flowers from which depends a knee-long loop of rich satin ribbon. A halter neck of narrowest satin holds the squared and draped decolletage from well under the arms at the side seamings. Minute posies, again, are set above each breast.

In stillest satin, this time in cyclamen, an Empire skirt hangs in flares that make huge straight folds at hem and train at back. The squared bodice folds over and tucks into the decolletage and is held by plain shoulder straps to a low squared back. The bodice is minutely embroidered, this time with pearl and silver.

One sample is a crisply-cut gown of stiff satin that lends dignity and height. Epaulettes are double over the arm and a stiff, collar-like band finishes also the squared decolletage. Bodice fullness is caught by two seams that run on into the skirt, defining a flat central panel. Gathered fullness is only at the sides. Tiny paniers standing crisply on either hip shelter brightly-colored posies. The color is china blue.

BEAUTY ON THE BEACH. TO TAKE THE BURN OUT OF SUNBURN. Each year, when we first attempt to acquire our summer golden honey shade, we seem to suffer the same old trials of a blistered skin, writes a correspondent in the “Sydney Morning Herald.” And, although half the enjoyment of summer is gained from the happy days spent on the beach, it is not very much fun if we spend the rest of the time commiserating over our aches, pains, and sunburn. Acquire a golden honey shade carefully, and learn how to take the bum out of Sunburn. Sunshine, salt water, and wind are good for your health, but they are not good for your skin and hair. So protect your skin with a good skin food, and after bathing wash the face im-. mediately. Never lie on your back in the sunshine with salt water on your face, as this will cause the complexion to become flushed and will cultivate open pores. Your make-up will be a very important problem. The usual shades of powder, rouge, and lipstick should be changed, as they will not tone in with your new golden honey shade. All coloring must be more vivid and bright, with a distinct leaning towards the orange tones. SUCCESS IN MAKE-UP. The lipstick should contain very little grease, as the sun will bring it to the surface. Waterproof rouge and lipstick can be obtained, and are much more satisfactory those those usually worn, having the distinct advantage of enabling you to leave the water as pretty as when you entered it. Most of the success of the makeup will depend upon the powder and the lipstick, and scarcely any rouge will be required. When selecting your powder do not be misled by the shade in the box. What may appear suitable when packed will not give the same color on your skin, as, when the skin becomes moist, either with oil or perspiration, so will your powder become darker. Therefore, first test your powder by slightly dampening the back of your hand with either a little oil or water, then rub a little of the powder in with your fingers so that it will become moist and assume the exact shade which it will be on your face. WHEN TO AVOID SOAP. If, through unwise sunbaking,

your skin becomes tender, you will find that it is best to avoid using soap. Place some toilet oatmeal in the water and lave the face with this for a few' days.

Blondes, who bum easily, and who wish to have that suntanned appearance, can acquire it easily by applying a suntan lotion. Milk is an excellent aid for taking the sting from the skin after a day on the beach. Massage a little of the milk well into the skin and allow it to dry. Then apply your make-up in the usual manner. Not only will this take the sting from the skin, but it will also give the face a delightfully velvet texture. Salt water will ruin the best of hair, and you should always see that every trace is removed as soon as possible. When you shampoo your hair add the white of an egg to your last rinsing water and you will find that not only will it help to keep the hair soft and fluffy, hut it will also keep the waves in place. THE OILY SKIN PROBLEM. While on the beach you will notice that an oily skin will become more’ than usually oily, while a dry skin will become cracked and scurvy. To counteract these skin conditions you will have to change your skin treatments. The greasy-skinned girl will wash her face with water to which has been added a few drops of eau de Cologne or tincture of benzoin. The final rinse consists of cold water, after which the skin is dined and a good astringent is patted in. The dry skin will require plenty of nourishment, and a good skin food should be massaged well into the face every night. If your nose refuses to suntan and becomes a lobster red, you will find that it is extremely helpful if you soak a piece of lint in warm olive oil and allow this to remain on the nose for as long as is possible. When the lint is removed gently dab the nose with rosewater. RICE SKIN TREATMENT. A skin which goes patchy will require rice treatments. Place a teaspoonful of rice in a pint of warm water and allow it to simmer for thirty minutes, then, after it has cooled, strain through fine muslin or mosquito net and bottle. As you use each bottle of rice-water add one teaspoonful of lemon juice and two drops of tincture of benzoin to each ounce of the rice-water. And this is how you mil use the mixture: First wash the face with warn water, then lightly dry .with a soft towel, and finally bathe with the rice-water lotion for five minutes. Use each night and morning.

