Why I Don't Change My Hairstyle

I did not notice that I had been mistaken in my treatment of my face until I saw it, some twenty years ago, in a large, clear picture on the silver screen. I went at once to consult my mirror; I sat before it, drew all my hair back, and began to examine my looks. And what I found in them at that moment is still there today.

I have large, wide eyes, jet-black hair, and a broad forehead. My jawbones are prominent and my chin is pointed, so it is only natural that I have a short, broad, triangular face in the shape of a heart. At that time I parted my hair to the side and combed it down over the sides of my face.

Even in my private life that first style did not suit me, and on the screen I looked hard. By nature I hate the hard-eyed woman, so I tried to make my face look oval, to soften its shape. I began with the bangs, which broke the ill-proportioned shape of my face. Then I discovered that hair falling down at the sides shows up the heavy jawbones, so I combed my hair up and slightly back. And this arrangement — the bangs on the forehead, and the hair drawn away from the face at the sides — gave my face that length it so badly needed.

When I study my hair from behind, I see that short hair suits my short neck. Fortunately I have beautiful hair that covers it, so I can wear a large catch-pin if fashion should bring it in, and thus look pretty from every angle.

Naturally, every woman feels the urge to follow the fashion, and I can confess that I felt how old-fashioned my style was when the vogue of long hair spread everywhere. I made believe my hair had grown long and began trying false hair around my face — and I can confess that in every one of them I looked like a sheep! It became clear to me once and for all that ladies with short necks like mine must keep well away from long hair falling to the shoulders.

Still, I can change my hairdo for certain occasions, with economy in the matter. Sometimes I part my hair at the side; sometimes I comb it in its natural way and curl my bangs a little, or show my ears.

But the front view of my face, the one that shows me at my prettiest, I never change at all. And why should I? When you, Madam, discover the way that makes you look beautiful from every angle, you must keep to it always.