A Few Toilet Hints

Otago Witness, Issue 3768, 1 June 1926, Page 66

A Few Toilet Hints

(By Phyllis Monkma.v.) In this article Miss Phyllis Monkman, who is universally acknowledged to be the most beautiful and fascinating artist on the English stage, gives a few hints on the care of the Complexion, Hair, etc. A perfect complexion is, like the proverbial poet, born and not made, but 1 do not quite agree. Whether one’s complexion is good or otherwise, depends very largely upon the care one bestow* upon it. Never use a face cream unless you are sure that it da a really good one, and if you take my advice you will alway* use pure mercoJised wax. This preparation makes the skin soft and white and keeps it eternally fresh and young-lookr ing, for it gently and imperceptibly peek off all the dead outer skin, and leaves the new skin beneath. I believe everyone has a pretty complexion underneath you know, and it only requires a little meroolised wax to remove the ugly old one, and disclose the new pretty one. Just got a little mercolised wax from your chemist, and when you go to bed. smear a little gently over your face and leave it on all night. Then* in the morning wash it off, and even after one night’s use you will be Surprised at the improvement you will notice. For the Hair. The chief point in th e care of one’s hair is the choice of a good shampoo. You want something which will make it soft and fluffy, and yet not too dry. For this you cannot do better than us* a little stallax. Stallax is not a new preparation, and it was known to our grandmothers wilio took far more care of their hair, I believe, than we do, and it not only makes the hair soft, but brings out all the bright lights in it. Put about a dessertspoonful of stallax granules (which you can buy at any in half a pint of hot water, allow them to dissolve and use as an ordinary shampoo, and unless you wish to, you need not rinse your hair, for stallax leaves it quite soft without rinsing. Should your hair be thin or falling too much, I woud advise you to get two ounces of boranium and mix it with water and a little bay rum. This you should dab into the roots every night, after massaging the scalp for five minutes with the tips of the fingers. In a few days the excessive fall will stop, and soon you will have quite a fine head of hair.

the skin is tender, and should never be regarded as a substitute for proper drying. Discard the worrying habit if you would avoid wrinkles, and concentrate on exercise, fresh air, proper food, and the cultivation of contentment. Before hanging out coloured garments to dry turn them inside out, and take them down as soon as dry. They are much less liable to fade if treated this way. Prints should never be sprinkled, but if allowed to become rough dry, should be ironed under a damp cloth. It is best to launder them when washing, starching and ironing can be done without delay. In a damp room mould will sometimes show on furniture. It should always be stored in a dry place, but if this prevention has been neglected, a cure can be effected by sponging the articles with a mixture of liquid ammonia and boiling water, two teaspoonfuls to a oint, until they are clear of mould. Wipe dry, and polish quicklv with a cloth moistened with polish to which oil of lavender has been added. When you’re whitewashing buy a proprietary whitewash ready prepared from the oil and colour shop. For amateurs this is much the better plan. Clear the room of everything that will move. , The more space you .lave the better. Hire a pair of very tall steps, if you do not already possess them. It is dangerous arid tiring to work form an improvised elevation. Buy a proper brush from the oil shop. Whitewashing cannot he done with a makeshift brush. Apply the whitewash with short, sharp strokes that, radiate in all directions. These small odd strokes produce an even surface. Strange though it mav sound. Learn to take just the right quantity on the brush. Too much will send a shower over everything. Too little spoils the work.