title: The road to beauty,
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A 4 .'2. ^ G° °o A* .-‘'** <“■ iv* :£mb*'* r -*+$ •' •' 0 ^ i • ’ / •* «£• c. *■ 1 ■ * - O + L f° *«►. *.T5* .«,* V y ,'^> > 0 . •• y .VSttV. *. a .* / ./°v '-SK-* ^ v \ / % .! • A°* *'7VV*' A <*, *-...* G* *0 '», .o c 0 " • ♦ O A ^ . *• ’ * „ ^ « " ° G • * o . v rr^, ■» "r vX «"? o V o A *<* Q S <y <& * I “ V ''’5 S A ^ , * a\ «N * dfV///?> '7 O V . * ^0 O • * •. / '% • 4 Oa cJ- - ’ww ^ ‘ / ... °* *'•■•** .0 * V^r//Z/dP ’ ? *3 O * ^btM^*** 0 '°4. **■’-• f° ° ^ v • » ^ * ♦ V <? «. S° v » • o < O ^ 1114X ^^ 4? ^ j£~ * ^>>U\\\XSi ** N/ *■ t-L. v- '\VS~ r ^ • <1 J O *- % * • • • ’ °^. * • a,^ * tCCv^^^), 0 *^vp * <? ^ ^ vJffi* ^ ^ >. s*' A <\ *'?. N' 0^ V ' qV 0 O “ o ^ ^ . »•' • ♦ o x C °" 0 ♦ c ‘jcC^V^^ o 0^ +Vv7^%b * V C • o >• o< : ' 9 o ^ :&my- *+ o 1 «* •*•- •■* v .. * s® V, c> y The Road to Beauty AND The Art of the Toilet FOR WOMEN and GIRLS JULIE LEFRON i ;•? ®1|? Snail In ifrantij i B Y Julie Lefron NEW YORK BERKOWITZ & PROPER 1908 L ■ • ^ LIBrtAHY of CONGRESS Two Copies deceived UtC i <J 1903 Copyrignt Entry 5 class cl Ate, Wo, !xx-i T--7 COPY A. Copyright, 1908 BY JULIE LEFRON (Hontanta PERSONAL CHAT Page I INTRODUCTION. 1 THE FACE .... • • . 7 THE HAIR .... 97 THE FIGURE 125 HOW TO ORDER 192 I. A Personal Chat ’Twixt You and I The contents of this book is gathered from the beauty centres of the world; from Paris, Vienna, and London, the cities where everything is known of that which pertains to woman’s beauty. I have gathered all that I thought worth while and present it to the women of America in hope that it may aid them in any slight imperfections which they may possess. In offering to sell any of the ready preparations which are mentioned in this book, I have no apol¬ ogy to make, on the contrary in doing so I know it is of a great benefit to the average woman. It is not every woman who cares to bother and compound some fairly difficult formula, even though she may have the proper utensils and can obtain the necessary ingredients. And then again, the ingredients must positively be pure and unadulterated, otherwise the prepa¬ ration is likely to be worthless, but how often will you receive something “just as good” in place of the article which you need, but which your dealer does not happen to have just then. To illustrate the above take Glycerine and Rosewater, something which most every woman uses; is the Glycerine chemically pure? I hope II. so, but very likely it is adulterated, the Rose¬ water is not Rosewater at all but oil of rose di¬ luted in alcohol, or still worse just in plain dis¬ tilled water. If you cannot obtain the ingredients for such a simple preparation as the above, the possibili¬ ties are that in a more complicated formula, some slight error is liable to occur which as I said before would make the whole preparation worthless. And again to give you an instance: I sent a formula to a young lady for an herb tea lotion, with directions that it must be made in an iron pot. I received in reply a letter, saying: I have no iron pot, won’t an earthen one do as well? Not only will it not do as well, but it will not do at all. And if the young lady would have proceeded and made the lotion in an earthen pot, the prepara¬ tion would not have done its work, and I would have got the blame for it, simply because she did not follow my explicit directions. There is one golden rule that cannot be too carefully followed in these matters. It is this— always obtain and use the purest and best drugs and preparations. A lotion, ointment or emul¬ sion is often spoiled by the use of a single infe¬ rior ingredient, and considering that so to speak, your face and figure is your fortune, it is not worth while taking chances with any inferior article. III. Should I have omitted to mention a remedy for any of the many defects the human body is sub¬ ject to, I will gladly give my personal attention free of charge, to any woman who may write to me; only requesting all details on the subject which I am consulted on and enclosing a stamp for return postage. In writing to me you are dealing with no large manufacturing concern, no male firm, but personally with a woman who knows your desire, sympathizes with your afflic¬ tion and can and will help you. I am sometimes asked to furnish names and ad¬ dresses of those who have used my preparations successfully. Would you like yours sent to strangers? Then do not ask me to violate the confidence others repose in me. In closing this little personal chat I wish to