Making-Up In Public

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 934, 29 March 1930, Page 18

Making-Up In Public

“Simply Not Done,” Say Famous Actresses

EtjSS—j] IRLS ought not to powder their faces in public, lya) || This very decided Mi “don’t” for her sex was urged by Dr. Winifred Cullis, professor of physiology, of the London School of \ Medicine, in a recent address. She said: "I do wish very much that the young women of today would not do In public certain parts of their toilet which I always consider should be done in the privacy of their own

“It is very bad form and bad taste, because it puts far too much value upon one quality —their appearance.” She added that, while she wanted to see girls well-dressed and smartly turned out, she did not think much of the mentality of people who, in all sorts of really serious circumstances, suddenly turned to their toilet. Dr. Cullis gave proof later on in her speech that, in giving this advice, she was not merely old-fashioned in her views. For she pleaded for the continuance of short skirts.

“I do hope,” she declared, “that we older women are not going to submit to the tyranny of the dressmaker and go back into the unhygienic, tight and long clothes of former days. “These clothes may have been all right for people who travelled about in coaches, but they are not suitable for women who have tQ get about to their work.” The “Don’t Powder in Public” campaign has many supporters. Wellknown women whose opinions were sought by the “Daily Chronicle” are strongly in favour of privacy in this matter of make-up. Here are some of the many opinions expressed:— Miss Gracie Fields No woman should turn any public occasion into a beauty parlour for her own benefit. Too much of this sort of thing is r.eally rather terrible, and there is no doubt that it is becoming more and more common. I’ve seen a young woman spread out a full make-up on a restaurant luncheon table and proceed to make herself pretty. The whole show was simply done to draw attention, and if some women cannot attract notice they feel neglected. Others love their faces so much that they cannot leave them alone. Any personal titivation, if it must be done in public, should be done with suitable discretion. I think Dr. Winifred Cullis will find a lot of support for her common-sense protest. Miss Cicely Courtneidge

I entirely agree with Dr. Winifred Cullis. Making-up in public is very had form. It is not attractive, and men simply hate it. There are many men who would like to say “Please do not make up while you are with me. You are making us both look rather ridiculous.” But they usually keep silent for fear of offending. All make-up Is best done in private. A simple thing like powdering the nose in public is perfectly permissible. Everybody does it, and every body looks the better for it.

A shiny nose is not a thing of joy, and must be dealt with at once, and therefore no woman need hesitate to bring out her powder puff. Usually, I am all for letting people do what they like, but in this matter of make-up I do think that a num her of women are losing their sense of what is fair to the public. Miss Violet Vanbrugh The whole object of make-up is to increase a woman’s attractiveness. And if the thing is done openly the result is an obvious fake, and produces a disagreeable impression on the poor unwilling beholders. I haven’t a word to say in favour of making-up in public. It is ugly. It is bad form. It is bad taste. It is vulgar. If a man started to trim his nails while lunching with a woman in a restaurant how would she like it? Women forget the masculine viewpoint, aDd what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Miss Heather Thatcher It is certainly being overdone. Such women do not consider that there are many people around them who are likely to object to the exhibition, and I think the objection is reasonable enough. And as it cannot be in good taste, it must be in bad taste. Miss Marie Tempest The habit that some young women have of combing their hair tn public is. to me, beyond words. It is simply appalling! That is ail I have to say.