The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Last night the movie at the Estates (formerly The Forum) was The Wizard of Oz. I had a front row seat in our community living room (the couch with my own blanket) and could really see and admire all the advanced technology and make-up for the era (1939). I noticed that the Scarecrow had actual burlap marks on his face so decided to take a look at how they did all that. I remember years ago reading it was toxic and caused health problems. This account is AI generated--I'm afraid that like others, I too will settle when it comes to quick and dirty searches.

"The makeup used in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz was elaborate and often hazardous due to the materials available at the time. The Wicked Witch of the West, portrayed by Margaret Hamilton, wore a copper-based green makeup that was poisonous, requiring her to live on a liquid diet during filming and carefully cleaning the makeup off her face each day. This toxic makeup caused her skin to remain green for weeks after filming concluded.

The makeup for the Tin Man, originally intended for Buddy Ebsen, was a white face paint coated with aluminum dust, which caused severe health issues, including lung infections and shortness of breath, leading to Ebsen being replaced by Jack Haley after only nine days of filming. Haley’s makeup was reformulated into a paste, but he still experienced an eye infection that caused him to miss four days of filming.

The Scarecrow, played by Ray Bolger, wore a latex-based "rubber bag" mask that was so tightly adhered to his skin that it left permanent waffle-like burlap patterns on his face, particularly around his mouth and chin, after being peeled off daily.

The Cowardly Lion, portrayed by Bert Lahr, wore a heavy costume that made him drenched in sweat by the end of each shooting day.

The intense heat from the Technicolor filming process, combined with the heavy makeup and costumes, made working conditions extremely difficult, with reports of people fainting on set.

The makeup for the Munchkins was also unusual and required specialized application. Despite the risks, these techniques contributed to the film’s iconic visual style."

Gives me a new appreciation for an 86 year old movie, and the hazards the performers put up with.

I've been told that this is my son-in-law's favorite movie, and they have a special Christmas tree with only Wizard of Oz ornaments.

 

Merle Norman

"Coverage: Medium to Full. Finish: Dewy. For dry skin types.

What makes this Merle Norman original foundation a cult classic? It has kept a multitude of complexions looking young and beautiful. Layer it to achieve maximum foundation coverage. The long-wearing creamy formula provides the base for a gorgeous face by protecting against the drying effects of the sun, wind and environmental pollutants."

Feel beautiful just reading the ad. Dewy. A cult classic. Young and beautiful. Creamy formula. Gorgeous. Protection from environmental pollutants.

I've been using it for 40 years.

Vintage make-up mirror

CLAIROL True-to-Light, 3 Way Lighted Make-up Mirror. Purchased for Christmas 1979. It has 2 adjustable fold out side mirrors, and a large center mirror. Center mirror can rotates for magnification. The light bulbs are replaceable (2026 lamp)--or were 30 years ago. It has 4 settings for Day, Office, Evening, and Home plus ON and OFF button. Gently used by former 30-something housewife turned librarian who rarely wore make-up.

These things are outrageously priced on the various on-line web resale sites. I'm cleaning closets today, and it will go for a song, a poem, or possibly nothing if I take it to the Discovery Shop. The guide book says the lamps last 4,000 hours, so I figure there are at least 3,750 left, and I turned it on--everything works--I just don't want to be that close to my face anymore.

As you age, you need less make-up, not more. I dab a bit on about 5 a.m. in the morning--takes about 2 minutes after I wash and moisturize my face (with Watkins if I have it). Some foundation, a whisk of cheek blush and I'm good to go. Mascara and liner makes my eyes itch. I rarely wear lipstick anymore because it has a tendency to want to climb into my lip lines. Not a pretty sight.

The other day I was talking to an old friend and we were trying to remember the name of a woman we knew 30 years ago. I'm sure she was younger then than I am now, but he described her as the woman with all the make up and smeared lipstick. Then I remembered her! Isn't that just so sad? To be remembered by the wrong hair color, or the make-up collecting in your wrinkles, or smeared lipstick. Oh. Dear. Soul.

Now they’ve gone too far in bashing the Bushes

Laura was always fresh faced and lovely in my eyes. Remember all the Hillary hair internet sites? Seems her hair dresser doesn't enjoy being left out.

"It took Laura Bush four years to finally look good. It's taken Michelle Obama two months. She wears fake eyelashes that are beautiful. She can't do those herself." (Hillary’s former hair dresser.) Meow.

Paul L. Williams writes for the Canadian Free Press and he‘s one of those talking heads experts called in on the various cable and broakcast chatty news shows. He lists TWENTY TWO (22) personal assistants, secretaries, coordinators, and deputy-whatevers and their salaries here. Considering the economic times and her non-office, she certainly is a big spender--and I don’t think the gardener or make-up artist were even on that list.

The Obama handlers seem to be keeping Michelle under wraps so she doesn’t behave stupidly, like someone close to her, and mess up plans for legislation with falling poll numbers. Maybe all this staff is a pay-off for keeping quiet? She knows how rough those Chicago handlers can get. Look what they're doing to the Blue Dogs!

Michelle Obama is the first First Lady to hire a full-time makeup artist. Ingrid Grimes-Miles travels with her and is credited with making her eyebrows look less "angry,” but an Obama spokesman is quick to point out this salary is out of their personal funds. ?? Does that mean what supporters have donated instead of the ordinary taxpayer?

Patch, patch, patch

I got a hair cut and color today. It takes longer and longer to look presentable. I don’t leave the house without my buddy, Merle (Norman--make-up brand), and try not to wear sweat pants and athletic shoes in public, unless I’m exercising, of course. Yesterday was Peggy Lee’s birthday. Ms. Lee (whose real name was Norma) was going up in a hotel elevator to put on her make-up, stage clothes and jewelry for a show. A woman asked, "Are you Peggy Lee?" She replied straightforwardly, "No, not yet."

HT Powerline which has some details and links to video.

Pig collagen and Truth in Aging

Jumping from an article about safety data and various cosmetic products and procedures at JunkFood Science, I was looking for "pig collagen" which is used for a wrinkle filler and I wondered if it was OK for Jews and Muslims, and that took me to Truth in Aging, which I've only just skimmed, but I do agree with this.

. . .you practically need a degree in chemistry to decipher the label on a bottle of drug store moisturizer these days. Truth In Aging attempts to siphon out what really works and why, and deliver that honest truth to the consumer. I am dedicated to honest, unbiased reporting amidst claims that are often misleading and confusing. And, in all the noise, there are actually some good things out there that get missed because we are bewildered, jaded and/or cynical.

My "beauty regimen" extends to a shower, moisturizer, Merle Norman powder base foundation whisked across my face, a touch of rouge, and hair color about every 7 weeks. I use fat to fill out my wrinkles, and I do not look like I have implanted soccer balls inside my sweater. And clothes, of course, I wear. Even buy something new once in awhile. However, the products I've seen on this site will probably only be good for a laugh--like $130. My newest find was Jergen's with Shea Butter--love the smell--and it was probably about $5.

I see a lot of women my age with too much make-up--collects in the wrinkles and eyebrows--and the wrong color. We are no longer the fresh faced teens we were when we selected that rose or orange tone. Time for a reality check.