HINTS AND IDEAS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19374, 24 December 1932, Page 11

HINTS AND IDEAS

PERFUMED BATH A REFRESHING LOTION Many people think of a bath as nothing more than a cleansing of the skin, but actually it has a stimulating effect as well. An alternate hot and cold shower daily is splendid for improving sallow complexions by stimulating sluggish circulations. Another refreshing bath for the early morning, employs the use of common salt. It is really a variation of what our grandmothers used to call “the sponge bath;” that is to say, it is taken from the washbowl only. A handful of common salt is put in half a bowl of cold water and then the body is scrubbed briskly and rapidly with a stiff brush dipped in this water. For a finish each foot is plunged for a second in the bowl and then a good rub-down follows. This treatment is really magnificent for making the skin on the whole body as smooth as satin, and it is very beneficial to those who feel drowsy and off colour in the early morning. Olive Oil Massage Some people find that constant hot baths have a very drying and irritating effect upon the skin. This condition should be counteracted by the use of super-fatted soaps or an oil bath. The latter, which should perhaps more correctly be called an oil massage, has been used from time immemorial by those participating in strenuous athletic sports.

A warm bath should precede this massage, which should, if possible, be done by a second person. Apply the oil and work it into the skin by rubbing, kneading and patting until nearly all the oil has been absorbed. Simply greasing the surface of the skin is not sufficient. This treatment, which is very restful, is extremely good for nervous people. Another warm bath for tired nerves and muscles can be prepared by adding loz. of tincture of benzoirie to lib. of salt, or merely by pouring half a pint of aromatic vinegar into the water. Rather Elaborate Strange and fantastic beauty baths, such as indulged in by the French women of the eighteenth century, composed of strawberries and raspberries and perfumed milk, have now perforce gone out of fashion, but the charming English bath pot-pourri still lingers amongst country dwellers. This is made as follows:—Take some lavender flowers, rose petals and any other fragrant flowers or herbs from the garden. Dry them by spreading out on paper, and then mix with an equal quantity of borax and orris root powder. Place this in dainty silk or muslin bags with ribbon attached, so that they can be suspended from the hot water tap of the bath. When the water is turned on, the bath and the whole atmosphere of the room becomes permeated with the fragrance of the compound, which can be repeatedly used before becoming exhausted.