emphasize that every article I sell is pure and un¬ adulterated and is scientifically compounded of such’ ingredients as will accomplish all it is claimed for. Yours with best wishes, Julie Lefron, 500 Fifth Ave., New York. INTRODUCTION. Disguise our bondage as we will, 'Tis women’s beauty that rules us still. —Moore. In these busy days—social and commercial— women age rapidly; they lose their freshness and bloom, unless they know how to avail themselves of all the aid to beauty which modern science places at their command. I venture, therefore, to think that a work which shall treat of the TOILET and THE ART OF BEAUTY, in simple language, will be found both useful and accept¬ able to numbers of women and girls who are wise enough to devote a proper amount of attention to their personal appearance. Beauty is among the most desirable of human possessions. No woman would willingly be with¬ out it, and no man prefers plainness to that per¬ sonal attractiveness in a woman. Even though it makes him a slave to her every whim. Beauty is worshipped now as it was never before, and it lifts the humblest to wealth and social position. 2 THE ROAD TO BEAUTY Every woman owes it to herself to be as beauti¬ ful as possible, her path in life is strewn with roses in comparison to the path of her homely sister; she is sought after, her every fancy is grat¬ ified, and she has the satisfaction of knowing that she is admired. For such rewards, if not for her own sake, it is every woman’s duty to make the most of her good looks. Without care and attention all material things grow shabby and wear out. The human face is no exception; the harder the w T ear the greater care demanded. The practical housewife guards her room from the strong sunshine for fear it may fade something. Each day every bit of dust is removed from the furniture and some lubri¬ cant or polish is applied from time to time to keep the surface in the best of condition. She is careful in the choice of her gowns, hats and shoes, and gives them every possible atten¬ tion, and yet this same woman is foolish enough to think that her face, figure and hair need abso¬ lutely no care, and that it is natural for her to look old and tired after thirty odd years have passed. No Shame in Wishing to be Pretty. There is every excuse for a woman to wish to be pretty. If she opens a book of poems or a novel she finds beauty praised and ugliness condemned. If she looks at a picture gallery she finds the THE ROAD TO BEAUTY 3 handsomest faces selected to be hung on the line. At the theatre, she sees the attention excited by a lovely face. In the park she watches with appre¬ ciation the pretty faces and observes that others do so as well, in fact, wherever she goes the great truth, that pretty women are among the most sought-after things on earth, is made patent to her. Small wonder then, that the grand question in a woman’s mind is: Am I pretty? And if not how best can I become so? Any woman can make herself attractive. To do so is her birthright. She can bring her own peculiar type of beauty nearer to perfection if she wills to devote attention to it. Nature en¬ dows woman with beauty, but she can easily for¬ feit this dowry through carelessness and inatten¬ tion. If she prizes it and takes care of it, she may retain it throughout life, but if she abuses and neglects it, it is snatched from her by the hand of Time, as ruthlessly as wealth is snatched from those who have it but do not take care of it. Of all luxuries beauty is the cheapest and at the same time the most desired. It is within reach of all who care to make an effort for it, and if wo¬ man wants to regard her happiness, beauty is a necessity and not a luxury. The woman who know^s how to take care of herself and make the best of her appearance is al¬ ways the woman who looks better, enjoys herself 4 THE ROAD TO BEAUTY more and is sought after so much oftener than her more ignorant and shabby looking sister. The well-groomed, graceful woman with a good complexion is becoming every day more appre¬ ciated. To her the world makes its best bow, turning indifferently from the frowsy, careless women who recklessly disregard the rules of both Nature and Art in ignoring the niceties of the toilet. The strictly up-to-date woman knows the im¬ portance and value of a good appearance, and anything that threatens to rob her of the outward sign of youth, is combated and defied by all rea¬ sonable means. There is nothing more natural than that every woman should wish to look her best, and preserve as long as possible all