Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-24
MILLIONS FOR COSMETICS.
HARMLESS AND HARMFUL PREPARA-
TIoNs FOR THE SKIN.
Profits of the Makers of Them-Enor-
nous Sums Expended for Them
by American Women.

"Eight million dollars are spent annu
ally by the women of America for paints
powders and cosmetics" This was
familiar paragraph last year, and on'
which was copied in nearly every news
| paper, and no one, l believe, took tn,
trouble to question its truth. "For cos
metics, $62, 100000" is the last report, say
an interesting writer in New Yorl
paper. Truly, cosmetics are taking
stride forward. Is there any truth in thi
statement or did it originate in some Gym
ical masculine brain? Let us inquire int
the matter. For this purpose prominen
pharmacist will furnish a few facts
"There are thousands of these preparation
for improving the complexion" he tell
us, "and one firm alone in New York city
lists 1000 of them" Then he proceeded
to read seven simple formulas and gave
the names of a half dozen elements, ant
said that every compound sold under
whatever name contained nothing he haC
not named.
"This little jar" he said, holding up 8
cream, "has at present wonderful reputa
tion on the strength of Its secret formula
What is it? Common zinc oxide, ground
in equal parts of water and glycerine and
perfumed with rose. | will give you the
formula" And he did so.
1t has pretty ribbon about it, and sells
| for SIS dozen. What does it cost jar
Ten cents Then he showed what ladie:
buy when they purchase another "cream'
of wide reputation. 1t sells for 81 80 q
bottle. 1t holds eight ounces; seven o.
theses are pure water. The other is calo-
mel. Cost of calomel for dozen bottles
33 cents; cost of bottles, % cents; filling
and corking, 6 cents; total, 66 cents; re-
tail $751;
The danger arising from the use of cos
metics the doctor thinks overdrawn. This
will be welcome news, possibly, to the fair
danes who are striving to preserve their
compilations by their use. "Face prepara-
tions have legitimate use," he contends,
'fand when properly used are no more
harmful than perfumes. Zinc, when pres
ent in powders, possesses some curative
powers, and bismuth is only slightly in
furious. The principal trouble is the con-
tinued application of powders and the
stopping up of the capillaries of the face
Most face powders are only zinc, bismuth,
magnesia and chalk Lead and mercury
seldom enter into them. These are more
frequently found in washes which get their
only merit from the glycerine or oil in
which the elements are ground. In all Of
them there is no difference except as to
| name"
Thus much for the pharmacists opinion
That enormous profits are made in selling
face preparations no one can doubt. Other
inquiries as to the truth of the statement
which forms the text of this article prove
that it is not overdrawn.
AT 'beautifying" parlor, where they
engage to bring the flush of the June rose
to your cheek with their magical prep
aration, was told that their sales alone
were over half million boxes annually.
At another place the presiding genius
was bedecked with jewels. Evidently her
establishment was in a prosperous condi-
ton; satisfaction shone from her eye and
powder from her cheek. That which she
sold to others she used with lavish hand
herself Her sales averaged from 500 to
$40 day Not only would she engage to
make one the envy of all beholders as far
as your velvet cheek is concerned (made so
by her means), but if you cared to place
yourself in her hands, she would take great
pleasure in giving you everything that
nature had denied you.
If you wished luxuriant growth of
eyebrows and eyelashes cher tonic was $50
bland and emollient that it might be used
by young children''), she could give you
them Ifwrinkles were beginning to make
their hated appearance, she could easily
| tighten your skin, and restore its tonicity
when loose and habby; in fact, what she
could not do for your complexion, face,
nose, eyes, eyebrows and eyelashes, was
not worth mentioning.
My days expedition convinced me that
S62, 100000 is easily spent by the women
of the United States for paints and pow
ders. Notwithstanding the pharmacists
opinion that these preparations are less
harmful than supposed, would advise any
woman who has regard for her complex
! ion to absolutely eschew all such COM
pounds. There are pomade preparations,
almond oil and rose water, cold cream and
like applications which keep the skin
smooth and do not harm it in the least
| These used in moderation are beneficial.
In connection with this subject, it is
curious to recall an edict which was regis
tered in France in the time of Louis XIV.
| "Whosoeyer by means of red or white
paint, perfumes, essences, artificial teeth,
false hair, cotton, wool, iron corsets, hoops,
shoes with high heels, shall seek to entice
| into the bonds of matrimony any male sub.
iect of his Majesty shall be prosecuted for
witchc1aft and declared incapable of mat
rimony."
Some one very truly says that there is
not single flaw or blemish that has not at
least score of remedies, any one of which
is claimed to be perfect antidote for any
deviation from the true line of perfect
beauty. "In the matter of face powders,
there is no end The compounds are suited
for all kinds of rough and smooth skins,
thick and transparent, and can produce
anything from deathly pallor to a rich
red glow; any shade can be selected that is
most becoming to the hair and eyes of the
woman who wishes to be beautiied." Then
there is a peerless identifying cream, a
superb preparation which makes the skin
soft and elegant, imparting brilliant hue
| If for any reason this compound does not
| fill the bill, then there is offered the liquid
complexion beautifer to give compilations
to those who have none to speak Of, and to
improve others.
Of course there is the liquid rouge, and
the face rouge, and the power rouge, and q
dozen other kinds-some adapted for the
street, some for the stage, some for house
iwear, some for dry, sunshiny days, Others
for rainy weather, one kind in particular
for snow-storms, and various subdivision;
for the lips and cheeks.
IF the toilet experts can work half the
miracles they claim, there is no excuse 70.
the question, Where are all the handsome
womenT They may easily remedy any
natural defects of ears, eyes, teeth and hair
and bloom with compilations of transparent
loveliness."
People said that Diana of Portiers pos
sessed asecret that rendered her imperviou.
to the ravages of time. Some went so fal
as to say in that superstitious age that sht
had bought her secret from very darh
gentleman indeed. What was this secre
then Did she ever tell it? Never! Die
any one ever know? Yes; her perfumer
Did he ever tell it2 Not during her life
1t is not known then? 1t is, for those whC
have the patience to wade through musty
manuscripts and books. May we not know
it? You will only smile and disbelieye