MATTERS FEMININE.

Waipa Post, Volume VIII, Issue 364, 6 November 1914, Page 4

MATTERS FEMININE.

COSMETICS AND THE SKIN. •

Most women believe that beauty is only skin deep. They think that when the skin of the face goes wrong the only remedy is to apply lotions and powders and to steam it. But the use of cosmetics nearly always ends disastrously, for they are applied indiscriminately and without knowledge. The woman who begins to use cosmetics finds that she nearly always has to use them continuously, and in larger amounts each time. She finds that her skin, instead of improving under this process, gradually deteriorates, so that after a time her complexion is no longer presentable until carefully "made-up." I would advise all women who care for their complexions to eat lean meat, poultry, game, fish, plenty of vegetables and fruit, and to drink plenty of milk. They should drink very little tea, and eat very little pastry or sweets. They should rest before and after meals. . Astringents or "tightening" applications may temporarily remove wrinkles, but they ultimately increase them. If rouge and other colouring matters arc once used they must be continuously employed; while, besides tending to dry and roughen the skin they are nearly always plainly noticeable. All that the skin, in fact, requires really is pure soap and warn: water to keep it in vigorous health.

THE SCHOOLGIRL. A Blouse and Skirt for Littla Girls.. This model is a plain shirt blouse, to be made up in white or coloured flannelette, print or shantung. The skirt is of navy blue serge, and a black, red or blue shiny belt should be worn with it. The blouse is a pretty design for young girls and children, and when home-made and neatly sewn will last two or three of the usual shoppy kind. The sleeve fits neatly to the arm-hole, and the collar is made and stitched round

with the machine, and then adjusted to the neck opening. The front band is done in the same way; the pocket and cuffs follow suit. No lining is needed for either blouse or skirt. A very artistic selection is when the blouse is of fawn shantung silk, and the skirt of golden brown serge. A white muslin blouse and white scrg-e skirt are lovely for hot days; 2J yards 27 inches for blouse; 1} yards 42 inches for skirt. MAXIMS If Oil THE MARRIED. Never both be angry at once. Never taunt with a past mistake. Never allow a request to be repeated ed. Never inco£ without a loving welcome. Never forget the happy hours of earlylove. Never talk at one another, either alone or in company. Let self-denial be the daily aim and practice of each. Neglect the whole world besides rather than one another. Never let the sun go down upon tin anger or grievance. Never speak loudly to one another unless the house is on fire. Let each one strive to yield oftenesl to the wishes of the other. Never make a remark at the expense of each other—it is a meanness. Never sigh over what might have been, but make the most of what is. Never part for a day without loving words to think of during absence. Never find fault unless it is 'perfect: ly certain a fault has been committed, and always speak lovingly. Never let any fault you have committed to go by until you have frankly confessed it and asked for forgiveness. MARRIAGES IN JAPAN.

Very few Japanese women do not marry. The majority marry at twentyone years of age. The men usually marry at twenty-six, but marriage at the age of fifteen is not unknown. Four thousand marriages at the age of seventeen were registered in the case of men last year, while seven thousand girls of the age of sixteen were married. The number of women who married at thirty was only one thousand more, but the number of' men who set up house for themselves at thirty was Eighteen thousand. The decline in the figures after this is rapid. Only threo thousand seven hundred men and one thousand six hundred women of the age of forty married last year in Japan. Practically every Japanese man who does not join a Buddist monastery marries. Old bachelors and old maids are almost unknown.-