Funny Beauty Advice
I'm currently engrossed in Eleanore King's Guide to Glamor, a 1957 beauty book written by a woman who was apparently a beauty consultant to the stars. It's completely consumed me. This is what I've learned so far:
1) When you sunbathe, which you should do regularly (though King does recommend covering your face, neck, and chest - she doesn't mention how odd it would look to have a pale face on a tanned body) you should cover your body with a protective cream followed by a layer of mineral oil. On your face, apply a lightweight foundation followed by sun cream followed by mineral oil. And if you're really fair, use the foundation all over your body for added protection. (Note: I probably don't even need to mention this, but following this advice could lead to serious sun damage and possibly skin cancer.)
2. The best way to restore luster to your hair, and to preserve it's natural color without having to dye it, is to shampoo very rarely and dry clean your hair weekly. Dry cleaning involves an elaborate process of combing, brushing with muslin strips attached to your hairbrush, shaking (like a dust rag), and dabbing at your scalp with witch hazel.
3. I was also informed that teenagers with blemishes should study at their wash basins, so that they can alternately dab very hot and cold cotton compresses on their blemishes all night long. 4. Until you're 21 or so you can tan as much as you want. (Now of course we know that most sun damage occurs in childhood). According to King: "Red noses, sunburn, peeling, freckles, all stages of getting and losing a tan are part of your heritage. Get out there and make the most of it!"
5. Bathing gets you cleaner than showering, because it cuts through grease better. She recommends spending at least five minutes, and more if possible, in every 24 hour period submerged up to the neck in lukewarm water. (I don't know about you, but my body has never felt "greasy.")
I know that science and technology has made us so much better informed than ever about how to care for our skin and our hair, and most importantly, what the sun can do to both, but I do wonder how much of what seems like good advice these days will be looked back on with humor in fifty years of so!
1) When you sunbathe, which you should do regularly (though King does recommend covering your face, neck, and chest - she doesn't mention how odd it would look to have a pale face on a tanned body) you should cover your body with a protective cream followed by a layer of mineral oil. On your face, apply a lightweight foundation followed by sun cream followed by mineral oil. And if you're really fair, use the foundation all over your body for added protection. (Note: I probably don't even need to mention this, but following this advice could lead to serious sun damage and possibly skin cancer.)
2. The best way to restore luster to your hair, and to preserve it's natural color without having to dye it, is to shampoo very rarely and dry clean your hair weekly. Dry cleaning involves an elaborate process of combing, brushing with muslin strips attached to your hairbrush, shaking (like a dust rag), and dabbing at your scalp with witch hazel.
3. I was also informed that teenagers with blemishes should study at their wash basins, so that they can alternately dab very hot and cold cotton compresses on their blemishes all night long. 4. Until you're 21 or so you can tan as much as you want. (Now of course we know that most sun damage occurs in childhood). According to King: "Red noses, sunburn, peeling, freckles, all stages of getting and losing a tan are part of your heritage. Get out there and make the most of it!"
5. Bathing gets you cleaner than showering, because it cuts through grease better. She recommends spending at least five minutes, and more if possible, in every 24 hour period submerged up to the neck in lukewarm water. (I don't know about you, but my body has never felt "greasy.")
I know that science and technology has made us so much better informed than ever about how to care for our skin and our hair, and most importantly, what the sun can do to both, but I do wonder how much of what seems like good advice these days will be looked back on with humor in fifty years of so!
posted by The Beauty Insider @ 7:05 PM
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