That’s Debbie Reynolds All Over
A girl has got to look her best when she’s entertaining troops overseas. It’s a pretty rugged soldier who can stand to see his favorite movie doll smudged, weary and looking like she’s just combed her hair with an egg-beater. But if you don’t think a heavy travel schedule can put a strain on good looks, just ask the girl who owns one, Debbie Reynolds. Between flights to remote military outposts, trips with Eddie and personal appearances connected with her own films, she’s about as traveled a young woman as you’re likely to find. She’s also the first to admit that without a bag of special beauty tricks, it’s easy to look like a wilted dust mop. As indispensable as a toothbrush, says Debbie, is an aerosol can of hair spray. Come heat, humidity or high wind—pssst! Hair to stay! Since there is rarely time for primping, she counts on creamy but long-lasting lipstick, the kind that stays on and on without drying her lips. For a shiny nose, she finds pressed cake powder gives the best coverage and puts off the inevitable a little longer.
When fatigue gives even Debbie’s pert little pan a slightly drawn look, she finds a dab of natural-looking, easy-to-apply liquid rouge the next best thing to a good night’s sleep. Because nothing defeats a well-groomed look as do broken nails or peeling polish, Debbie cuts down on breakage by keeping her nails fairly short and filed in rounded ovals. Her polish lasts because she applies a base coat, two coats of polish and a protective top coat, wiping off a hairline edge at the tip of each nail to help prevent chipping. A soap-and-water fiend, she considers a quick shower a five-minute vacation for frazzled nerves. When there’s time for a leisurely bath, she makes a big thing of it with fragrant soap, bath salts, dusting powder and toilet water. While your own safaris may not be as frequent as Debbie’s or as far afield, her beauty hints for travelers will take you in the right direction.
It is a quote. PHOTOPLAY MAGAZINE MAY 1956