By Eileen Forster Keck and Ami Thomas
A Bombshell isn't an ordinary, run-of-the-mill kind of girl. As Lauren Stover stated in The Bombshell Manual of Style, "A Bombshell never dresses carelessly...[and] she behaves as if all life's a movie in which she is the star."
It's true. And two of us have decided to document just what sort of an evening a Bombshell has before an Evening Out. We don't simply "change and run out the door." Getting ready is part of the event.
The rituals that follow vary, depending on the Bombshell in question. But all of them take a certain kind of thoughtful planning-out, and that's part of the fun, too.
The first thing to take into consideration is mood. And there's no better way to set that mood than the right kind of music. How to decide? Well, it should be appropriate—if the planned event is a swing dance, the music will be from the 30s or 40s. It could be Chick Webb or Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey or Larry Clinton, or a modern group with the right sound. If it's a lounge-y, Rat Pack sort of event, late Frankie, maybe Dean Martin, or some other smooth Vegas sound will be just right.
At this point, the correct look has already been decided—it must be keyed to the event—so it's time to start creating. For many events, if not all, chances are that curls or waves are a necessary part of the right hairstyle, so it's time to put in those curlers, pin curls, or rag rollers. Next, it all gets covered up with a pretty scarf or turban. After all, even if only the cat is there, it's important to look good!
Steam from a bath is a great way to set curls, so now the bath is started. Bubbles might be added, or salts, or scented oils. Things are moving along, and a cocktail or glass of champagne makes its appearance 'round about now. A Bombshell sometimes pours it herself, but husbands or lovers have been known to simply show up in the dressing room mirror and hand one over.
Now it's time to take advantage of all those lovely bubbles. Any self-respecting Bombshell takes her time here, and neither of us is an exception to the rule!
After a luxurious toweling off, and lots of moisturizer, it's off to the vanity. Settling in here, in front of a lovely vintage mirror, and a nice dresser set, some of us wear a towel, or a sarong...or nothing at all. But you won't see a Bombshell in an old flannel wrapper, even in the dead of winter. (Cashmere, on the other hand, is a lovely way to keep warm.)
The Bombshell prepares her canvas with a cold cream cleanser, a gentle toner and a strong moisturizer—it's winter, and the cold air and champagne are drying to her skin. A night on the town calls for a good foundation/powder combination—her face must be flawless.
Eyebrows are smoothed with a brush and filled in with powder, perhaps using a stencil for absolute perfection and symmetry. She highlights her brow bone with a light shimmering shadow, vanilla cream on her lids and dove grey in the crease for drama. Black liquid liner on the top only, and drawn out at the corners accentuates an almond-shaped eye. If the sought-after look is an earlier decade, the eye accents will be a bit different, but always there, in some fashion.
She applies single lashes at the outer corners, several coats of black mascara, and separates the lashes with a comb. Her cheeks are rouged with a bright pink blush, brushed onto the apples and blended with a sponge. Red lipstick, of course, is the final touch. It might be a special blend of three or four anonymous tubes, so as to match the outfit perfectly, or perhaps M.A.C. Red, Revlon's Cherries-in-the-Snow, or some other classic color.
Having completed her face, she pauses here for another glass of bubbles. Drinking champagne at this point in the process also demands another application of lipstick and a light powdering of the nose. Also at this point, she may review her chosen outfit and start considering accessories and shoes.
Satisfied that her apparel is in order, she returns to the dressing table, to comb out her hair. Each roller is removed carefully to avoid split ends, and a dab of hair dressing is smoothed onto each curl as it's pulled out and combed into place. A light spray of Adorn—unscented of course, so as not to interfere with her perfume—and a light backcombing of the under layer will keep the style perfect and soft all night.
The moment of truth arrives—dressing for the evening. Just because an outfit has been chosen does not guarantee that it will be worn. If it doesn't feel right, she'll head straight back into that closet and try on clothes until it does.
The right foundation garments are essential—they must provide support, control and curves in all the right places. Above that, they must be virtually invisible once dressed. More than one Bombshell has discarded her intimate apparel at the very last minute before walking out the door because she caught a glimpse of "lines" under her evening dress. Garters and stockings are absolute necessities—seamed stockings needing straightening provide infinite opportunities for calling attention to her legs.
Once the outfit is chosen and finalized, she can spend just as much time choosing the perfect accessories. Earrings dangle, or sparkle, or both. A well-placed brooch invites admiring gazes, (as Ms. Stover notes in her Book,) as does a long necklace with a drop pendant cradled in her décolleté.
The Bombshell appreciates the sincere compliment of a lingering and admiring gaze from a Gentleman. A leering letch, however, will be publicly reproached, which may well earn him a drink dashed into his face.
The unattached Bombshell leaves the ring finger of her left hand significantly bare, while a married or engaged girl takes a special delight in showing off the rock by wearing no other rings on the left hand. Perfume should be applied, according to Coco Chanel, "wherever a woman wants to be kissed." A Bombshell is liberal with the atomizer—she believes a woman should be kissed everywhere. Especially in taxis.
Another glass of champagne, perhaps, will be sipped while applying a clear top coat to her nails. Her manicure must be smudge-free and glossy, even if she's wearing gloves. After all, it isn't only what shows that counts! If she's invited out for a night cap, she'll be expected to take off those gloves and her manicure should be as perfect as possible.
Our Bombshell never has to dress for the weather, because she is always picked up and dropped off door-to-door, but if it's Winter she'll take any excuse to wear that fur. Once it's chosen and fluffed, she checks her bag one last time—small comb, compact, lipstick, handkerchief and mints. Not a detail has been overlooked and her escort is ringing the bell.
Time to go!
