THE TOILET The Complexion.—The object of attention to the complexion should be to preserve the skin in its normal condition of health, and to remove all abnormal effects and conditions. Among these may be mentioned ex cessive dryness or evaporation, by exposure to dry and biting winds, of the water normally contained in the skin; the opposite extreme of exces sive perspiration; and the obstruction of the pores by dirt or grime or other causes, which is the parent of various eruptions and other skin diseases. These subjects are taken up in turn in the following pages, and the prin cipal standard remedies are cited.
Many persons regard attention to these matters as evidence of vanity and light-headedness, and others go to the opposite extreme and give much more time and thought to the niceties of the toilet than is either wise or necessary. Doubtless the wise and sane course lies between these two extremes. The normal condition of the skin resulting in a firm, smooth, and soft texture and a clear pink-and-white complexion, not only contributes to personal attractive ness, but also to the sense of comfort, included in the general term " good health." Women (and men, too) have a natural right to a good complexion. The contrary is evidence of some im proper or diseased condition, and it is perfectly natural and proper to seek and apply suitable remedies.
Beauty Doctors. — On the other hand, we earnestly advise against the patronage of so-called " beauty doc tors," many of whom are unquestion ably quacks and charlatans, and we urge the use of homemade prepara tions. Many of the standard prepa rations widely advertised for sale contain the most injurious mineral drugs, such, for example, as mercury, arsenic, lead, bismuth, etc. These are freely used by many " beauty doc tors," and we regret to say that rec ipes containing them have been pub lished without caution in many books of household recipes which have had a wide circulation. All such prepa rations have been carefully excluded from this volume. Approved recipes have been given which will accom plish every desirable object without the possibility of any injurious con sequences.
Homemade Toilet Preparations.— Many toilet preparations advertised for sale contain organic substances which deteriorate by decaying, and in this condition poison the skin. More over, most proprietary articles are very expensive. We feel safe in as suring the most careful and conserv ative mothers that the compounding at home and use of any of the prep arations herein recommended will be et perfectly safe and innocent em ployment for their daughters or themselves. Any disposition to do so should, we think, be encouraged. A few vials of essential oils as per fumes, small quantities of almonds and other required ingredients, may be bought at the drug store for less than a single bottle of a proprietary article can be purchased, and all in terested will have the satisfaction of knowing that the materials are fresh and of good quality, and that no harmful consequences from their use need be feared.
Country girls should have the best complexions in the world, but this is not always the case. Those who have not been favored by nature in this respect very often envy their city cousins' supposed advantages of easy access to " beauty doctors " and the large department stores and drug stores where toilet preparations of all sorts are for sale. The country girl has, in fact, a pronounced advan tage over her city cousin if she has the wit to utilize it. Many of the most effective agents and remedies for the toilet are to be had in every farmhouse, and it is safe to say that the country girl can stock her dress ing table with a full line of toilet preparations if she so desires, of bet ter quality than her city cousin can purchase. And she can do so much more cheaply and conveniently.
To Preserve the Complexion.—To prevent the excessive evaporation of water normally present in the skin, it is well to rub a small quantity of cold cream over the face before going out in the hot sun or wind. Just enough should be used to cover the surface without its being notice able. In hot climates the use of similar preparations to prevent the drying of the skin is practically uni versal.