The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-07-30
A FRUIT COSMETIC.
,o,pon juice May be Used with Beneficial
Results.

Results.
The very latest cosmetic Is the lemon.
In countries where they grow as freely
os apples do in the temperate zone, this
fact is appreciated, and their virtues
ayalled of but there admirable quail
lies are worthy of wider knowledge.
Lemons are not so costly, even In the
coolest countries, that women may not
easily afford to use this tropical aid to
the toilet.
In the care Of the complexion 1t is
Invaluable, particularly in summer,
when a few drops squeezed into the
water in which the face Is washed re-
moves all greasiness and leaves the
skin fresh and velvety. A little lemon
iuice rubbed on the cheeks before going
10 bed and allowed to dry there will re-
move freckles and sunburn and whlten
the skin, beside giving It charming
smoothness and softress to the touch.
This should be done about three times
a week, both winter and summer and
is Of the greatest aid to such complex
ions as are afflicted with enlarged and
'blackened pores. These enlarged pores
are due to deficient circulation of the
blood and are to be greatly aided by
vigorous rubbing with a coarse towel
every time the face Is washed.
Those who lead a sedentary life find
the circulation feeblest about the nose,
lips and temples, and these parts
should be energetically rubbed and
kneaded several times day. When
the pores become distended a fine, In
visible dust in the air enters and clogs
and blackens them. Mere ordinary face
washing, even when warm water and
soap are used, is not sufficient to re-
move the dirt in the pores, but the
vigorous acid of the lemon will cleanse
ard carry off all such unsightly blem-
ishes
In the West Indies lemon bath Is
almost a daily luxury. Three or four
lines or lemons are sliced into the wat
er, which, is drawn half an hour before
using, so that the fruit juice may have
a chance to permeate, and the delicious
ness Of such tubing must be felt to be
appreciated. The sense of cleanliness
and freshness it gives and the supple
ness and smoothness it imparts to the
skin is an experience not soon forgot
ten. The lemon is more than substi-
tute for the bran bath bags which were
invented by the French and which ex-
qusites think so necessary for the
toilet.
Half teaspoonful Of the juice Of the
lemon squeezed into a glass of water
and used for brushing the teeth gives
the mouth the same feeling of clean
illness that the lemon bath gives to the
skin. 1t is particularly grateful when
sickness renders the mucous and saliva
tory excretions of the mouth unpleas-
ant Not more than half a teaspoonful
ha
bad for the enamel, but on occasion the
proportions may be increased, as lemon
is an active deodorizer and will remove
the smell Of onions or tobacco from the
mouth.
AS a hair wash and tonic it has no
rival. For the former purpose a large,
juicy lemon should be cut in half. the
head dipped into a bowl Of water, from
which the chill only must be removed,
and the water made of the same tenn
perature as the air-and the lemon
rubbed and squeezed vigorously among
the roots and along the length OF the
hair. Soak and rub the head we'll in
this bath and then nse thoroughly in
fresh water Of the same warmth. II
we'll dried at once witn energetic towel
Ing there will never be the smallest
danger Of cold. No soap Is needed.
The acid OF the lemon absolutely re-
moves all grease and dust and the
hair, after such a bath, is soft, glossy
and clean. This lemon bath once o
week will have the most beneficial ef-
feet upon the hair; stimulating It's
growth, delaying the coming Of gray
ness and making 1t beautifully pliable
and polished.
For manicuring the lemon is abso-
lutely Indispensable. A teaspoonful of
the juice in a cupful of tepid water
whitens and supplies the nails and re-
moves all grease and dirt, making
them much more easy to polish. This
should be used every morning, and by
dabbling the fingers a few moments II
is possible to make the nails perfectly
clean and transparent, without the use
of any metal cleaner, by simply rub
bing them with towel. 1t is also most
beneficial in removing the skin around
the nall edges, which should never by
any chance be cut with scissors Rub
the towel firmly all about the nail
pushing back the skim do this regularly
every day, and after few weeks the
skin growth will disappear and never
return as long as the treatment Is con-
tinued. The comparison of nails kept
in this way with those subjected to the
barbarous method of skin clipping will
at once show the advantage Of the for
mer manner of treatment
Finally, the lemon upon the toilet
table is a great aid to health. The juice
of lemon squeezed into a large break.
fast cup of water, drunk without sugar
and Immediately upon rising and as hot
as can be borne, Is the most admirable
tonic and Alternative. No one should
form the habit of taking even the mild
est Alternative. but If the head feels
heavy and dull, or one Is conscious OF
languor and discomfort upon rising, this
lemon draught is one of the best and
simplest methods of clearing out the
system and restoring its tone.