WELL-KEPT HAIR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9092, 23 November 1907, Page 3

WELL-KEPT HAIR.

An unbrushed or imperfectly-brushed head of hair has a frowsy, neglected appearance, and suggests a want of refinement in its possessor. Never grudge the time given to brushing the hair. It will well repay you for the effort. If you desire to give it a special sheen and lustre, you may afterwards divide it into several strands', and, holding a soft silk handkerchief in one hand, draw the handkerchief over the strands or hair several times.

The hair- should never be unduly strained by being too tightly braided, nor should if be tightly tied with tape or Iwiated and dragged with hairpins. A coiffure can be artistically and becomingly arranged without resort to violence, and the more freedom given to the hair the better. If the skin of the scalp is relaxed, massage is often very valuable. To massage the scalp, first shake the hair out well ; second, press the tips of the fingers' well into the _kin of the scalp, and make a series of little wheel-like movements from the sides away back to tho neck. Then begin at the forehead, and make the wheel-like movement on the top and down the back of the neck. This movement should be made all over the head; third, press the fingers firmly into the skin of the e?calp, and make a shuttle movement crikscrofs, all over the head ; fourth , press the fingers firmly into the scnlp front and back, and make a pushing movement, as though trying to force the hands to meet ; fifth, tap lightly with the sides of the hands all over the head. One hand should be raised while the other descends. At least twenty minutes should be devoted to scalp massage, and it is best to get someone to do it, as it is somewhat tiring to massage the scalp oneself. Whenever possible, it is advisable to allow the hair to hang loose for an hour every day. A walk in the morning in the garden on a _unny day with the hair unconfined will aid greatly in keeping it healthy and luxuriant. Heavy hats should never be worn. Felt or cloth > hats are particularly injurious. One of the reasons why men's hair falls earlier than that of women is because men wear tight-fitting silk or felt hats, or cloth caps, which are seldom provided with ventilation. The "No Hat Brigade" has certainly a good raison d'etre, and most of its votaries will tell you that their hair has improved in quantity and # quality since free access of sun and air to the scalp have been allowed. Constant cutting of the hair is also to be deprecated. This is a reason why men become bald sooner than women. Men also, by, reason of

their hair being short, wash it more frequently than women, and the constant action of soap and water removes much of the natural oil which is needed to nourish the hair. Once a month in towns and once in six weeko or two months in the country is often enough to wash the hair, provided it be kept free from dust by careful and persistent brushing with a very clean bristled brush every day. Strong wap or soda should never be used tor washing the head. A yolk of egg shampoo is preferable to anything else. Tlie secret of success with an egg shampoo is thoroughly to rinse the hair atterwards with clear hot water, so that all trace of the egg is removed. It the hair is not thoroughly rinsed afterwards it remains sticky and unpleasant, instead of soft and silky.