Mrs. Lance Rawson

“ To those young ladies who have the time and the wish to improve their complexion, much information can be given, and, indeed, it is the bounden duty of every woman to use all means within her power to make herself as beautiful as she can. ”

“ Distilled water is used for washing the face by nearly all our most beautiful actresses. For oily or greasy skins a few drops of spirits of camphor to the washing water is beneficial. Only some skins can use glycerine with good results. Never use too much glycerine as in time it darkens the skin. Borax is also a good addition to washing water. It softens and improves the skin. Every toilet table should be furnished with a bottle of ammonia and a few drops put into every bath, hot or cold, particularly in hot weather, and for people who perspire much as it takes off all unpleasantness. ”

“ The hands should be washed constantly and in warm water as a rule. When they have been doing kitchen work a lemon cut in halves and rubbed all over them before washing will help to cleanse, and is a great help in taking off the smell of grease, &c. You want to cut it, squeeze out the juice into a cup and rub the fruit part all over the hands, and the pure juice after if necessary, then wash in warm water with carbolic soap, or common yellow will do, and again with "pasta mack" used in the water, which gives a pleasant odour to the hands. ”

“ Where there are sisters they can more effectually rub or massage each other, and without doubt this last is the greatest secret of the toilet. Where one has to do for oneself it is not so easy, though quite possible. To begin with, after using the rough towel effectually, with the bare hands rub and knead every part—legs, arms, the body, shoulders, neck, every muscle in the body. Some people use a perfumed oil on their hands when rubbing, and it impregnates the body with a sweet smell. Any scent can be used, but it needs oil with it to make it rub easily. ”

“ I have found the best results from the recipe in which cucumber juice is used with sour milk, but I have heard of good results from an application of sulphur and milk put on over night, and washed off with warm water in the morning. Pure lemon juice is a very good simple remedy, and if it does not remove the "sun's kisses," it whitens the skin without doubt. Many ladies whose perseverance is worthy of a better cause wear a mask of muslin or calico after plastering the face with wet oatmeal. ”

“ To identify oneself with any particular scent. It must be rubbed in all over the body. This is easily done by mixing the scent with a little oil and after the bath rub every part of the body with it. Also make small bags or pockets, buy the scent in powder (if possible) and fill them with it, and then pin or sew them into the dresses, stays, &c., &c. Some ladies use violet powder or orris root in this way and consequently are remarkable for the sweet odour of violets that always accompanies them. It is best to choose a scent the oil and essence of which is obtainable. ”

“ I have heard it said that dyeing the hair injures it. This is only true when injurious dyes are used, for I have known ladies who dyed their hair as a constant thing for years, yet theirs was not injured. It all depends upon the dye. Many young girls who have fair hair keep it a golden shade by using a small quantity of peroxide of hydrogen when washing it. This does not hurt the hair and the effect is very good. Using soda for the same purpose is very bad, as it bleaches the hair by exhausting the colouring matter. ”

“ There are now a days ladies who are professional masseuse, and who go from one to another for the sole purpose of rubbing or massage treatment, but the fee comes expensive, and when one is in health and strength it is as well to help oneself. Concluded the rubbing and pretty well exhausted oneself, the hair should receive a good hard brushing as directed in the article on "The Hair," and then to bed, where, unless one is really ill, sleep will overtake the senses in less than no time. ”

“ The "pomade to whiten the hands," given a few pages back is excellent for the purpose, and imparts a sweet scent to the body. Also, rub the face as well, gently, but firmly, kneading the more fleshy parts between the fingers and thumb, and pressing or smoothing out the wrinkles and creases all over the face, using the pomade upon the hands all the time. The first time one performs this office of massage for oneself it is extremely tiring, but like everything else one gets used to it. even if done by another it makes one very tired and inclined to sleep. ”

“ A man may laugh at a woman and possibly make fun of her for using face washes, &c., but all the same he likes the effect and very soon finds out when his wife's complexion loses the bloom and brightness he has been accustomed to in his courting days. ”

“ If too stiff, a little oil may be added, or glycerine if it agrees with the skin.
Before applying either of these pomades the skin should be well washed with hot water. And it is useless to rub on the pomade. It must be rubbed in thoroughly for twenty minutes or half an hour.
THE HAIR.
THE hair should have constant and regular attention. Many young girls who possess good heads of hair are indifferent about its care and management till they begin to loose it. It should be well brushed night and morning, for only by brushing can each individual hair be cleansed. ”

“ In some instances (usually children) the application of aloes to the finger tips is a preventative, but the exercise of one's own will is the best cure for such a habit. It is only a habit, and one that can be broken only by one's own strength of mind. ”

“ Then into a wash hand basin put about two quarts of hot water, the heat must be determined by ones own feeling and the amount of heat one can bear. It is the steam that does the work and the hotter it can be borne the better. Add to the water a teaspoonful of any oil preferred, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, any will do. Now cover a big bath towel over the head, shoulders and the basin and let the face steam from ten to fifteen minutes, after which it must be massaged or rubbed as directed in a recipe on “The Complexion and Freckles.” ”

“ Exercise is one of the chief beautifiers as it is one of the chief aids to health. A young girl should walk at least two miles every day. Sauntering and dawdling along the streets is not walking, nor is it exercise. ”

“ Plunging them into hot water, washing, and especially wringing the clothes, destroys both the shape and texture of the hands. However, with care and attention they will recover much of their beauty when the necessity for hard work ceases. ”

“ Every second night will be often enough at first, unless one has someone to do it for one. Two sisters or two intimate friends can be masseuse for each other and thus perform the office of beautifying each other. Fresh strawberry juice is an excellent beautifier. Crush the berry and rub on the face and let it dry. Wash off next morning.
Orange Flower Scent.—Collect a good basinful of the loose petals of the orange blossom and a few of the flowers entire with the seed, or rather the orange attached to them. ”

“ Be very careful not to go into the cold air directly the face is done, half an hour or so should be allowed for it to cool and recover. If the face is treated in this way twice a week there will be a very noticeable change in a short time, no matter what age, or however brown and wrinkled the face is, it can be beautified by the above treatment. ”

“ Some heads require grease, others do not having sufficient naturally to nourish the hair, and I have given several recipes for hair washes and hair tonics, all of which are good and can be used in safety, but nothing will improve or make the hair grow if it is not well brushed, say for ten minutes each night and morning. ”

“ The nails must be kept very short and well brushed, and a piece of pumice stone should always be kept on the washstand for cleaning the sides of the fingers where the dirt seems to get ingrained in the skin. Biting the nails is a horrible habit and quite spoils the shape of the fingers. ”

“ Pasta mack if used in the bath gives a delightful perfume to the person, and is also very refreshing and pleasant. Nothing is better than a little ammonia in the bath to neutralize the unpleasent effects of perspiration. ”

“ HEARING that in New York there were complexion artists who regularly make it their business to undertake to treat the faces of society ladies, some months back I wrote to one for a few particulars, and will now give my readers the benefit of the information received. ”

“ If only temporary, this is soon set right, but unfortunately very many young people suffer from chronic biliousness, brought on, more often than not, by a want of exercise and a generally unhealthy mode of living. Many young girls take an extraordinary dose of medicine once every three or four months, and are greatly surprised at their internal economy requiring anything more. ”