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Excerpted from PRETTY GOTHIC #2
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Who designed your costumes, and have you ever designed or made your own?

Chas Addams first drew the tattered black dinner gown (which Mrs. Addams wore bare foot). I myself added the bondage influences such as waist cinchers, uplift bra, black patent leather shoes with studs, long fingernails, black fishnets, oh and also some black 4" platform shoes. I always made all of my personal accessories for the show such as comic spooky hats, jewelry etc. The first gown that I had hand sewn was from $3.67 worth of a remnant I had found at the Home Silk Shop. I was the first person ever to make and to wear that now famous dress, the seed for all of today's tattered fashions.

Was your 18 inch waist natural or did you have to work at it with corsetry? If so, how long did it take for you to get so tiny?

My waist is still recorded in the "Guinness Book of World Records" at 17", however, it was a non-recorded 16" in the first Miss Universe contest in 1953. I wore a "waist nipper". Later on my gowns has corset stays in them. Before I used body sculpting, my normal naked waist measured 19 to 20 inches. Afterwards I would train for 3 months to get it down to 17".

If corsets weren't involved, what kind of foundation garments did you use?

I created a "Wonder Bra" for myself. The fishnets helped to firm my own ripe thighs.

What were your measurements back then?

My measurements were 37-17-36

How long did it take to prepare for a show (costuming/makeup/etc.)?

Getting into costume and makeup too 4 hours at first, then I got it down to 2 1/2 hours.

Did you have a makeup artist help you or did you do it all yourself?

No makeup artist. When they tried to do me I ended up looking like Vivien Leigh or Heddy Lamarr, not spooky!

What kinds of cosmetic products did you use?

Mehron Theatrical Products were a stand by for me since my days in the theater. By the time I did Vampira in 1954 there was little left of that company so I had to improvise. Max Factor white pan stick, over that plain white bath dusting powder "set" with ice cubes. Then I would use suntan pan stick for hollows and Max Factor pan cake in light #1. Then I would use white pan stick on highlights (cheekbones etc.) which were then lightly glossed with baby oil (to catch TV pin spots). I used to study Miss Dietrick's articles about Van Sternburg's lighting secrets. My lip stick was a deep fuscha with a blue lip liner. Eyes were painted much larger with double real hair lashes with the ends weighted by black wax beading (essentially applying hot black candle wax to the end of the eyelash with a match stick) to create bed room eyes.

Did your stage career influence your dramatic makeup?

Yes, I always wore too much makeup because I had low self esteem.

Acrylic nails are a recent invention, so what kind of product was used to create your long nails?

I made my own fingernails out of Tupperware. I used the lids of macaroni salad containers in the grocery store.

Do you now or have you ever had any sort of cosmetic maintenance routine?

I was a protege of Gaylord Hauser who was Garbo's health and beauty mentor. He taught me about health foods, exercise and positive thinking. My cosmetics seemed always to come from my kitchen cupboard or the dime store. Never, it seemed, could I afford drugstore cosmetics (positive thinking not withstanding). My current cosmetic ritual is folic acid, kelp and vitamin B12 internally and St. Ives, Collagen and Elastin taken daily externally (but I'm no raving beauty).

Have you used anything other than make-up to get paler skin?

Yes, lemon juice! I love it! And raw egg white for a lift.

Can you offer any tips or advice on this subject, such as posing, working with photographers, lighting and sets, cosmetic enhancement, and image?

Examine yourself thoroughly. How do you differ from your ideal? With patience, determination and utter dedication set about to overcome these shortcomings (we all have them). Study the experts in every field: nutrition, physical culture, cosmetics, lighting, style. Spend some time alone. Know who you really are, then make your statement. There is only one you! Be her!