THE QUEST AFTER BEAUTY

Ladies' Mirror, Volume I, Issue 8, 1 February 1923, Page 40

THE QUEST AFTER BEAUTY

Arms of Beauty nPHE girl who wishes to wear sleeveless frocks or filmy sleeves will find that it pays to give attntion to the care of her arms and hands. For wash war m water, not hot water, should be used. An excess of bathing in too hot water may do temporary damage by removing the natural oil which is necessary to the preservation of a supple, resistant, and soft skin. The addition to the water of a handful of bran or almond meal gives it a pleasant softness and is also beneficial. It is soothing to the skin and cleanses it well. If used in the bath the bran or meal should be tied up in a muslin bag to prevent choking of the waste pipes. Rubbing with lathered hands is preferable to a sponge or cloth, and not so likely to irritate tender skin. The daily use of a good skin lotion, massaged gently into the arms and wrists, tends to preserve the skin, and gives them that firm, white appearance which is so attractive. When the operation is complete, wipe off the remains of the lotion with a soft towel before washing well with soap and warm water. Any small abrasion should have attention. Boric acid, finely powdered, is also beneficial for general use, and better than ordinary toilet powder to conceal a scratch or pimple. Where the hands or wrists have a tendency to redness it is a good plan, immediately after washing, to rub a few drops of pure glycerine gently into the still wet skin. Vigorous friction is to be avoided, and too frequent washing should not be indulged in, and never in cold water. To conceal the colour of very red hands and arms, use a little yellow powder. This looks much better than the ordinary white. The Complexion A WOMAN’S complexion stands in the same relation to her face as growing flowers do to a garden. In visualising either instance it is difficult to dissociate the one from the other. Just as one never mentally sees a beautiful border apart from its surroundings, so one never thinks of a woman’s complexion apart from the rest of her face. Yet the feature has a most important bearing upon the impression she conveys. It often renders pretty the otherwise perfectly plain woman or it may mar the beauty of faultless features. There are almost as many kinds of complexions as there are blooms. For every type of womanhood nature has ordained a colour-scheme to suit it. It is in the matter of complexions that the proverb “comparisons are odious” especially holds good. A fresh, clear, velvety skin is all that matters. Whoso has this need fear no scrutiny. Not everyone possesses the proverbial “roses.” Nor need she worry who does not. for a colourless complexion may be every whit as beautiful. The dark-haired woman is certainly more favourably situated in regard to colouring than her sister with fair tresses. Should she lack the warmth of rosy cheeks the black frame to her countenance seems in some way to atone for it. Whereas golden locks look their i best when contrasted with “strawber- | ries and cream,” one colour brings i out the charm of the other.

Wavy dark hair also needs appleblossom cheeks. Straight hair of the same hue looks best drawn back from a skin tinged with a natural, perfectly healthy pallor. The delicate transparent c o mplexion, so often the dower of the redhaired woman, has an appeal all its own. On no other type would it look so utterly perfect. It belongs where it is. We all know the nut-brown maiden who looks as if she has been coquetting with the sun. One cannot imagine those bronzed, ruddy cheeks and arms ever looking different. The nut-brown maid is “right” exactly as she is. The wise woman never tries to alter her complexion. She knows it “goes” with her eyes and her hair. If she is wise she cares for it, but only assists, and never interferes with, nature’s handiwork. Pretty Feet —How to Treat Disfigurements IyTANY girls look ruefully at their bare feet when ready for the sea bathe. So many feet that are neat and dainty in the street need sand shoes on the beach to hide the corns and crumpled toes that trouble their owner. Bunions are a serious disfigurement. They are caused by the crooked growth of the “big” toe. Usually a tight shoe has thrust the top of the toe inwards and forced the lower joint outwards. There is a simple appliance sold in most shoe shops; it consists of a tiny pad for wearing between the big toe and the next. This will gradually push the toe back into correct position again. An important point is to wear this appliance always with a low-heeled shoe. A similar little pad will rectify other crumpled toes that have grown crooked in ill-fitting shoes. Treatment for Corns Corns, a common evil, can be successfully treated. They should never be cut. They should first be soaked in strong soda and water and dressed with corn cure until the root can be drawn out. About three or four dressings and soakings will effect this. But the corn will grow again from the root up unless the toe is kept soft until it has healed completely. To accomplish this a corn plaster should be worn with its central hole filled up with glycerine and tied on securely. If the toe is left thus dressed with glycerine for a few days the corn will vanish completely. Callouses on the sole of the foot can be treated in a similar manner. A pad of wool soaked in glycerine and worn inside the stocking will soften and remove the hard skin. The best way to keep the feet cool, shapely and healthy is to wear sandals on every possible occasion in the house' and only to don shoes when social functions and fashion demand. Beautiful Necks r T'O ensure a slender, rounded white neck it is well to practise each day some simple physical exercises. First, standing erect, draw the head back as far as possible, keeping the neck rigid; then turn the head slowly from side to side; repeat till tired. Thin necks should be massaged every night with some nourishing skin food. To whiten the neck, rub over half a freshly cut lemon, and allow the juice to remain on all night. In the morning sponge with cold water, and powder before exposure to cold winds.