A COLUMN FOR THE LADIES.

Western Star, 12 January 1915, Page 2

A COLUMN FOR THE LADIES.

CARE OF THE HAIR. BRUSHING BENEFICIAL. Have you ever extracted a hair from any part of the skill and examined its root carefully with a magnifying glass? If you do so, you will perceive that tha root is of an oval form, and composed of a soft glutinous or pulpy matter, contained in a ami-transparent bag, open at the lower end to admit the nerves and vessels necessary for its support, while at the uper end is a similar open' big or shaft from which the hair is protruded. Each hair is in the form of a» tube, and takes its colour from the matter which rises at the root.

The healthy growth of the hair depends to a very largo extent on the general condition of the system, %nd y if you would have luxuriant in-sees, y*>*must pay attention to the laws of hygiene. Very delicate people have, as a rule, thin, weak hair of a fine texture, while those of robust natures possess strong and thick hair.

It ia a pity that the general care of tha hair is so often neglected. Few people take the trouble to thoroughly brush tha hair and scalp night and morning. A.good brushing with a moderately hand brush in the morning and at night ia absolutely, necessary if you would keep the acalp free from scurf and the hair soft and glossy. If the hair is regularly brushed in this manner it will not require frequent washing. The action of the brush keeps the skin of the held clean, and removes dust and impurities. The brush, however, should be perfectly clean, and should, be washed at least twice a week. If this matter is attended to it will not be necessary to wash the head oftener than one* a month. Soft water should always be used for washing the hair, and I never advise the use of soap, as this generally has ■ dry. ing effect, and frequently makes the hair harsh and brittle. The yolk of an egg, well beaten up in a little warm wataev makes an excellent substitute for soap. 1 prefer, however, a shampoo composed of the yolk of an egg, half a pint of hot soft water, and an ounce of rosemary spirits, all well beaten up together, and rubbed thoroughly into the hair and scalp with the hands. Then rinse the hair in clear tepid water, in which a pinch of boras has been dissolved. Dry thoroughly with a towel—not before a fire. After, wards brush the hair well, but do not plait or otherwise arrange it until it is j quite free from moisture, j The hair should never be tightly plait

cd during the night or pinned up with hairpins. After brushing it should be arranged in one very loose plait, which should be allowed to hang down. After being twisted up all day the hair requires some-relaxation at night. Never use hot irons for curling the hair. Hot curling irons are responsible for premature greyness and various other troubles. They dry ' . up the natural moisture of the sebaceous glands, causing the hair to become dnL.:and brittle and to break off at the rooting Another exceedingly injurious habit ie the use of bleaching fluids, such as peroxide of hydrogen, etc. These hare, in course of time, much the same effect aA the hot irons, as they dry and wither tlijj roots. Hair of a moist, greasy nature is not so quickly affected as that which is naturally dry and brittJeff- the latter is sometimes totally rumedj by the constant application of bleaching &tuds.

THE CHARMING WOMAN. | —— The woman who charms need not neceaT sarily be beautiful, young, talented, er wise. She may be neither one nor the o.her in any marked degree, but she possesses the attributes which her sisters wonder at, and cannot grasp entirely. The charming woman must possess intelli. gence and tact; these are her chief weapons, and without them she would Jay no claim to her delightful title. She must know how to converse intelligibly, to guage to an instant when she is be- V ginning to weary, and to know that the tactics she pursues at one time are un- • suitable at another. The charming wo. man is unselfish, for she recognises that man’s favourite study is i.uvn, and will not intrude her own personality at nil times and seasons. She do;>s not rattle on in meaningless conversations, just to hear her own voice; she knows that an inter. * ested listener is far more eloquent than the greatest orator. The charming woman does not obtrude her own opinions when a sign of aggressiveness is in the air; rather she is content to let her owri ideas sink into abeyance until a more fitting occasion. iSllo loams that even the nicest people grow wearisome sometimes, and that her company is more appreci. ated if she is not for over in evidence. With little children she is gentle, with old people sympathetic, and she reads tho big children of Jier own growth with a * discerning eye, and endeavours to make each think ho o:r she is the nicest crea* ture in existence. * ..i

BEAUTY SLEEP. A wakeful night is a ruthless despoiler of good looks, and if sleeplessness becomes settled th© health will also> suffer. Sound but not heavy sleep should make ons feel refreshed and fit for anything. As people grow older they are* mow likely to waken early in the morning, and should threfore go to bed earlier in proportion. Avoid all exciting discussions at Vdtime. Late suppers are also bad, but to go to bed hungry is often worse. A dice of bread and butter and a little hot milk, or a glass cf hot water sipped while undressing, will usually cur© insomma* A warn) bath, not too hot, to which tract of pine or a little soda has hW* has a very soothing effect. A good plan is to get all ready for hed, then sit in an easy chair and begin to read a dull book. As soon as drowsiicss comes on get; into bed, and sleep will isually come at once. A hop pillow or one with poppy ;<eeds among the.icathers :s a " o °d inducer of sleep, but avoid nar. / olios.