Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-18
levelop taper finger till the nail is in

develop taper finger till the nail is in
oval shape.
Thick joints are by no means incurable
defects, the only trouble being that few
people will take the trouble of treating
them as frequently as they need. They
which is pretty certain to increase their
size. The skillful manicure will rub each
joint round and round or upward between
thumb and finger, to reduce the joints and
supple them. Two or three table,
spoonfuls of lemon juice taken diluted
with little clear water before each meal
will reduce large joints and gouty ex-
crescences in time, out speedler way is
treatment with iodide OF potassium In con-
nection with electric baths. which works
marvels with large joints and long deformi-
ties.
To keep the nails thin, polished and
firm, keep them trimmed, never allowing
them to project beyond the finger ends,
rim of white two lines beyond the flesh
being the most beautiful way of wearing
them.
TALON CUT FINGER NAILS.
The pointed long nails, however fashion
able with the few, are cruel looking, and
suggest uselessness, accidents and breakages
anyhow. Imagine an artist or a statue
with long pointed nails. When we grow
three corner finger ends the pointed nail
will be in keeping, not till then. You will
not see the talon cut" of nails on the hand
of any court beauties photographed to-day.
The files used by ordinary manicures are
much too coarse for finger nails. The 'Sitt"
practice uses only the finest, appropriately
called velvet files. Scraping the nails or
filing their surface thickens them; they
should only be rubbed down with the fine
emery and cinnabar powder, which is used
for polishing she'll and ivory. The nails are
an index of the health. When they thicken,
grow rigid or brittle the system is out of
order, to which careful diet and few Turkish
baths will usually restore it. The effect of
the bath is seen at once on the finger nails,
which seem thinner, more delicate and firm
for a week after. The Slit method forbids
the use OF acid or sharp metal points about
the finger nails, which are cleaned with
pointed orange wood sticks, also used for
pressing back the selvage of the skin at the
base of the nails.
The Slit method of manicure soaks one
hand in warm soapsuds few minutes to
soften the skin and nails, when they are
dried and the nails cut at once. No acid is
applied to the nails as the manicure urgent
ly protests. from experience, that it makes
them Opaque and brittle, destroying the
gelatine which gives their clearness and
tenacity. No sharp metal blade or scraper
Is ever allowed for cleaning the nails, as
digging and scraping roughens the under
side of the nail and prepares it to collect the
dust.
CARING FOR THE SELvAGE.
Well polished nails and we'll kept finger
tips no more hold the dust than SO much
smooth shell. A file Of marvellous fneness
is used sometimes to smooth the corners and
broken edges of the nail, but they are re-
quired as seldom as may be. Next the
inger-tips are touched with amandine, de-
lightful toilet jelly compounded OF eggs,
almond oil, pistachio- milk and other choice
ingredients. A trife of this is applied un-
der the nail and to the selvage, alter which
the pointed orange wood pencil clears the
nails perfectly. and is used to press the
binding" of the nails back. The Slit |
manicures say the selvage is never to be cut
any more than the edge of the eye-Iid. Ex-
ception may be made when by ill-use this |
border is broken and rough, when it may be |
trimmed and grow again. But the harsh |
practice of common manicures who leave |
this rim sore and bleeding is reprehensible |
Polishing with the pink emery powder |
follows, using buffer of chamois the usual |
shape, but twice or three times longer, " hich |
is much more surely and easily used. Care |
must be taken always to rub the nail toward
the edge. not downward, to wound the
selvage and fill it with powder. A rim of
round fresh-trimmed nail is most
careless and unsightly. The nails receive
their final polish by the palm of the opera
tor, after which the hand is busted and
wiped with square of fine linen cambric,
all the red that will brush off is removed
from the nails, having natural pink tint,
and touch of amandine rubbed over the
back of the hand and wiped off leaves it
plant. fresh and scented; when, If not the
''snow-white hand of the most beauteous
Rosalind," it is at least fit for any gentle
iced, or kiss of courtesy, an old salute COM
ing in fashion. Indeed, when has it ever
been quite out?
SOME VALUABLE RECEIPTS.
I conclude with an English recipe for
keeping hands smooth, which is two table
spoonfuls of lemon juice, one of glycerine
and the same of almond oil-colorless oil,
by the way, for experience lends reason to
the idea that most oils and vaseline discolor
and darken the hands. En- passant, hot foot
baths nightly, and purgatives with coarse
bread are the best regime to secure white
hands. Honey balsam is a nice prepara-
lion English lady's maids compound to
whiten and soften the hands. It is made of
sight tablespoonfuls of pale strained honey
heated gently, and two tablespoonfuls OF
vegetable glycerine melted into it; when
,old. two tablespoonfuls of rectifed spirit
md three drains OF pure citric acid are
added, with few drops OF any rich essence
.o perfume. Dissolve the acid crystals in
he spirit before pouring into the other mix
.ure and bottle at once.
These toilet arts afford new avenues OF
Employment to women, but II Is indis-
pensable that the best methods be learned
ind practiced with the utmost refinement.
A hair dresser or manicure in dress ever so
'lightly soiled, whose presence betrays by
'cent II not by sight the need Of personal at
entions, repels at once, and II to this she
ldds indifferent, mechanical treatment,
,arelessly kept implements and ill-smelling
applications, she may be certain customers
will not willingly seek her services q second
ime. A good manicure who has also
OF facial massage, can command
% day at moderate estimate by private
practice In cities. going from house to
house; and few callings require 30 little
,ffort, only that effort must be given with
delicate skill aud exacting care.