And, while on the subject of beaches, it is just as well to mention superfluous hairs on the legs. If yours are worrying you, why not bleach the hairs into a lighter shade so that they will be less noticeable? _A simple method of bleaching is to bathe the legs nightly with a saturated solution of baking-powder, allowing the water to dry on the skin. Then rinse with warm water and dry. A WOMAN’S CODE. HER “TEN COMMANDMENTS.” “Ten Commandments” of democracy were recently given by a wellknown American woman, Mrs Lehman, wife of the Governor of New York. They are: — l (1) Tell tlie truth. This procedure is only possible in a democracy where there is a free-and unreg'imentecl Press. (2) Treat all men as you would wish to be treated. Observance of this principle would mean a repudiation of all false ideas of race superiority, or race and class hatred, and of group warfare. (3) Respect the sincere religious beliefs of every man, even when you do not happen to share them. (4) Help those who suffer and .who are persecuted because of their beliefs or their racial heritage. (5) Try to preserve the democratic heritage of equal opportunity for all men to leam and to earn.

(C) Remember that freedom of opinion lies at the very basis of democracy and human liberty.

(7) Distrust all those who sow hatred of other men.

(8) Respect the law, for it is the guarantee of our own freedom. (9) Remember that America is not merely a country—it is an ideal for the whole world.

(10) Remember that the hope of the world lies in peace and justice to mankind.

Mrs Lesman is described as a tall, lithe, beautiful woman with prematurely grey hair and blue-grey eyes. She lias magnetism and charm, and is vitally concerned with the problems of the day.

The daughter of a wealthy family, she spent her early childhood in California, in a home in which philanthropy was the chief outside interest. She dislikes to make public appearances, shrinks from addressing meetings, says her speeches are “simply awful, 1 ’ 1 ’ and sees her main job as looking after the Governor, their children and their home. This does not imply that she is not socialminded, for she has given much time all her life to work for hospitals and movements for the betterment of the conditions of children. It is said that it is only on rare occasions that she speaks in public, but when she does her words are listened to with more than ordinary attention. APPLE STUFFING. Takes six tart apples, half a teaspoonful salt, 11b. prunes, one cupful breadcrumbs, 2oz. castor sugar, half teaspoonful crushed herbs. Wash prunes, cover with cold water, and soak overnight. Turn

prunes and water into a saucepan, cover, and simmer until soft. Add castor sugar, simmer five minutes longer, then pour into a dish. When cool, stone and quarter primes. Peel, quarter, and core apples, stew till nearly done, stir in prunes and remainder of ingredients, and use for stuffing goose or duck. BARLEY DRINK. Four ounces barley, two lemons, 2oz. brown sugar, one quart boiling water. Wash the barley, put it into a saucepan and just cover with cold water. Allow to simmer for 30 minutes, then strain into a jug. Add the finely grated rind of the lemons and the sugar. , Pour over boiling water, stir until sugar is dissolved, and leave until cold. Add juice of lemons, then strain and serve. SOME USEFUL HINTS. Spirit of camphor applied on a soft piece of linen to stained or marked mirrors and windows will remove the maivksj, Polish afterwards with a dry duster. It is surprising how quickly windows come clean by using this method.

To mend a tear in a dress or suit, place the torn part flat on the table, wrong side up, and smear with raw white of egg. Cut a piece of the tnaterial or fine linen a little larger than the tear and press it on with a hot iron. This makes a lasting repair and is almost invisible if done before the tear gets frayed.

All housewives know what a lingering odor is left on the hand's after using onions. To remove this, rub the hands well with a piece of raw potato immediately after peeling and cutting the onions.

To prevent brass from tarnishing after cleaning, apply machine oil sparingly with a soft cloth. When a tag comes off a bootlace it is a good plan to wind a piece of thread tightly round the end of the lace, about an inch down. This keeps it from fraying and helps to lace it.