Seeking Ideal BeautyWritten by Jeannine Schenewerk
Seeking Ideal Beauty There seems to me to be definite parallels between this era, and Elizabethan Age, when it comes to women, and their desperate struggle to either halt natural aging of their appearance, or, to discover a miracle age-reversal method. During sixteenth century, well-born women were obsessed with achieving, and maintaining, 'ideal' beauty, as they perceived it, to point of what we would call 'madness'. What was this ideal they so longed to possess? Youthful unlined alabaster skin, overly bright eyes, red cheeks and lips, and fairest of hair colors. Add to these attributes, a high, arched, pale eyebrow, and high brow line. To achieve 'look' of perfection, these women made use of period’s highly respected skin care techniques, and finest cosmetics available to them, at time. First, hairline was plucked back, an inch or more. Next, eyebrows had to be plucked and arched, and hair of head and eyebrows was then bleached out using a variety of most up-to-date bleaching agents, including urine, and sulfuric acid. Women, who could afford high cost, purchased top of line skin whitener, 'ceruse', a mixture of white lead, and vinegar. This was used on face, neck, bosom, and often hands and arms as well. This concoction was used in conjunction with 'skin firmer' of choice, uncooked egg white. This noxious mess was then spread on face, neck and bosom, and allowed to dry, to tighten, and hide wrinkles, and give face a white, unlined, mask-like finish. To imitate a blush and pout of youthful beauty, vermilion (mercuric sulfide) was THE choice for lips and cheeks. Faintly traced veins were then added to skin surface of bosom, for that 'natural' look. Drops of belladonna were then administered to eyes, to achieve that desired 'sparkle', and eyes were outlined in kohl. To care for their complexions, ladies made use of what was highly touted as best cleanser. Mercury mixed with alum, and honey. Of course, a common practice was 'facial peel', and most widely used, and highly regarded peel agent, was mercury.
| | Why Won’t He Listen!Written by Carol M. Welsh
You act or react to people based on how you perceive them. Those perceptions are influenced by your perceptual styles: Audio, Feeler, Visual, and Wholistic. The style with highest score influences how you listen and communicate most. For instance, when you speak to an Audio, you need to collect your thoughts so you can get to point as quickly as possible. If you ramble, he will tune you out or interrupt you by asking you to get to point. When you speak to a Visual, you need to show him what you are talking about or speak in descriptive terms so he can visualize what you are talking about. He needs to visualize each step or part of picture you are describing to understand. If you bombard him with too much information upfront, he will give you a blank stare because it put him on information overload, leading to frustration for both you and him. When you speak to a Feeler, it’s your tone of voice that he hears and remembers. If you start accusing him that he never listens, he will immediately feel uncomfortable because he wants to please you and obviously you are displeased. He might not listen because you are an Audio who can easily blurt out your feelings, often loudly or maybe in a sarcastic voice. The loudness or tone of voice intimidates Feeler so he may withdraw with hurt feelings. When you speak to a Wholistic, it’s best to get to point quickly or he might cut you off and finish your sentence because he thinks he knows what you are going to say. Often he’s right but when he’s not, you need to explain that, no, that wasn’t what you were going to say and to please not interrupt. What are your and his styles? In following table, rank each of perceptual styles from 1 – 5 for each “action” area. For instance, if description for Wholistic describes you most, enter a “5” in “Me” box. If Audio description fits you least, enter a “1” in that box and so forth. Then rank each of Four Perceptions as to how you perceive they describe him.ActionsMeHimMeHimMeHimMeHim How you…Audio FeelerVisualWholistic Communicate:In direct manner with few details. Get to bottom line. May inter-rupt with “and point is…?”Through touching. Describe feelings involved. Need details explained – don’t want to make a mistake.With expressive eyes. Prefer “show” over “tell.” Speak in descriptive detail. Like to talk, act out stories.Persuasively. Think out loud–talk to your-self. May interrupt a person and finish sentence. How you…Audio FeelerVisualWholistic
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