THE CULT OF BEAUTY

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 1, 2 January 1937, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE CULT OF BEAUTY

Breathe Deeply and he Healthy.

SECRETS OF ATTRACTION AND CHARM.

(By A SPECIALIST.)

HEALTH is very important in the attainment of real charm. Everyone is attracted by the vibrant charm and magnetism of the healthy woman. She radiates a kind of happiness; she looks you straight in the face, and she doesn't whine. If you are not healthy, assume that you are. Look health, speak health, picture yourself in perfect health, and very eoon you will discover that y<>u are improving. The first requisite of health is correct breathing. Breathing is the most important function of the body. A man may live for several weeks without food, he may l?.e a few days without water, but he can only live a very few minutes without air. The more air one inhales the better health one has. Too much cannot be said about proper breathing to rid the system of disease germs and keep it in a healthy condition. Entire schools have been founded upon the "science of breath." Carry your chest high and breath deeply. The proper breath causes a swell in the floating ribs, the lower ribs. Stand daily before an open window, or better still out of doors, and take deep breaths causing the lower ribs to swell. Do this several times a day, and you will be greatly benefited. Be careful to hreathe through the nostrils, never through the mouth. Drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses a day, the daily bath, cold or tepid, the daily friction with a bath brush or coarse towel is very beneficial. It opens the pores of the skin and keeps it beautiful and healthy. Be careful what you eat, especially if you are over or under weight. Learn to like simple, wholesome food. Eat ■ few or no condiments, and be very sparing with salt. Educate your appetite so that it will naturally select the proper food for you. Fresh fruit and vegetables make the best diet. Eat slowly. Masticate well, and, above all things, do not eat too much. It takes real character not to over-eat, but then, tc be really charming, requires the constant exercise of character. Exercise Is essential for the bodybeautiful, and must be taken daily, not only out of doors, but there should also be setting up exercises in the room, such as muscle stretching, bending and twisting. Our aim should be to keep well, and not to waste time, energy and money being sick. Finally, suggestion is a very fine thing to keep the body well. We have known people who have been made over, merely by suggesting to themselves daily, night and morning, "I am in perfect health." Learn to relax. Do not neglect the daily brisk walk, and as you walk breathe deeply, say over and over again to yourself, "I am a healthy, happy attractive woman." If tliis seems silly to you, ignore the feeling. There is a deep, occult reason for doing it, too long to be explained here. It works. You will soon discover that you are growing stronger and that a vigorous body brings health, aspirations and ambitions to the mind, and

radiates out in face and manner, producing a lasting charm. Never criticise. Criticism brings into your life the very thing you criticise, and renders you unattractive. There is also a deep reason for this. Xow for the exterior. Charm begins at the very core of one's being and radiates out. But, meanwhile, we must also work with the exterior. The Parisienne is noted for her charm. Roughly speaking, I think we may say that she has more charm than beauty. She is careful to avoid the commonplace in manners and in dress, to be well groomed and attractively gowned. She pays great attention to such small details as the individuality of a gown, the set of a collar, the freshness of shoes, gloves and hat. Beauty's Highway. Beauty is restful and refreshing and a panacea for tired spirits. I don't see why we should not all cultivate one main point of beauty, and as many minor ones as we can coDtrive. Is beauty a handicap for the working girl? Do business men want their employees to look like candidates for the cinema, or—for old ladies' homes? Is the homely but serviceable type preferred, or neglected, by business men? I believe that beauty is an asset to the business woman. The beauty of health and glow and charm is pleasant to look upon. Oscar "Wilde was right. Nature does exist only to be improved. Nature may have been a bit short of Grecian noses and rosebud mouths the day you left Never-Never Land, but there is always a good supply of soap and hairbrushes and cold creams here. Don't forget this! We all know the girls who have the most luxuriant mop, and who wonder why the boys don't tumble by the dozen. Usually the answer is lack of care on the part of the gifted one. Too many wisps spoil the coiffure. Therefore, my dears, use glue, use chainmail, but keep those tresses in order. And now for a cheerful thought. Crooked noses cannot easily be changed, false fronts cannot be built on to retreating chins, but tresses, which play so large a part in personal beauty, can be attractive if the owner wills it. After all, sleep, rest and serenity are the great beautifiers. Compose yourself, be calm, think of pleasant events before falling asleep, for upon whatever place of thought you enter sleep you will remain during your slumber. And those thoughts will stamp themselves upon your face. Here's a good hair softener. Mix well together loz borax, Joz bicarbonate of soda, ioz glycerine, one pint rose-water. Pour this mixture into a solution of camphor. Vaseline is supposed to make the hair ■ darker. A witch hazel rub is very good. You may use it pure or diluted, and if diluted with a few drops of glycerine it is the most wonderful panacea' for wrinkles in the world. Try to hold your head up and back. It will make all the difference in the world in your appearance.