Indian Beauty Secrets

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 242, 9 July 1938, Page 5 (Supplement)

Indian Beauty Secrets

Demure Women Who Care For Their Good Looks

MRIENTAL women are noted for their beauty. Particularly i s this so of the various races of India. Though of quite a different type from that of Occidentals, their good looks possess the same force of attraction, writes a ‘‘Wanderer in the East” in a Melbourne newspaper. Tim chief difference between the loveliness of East and M est lies in the fact that where the white woman preserves the beauty of hei hair, skin and figure well into middleage ’ the bloom and radiance of the Indian girl is sadly short-lived. She matures early, and just when a Bestera woman is approaching the glory of her prime, her Eastern sister’s day is over, as far as looks are concerned.

However, the youthful Eve of India is unquestionably a lovely creature, with her luxuriant blue-black hair, dark eves, olive complexion, and superb carriage, and a few of her secrets in acquiring these graces are of interest to us paler people.

One of the greatest attractions of the Hindu maid is her wealth of thick, glossy hair. Most Indian women wear their hair long, with either a side or centre parting, drawn softly back, and coiled on the nape of the neck. A great deal of time and trouble is spent in caring for the hair, and it is rare to see elderly or even old women with grey hair. Unlike ourselyes, they shampoo the hair first, and oil it afterward, dividing the hair into a number of partings, then massaging it thoroughly with either coconut oil, linseed or jasmine oil, finally brushing it well, until it shines like black satin. This weekly washing and oiling keeps the scalp cool anl in good condition, preventing dandruff and other scalp troubles.

Another of the Indian woman’s charms is her beautiful dark and lustrous eyes, and to have her orbs compared with those of a deer is one of the highest compliments which can be paid her. Plain water is the only lotion used' for bathing the eyes, though they are artificially beautified with kohl. This is ma'de from the juices of different herbs mixed with jasmine oil, and darkened with soot made from smoking an iron. The lids and lashes are darkened with this, and it gives a subtle fascination to the eyes, In much the same way as eye-shadow and mascara. Eyebrows are never plucked, for, according to Indian standards, thick, heavy brows which meet across the nose are considered very beautiful. Indeed, where the eyebrows are thin and short an eyebrow pencil is used to emphasise them.

The majority of Indian women do not go in for creams, lotions, and skinfoods, as their skin is naturally oily and elastic. They like to wash with rain water and use a certain Paste’ which takes the place of soap. This paste is made from dried orange skins and rose leaves crushed to a powder, with the addition of pounded almons: the whole Is moistened with jasmine oil and then used after the manner of a face-pack.

Rouge'ls seldom if ever used, but “pan” is chewed to redden the lips, and then the teeth washed to remove the stain.

Appreciated as an essential part of the Indian girl’s beauty is her gentle ■behaviour, and . because of this a modestly bowed head and downcast eyes are considered far more charming than-, the reddest lips or a film-star smile. Her shy timidity and demureness is one of the Oriental woman’s fairest graces.

Keep in the-kitchen several old envelopes, which will be found very handy, • as ,the corners of them, with the points cut off, make useful small funnels, excellent for filling salt, and pepper shakers.

Sago which- has been soaked in milk is a gdbd substitute for suet. Allow a teaspoon of dry sago to four of flour. A little nutmeg sprinkled ou porridge is a great improvement.