Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1883-02-08
The Secret of Beauty.



When Captain Cook first visited the
New Zealand Islands he was naturally
impressed with the fact that not one Of
the human beings he found there
showed the slightest eruption of the
skin, and their ignorance of such con-
dition proved conolusively, that it was
an entirely unheard-of thing. What a
state OF bliss! And to think our civiliz-
alton has deprived us Of this one of ma
lures many good gifts. The remedy,
however, lies in ones own hands, pro-
vided she is willing to apply it. But
bravery. self-denial and perseverance,
are necessary qualities for one who
hopes for success. To begin at the foun-
dalton, one must learn how to breathe.
The short, quick respiration so univcr-
sally practiced, does more to dull the
complexion and dim the brightness of
the eyes, than any other one thing, for
so much depends upon the vitality of
the system. Frequent exercise in the
open air, accompanied by deep, full
breathing through the nostrils, will
show its beneficent effects in two weeks
time, and if at the same time one takes
great care in bathing, the result will DO
marvellous. In our sooty city, it is use
less to urge upon any one the disuse OF
soap, though II the ladies could be pre-
vailed upon to discard it from their
toilet use, they certainly would in time
wonder at their former dependence
upon it. A little ammonia put in tepid
water will prove quite as effcctual
as the soap, and will leave no
injurious effects. After this alb
luton an exceedingly fresh, soft appear
ance may be given by an application of
oatmeal which has previously been
moistened in warm water. II the latter
is left to dry upon the face, (which is
rather an uncomfortable experienced,
and then rubbed off with soft wooden
cloth, the skin is left with much more
delicate and natural looking bloom upon
it than can be given by the most highly
priced cosmetic. The bath may be pre-
pared with this oatmeal with a very
good effect upon the general health, and
now that it has become fashionable to be
healthy, every lady should, more than
ever before, seek for those aids which
will improve herself physically.
So much is said and believed about
the efficacy Of cold water that many
ladies, in too lavish use of it, lay the
foundation for many ills, which cause
not only discomfort, but actual suffering.
The water should always feel cool to
the body, but never cold, especially if
one is troubled with an eruption of the
skin.
1t is true the cold bath is powerful
stimulus, but it should be INDUCED in
as sparingly as other stimulants. For
ordinary use make the water from eighty
degrees to ninety two degrees Farenheit,
and never should very coarse towels,
flesh brushes, ETC., be applied to a
healthy skin. The towels should be
coarse, and the greater part
of the friction should be given by the
hands.
If any one should follow these direc.
tions and indulge in sponge bath
every morning after rising, the general
health would be much improved. A
feeling of lassitude would give place to
one of quickened vitality, and, as mat
ter of course, the good looks heightened.
know two ladies over go years old
whose soft, smooth skin and beautiful
are the admiration of all
their youthful friends. Neither of them
ever experienced the unpleasant sensa-
ton of having their hands "chapped,"
or made to look the color of brilliant |
by exposure to cold winds;
and this they both attribute to never
having applied cold water to the skin.
Why not-when old fashions are SO |
much sought after in home decoration
apply some of the old notions to the |
care of ones personal appearance? The
beautiful arms for which the Ionian |
Greek ladies were 80 noted, were never
by tight sleeves, or by any
Of the modern ligatures so popular |
among fashionable ladies of to-day, and |
indeed the whole body was free from
anything which would retard natural |
motion. The beauty which was SO
noticeable among ladies of middle oge,
was entirely due to the good health,
which was the result Of good care Of the
body.
The wonderful court beauties of the |
time Of Charles ii were very fond Of |
bathing in a preparation which they |
called benzoin milk. This can be easily |
made in the following manner: Boil in |
a small piece of gum benzoin
until it becomes rich tincture, which |
bottle up for use. Ten or fifteen drops
in tumbler full of water is the proper
ton in which it ought to be used. Or
the much-lauded pimpernel water is just |
IS easily made. All that is required is
10 infuse the plant in pure rain water,
and the decoction which made one name
famous is made.