Photoplay (Sep 1928)

Friendly Advice from Carolyn Van Wyck on ^Girls’ roblems “Autumn Freshening” Is This Month’s Problem Whatever you do, says Miss Van A ND by that I do not mean a middle-aged seeking after beauty! I Wyck, learn to listen" intelligently xYmean, instead, a seasonal, personal house-cleaning — a getting ready for the winter — which is the time of the most important work, and the most significant play. Use this period of the year for taking a charm in DEAR CAROLYN VAN WYCK: Just at this season of the year I always seem all “wrong.” My clothes are faded and shabby and lack smartness. My hair seems faded, too — probably from the high, hot sun, for I spend many of the summer days on the beach. And my skin has been tanned so much (and I must admit that the aforementioned sun adds freckles to my every other trouble!) that I look horrid in evening frocks, and stupid in street clothes. Does every girl, I wonder, have as much trouble as I at this “between” season? Just now — when summer is past and winter hasn’t yet begun — is the most trying time of all, I think. And it is in this time that a great many nice things are starting — dances and parties and house party plans. Oh, I often think that a girl’s whole winter depends upon how she looks at the beginning of autumn. If she is dowdy she’s left out. And if she looks well, she’s included. What is the best way to go about the matter of a general making over? I’d like to know — for I want to be ready for a gay winter, and, I’m afraid, it won’t be a gay winter, at all, unless I do something. Eleanora. YOU are a wise girl, Eleanora, to recognize the advisability of a personal house-cleaning during the early autumn months. Although the violet rays of the sun are extremely beneficial to one’s health — the violent rays can harm both the hair and the skin. And it is a clever young woman who takes steps in time to repair that harm. I have seen prairie women, who must needs be in the sun all day, look old at thirty! First of all, the skin. It should be treated to the best of bleaching, tissue building and astringent creams upon the market. The bleach will take care, gently, of the tan and freckles. The tissue builder will create firm, new surfaces, and the astringent will give freshness to the whole complexion. Choose a slightly lighter shade of powder, for autumn wear, than that which you used during the summer. And then, your hair. It should be brushed nightly, with a good tonic. And the rays of the summer sun often dry the hair — in that ventory. You know, don’t you, that I always stand ready to help you individually on any of the problems that concern your beauty, health, or happiness? Letters enclosing stamped, addressed envelopes I will always answer by return mail. Those without postage will be answered in the columns of Photoplay. For information regarding the care of the skin, send a stamped envelope. And my booklet on sane reducing methods will be sent to you on receipt of ten cents. CAROLYN VAN WYCK. case use an oil tonic twice a week. And once every ten days, at least, shampoo the hair with a hot oil shampoo. And put a bit of lemon into the rinsing water. About the clothes. Of course, Eleanora, the wardrobe would seem shabby with the coming of autumn. And rightly so. And, equally of course, it should be replenished. One woman — a great author, almost as famous for her perfect grooming as for her fine books — gives up two weeks, every fall, to getting her frocks ready for the winter. First of all, pack away the still good summery things. They will come in very nicely, next year! The faded ones, perhaps, can be dipped in one of the splendid quick tinting preparations — the shabby ones can be made over. If, however, some things are too shabby or faded for further wear, dispose of them. Hoarding useless garments is a miserly habit. Next, after the clothing has been packed away, get out those things which were left from last winter. You will see, at a glance, which ones are worthy of salvaging. A fresh vestee, a bit of fur, a smart belt or flower will often work wonders. Go over the possibilities carefully, and pass on to the best part of the whole thing — the new garments. Personally, Eleanora, I think that it is always best to make a list of what you really need. So many street frocks? A coat? An evening dress? You’ll be able to tell at once. And then plan, with utter fairness, just how much money and time you can afford to spend for them. A few months ago — in July — I wrote an article on “Choosing Your Type.” Did you read it? I hope so, for that reading will help you now. It is quite necessary to know one’s type before one buys. A good way to know what your type should wear is to look through the lists of the motion picture stars, for the one most like your own self. Then go conscientiously to the pictures in which that star appears and get, for yourself, the same sort of dresses in which she is prettiest. Motion picture women are the most chic women in the world, I think. You will do well to follow their lead. "pNON’T be afraid of the unusual fashion — if it suits you. Only know where to draw the line between the original and the bizarre. And, if you can afford to have only a few clothes, it is a good plan to choose them in different tones of the same color. In this way you can economize on hats and shoes and accessories. But if your wardrobe need not be limited, go as far as you like in color range. In going to the shops, remember that you are a person. And that the money you have to spend is your money. Remember that you need not be awed by clever sales talk. Buy what you want when you want it. Be firm when you do not want a thing. Do not buy the first frock that meets with your semi-approval. A half-hearted choice is usually wrong, when the question of clothes is involved. You are always happiest in the things that are utterly right. And you will know, instinctively, when they are right. Last of all — and I add this trifle of advice although you did not ask for it, Eleanora— remember that not only skin and hair and clothing are shabby at the autumn season. [ CONTINUED ON PAGE 114] IS