the advantages with which Nature had endowed her, and the time she de¬ votes to making herself more attractive is certain¬ ly time well spent, provided she understands and proceeds intelligently. Do not permit yourself to drift into a slipshod method of caring for your personal appearance. Remember that many of the blessings you most prize or most long for, are dependent upon the attractiveness of your face. “Always look your best” is a motto that you should adopt and apply conscientiously to your daily life. Its practice will bring you happiness and give you power to retain a hold on the affections of those you love. THE ROAD TO BEAUTY 5 Watch yourself! See to that sagging cheek or drooping eye-lid. Keep your eyes bright and your complexion clear. Don’t let the wrinkles come or remain; a woman’s age is not reckoned by years, some are old at twenty-five and others are young at sixty. It all depends upon the intelligent care she gives to her personal appearance. The woman who regards beauty as an attribute of youth makes a great mistake. Mothers need not lose the bloom of youth and should retain a fresh and fine complexion, free from wrinkles and roughness. Is it not a sad experience in the life of a middle-aged woman when she looks into the mirror and discovers signs of years,—those un¬ welcome lines of care and neglect. But even then it is not too late, stay young, stay handsome, make a study of your figure and complexion; and if you earnestly set about renovating your out¬ ward form you can count on Mother Nature to reward you for your efforts. The power of beauty is universally acknowl¬ edged. In all countries, in all ages, and by all types of men, poets and warriors, artists and statesmen, all testify to the potent influence of this wonderful gift. It was in recognition of this that the ancient classical fabulist wrote: “Three women went to the Silent Fates to pray for gifts.’ “ ‘Let me have love,’ said one, ‘and I will ask for naught else.’ 6 THE ROAD TO BEAUTY “ ‘Give me fame/ her sister begged, ‘and I will be contented.’ “ ‘It is wealth that smoothes life’s pathway. Send me riches for my portion/ prayed the third.’ “As they went away the fourth woman following them, laughing as she said: ‘Give me beauty ? O Immortal Ones, and with that wondrous power will I win all the gifts these other women begged. Love, Fame, Wealth—all are beauty’s dower.’ And the Fates there¬ upon named her the Wise Woman.” And again it was not Cinderella’s goodness, nor even the smallness of her slipper that sent the Fairy Prince hot-foot in search of her. It was just her pretty face, and what holds good in the old fairy tale also holds good in every-day life. There isn’t a woman to-day who can take up the role of the plain sister. What we have to do is to make the best of our good looks and hold them as long as we can. Personal beauty always has been and always will be a dominant power. History portrays that beautiful women have swayed the destinies of Nations, and while it may not be yours to influ¬ ence to that degree, yet it behooves you not only to protect but enhance the personal charms with which Nature has endowed you. By due care it is very easy to avoid the tell-tale lines of Father Time. The woman who is but meagerly endowed with THE ROAD TO BEAUTY 7 the charms she would like to possess must not despair. The young girl should labor unceasing¬ ly to obtain the degree of perfection to which her very youth entitles her. The woman of thirty may have secured her knowledge later in life but still not too late to know that by sufficient care she may postpone the appearance of age for years to come. Older women must be convinced that much can be done towards repairing the damage wrought by neglect and carelessness, and every woman ought to know that it is very essential to devote a certain amount of time each day to personal attention, even though you must neglect something else that may not be as necessary to your welfare. The chief ornament of modern civilization is Woman Beautiful, and she should be ambitious enough to realize the importance of the work that will aid her to preserve the charms she has, as well as acquiring those she may not possess. The Care of the Complexion. If to her share some female errors fall, Look on her face and you’ll forget them all. —Pope. The causes of a bad complexion are very nu¬ merous, but there is no question that with intelli- 8 THE ROAD TO BEAUTY gent care you can transform the poorest face into one that will be good looking or positively beauti¬ ful. Overlooking