THE CULT OF BEAUTY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19280, 17 January 1931, Page 20 (Supplement)

THE CULT OF BEAUTY.

TAKE GREAT CARE OF YOUR APPEARANCE. (By A BEAUTY SPECIALIST.) As everyone knows, I suppose, th« eye consists of nerves and muscles jusi liko those in an arm or leg, or anj other part of the body, and that, therefore, they can be strengthened and benefited by exercise and proper use, and bj relaxation. Have you ever tried “palming” voui eyes? It is simple enough to do. Just cup your fingers and palms together place them over your eyes so that yon can see no light, and in this dark nest count 30. It’s amazing how this seems to help the eyes. Another good exercise, I think, is that which makes you focus your eyes on a pencil point held at arm’s length, then, at the farthest thing you can see, back and forth, back and forth. Well, readers, just keep on “palming” and “focussing” and wheeling your eyes round every day. That’s part of the treatment. But the eyes are not only the “windows of the soul”; they are “mirrors of the system.” When the body is filled with poison, and the vitality is low, the eyes grow dull, colourless, and drab. A healthy body and sparkling eyes are synonymous. Plenty of exercise, a healthy body, any kind of import—tennis, golf, not to speak of dancing —will make your eyes clear and bright. A Daily Eye Bath Is Necessary. A daily eye bath is necessary for sparkling eyes. Think of how your eyes are constantly exposed. They "should be daily bathed, and freed of atmospheric impurities which otherwise would linger to blue their colour and their clarity. Then, a film of cream stroked around the eyes, and then with nimble lingers begin your swift manipulation. First, the fingers are pressed just between the eyebrows, following one another in strokes from bridge to nose over the forehead to the hairline. The first two fingers of each hand are placed in the centre of the forehead, and gently squeeze for forehead muscles, passing around, and down to the temples. Then with the fingers of one hand, write little “e’s” over the eyelids, and around and under one eye, back towards the bridge of the nose, pausing for a moment, and then lifting the eyebrow upwards, as they pass over and down the temples. These are the movements to be remembered, for they are so soothing. Then discontinue the massage, and place a pad of cotton wool dipped in hot water over each eye, where you can leave them for a moment or two. The rest seems all too short, and nimble fingers are back at work again. This time they are cold—icy-cold, tiny pads of thin iced cotton wool are placed ju6t beneath your eyes and over your lids, and a cool astringent mask placed over them. And there you are! Bathed, refreshed eye muscles, and nerves relaxed, your eyes have gained new life and shadows, the eyeballs are clear and white; in contrast to them the eyes themselves appear larger—they sparkle. How to Intensify the Colour of the Eye. Of course, there are many ways of intensifying the colour of the eyes with clothes and with jewels. In Paris, many women choose dresses the same shade as their eyes, or the same shade they wish their eyes to be that day or evening. A woman with the grey-blue or grey-green eyes, of which we see so many, should wear a light blue dress, and for jewels, sapphires. But, if green be the colour, or if she is wearing a neutral shade, such as grey or beige, she will wear for her jewels emeralds. And in like manner, if brown is the costume colour, the jewels will he topaz or amber. It is truly amazing what a change of colour* or the lining of one’s hat, or a flower on one’s shoulder, will do for the eyes. A little wise planning, and you have what is called “it.” A little red vaseline smoothed overy day over the brows and lids is a good plan. You will be amazed at the results. It is also necessary to pluck the straggling hairs from the brows. They spoil the arch, and so detract from the natural beauty of the eye.