the first sign of defeat

Acceptance of your self as you are is the first sign of defeat and old age. 

Cocks, Dorothy. 1935. Help Yourself to Beauty. New York. Harper and Brothers. page 2

as free as the air

Charm is the result of being one’s nicest self all the time. Every woman can have this quality. It is as free as the air. 

Larison, Ruth. 1942. Those Enduring Young Charms. New York. Harper and Brothers. page 4

more or less on trial

The mother must instill into the voice of authority a captivating note of charm and tact. The whole of womanhood is more or less on trial in her person. 

Wilson, Marjery. 1941. Marjery Wuilson's Pocket Book of Etiquette: The Modern Social Guide. New York. Pocket Books. page 371

it's fine to have curves

It’s fine to have curves, but what do you do when you have too many of them and they are really more like bulges? 

Drake, Debbie. 1961. Debbie Drake's Easy Way to a Perfect Figure and Glowing Health. New Jersey. Eaglewood Cliffs. Prentice-Hall. 1961

of paramount importance

Feminine beauty has varying aspects during a woman’s life, but at every time in her life it is of paramount importance to her and to the others around her.

Milo, Mary Jo, Marshall, Jean King. 1951. Family Circle's Complete Book of Beauty and Charm. New York. Garden City Books. p.376

if you must reach

Beauty is displayed in free-flowing curves of movement. If you must gesture, if you must wave, if you must reach – describe a circle or curve for grace.

Archer, Alma. 1941. How to be Smart and Charming. Book one. New York. Personal Improvement Guild. p.26