The Troubles of Dust.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 994, 20 March 1891, Page 4

The Troubles of Dust.

Although life is extremely pleasant in New Zealand, there are at times many drawbacks to a feeling of perfect happiness. Ono drawback, and a serious one, ia the prevalence of dust on our roads and streets. Although I am a resident of Wellington, I have had experience enough to fully understand that the Empire oity is not the only place in the colooy where ciouds of dust at times trouble our sex. Tn rural districts as well a 3 in the —should be—well kept streets of the cities the dust at times plays great havoo with one’s looks and costume.

Dust must be considered the great enemy of health and women’s good looks. It settles on the skin, especially in warm weather, When the oily nature of the skin fixes it till no ordinary washing will remove it. Wrinkles are accentuated by the dust, as they have a deeper bed to draw it in with the stylus of time. That is one of the reasons why so many women look at least ten years younger when they find time to take their hot bath and the vapour has fifteen minutes or so to soften the skin tissues. There i 3 nothing like steam for plumping up the skin and washing out the grime which clouds every complexion not daily treated to soap and hot water. The minute particles of dust, too fine to be seen by the naked eye, enter and close up thousands and thousands of the delicate open pores of the skin ot the face and prevent the escape of that moisture so essential to a healthy complexion. Very seldom it is that the ordinary wash with cold water twice or thrice a day will remove the danger. Nothing but plenty of hot water and steam, combined with a sufficiency of friction with a flesh glove will clean away the obstruction to the pores in the shape of the fine dust which has settled there. People exposed to the dust of the streets should steam their faces immediately on their return from a walk. A wide-mouthed jug of hot water, or even a large preserve jar will answer the purpose. Steam the face for a good ten minutes, then wash the skin well in warm water with a good toilet soap and a pieoejof rough towelling or a flesh glove. The flannel or sponge so frequently used is not rough enough. It doe 3 not cause enough friction for tho skin to keep it perfectly healthy from the effects of dust, that terrible enemy to the hair, the freshness of complexion and tl*9 general vigor of the female face. _ Dora.