entirely the matter of vanity, it is a woman’s duty to use all means in her power to beautify and preserve her complexion. It is fitting that “the index of the soul” should be kept as clean and bright and beautiful as possible. There is no such a thing as a hopelessly homely woman; in the light of modern knowledge of the Art of Beauty. I studied faces the world over and confess that there are very few fatally ugly women, and even they can be improved on if they would only take the trouble. Cosmetics and good taste will transform the common looking woman into a charming and even striking personage. Victor Hugo says that he who would know suffer¬ ing, should know the sorrows of an ugly woman, and he will touch the depths of bitterness. She would give years of her life, for one year of beauty; the loveliness of a rival eats into her heart like corrosion, and she even shrinks from looking into her own mirror. If such a woman would only know how much she can accomplish and how she can transform herself with a little intelligent care; one by one she can eliminate those little defects that rob her of that which should be every woman’s heritage, namely, beauty. I appeal to the “plain” woman who is but meagerly endowed with the charms she would THE ROAD TO BEAUTY 9 like to possess. I want to assure her that there is hardly a defect that she cannot get rid of and if she but follows my instructions, it will not be long before she recognizes a remarkable improve¬ ment in her complexion. We cannot all be beau¬ ties, but there is scarcely any woman who can¬ not be greatly improved by a little knowledge, care and attention. I will now proceed to give in detail the differ¬ ent defects of the face, how to overcome them or completely eliminate them. The Complexion. The purity of the complexion is of course most essential to the attainment of a beautiful face, and nothing will sooner bring about that happy result, than thorough cleanliness. In washing the face thoroughly and vigorously, you not only free it from impurities which it has accumulated, but with the aid of a good face brush you bring the blood to the surface of the skin which will give you that pink and white complexion so much desired by every woman. Once a week it is well to give the face a good lathering, using a soft washing glove or a complexion brush. A delight¬ ful lather can be made by putting a good piece of soap into a jar, upon which a small quantity of hot soft water should be poured, and this should be beaten with a fibre-whisk until it is of the con¬ sistency of a creamy froth. Hot water for the 10 THE ROAD TO BEAUTY face is not only delightfully refreshing, but it clears the pores of the skin more effectually than cold or tepid water would. After washing, the face should be carefully wiped dry, with a soft towel,—upwards rather than downwards, as this tends to preserve the roundness of the cheeks. For washing the face rain water is very beneficial, but in the absence of that, any water will do, if you will soften it by using a tablespoonful of powdered borax to a basin of water. When feeling tired, hot water is very refresh¬ ing and gives you renewed energy for any coming task. It is not my intention to speak upon the subject of baths just now, I shall touch upon that more elaborately later, but in speaking of acquir¬ ing a good complexion, I wish to emphasize that thorough cleanliness of the whole body helps the complexion immensely. After a good hot bath the complexion is always at its best, and no mat¬ ter how rough and coarse your skin may be, you can change it so that it becomes smooth and of a fine texture, simply by the use of a daily warm bath with good soap and a flesh brush, and when the skin is very rough it is advisable to use a cold cream after you are all through with the bath. A good flesh brush is very essential for the thorough cleanliness of the body and the beauti¬ fying of the face; and considering how inexpen¬ sive they are, everybody ought to own one. It re- THE ROAD TO BEAUTY 11 quires no great penetration to understand why a flesh brush will do much by way of improving the skin, for brush friction makes the circulation active immediately beneath the skin. This alone when done daily, makes the skin clear and healthy. Besides when the brush is the cleansing agent, no dry or old skin can ever adhere to the body, because the bristles at once remove it. For improving the skin a cloth or a sponge is absolutely worthless. A sponge is only good for dashing cold water on the body, and the cloth should be used for