Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1889-03-01
BEAUTY NOT SKIN DEEP.
Results of a Day Spent in a "Beau-
tifying'' Parlor.
Growing Use Of Cosmetics Among Youns
and Old -FutiiIty Of Lotions and Pow
ders-About the Complexion
The Surest Beautlhcr.

paints, powders and cosmetics"
This item has been going the rounds
Of the press recently, and after l had
road 1t for about the sixth time l de-
tcrmined to start on tour OF lnvesti-
CATION and to find out for myself II the
profits from the sales OF cosmetics are
so enormous.
II is not difficult matter In New
York TO find one OF the establishments
where they promise to make Il raving.
tearing blonde beauty OF you. radiant,
brilliant brunette-as you fancy-in
less than no time Mt all, IL you will
only invest in the one and only balm,
or lotion, or powder which Is there
manufactured on the premises
The first place OF this sort which
visited was presided over by a blonde
young woman. who smiled sweetly and
assured me. II / was looking for a
preparation which would impart the
flush OF June rose to my cheeks and
tho sunniest gold tint to my hair, had
come to just the right place.
This preparation is the only toilet
article which Is absolutely harmless;
1t has stood the test OF ninety-five
years, Is known throughout the whole
world, and Is composed OF perfect
ly---"
At this point interrupted her, or
she would still have been going on
about the merits OF the cosmetic.
j told her that my time was limited;
and II she had got started again on the
theme. intended to intimate that |
had to catch train for some distant
town In the wilds OF Jersey. and that
she might just as well spare her breath,
for what little complexion | have
value too highly to spoil with any
paint or powder.
But II she would kindly give me
some Idea OF tho amount OF money an
nually expended for cosmetics In
America would be much obliged to
her
II should say that at least several
million dollars were spent every year.
Our sales alone are over half u million
boxes Of -----" (mentioning the name OF
their marvellous" preparation which
is 80 magical" in It's results).
"Our - is a harmless tonic which
imparts delicate freshness TO the
skin and II youthful softness and deli
cacy. II is absolutely the only"
Much rs it grieved me to be rude.
interrupted her again with remark to
the effect that II had no doubt II any
one would use ----- IL would speedily
make her as beautiful as Venus, as
Psyche, Us Milton ut the age oil
twelve, and then departed.
As | wendell my way down the stairs
il was with the reflection that IL one
only one firm out OF the thousand OF
more-sold annually over half d
million boxes of magic beautiiier. OIL
whatever one chooses to call 1t. and
each box costs one dollar, the person
who had started the report about
he eight million would have to start
another one and substitute billion for
million.
Are there any more compilations
left | asked myself. or are they al
just compounds of liquid. powder and
paintp Is it possible any longer to fine
"a woman's face with natures owr
hand paintedp"
As | walked down the avenue,
scrutinized the faces | met. and an
happy to say that to all appearances
the compilations OF seven ladies-no,
will say eight-out OF ten were just as
nature had made them. or If not the
little red" had been "stolen on" sc
cunningly that one could easily be de
ceived and mistake art for nature.
Woman Is very clever individual
se all know. but think ii Is seldom
that she resorts to the use of rouge dc
something or other. or poudre de-
this or that without showing that she
Is "whitcwashed."
The absolutely imperceptible" cos
metic may be extensively advertised
and more extensively used. but. excuse
the paradox. there isn't any such thing
1t Is just as plain. my dear madame
that you 'artificialize" as that yot
have "a nose on your face. and much
moro unbecoming to you than YOU
nose. which by not taking just thu
right curve has spoiled the symmetry
OF your face.
Since starting out 1t had occurred L
me that II | could only spend a day OF
two in an establishment where cos
meties are sold. might find much
amusement in watching the differen
people who visit such places to Obtain
the means for assisting nature.
Perhaps l could find some placs
where a saleswoman was required.
would try at any rate--the fun ! woult
probably get would be sufficient re
ward for few days work, supposine
| could get nothing more substantial
My next visit was to u place where
found that the proprietor had just ad
vertised for a saleswoman, and, al
though she preferred some one will
experience, she said could come ant
try the place for few days and see
how could get on.
Madame occupied two rooms In I
handsome building on one of the prin