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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 12, Issue 8 (November 1, 1937)

Make-Up

Make-Up.

The show girls know how to do it. Even though they have the advantage of footlights and distance, the members of the ballet would not dream of scamping their preparation and giving a few last-minute dabs to their complexions. How much less can those of us who receive close scrutiny in street and office, afford to be careless with make-up.

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Of course, those who belong to the sporty, open-air, down-with-frills-and-furbelows school can get by with the aid of a three-minute patting in of vanishing cream and dabbing of powder—or not even that. But those who believe appearance is important don't usually begrudge time spent in producing an effect, and are willing to learn from the girls whose calling requires artistic appearance as well as artistic talent.

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The first essential, as most of us know, is a healthy skin. Make-up cannot be successfully applied over skin blemishes. The “beauty” girls, therefore, diet and exercise for the sake of complexion as well as of figure.

Back-stage, the ladies of the chorus are supplied with good mirrors and lighting. Half-an-hour is adequate for the application of make-up, and the girls would not dream of skimping the time.

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First comes a thorough cleansing of face and neck with plenty of cream and a generous use of face tissues. The foundation cream is well smoothed in. The rouge, applied high on the cheekbones and away from the nose, is blended so that it fades naturally into the whiteness of the cheek. Eye-shadow, necessary on the stage, is an exotic in every-day life, though many women use it effectively for evenings. Never apply shadow below the eye, as it gives a pouched and elderly look. If eyes are not as wide apart as could be wished, add width by applying shadow only to the outer edge of the lid, and remember to lengthen the eyebrow.

Powdering is an art in itself—first a lavish dusting, and then a gentle patting and brushing until the surface is satin-smooth.

Mascara application requires time. Each lash should be treated separately and curled upward.

Study lips. Over-full ones can be restrained, and thin ones pencilled a little wider.

So, with time, care and the hand of an artist, the perfect picture is painted. And the most important ingredient is time.

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