the ears only. At the end of the bath the whole body should be a bright pink, the color will fade in ten or fifteen minutes, leaving the surface white and the blood circulating easily. Mme. Lefron’s Complexion Brush. An ideal flesh brush for the face or entire body, just sufficiently firm to give an exhilarating glow and feeling of freshness throughout. Removes the old dead cuticle and is as necessary as water to the health and beauty of the skin and entire body. Can be used wet or dry. Price 50c. and $1.00. Face Steaming. Face steaming is a great aid to beauty, but it must not be overdone. Twice a week is quite enough, and unless the complexion is in a really 12 THE ROAD TO BEAUTY bad condition, once in seven days will be the best interval. The benefit of this process of cleansing is in opening the pores and inducing perspiration that causes them to eject impurities, which would not otherwise be thrown oft, but care must be taken to close the pores afterward and “tone” the flesh that has become unnaturally soft from ex¬ cessive heat. You can get at most druggists a special appa¬ ratus for steaming, but you can make an excellent substitute out of a chafing dish or any vessel with a large surface that may be put over a small stove and kept at a boiling point. When the water is at a boiling point it is then ready for use; then the face should be held over the steam, throwing over the head a thick towel or other cover that will hold the moist heat. The face must be turned occasionally that all parts of it will come in contact with the steam. If for any reason you do not wish to use the above method, hot cloths is another good way of steaming the face. Turkish toweling or a thick flannel will answer the purpose, and you must have two of them. Put these wash rags into a basin of water as hot as can be borne on the face, and begin the operation of steaming. Hold one steaming hot cloth over the face with both hands until it cools, when the second should be applied so that the warmth may not go out of the skin. THE ROAD TO BEAUTY 13 Ten minutes steaming of either process is suffi¬ cient, then the face should be dried and a face cream massaged into the open pores. To do this dip the fingers into the face cream and smear it on the face. Then, using the fingers of both hands, do a rapid massage. The cheeks require a rotary motion, the fore¬ head stroking by beginning over the nose and drawing each hand toward the temples, smooth¬ ing as one goes. For the chin the fingers should meet just on the tip and be pushed up toward the ears. Special attention should be given to the crease either side of the nose by the nostrils, for it is there that blackheads are most apt to gather. The flesh well rubbed with cream, should be given a quick thorough washing with hot water to draw out superfluous grease, and the skin must be rapidly treated to tighten it or prevent sag¬ ging. For this nothing is better than to dash cold water over the face. Then a good astringent lotion may be wiped on and allowed to remain. An excellent face cream is made as follows: Oil of sweet almonds. 4 ounces White wax. 6 drams Spermaceti . 6 drams Borax. 2 drams Glycerine. IV 2 ounces Orange flower water. 2 ounces Oil of Neroli.15 drops Oil of Bigarade.15 drops Oil of Petit-grain.15 drops 14 THE ROAD TO BEAUTY The fats and oils are to be put in a double boiler* and warmed by gentle heat till they can be smoothly mingled. The perfumed water is poured in very slowly, drop by drop, while the mixture is steadily stirred with a silver fork. Add the perfumed oil last just before the cream congeals. Another very good face cream is made as follows: Orange flower water, triple. 6 ounces Deodorized alcohol. 1% ounces Bitter almonds, blanched. 1 ounce White wax. 1 dram Spermaceti . 1 dram Oil of Bene. 1 dram Soap paste or shaving cream. 1 dram Oil of Bergamot.12 drops Oil of Cloves. 6 drops Oil of Neroli, bigarade. 6 drops Borax ... 