WHILE THE KETTLE BOILS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 19, 3 November 1939, Page 15

WHILE THE KETTLE BOILS

Dear Friends, Last week we spoke on the subject of beauty and the care of our skin. It was Rupert Hughes, the novelist, who once described one of his feminine characters thus: " Her face was her chaperone!" I am sure the lady in question, mythical or otherwise, must have presented an "uncared face" to the world. For the skilful application of make-up, however slight, will redeem even the plainest features. It is something like a painter experimenting with a brush-a touch here, a highlight there, and a hidden beauty is revealed. Every woman, in this particular sense, is an artist, and the more practice the more proficient we become. In using powder, the correct toning for your skin is most important. Rachel is ideal for blondes and a deeper peach shade for brunettes. A dead white powder is fatal to both. In the choice of rouge, mandarin is suitable to both colourings, although a warmer shade is flattering to very dark brunettes. Lipsticks must always match the rouge. This part completed, the eyes are the next important consideration. Personally I think a touch of brown or black mascara to the lashes frames and brightens them wonderfully. But if you don’t favour mascara, rub a little vaseline on your lashes to darken them and remove that distressing "floury" look after powdering. A thin smear of eye shadow or just plain vaseline on the eyelids, gives a soft youthful look to the whole face. A touch on the eyebrows will also smooth and arch them into place. This is not only a beauty aid, but a tonic for your lashes and brows. When attending to your face, don’t neglect your neck. A light application of toilet powder is all that is necessary. If the skin, however, is red or sunburnt, a liquid powder dabbed on with a piece of cotton wool and then dusted with powder, is a proved beauty aid. It is: also excellent for evening use for both neck and arms. Now your "canvas" is completed, you must attend to the frame-which is popularly described as "woman’s crowning glory." Unfortunately all of us do not live up to that ideal. Our grandmothers believed in the good old "fifty a day,’ but to-day most of our poor heads are lucky if they get a few flicks of the brush. Deep combing is the next best thing. A touch of plain liquid paraffin with a drop or two of perfume added is an ideal finishing touch to your hair. Rub a little on the palms of both hands then pat it on to your hair. It will make your locks glisten and gleam with new lights. It is all we need to complete our " picture." The woman who is wise and courageous enough to allow her hair to silver naturally can obtain the loveliest tones by a blue-bag rinse after washing. The lass with what her enemies will describe as "carrotty hair" can tone dowfi the colour considerably by a henna rinse. A henna wash will also help to bring out the lights in auburn or dark brown hair. Mouse coloured hair can attain a new golden glint by rinsing in lemon water. Study the tints in your hair, and rinse or tint to emphasise them accordingly. Yours cordially,

Cynthia