SHAMS OF THE TOILETTE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2323, 14 September 1881, Page 4

SHAMS OF THE TOILETTE.

We live in an age of shams, and this fact is brought very significantly under our notice in glancing even casually at the advertising portion of any paper devoted principally to the interests of ladies. Shopkeepers, and people whom we suppose do not keep shops, are found who lake the greatest interest (to their own advantage, of course) in preserving the charms of their customers, or in supplying the defects of nature. The foundation of beauty is recognised universally to bo a good complexion, and among the first subterfuges of art is a liquid, unnamed, supplied by a lady (apparently without obarge, as this trifle is not mentioned in the advertisement), whioh imparts to the face and handß " the bloom of youth and beauty instantaneously by giving a lasting roseate hue to the lips and cheeks, leaving no trace of artificial application." This notice has been appearing regularly in the columns of a newspaper for months, and no doubt Mrs Knox, of Surrey, can look round on the results of her preparation, and feel that she has not lived in vain. Mr Moreau assumes the paternal style, and atsures us that " the secret of happiness is to be beautiful and young, and no matter at what age his Flcur de Riz is applied, the skin immediately becomi b frfsh Bnd blooming." But in the next colu-nn we find something which does more than this. It is Broueselles Poudros des Reineß, and was originally prepared (if wo can believe what we read) of Marie Antoinette. It removes all blemishes before the beautifying process begins. The mission of Oreme des Pechos is muoh the same, and this is only hulf the price of the former. This is a base, business-liko way of looking at these things, no doubt, and we only mention it in passing. G-sorgine de Ohampbaron abolishes age and hurls defiance and soorn at wrinkles, which after a few applications it removes, no matter how deep or how long-seated. The nose is the next important part of the face demanding the attention of the purveyors of

shame, and by them a nose machine has been invented, "which, applied to the hobo Cor an hour daily, so directs the soft cartilage of which that member chiefly oonsists, that an Ul-formed nose is quickly formed to perfection." The confidence of the maker in nw invention is supremo, there are no half measures with him. He docs not speak of ameliorating the contour of the nose or ot reforming its shape, but simply declares that by his method perfection is attained at once. „ i The noeo and complexion of our sham being now thoroughly beautified, we will suppose that her hair is poor thin, and oolourless. To alter this and make it beautiful for ever," we have our choice either of "Aureoline"or <•/Erine," both of which produoe "the lovely golden rays now so fashionable." The color being secured, wo apply "Oapilbre" or " Myßtaxtwmlo to promote the growth of hair and eyebrows. But these washes, it would seem, do not always have the desired effect, for the same vendor supplies artificial eyebrows, whioh bis advertisement pronounces to be perfeotiy natural looking. There are in addition to these numberless recipes for removing superfluous hairs. These reoipes are nearly all in the possession of ladies, notably ladies who reside in Surrey, as no less than six advertisements are addressed from that favored county. . . It is not necessary to mention the mumerablo puffs, curls, plaits, frizettes, coils, bandeaux which are purohaseable, but enough has been said to show how well a woman can be made to look in head and face by the aid of the shams of her toiletto. That in the process she becomes a sham herself is a [drawback, but apparently only a slight one, on the happy result. Bhe is painted, padded, and puffed, hair is added, and hair is takon away ; pink, white, blaok, and other colors are applied, and behold her. It is impossible to guess her age, and in a dim light she is brilliantly beautiful. Tour sham carefully avoids the broad daylight, which would disoover and ruin her. We have hitherto only spoken of the getting-up of the faoeand hair, but enterprising modistes have not forgotten the figuro, and the " Palpitatating Bust Improvers " are the latest invention of enterprising caterers for tho.demands of fashion. To quote their advertisement: — " Art steps in where nature fails, and this invention meets a want that has long been needed, viz, a light, pliable, and perfectly natural bust, which can be attaohed to any corsets or dresoss in an instant, and a pair will last a lifetime, as they are easily removed from the corsets and refixed. For slim figures they give a beautiful yet perfectly natural roundness; while for stout figures they are equally benefioial, as they form a charming support, at the same time giving grace and elegance. To high olass dressmakers they are invaluable. The moderate price places them within reaoh of all." It is difficult perhaps to discover why they are so "valuable to high class dressmakers." One is tempted to inquire if the aristooracy who support high class dressmakers belong to Nature's failures in the matter of figures, or if the dressmaker prefers the bought bust to the natural one. An article dealing in the various shams whioh go to make up the beauty and fine appearance of some women cannot be ended without reference to the present great trade in England for the imitation diamonds, or, as they are called, diamantine brilliants. Thousands are sold yearly, and comparatively large sums are paid for them. For instance, forty and fifty guineas are asked for a diamantine riviere, and double as much for a tiarß. But we are told these sums are only a fiftioth part of what Brazilian diamonds would cost, and as they are guaranteed to defy detection, onr sham finds they suit her in every way.