Russian Woman and Make Up
In Russia a pretty woman will succeed not only in private life, but also in business. That is why a Russian woman strives to keep herself in good form. The desire to look pretty has been an integral part of her life style for so long that it has deeply rooted in her mentality. Odd woman, going out, wouldn't line the eyes, apply lipstick and powder her nose. If a Russian woman didn't use make up she would feel as if she were naked. Expensive cosmetics are available for rich women only. But Russian women are extraordinarily inventive: they make creams of vegetable oil, sour cream, eggs, lemon juice; the recipes of folk cosmetology, based mostly on natural products, are also greatly favoured.
Russian Woman and Clothes
When a man abroad arrives in Moscow he is shocked at first to see that the streets are swarming with, so it seems to him, prostitutes: all women are wearing provocative clothes, make up and manicured hands. But he must remember that in Russia a woman ignoring her sex peculiarities and engrossed in her work is viewed as an odd and absurd creature - a "bluestocking". You imagine incredible affection for grey colours, baggy skirt with a slit with knee-high stocking visible in it, hair of indefinite colour tied up in a pitiful ponytail, grey face without any lively colours. This image has been repeatedly reproduced in the Russia cinema and is universally despised. Perhaps, this can account for the extraordinary attention of a Russian woman to her looks. Whatever the trends in fashion, the major goal a Russian woman tries to attain in her clothes is to emphasize her gentleness and beauty.
Thus it is as clear as daylight that a Russian woman will never give up her habit to look neat and attractive. In the unit "Standard of living of Russian women" we mentioned that not all of them can afford clothes designed by leading fashion houses or clothes from expensive boutiques, but if you look at the style Russian women dress in you will understand that a genuine desire to look beautiful can be a match for money in reaching the fondest goal.
