Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1930)

DoY< Oil F ace ? GOOD complexions are born and made, but they aren't nagged into being. Many of you girls who write to me have not stopped to think about that. In your desire to help your skins retain the texture and bloom of youth and health you have grown overzealous. I would be amazed at some of the methods you use, if I had not made some of the same mistakes! Just as so many of you do, I combined treatments for oily skin with those for dry skin, and I even worked out elaborate treatments that no skin could long survive. Yet I often overlooked the most obvious and simple preventive and curative measures. I did my own prescribing, without taking advantage of the help that expert cosmeticians could give me, either by personal advice or through their advertising and descriptive literature. A letter received from Katherine L. reminds me of some of my experiences, and similar letters continue to come in such numbers that I feel it is time to say a word of warning. Katherine writes that a few years ago her skin was fine-textured and smooth, but extremely sensitive to wind and sun. During the past few years she has used most of the cosmetics on the market, never giving any one treatment time enough to produce results. She has included many cheap and inferior preparations. As a result, her complexion is marred by blackheads and large pores. Now she is taking time to study her needs and to choose the right methods to protect her skin. She won't nag her face again, but will coax and nurture it back to normal, y. gravated skin troubles, of course, a physician or skin sppcialist should be consulted. The foundation of an attractive, healthy skin is scrupulous cleanliness. If powder puffs are used, they should be washed frequently. Hands and nails should be scrubbed before the face is handled. Fingers must not be dipped into the cold cream jar, rubbed on the face, and then dipped back into the jar. Towels and washcloths must be immaculate. Borrowing and lending toilet articles is a pernicious practice and is certainly to be condemned from the standpoint of complete cleanliness and daintiness, if for no other reasons. If your friends are indifferent and careless in this respect and they neglect to carry their own make-up materials and combs, keep a guest supply of these articles. •"Till", word "moderation" and all ■*■ that it implies is worth thinking about now and then, especially in connection with the use of cosmetics. After considerations of general health, proper rest and diet are disposed of — and these have been stressed so often that no one should be ignorant of their effects on the complexion — most of us who are no longer children need a few wellchosen preparations to protect and improve our complexions. For ag 18 Friendly Advice on Girls' Problem \1^RITE to me if you want to know your correct colors in clothes and cosmetics — if you need personal advice about your hair or general appearance. My complexion leaflet is free. So is my booklet of sane reducing exercises and menus. Just send me your request, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Letters without return envelopes will be answered in the magazine, in the order received. My address is PHOTOPLAY, 221 West 57th Street, New York, N. Y. CAROLYN VAN WYCK Your make-up should flatter your complexion and features. Norma Talmadge emphasizes her beauty with well-chosen cosmetics, and she studies the whole effect carefully before leaving her boudoir or studio dressing room If you have frequent over-night or week-end visitors, it is wise to lay in a stock of creams in tubes or tiny jars, and to pour a little face powder into a covered powder jar. Provide small quantities that can be used up by one person. Choose your own beauty aids to fit your particular requirements and your own type of skin. Then follow the instructions of the master-cosmeticians who have prepared them. Don't use make-up merely to cover up. Remember that it is not intended as a mask, to harden every soft outline and destroy every subtle bit of natural coloring. Employ it rather to emphasize the beauty that is there. Let your common sense and your color sense guide you in choosing shades in powder, rouge and lipstick. Bright hues that can be worn so well by some types under artificial light are unflattering and cheapening to these same girls by daylight. Mascara and eye-shadow must be deftly and delicately applied. Charm and beauty depend on many qualities besides regular features and a perfect skin. Artful make-up is highly important to the girl whose beauty is not flawless. But make-up is only artful when no artifice is apparent. The fair blonde, in particular, should be careful to avoid that "painted" appearance. Rouge should simulate the bloom of health. Powder should lend smoothness and transparency, not that caked and solid appearance that so many girls mistake for skin beauty. If your complexion is somewhat yellow, you can use powder with a slight glow; if too florid, there are subtle shades to tone down your coloring without destroying it. Employ every bit of artistry in your [ PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 108 1