Foundation of Beauty

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12423, 17 April 1926, Page 15

Foundation of Beauty

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The foundation of beauty is laid in the nursery, and the wise mother, without talking of good looks, or allowing a small maiden to sprink in the glass, will pay very careful attention to the child’s appearance. Good health and good looks nearly always go together. Adenoids, for example, stunt the growth of the nose, make a loose mouth, and give “vacant” expression to the face which is the reverse of becoming. Eye-strain wilj spoil the prettin.es* of the loveliest eyes, besides doing them permanent damage; and glasses are not half so unbecoming as the peering, frowning look that is caused Dy defective eyesight. So have the adenoids removed and the eyes attended to, if need be, while the child is still tiny. / Never grudge money spent in keeping teeth perfect, for there Is no greater asset/both to appearance and health than firm white teeth.

It is a pity to ,Jfob a little girl’s hair if it is of the real golden, naturally curling type, for repeated cutting is apt to darken and straighten the locks. Let her remain unfashionable and increase the natural wave by careful daily combing. Comb from the forehead downwards, and then throw the hair back on the child’s head, and comb upwards from the nape of the neck to the upturned ends. Start this treatment at two years old and keep it up regularly, and the little one’s hair will become prettily wavy as the years go by.

Teach the toddler, as a game, to practice rising up and dowp on the tips of her toes. This simplo exercise will strengthen the ankles and instep, and later will save the grown woman flat foot and other ugly and troublesome defects. When a girl 'is between ten and sixteen years old, she is generally considered to bo at the “awkward” age. It is True that a pretty child often becomes rather plain for a few years, also she grows particularly interested in her looks and is inclined to worry unduly about her face, though she may neglect her hands 1 She is almost always in her own opinion either too fat or too thin, and she takes her imaginary defect very much to heart. She may not try to’ compress her figure, as hey grandmother did at the same age; but she may diet herself with more or.' thusiasm than wisdom. This must be watched for and checked. A veto should be placid upon any fattening or reducing methods—unless under medical orders. A cure for that, terrible “all arms and legs” “feeling which embarrasses the growing girl is a regular training in dancing—not merely fox-trot-ting. For, giving a slender, rounded figure, vigorous health, a pretty complexion and the grace which banishes self-consciousness, there is nothing to equal the exercise of dancing. • .—MYRTLE CONWAY,