The Well-Groomed Shingle

Ladies' Mirror, Volume 4, Issue 10, 1 April 1926, Page 41

The Well-Groomed Shingle

When it is well-groomed the shingled head is invariably charming. But when it is not, the result is quite as bad as, if not worse than, a neglected head of long hair. We hear much of the expense of keeping short hair trim; but actually a little home care, given at odd times, between occasional visits to the hairdresser, will give you a well-shaped, glossy shingle. And you will save not only money, but the trouble of making frequent appointments at inconvenient hours with a hairdresser. Take the various items of hair care —shampooing, trimming, waving, scalp massage—and let us see where professional aid can be reduced. OHAMPOOING can be done at home by the shingled, as short hair is so easy to wash and dry. Many shampoo mixtures, either bought in packets or bottles, are unnecessarily expensive, and experience proves that a small piece of Castile soap shaved into hot water makes an excellent lather, and is quite as good. Inadequate rinsing much more often spoils a home shampoo than simple ingredients. If possible, get a second person to pour several jugs of warm water over your head while you bend over the basin or bath, and if the juice of half a small lemon is squeezed into the final rinsing water, it will soften it beautifully and give a gloss to your hair when dry. Thorough drying is most important, and gentle rubbing and shaking are distinctly better for the hair than gas or electric driers. During drying, the hair should be thoroughly brushed and combed. Brush the hair ell upzvards from underneath, golliwog-wise, using a light brush. If this brushing up is done to damp hair, and it is brushed down

smoothly when dry, the sleek shingle outline will not be marred. 1 | 'RIMMING at first sight seems -*• an unavoidable expense, but it’s only partly so. Every shingle needs expert trimming and re-shaping monthly but between whiles it is easily kept neat with a sharp pair of scissors. The old-fashioned shaving glass with side mirrors set at right angles is particularly useful in enabling you to see the sides and back of your head. Nothing gives a more unbecoming appearance than “stubble” on the sides of the nape of the neck, especially if it is dark hair. This growth often wants attention at least once a week, which is much too often to be running to the hairdresser. A pair of clippers will save the few shillings they cost over and over again, and are perfectly safe and easy to use. You can generally find someone who will use them for you. W LAVING is an adornment on * » which few women grudge professional fees, for there are very few shingles which look attractive unwaved. It is money well spent to have a proper Marcel occasionally. But it is worth while to buy a good pair of straight curling irons with which the side pieces can be curled up inwards quite successfully. If one simple rule is strictly observed, the hair will never be singed. After every heating test the curlers on white tissue paper. Should it brown in the slightest, the iron is too hot for safe use. This rule is infalliable. Little methylated-spirit heaters arc sold cheaply for heating irons, and are invaluable when travelling or when minus a gas ring. Nothing does more to keep the good line of a shingle than the use of-a netted shingle cap at night over smoothly combed locks.