1/5 ounce Dissolve the borax in the orange flower water slightly warmed; mingle the wax, spermaceti, oil of Bene, and shaving cream in a double boiler at gentle heat, then stir in the perfumed water and almonds with a silver fork and add the perfumed oil last just before the cream congeals. Face Cream. Mme. Lefron’s face cream renders the complexion su¬ perbly beautiful, free from all ingredients apt to induce hair growth, or other injurious effects. It gives to woman a beauty which commands; a youthfulness which *A double boiler is an iron or tin vessel containing a smaller one of china or earthen ware, so arranged that the inside vessel is heated by the boiling water the outside one contains. In the ab¬ sence of this elaborate contrivance you can take a china cup and set it in a pan of hot water, and it will almost do as well. THE ROAD TO BEAUTY 15 passing years do not diminish. It softens rough skin, whitens and beautifies the face, neck and hands. It soothes and heals chap, sunburn and windburn. To protect the hands and face against wrinkle-making winds, inclement weather, and the sun’s glare, rub into the skin an ample amount of Mme. Lefron’s Face Cream and rinse off any excess with water and dry with a soft towel. This forms a facial armor against all sorts of hostile weather conditions. MME. LEFRON’S FACE CREAM IS NOT A GREASE. It is not contaminated by either fat, oil or grease of any kind. The pores of the famished skin de¬ vour it so rapidly that within five minutes it will have entirely disappeared from the surface. Mme. Lefron’s Face Cream is a delicate white un¬ guent of skillfully blended vegetable balsams and nutri¬ ents, daintily scented with crushed flower perfumes, pure as virgin snow, rich and sweet as fresh dairy cream. It is a wonderful skin food and tissue builder; an ex¬ ternal food which sinks into the skin, and is rapidly absorbed and by the tiny blood vessels underneath. It builds up firm, healthy, pulsating flesh and keeps the skin soft, smooth and transparent* It keeps the face young and restores a girlish complexion to the faded cheek of middle age. 2 ounce jar.$0.50 6 ounce jar. 1.00 1 lb. jar. 2.50 Almond Lotion. A very good Almond Lotion is made as follows: Bitter almonds, blanched. 4 ounces Orange flower water.12 ounces Curd soap (any fine toilet soap).. .% ounce Oil of Bergamot.50 drops Oil of Cannelle.10 drops Oil of almonds.20 drops Alcohol 65%. 4 ounces 16 THE ROAD TO BEAUTY This is a bland lotion, very cleansing and whit¬ ening. The soap must be broken up, and dissolved in the orange flower water, by heating in a double boiler, beat up the almonds in a clean marble mortar, and gradually work in the soap and water; strain through a clean muslin strainer, then return to the mortar and while stirring, gradually work in the alcohol in which the oil has previously been dissolved. Blackheads and Pimples. Blackheads and pimples quite frequently are caused by eating improperly cooked or over greasy food, but again are due entirely to exter¬ nal conditions. Unless the face is carefully cleansed blackheads are inevitable, for the pores become clogged with dust from the street and soon the unsightly black blemishes appear. When eruptions of this kind are present, cleanse the face thoroughly, and for this one should use liquid green soap and a soft com¬ plexion brush. Lather and scrub the face at night with hot water, then rinse and dry. After this cleansing rub into the skin a lotion made from one dram each of precipitate of sul¬ phur, spirits of camphor and glycerine put into four drams of rosewater and let it remain into pores over night. The following morning bathe the face in warm water and again rub on this lo¬ tion. It may be wiped, but not washed off then, THE ROAD TO BEAUTY 17 and powder may be dusted over the flesh if you wish. Do this every day and ouce a week at night; steam the face for ten minutes. The object of the steaming is to thoroughly soften the skin and open the pores. At the end of ten minutes of steaming mop the face gently with a soft towel, and then with a new needle open any pimples or blackheads there may be and gently press out the matter. This done, put a drop of peroxide of hydrogen over each punctured spot and then apply a cream made of one and a quarter ounces each of lanoline, almond oil and sulphur precipitate, five drams of oxide of zinc and one dram of violet extract. Melt the lanoline in a double boiler and mix in the sulphur evenly. Remove from heat and beat in the almond oil and zinc, adding the perfume slowly. Do the mixing with a silver fork. Massage this well into the face, take at least ten minutes for the work. Then wash off thor¬ oughly with hot water, rinsing in cold. In this last water there should be ten drops of tincture of benzoin. In the morning the lotion already given may be used again. Do not apply the cream and steam oftener than once a week. An easier way to accomplish the same results is as follows: For three weeks, or until the skin is softened, apply a face cream every night before retiring. 