Morning journal and courier., 1886-04-16
HOW A FACE IS MADE PRETTY.
The Use of Cosmetics by Ladies In Beautifyfng the Completion.
 IEro India lis

| The Use of Cosmetics by Ladies In Beautifyfns the Complexion. | IFrom the Indianapolis Journall
 What are cosmeticsa That admirable col lection of words compiled by the late MT. Noah Webster, and to which numerous val uable additions have been made by his heirs and assigns, informs us that a cosmetic is ''an external application that helps to beau tify and improve the complexion" The sa- gacious and conscientious physician will tell us that true cosmetics for beautifying the complexion are not the production of the chemist at all, nor are they exclusively ex- ternal applications. Air and water exter- nally applied are excellent cosmetics, but wholesome food, exercise and good digestion are efficient colleagues.
 The least harmful of the preparations of art are the chalk powders, which are sold under various euphonic and fanciful names. For the most part these tablets composed of chalk finely levigated and made into a mass by the addition of sufficient plaster of paris to make the mass hold together. Finer powders, those with smoother finish, have added to the chalk small quantity of tale that is, soapstone-and perhaps a few drops of oil are added to heighten the gloss. Some of the French tablets have propor- tion of bismuth. The bismuth preparations
 
 popular demand. Neither are these prepara- tions as harmless as those of pure chalk. The dangerous face preparations are, for the most part, those which come in liquid form. Many women have formulas for making these whitewashes for the physiegnomy. A fa- vorite among these is containing flake white. Said apothecary to the writer: E'I have sold flake white to thousands of wo- men. It is nothing but refined white lead. I have sold it to certain customers until have seen twitchings of the facial muscles sufficient to indicate premonitory symptoms of paralysis"
 A number of the liquid preparations pop ular in the market are made of oxide of zinc suspended in perfumed water and glycerine. This is usually put up in thick opaque bot ties, as when exposed to the action of 8 strong light it will, in time, become dark brown or even black. Zinc has slightly as tringent properties, and as it cl-s the pores reduces the exhalations that nature demands.
 The least harmful of the preparations sold in the shops and stores is prepared chalk. The best prepared chalk in the world is now made in the United States, but as the chalk cliffs of old England have the reputation, the American manufacturers compromise with the prejudice of custom by furnishing their product embellished with British la bel The lady who wishes to dry her face (the prevalent excuse for using cosmetics) can do so with carbonate of magnesia or starch, either of which will "kilf' the glossy effect of soap without serious ob struction to the pores of the skin. Many of the powders, tablets and liquid prepara tions sold are slightly pinked, the coloring materials used being rosaniline or carmine There is not in this city any great sale of rouge except for stage use-the cothurnate stage, not the tally-ho coach or the little red wagon. What are called "grease paints'' are in demand now by stage peo- ,,Jo l,oth 11rofassiOnals and auaafauTS The grease paints in erayons, with all col ors requisite for make up and of various sizes. including the slender ones suitable for lining delicate black or brown lines for wrinkles These paints after they are put on are covered with powder. Rouge is used for the cheeks aud lips, aud the eyebrows and lashes are made darker and heavier by these little pencils. Many use 1t on the edges of the upper and under Eds of the eyes, giving the eye a larger appearance. The grease paints, an Indianapolis dealer says, are now used great deal by ladies going to balls and parties The effect is beautiful, smooth complexion and it makes a wax-ike coating over the face which is perfectly i'm pervious to precipitation. For this reason, it is said, the paints are used even more in the summer than in the winter.
 At one time in this city it suspected that number of women were using arsenic internally as a means of beautifying the complexion, the use of this deadly poison being credited with bringing about a clear complexion and fair skin. A death once oc- cured of the poison, taken by young lady who had begun the use of the dangerous beauti6er. Another woman, not of good reputation, but noted for the transparency of her skin, died victim to arsenical drop sy. The long continued even of what are called harmless cosmetics causes the veins of the face to show more plainly, no matter how smooth and velvety the skin may appear. 1t also makes wrinkles, and doubt less many a user of powder or whitewash in preparing her face for the beautiher, when she looks into the glass is shocked at the frightful ravages of time, as shown in the furfows plowed about her eyes, Immediate ly, with trembling hand, she showers the cosmetic on thick and fast, and, with the wrinkles hidden, she heaves sigh of relief, and joy and pride again light her eye
 In the Flow and beholdn style, made fash