COSMETICS SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5372, 3 September 1904, Page 12

COSMETICS SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE.

Strictly speaking, any agent mod upon 111!) skin as a curative agent is a cosmetic, and there is no woman whose hoily will not ho the better for some of them. ID tho skin never receives any special care it- Ixicomes parched, and not only wrinkles, but in many instances really pains. Through tire summer, when tho sun is burning tho skin, there is the greatest need of simple remedial agents us well as those which arc preventive. Ono may nso a cosmetic for a special X>urpose, as for removing freckles or for general usefulness, in which class are cucumber and most cold creams, and skin foods, which are nothing more or less Ilian cold creams. One may wash the face with cold cream, and this is often an excellent thing to do. AVbnn it is used for this purpose it must he well rubbed in and then left on tho taco for five or ten minutes before being wiped off with a soft cloth. Old handkerchiefs are tho best cloths possible for this. Alter wiping tho face thoroughly dust with face powder to cover tho shine. Do this before going out for a day’s trip on wheel or boat and tho skin will ho so protected by the oil that it will not burn. If tho lace is covered with warm cloths for a minute or two before applying the cold cream it cleanses bettor. A CLEANSING SKIN FOOD. Ono of tho best cleansers and skin foods is made from spermaceti, one-half ounce; white wax, one-half ounce; oil of sweet almonds, two ounces; lanolin, ono ounce; cocoannt oil, one ounce; tincture ot benzoin, throe drops, and orange flower water, ono ounce. Melt wax, spermaceti, lanolin and the oils together, use a double boiler. Remove from tho boat and pour in tho orange flower water, adding tho benzoin as soon as the mixture begins to thicken. Beat with atn egg beater until tho mass pours like whipped cream from the spoon. Put in little jars and keep in a cool place. It looks good enough to cat. For perfume, if desired, add oil of lavender flowers or whatever is preferred. This is a delightful cold cream and may bo used liberally. Animal fats like lanolin have a tendency to increase tho growth of hair and some fats coarsen the skin; therefore use so far ns possible the vegetable oils. Those who are inclined to have hair on tho lip should rub very little with oils of any kind. Dry skin should have creams, but little benzoin, while for greasy skins this is on© of the best of facial dressings. Common cream, either sweet or sour, is a fine cosmetic. Tho use of rain water will bo found helpful to all skins, whatever their texture. CUCUMBER CREAM. Cucumber cream is an excellent cosmetic and may bo made at homo at less expense than it can bo bought. While it will remove sunburn, it is on© of the best toilet aids for all times of tho year. To make it, put six ounces of sweet almond oil into tho inside receptacle of a double boiler. When tho oil is thoroughly warmed through acid to. it four good sized cucumbers, which have been prepared by washing thoroughly, then wipinv dry and cutting into small squares. Leave the peeling on the cucumbers. Cook very slowly for throe or four hours, or even longer, and then strain.. To six ounces of tho strained liquid add ono ounce of white wax, the same of spermaceti and two of lanolin. Heat until all are melted and blended, then remove from tho fire and beat with an eggbeater until cold, adding, will!© doing this, two teaspoonsful ot the simple tincture of benzoin. This is such a perfect cold cream that it pays for the trouble ot preparing it. Lettuce cream may be made after the same formula by substituting four heads, but it'is not advisable to make this unless ono can get fresh lettuce, as it is the milky juice which does the good, and that is not to bo found after the lettuce has been pulled for half a day. ALMOND CREAM. An old French recipe directs how to make an almond cream that cannot be sold in the market because it spoils too soon. When using it tho pillow should bo protected. Take ' four ounces of sweet almonds and blanch them, then reduce them to a powder by rubbing smooth. Add the yolks cf three eggs, mix well and thin with half a pint of rich milk or cream. Boil like a soft custard, which it really is, 'and stir constantly while cooking. As soon as it thickens remove and flavour with whatever perfume one likes. This must bo sealed while hot and kept in a cool place. It will he found very pleasant to tho skin and is a rich skin food.