18 THE ROAD TO BEAUTY Let the cream remain on the face during the night. In the morning wash it off with hot water, rinse the face thoroughly with cooler water. At the end of three weeks, the blackheads will in most cases have been expelled by the treatment. MME. LEFRON'S PIMPLE AND BLACKHEAD CREAM speedily and permanently cures pimples, black¬ heads, eczema and all eruptive skin diseases. It is a healing, disinfecting, antiseptic cream, which draws out every impurity from the skin, makes the flesh healthy and the cuticle sound and smooth. The most chronic forms of loathsome skin diseases are so easily cured by Mme. Lefron’s Pimple Cream that there is no longer any excuse for a diseased skin or loss of beauty resulting therefrom. This cream removes the dregs of disease and putrid substances which clog and distend the pores and glands. Mme. Lefron’s Pimple Cream is a magic healer, cura¬ tive and beautifying. It has cured the severest cases in a few weeks. Price $1.00 per jar. Freckles. The freckled maiden may have Titian hair and brilliant coloring, but if her complexion is spot¬ ted, her beauty is indeed marred. As a rule those afflicted with freckles have unusually fine skins, and when free from these discolorations the com¬ plexion generally far outshines the ordinary type. To remove these “spots” bleaches should be applied, for freckles are distinctly a discoloration. Unfortunately they are beneath the surface of the flesh, and so only very strong caustics can THE ROAD TO BEAUTY 19 work quickly. These, however, make the epider¬ mis so sensitive that it is more liable than before treatment to effects from the sun. The safest remedy, therefore, is to use simple bleaches whose action will be gentle and slow, but not harmful. Even by constantly putting on these washes it is by no means certain that all will be efficacious, but one after another can be tried until that which best suits the skin is found. For instance, when the spots are light yellow a saturated solution of borax in rosewater may be all that is needed. This is made by adding pow¬ dered borax to rosewater until the liquid will dissolve no more. The wash is then put on five or six times a day. It should dry on the flesh. Another simple application is freshly cut lemon, but it is well to soften the skin before ap¬ plying it. To open the pores so they will absorb this juice, cloths wet in hot water should be held on the face until the skin is soft and pliable, then a small quantity of cold cream may be rubbed in. After this preparation a freshly cut lemon should be rubbed over the flesh, letting the juice remain on. This can be done in the morning as well as at night. Another preparation, a cream suited to the re¬ moval of freckles and tan, is based on honey. It is made from two ounces each of spermaceti and sweet oil of almonds, an even teaspoonful of strained honey and a few drops of rose or violet 20 THE ROAD TO BEAUTY essence. The spermaceti should be placed in a basin, set in hot water, and as soon as it softens the honey should be evenly blended. The almond oil is next added, then the basin is removed from the heat, the scent is put in last and the whole is beaten until it begins to harden. If the first two ingredients become hot the cream will never harden. This lotion is applied to the skin at night and stays on until morning. Its effect is softening and whitening. When the freckles are dark or of long duration a home-made burning plaster may be used, if one wishes. To prepare it a tablespoonful of the best English dry mustard is made smooth with lemon juice. To this is added a teaspoonful of oil of al¬ monds. This paste is then spread over the skin in a thin layer and allowed to stay on until smarting begins. A similar application is made in the morning. After several days of this treatment the upper skin will peel and the freckles come out with it. Then the rosewater and borax, recipe already given, should be used frequently, every day, for the skin will require nourishment to bring it back to normal condition. Simple Bleaches that Remove Tan. The secret of getting rid of tan is in washing the face and hands constantly in bleaches or whit- eners. These applications at first may seem in- THE ROAD TO BEAUTY 21 effectual, but after a few days will prove a real cure. For the removal of a slight coat of tan butter¬ milk and even plain cream are highly to be com¬ mended, but it must be understood that they are to be used daily. It will do absolutely no good to wash the hands and face in buttermilk once a day, or once in several days; it must be many times every day. In that way the skin is con¬ stantly under the influence of whitening and re¬ fining