The WOMEN’S WORLD

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20691, 29 December 1938, Page 4

The WOMEN’S WORLD

(By “G IP S Y .” )

TAKE A SHOW OF HANDS

INDICATION OF CHARACTER Take any half-dozen of your friends and demand a show of hands. ... It is amusing, entertaining. And if you know anything about their countless indications, maybe you will discover quite half a dozen good short stories. For hands are grand short-story writers. Mute they may be, but mum—never. An instance. There is the hand which swings loosely when walking, and opens out naturally in gesture—this speaks clearly of an open nature. And the reverse. The hand which is by nature close, often with muscles tense, tells of a nature which is secretive, which, too, is close. Contrast the hand of the artist with the practical hand of the housewife. The one Is broad of palm, perhaps rather wide of wrist, wtth long, sensitive, tapering fingers. See this on your friend, and you may be pretty sure there is a keen sense of colour, music and beauty. The other hand, less slender, firm, smooth knuckled.

stronger in appearance, will have “capable,” as it were, written across it, from the determined tip of the thumb to each well-proportioned finger I So let’s admit it! 'Hands are so very expressive. They can be a picture in themselves. And to-day they are coming in for as much attention as faces. It is an easy matter, too, to-day, this care of the hands. Even the busiest woman occupied with the home and family, or a profession, can voice no legitimate excuse for neglecting her hands. Never until to-day has there been quite such a range of beauty products for the hands available for the woman with a limited amount to spend. So let’s start from now, and make up our minds not to let a lovely face, an enviable figure, a gem of a frock, be spoiled by unpretty hands. For so often have I noticed this on the dance floor, emphasised by the black of a partner's dinner jacket. Personally, I am all in favour of a regular visit to a good manicurist, but I am even more in favour of regular home treatment. It isn’t difficult. A little practice will work wonders. A good nail file, emery board, orange

(sticks, cuticle remover and cleanser, cotton wool, liqquid varnish, cuticle cream or vaseline, a small basin and hoi water —there is your equipment. Remove any polish with the cotton wool dipped in the remover. Dry and tile your nails, using the file or the coarse side of the emery board, to the preferred shape and length, filing from the outside edge to the nail tip. Next, soak your nails in the soapy water for one or two minutes. Now dip an orange stick twisted around with cotton wool in the cuticle remover (which is also a nail cleanser) and push the cuticle back. This will remove all uneven dry pieces of cuticle and expose the half-moons charmingly. Another twist of cotton wool dipped in the cuticle remover and pressed inside the nail will take all stains away. Tidy the nail with the emery board and dip your nails into clean water for a few seconds. Now dry and polish your nails on the palm of your hands, anil you are ready to apply the nail varnish. For daytime wear, natural, which very slightly emphasises the natural pink of the nails, is one of the most becoming shades to use—although In my mind both coral and rose can look

extremely attractive. Rose, too, is enchanting: not too arresting, and becoming with almost every shade of dress. Coral, lovely with beige, grey, black and dark brown costumes. i wouldn’t recommend it with red. Ruby, however, is good with red, but again from purely my own personal viewpoint, I prefer the lighter, more delicate shades. To me they are more subtle, more intriguing. Fashion, too, is favouring a comeback to natural shades. For evening wear I, personally, recommend similar shades to those used for daytime, though a rather deeper shade of red is good with white —but only if you have beautiful hands with well-shaped nails. To apply the varnish, Start at the edge of the “moon” and brush towards the tip of the nail. Spread quickly and evenly. "When you have varnished all the nails wait until they are quite dry, then apply a second coating if required. It will make the varnish last longer, but remember it will slightly deepen the colour. Now for the final touch. Take your nail white pencil and gently whiten the tips of your nails. Pale hands—you’ll have them, too! With deliciously twinkling nails. It’3 worth a few minutes weekly, isn’t it?