MAINLY FOR WOMEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 July 1936, Page 9

MAINLY FOR WOMEN

ITEMS OF INTEREST

CASTOR OIL. FOR SKIN, HAIR AND HANDS. Many of us recall our childhood days, when we were dosed at inteivais with castor oil, a medicament foi putting the internal economy in order after bouts of over-eating. Many recall the screams and tears with which a dose was heralded (writes Dr. Estelle Cole, in the London "Daily Telegraph"). . . However, to-day castor oil is just as valuable, it has added to its merits by external use, for it plays a large part in the beauty salon. It has been relieved of its objectionable odoui, but its heaviness seems to be an asset rather than a disadvantage, for it is a basis for the muscle oils so much in requisition to-day. Castor oil is used in many preparations of prominent beauty specialists. To begin with, for the riddance oi wrinkles there is nothing better thau two ounces of warmed castor oil mixed with a teaspoonful of spirits of camphor. This should be applied to lines and wrinkles and left on all night. Coming to the hair, it works wonders as a preliminary to a permanent wave. The hair should be shampooed at least 12 hours before. Then rub hair and head thoroughly with oil. Wrap a towel round and leave it for the night! After a permanent wave the hair will be silky and bright instead of having a hard appearance. Hair is always benefited by the application of castor oil at intervals, chiefly before a shampoo. Victorian grandmothers were known to use a litle daily. After rubbing it into the hair, a mob-cap was put on while grandma went about her household duties. Later the hair was dressed. It was not unusual in those days to meet many women who had dark, lengthy, glossy plaits in advanced years as well as abundant grey locks. After middle-age the ductless glands in the system begin to get slack; cellnutrition begins also to falter, so that the hair is deprived of important minerals, such as arsenic, iron, and sulphur, which contribute to its lustre and colour. Scanty locks and baldness are horrors which confront advancing years, and are bugbears to middle-age beauty. The eyelashes are improved in length and glossiness by a nightly smear of castor oil; but be careful of the eyes! Some hands tell a sad tale. Continual varnishing and the acetoneremover affect the nails. After removing varnish, give the nails frequent soakings at bedtime in oil for a few days; sleep in cotton gloves. The natural polish will soon be restored.

Strong sunlight, sun-bathing, and sea. air can play havoc with hair and skin, making them dry-looking and brittle, while wrinkles are legion. Let castor oil be your travelling companion. Nightly applications will help in numerous ways.

MANNERS IN SMOKING

To-day, the average young woman strolls leisurely into a tobacconist’s shop, purchases her favourite brand of cigarette and. keeping a tea appointment, discusses the affairs of the’ moment through a haze of bluegrey smoke (says a London journal). It is by our everyday actions that we betray ourselves and many a woman’s character is indicated by the manner in which she handles her cigarette.

We have all met the person who holds her cigarette firmly yet smokes with jerky movements indicated by the action of her hand or the ejection of the smoke from her mouth. On the. other hand, we have noticed the young woman lazing on the beach, with a box of cigarettes beside her. Her thoughts arc? far away, for the cigarette is lifted slowly to her lips, and a thin spiral of smoke curls upwards —intermittently and gracefully. She is enjoying her cigarette, but she is not aware of it, as the ash accumulates at the tip and she does not flick it away.

The opposite type are the women who chew the ends of their cigarettes. So energetic and determined are these smokers that they would prefer to use a holder. Their male counterparts usually smoke pipes. Notice the mouthpiece. If it. bears visible signs of the teeth it indicates a very determined character —one that is almost pig-headed. King Edward smokes both a pipe and a cigarette. An inherent nervousness is betrayed in the way he bolds either. He will curl both thumb and finger round his pipe, and he grips his cigarette between his thumb and first finger, as if afraid that it might elude his grasp.

And last, but not at. all least, according to the tidy housewife, is the smoker who flicks her ash on the pet. Butts of cigarette will be thrown into fireplaces even if ashtrays are nearby. In this careless inattention, one recognises the somewhat self-centred type with little consideration for others. To-day, this carelessness is particularly to be noted among women of the younger generation.

PATCHWORK REVIVAL.

WINTER EVENING PASTIME.

It is amazing how fashions live a while and fade away, only to bo restored years later as something quite new and fresh, states a writer in the “Cape Times.’’ Patchwork cushions, quilts, and rugs were to be seen in almost every middle-class home a few generations back. Sonic oi these old pieces have been carefully looked after and cared for ami handed down to the present generation, hence giving rise to the new craze for patchwork. The present craze started iu America a few years ago and became so popular that fabulous prices were given for old pieces of work, and competitions and exhibitions of patchwork became quite common. The work is very simple, costs practically nothing, and the results are most effective, especially with our modern furnishings. For simply-fur-nished rooms the designs may be carried out in odd pieces of cretonne, casement cloth, gingham, etc., and richer materials, such as velvets, satins, and silks, may be used for the more heavily and elaborately furnished rooms.

VIVID COLOURS. A piece of strong unbleached calico or balloon cloth is needed as a foundation for the work. Odd pieces pf materials of all kinds and colours can usually be found in one’s scrap-bag, and even the smallest pieces can be used when doing patchwork. The more varied and vivid the colours the »more effective the results will be. Cut the materials into small straight-sided pieces of more or less equal size, but of any shape. Start at one corner of the calico by tacking on the first piece of material. On to this first piece attach the next, and so on until the foundation material is completely covered. The sides, of each scrap of material which overlaps the next should be turned in so that no rough edges are seen except at the edge of the work. The work is then feather-stitched around each piece of material, using different coloured silks for the different coloured patches. Any odd scraps of silk may be used up for this purpose. Remove the tacking threads and press the work on the wrong side with a hot iron over a damp cloth. The article may then be made up in the usual way.

“HANDIES” ARRIVES.

ABSURD PARLOUR GAME

Most “crazes” originating in the United States seem, sooner or later, to gravitate to New Zealand. This being so it is likely that in the near future there will be an epidemic of the new and quite absurd game, named “Handies,” among the young and frivolous not-so-young. “Handies,” also called “Dillies,” is sweeping the United States, according to “Time.” Said to have originated at the University of Missouri, it consists simply of an attempt or series of attempts by manual manipulation to portray a familiar phrase, title, personage or situation. The more extravagantly far-fetched the conception, the better the “Handy.” Observers are not expected to be able to identify the improvisation, but to be ready to return an even more fantastic one.

“Quintuplets Under a Shower,” for example, as portrayed by one hand being held in a claw-like position (to resemble the rose of a shower) above the other hand, the bunched Lingers and thumb of which represent the quintuplets. “Moon over Miami” (My-ann-1) is represented by a circle formed with the thumb and forefinger of one hand, held oVer the other arm. “Indian Riding in a V-Eigbt” is portrayed by the first aud second fingers of one hand being held up in front of the nose to form a V, while the other hand, with fingers outstretched, is held up behind the head to represent an Indian headdress.

“Handies” has reached Wellington, having been introduced by recent visitors via the San Francisco-Wel-lington route. Already at smart parties mysterious signs are made, explained and laughed at. The familiar rebuke about small things amusing small minds does not seem to deter the “Handies” man.