How to be Pretty - 1940's Guide for High School Girls [in Restored Colour ]

Ponds beauty consultant Mary Stuyvesant dishes out some home spun advice to a group of high school girls on how to look prettier by simply following some basic rules.
This short video is a color and audio restored broadcast quality edit of an old Ponds promotional film. and edited in context.

Looking pretty, according to Miss Stuyvesant, is not just about dress code, clothes, hairstyle or makeup. Though these are important to any girl. You can see Mary's other detailed tutorials here on our channel via the links on the video. They deal in detail on the subjects of makeup like rouge, lipsticks, eye shadows and the correct hairstyles for face shape.
The first part of this lecture, featured here, is about the basics. A good diet, a healthy sleep, and plenty of exercise.
"Makeup, hair and clothes", says Mary, " are just the trimmings, like the icing on the cake. But if the cake itself isn't good, you'll soon lose interest in the icing".

For educational purposes. Film courtesy Prelinger Archive in association with AVGeeks.
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[sanjunipero]

At first I laughed at the fact that people used to lose sleep over “writing letters and listening to swing music” but then I realized I’m losing sleep over texting and watching YouTube videos..

[ianbirchfield]

"when you gotta sleep but your swing record is fire."

[jahyamack]

"Just like icing on a cake. If the icing is good, well thats fine. But if the cake it's self isn't good, you soon loose interest in the icing"
That was genius.

[temporiciide]

i love how she talks about getting sleep and not "sitting up in bed writing letters and listening to swing records".. kids back then did the same things we did! staying up texting our friends and listening to our headphones, lol.

[cassandrastreeter]

I love how they talk about eating enough but not starving yourself.

[tikileeki]

“You can’t be beautiful without good beauty sleep”
Me: *watches at 1 am*

[naomisaldana]

I love how at the end she explains that being pretty is not the important part, it’s taking care of yourself

[nerdynaomi]

"Sometimes I want to shake you girls when you worry too much about being pretty, or not being pretty as though prettiness were a woman's only attraction." This is something that still applies today! Great advice Miss Stuyvesant!

[fish]

girl: mom i don’t feel pretty
mom: ITS THAT DAMN LETTER WRITING

[sourlovee_]

The fact that a video from the 40's makes me want to practice self-care more than my PE/health teachers is kinda sad.

[leahharden]

At first I thought I was gonna get a Old woman telling me I’m ugly but I actually got a grandma telling me to take care of myself

[fattofoxy]

How interesting that the same treatments for “how to be pretty” are the same remedies for depression . Taking daily showers, getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, exercising/being playful outdoors where you get sunshine, getting your tasks done vigorously / being productive . Basically doing things to improve yourself as a whole make you prettier without even trying . Love this video . Girls today should watch it

[brooketriplett]

Notice that exercise isn’t in the gym. It’s doing something fun outside. Actually a really good tip.

[kohammy]

"How to be Pretty"
"Reccomended for you"

[Cute_Yamu]

“I’ve seen lots of sparkling eyes and good complexions sacrificed to swing records at bedtime”
Me: *watching a 1940’s beauty video at 3 am*

[nerdalert]

Me and my sister watched this video expecting it to be rude or outdated but that’s not at all the case. It’s helpful and true advice that I plan to follow and I think everyone should.

[kalinzxgor]

"Good health and intelligent physical care are the foundations of all beauty."
Advice that never goes out of style. :)

[megapup]

I like how this is more about self-care and mental health than following beauty standards

[ACAB.forcutie]

How To Be Pretty: Take Care Of Yourself

[LifeByLucie]

I love that writing letters and listening to swing music was their equivalent to texting and scrolling through TikTok 😆 the technology changed but it’s heartwarming to see the similarities in humankind, even if it’s our unhealthy habits 🥰