IMPORTANCE OF COLOUR:

Te Ao Hou, October 1956, Page 59

IMPORTANCE OF COLOUR: Most Maoris need very little rouge but lipstick has to be carefully used for attractive results. Those attractive splashes of vivid colour in clothes should always be emphasised by a toning lipstick. Cosmetics are usually divided into two colour groups. For powders and powder bases there are pinks and yellows, for lipsticks and rouges blues and yellows. There are a few shades in between which are a mixture of both. In the case of powder bases and powders it would be a general rule that the yellow and in between colours would be the most becoming to Maori skins. Pinks could be used only very rarely.

Pendennis girls are shown how to apply foundation cream. (Photo J. Fijn) It is best to match the powder as closely as possible to the natural skin colouring. If there is a desire to lighten the skin, it is best achieved by using a tinted powder base underneath the powder. These are obtainable in lotions and creams in all reliable makes. In the case of lipsticks and rouges the yellow based colours seem to me personally to be the best, as blue base lipsticks turn very purple on Maoris. It may be that the effect of the ancient pukepoto was similar, but those who do not like the purple colour should concentrate on rich reds such as Innoxa Poppy or Flamboyant or Three Flowers Carmen-crimson and American Beauty. These are good to wear with clothes of blue or pink tonings, and also good with black or deep red. There are clear coral and deep red lipsticks with yellow bases suitable for clothes of various colours. The main thing is to be sure that your lipstick tones with the predominant colour you are wearing, and that your nail varnish if you wear it, is also a good match with your lipstick. For very young girls the ‘natural’ and clear are the best.