THE GENTLE ART OF BEAUTY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 36, 5 September 1891, Page 350

THE GENTLE ART OF BEAUTY.

THE EYEBROWS AND EYELASHES. AVING had a good deal of correspondence fevTn about the eyebrows and eyelashes I thought ia PL it as well to take this opportunity of entering CJ RJ * nto a f“U er .discussion of the subject than I ffl can d° * n answering questions, the space at my command for the latter purpose being of necessity somewhat limited.' It would perhaps be as well for my fair readers to understand that it is almost if not quite impossible for the eyelashes to be improved or altered in any way after they have reached the period which, for want of a better word, I must term maturity—therefore, it is just as well to accept this fact as unalterable, and put up with our eyelashes as they are, as in such a case we not only avoid many regrets, but save much trouble and in all probability expense; all of which will, beyond a doubt, be wasted as after the first youth, nay, almost infancy, it is useless trying anything, or attempting any artificial means. When a child is very young, if the eyebrows are carefully clipped at the ends by a pair of small, sharp scissors, the result may be beneficial in the future ; but here I use the words * may be * advisedly, as there is no certainty in the matter, and it depends upon how they are cut, as the slightest irregularity or raggedness would entirely spoil a good after effect. Therefore, there are several things required for the operation, slight as it is, these including sharp scissors, a straight eye, a steady hand, and beyond all, a sleeping child, or the result may be exactly the reverse of what is intended, ending, perhaps, in blindness, as one can easily imagine a sudden movement of the child’s causing the band to jerk aside, and the points of the scissors to enter the eye, and for this reason I should strongly advise mothers who, probably thinking of the future of their offspring, are likely to be tempted to try their ’prentice hand upon the eyelashes of their infants; to leave well alone, and trust to Dame Nature doing her best unaided. True, the lashes can in a measure be darkened by means of various liquids prepared, or supposed to be prepared, for the purpose ; but to my mind, the lashes are too near that valuable and delicate piece of human mechanism, the eye, to be rashly interfered with by those who are unskilled in the science of oculism. Therefore, again I must say it is a case of * Let sleeping dogs lie,’ or the result may be not only unexpected, but undesirable. With the eyebrows, however, it is different, as they are at least sufficiently far away for us to exercise our skill, should we desire to do so, and we may even succeed to a certain extent, although we can scarcely hope for the success to be more than temporary. To strengthen them, and increase the growth—these being undoubtedly the chief points at issue—an authority on the subject advises a very strange mixture, none other than ordinary mint and vinegar (previously diluted with water), the vinegar being poured over the mint so as to make a lotion which should be applied to the brows, or the spot where the brows are required—as often as possible. Paraffin oil, too, in very minute quantities will make the eyebrows grow, and so, in some cases will vaseline, which of course contains a certain amount )of petroleum. In direct opposition, however, we have again cases where the complaint is of too bushy eyebrows, these frequently meeting over the bridge of the nose, and imparting an expression which occasionally goes so far as to savour of the ferocious. For this the only thing is to pluck out the superfluous hairs, repeating the operation as often as necessary. How to darken the eyebrows is a question I am frequently asked, and for this purpose there are means many and varied, although it goes without saying that the majority of these partake of the nature of a dye, to which many ladies wisely object. Crayon dust or a properly-prepared pencil answer for the time being, if the users do not consider it a disadvantage to have the means by which the effect is attained plainly visible ; and another thing, rather less noticeable if carefully applied, is burnt cork. To obtain this, shape a cork with a damp knife until it is exactly in the form of a very sharp-pointed pencil, and then burn it quite black in the gas rather than the fire. The simplest and least harmful way, however, of darkening the brows is by means of a good brilliantine, the grease making them many shades darker. Apply a spot or two with the finger after washing, and then proceed to train the hair in the way it should go—namely, brush towards the ear with a small brush (a gentleman’s moustache brush in the smallest size will do capitally), and then with the thumb and first finger draw the hairs together into a ridge in the centre; if this is persevered in it will make the brows arched and well shaped, and not only improve them, but the general appearance of the face. Where a slight weakness of the eyes causes the lashes to cling together on awakening, a weak solution of borax in water, applied with a piece of linen, will be found of service or the following prescription (which is very highly recommended by many who have tried it) may prove efficacious : —Dissolve in one ounce of distilled black cherry water four grains of borax and one drachm of quince seed mucilage, and apply in the same manner as the borax solution immediately on awakening.—ZAr Gentlewoman.