properties, and, if it is protected in the interval, summer need have no terrors for those who would fain have pretty complexions. A girl who sails, plays tennis or goes in for any sport that takes her much in the open air should always have buttermilk in the house, and each time she comes in from play she should wipe her face and neck with the whitening liquid. In ap¬ plying the milk soak old linen in it, and then wipe these over the flesh. The liquid must be allowed to dry in, and later wiped off with rosewater. This is preferable to plain water, but a trifle expensive, so if money is an object tincture of benzoin may be substituted. Of this fluid twelve drops in a pint of water are sufficient, and this bath may be slightly warm, but not hot. It will serve to remove the odor of milk, which is not pleasant. Incidentally it is softening in effect. Another application that is sometimes easier to 22 THE ROAD TO BEAUTY obtain than buttermilk is vinegar and horserad¬ ish. The horseradish must be from the fresh root, not that which has been bottled. In preparing this compound it should be put into a cup, cov¬ ered with cider vinegar, and allowed to stand for several hours. It is then mopped freely over the skin and allowed to dry on. This tonic whitener is especially good to use at night, letting the acid act on the skin for many hours. It is a pro¬ nounced astringent, and when the face is pitted with large pores, or is inclined to be oily, is an ex¬ cellent lotion. When tan is several layers deep in the skin something a little stronger than these bleaches is needed, and for a heavy coat nothing is better than a mixture of magnesia and soft water, mak¬ ing a paste of the two, and spreading it over the face to dry on, or to stay about five minutes. It must be washed off with warm, not hot, water and soap, and a little cold cream may be rubbed over the flesh. An effective lotion for tan and freckles is a saturated solution of borax in rosewater. As much of the powder is put into the perfumed water as the latter will dissolve, and this is fre¬ quently applied to the skin and allowed to dry on. This mixture is beneficial in ways which the plain saturated solution seems to have no effect, and though the rosewater is a substitute for the plain saturated mixture, the latter does not bring the same results as rosewater. THE ROAD TO BEAUTY 23 Freckles, Tan and Discolorations of the Skin. MME. LEFRON’S BLEACHING CREAM bleaches by the liberation of oxygen on coming in contact with the skin and contains nothing that is injurious. It re¬ moves freckles, tan and all discolorations, giving the skin a soft, velvety and youthful appearance. It is thor¬ oughly antiseptic, preventing pimples, blackheads, and clears the skin of all impurities. Price $1.00 Per Jar. Astringent Lotions That Will Keep The Face Fresh and Young. Lotions that soften and refine the skin are us¬ ually considered among the luxuries of a toilet table, but when one knows that some of these as¬ tringent tonics are really important in keeping the skin fresh and that they may be substituted occasionally for water they become necessities that every woman should possess. It is undoubtedly true that applying an astrin¬ gent after washing keeps the tissues firmer and the complexion clearer, hence the practical value of these mixtures. One of the best of these lotions is one made of three ounces of jasmine water, one and one-half ounces each of vanilla and acacia waters, a quar¬ ter of an ounce of tuberose water and a half dram of benzoin tincture. The three waters may be made by diluting the different extracts with deodorized alcohol. To mix, everything should be put together but the benzoin. This last is put in a drop at a time, 24 THE ROAD TO BEAUTY stirring constantly. To use, a teaspoonful should be put into a basin of clear water, or it may be wiped, full strength, over the face after washing. If, after a time, there is any sensation of dryness, the application should be omitted for a cou¬ ple of days, and be put into rinsing water. Another astringent is a combination of half an ounce of tincture of benzoin, one dram of tincture of musk, two and one-half ounces of rectified spir¬ its, and three and one-half gills of rose water. The alcohol and tinctures should be put togeth¬ er, and the rose water added last. This is used like the first lotion. A third and more active astringent is made of two and one-half ounces each of extracts of acacia, violet and rose. To the extracts are added two and one-half ounces of tincture of orris root and one-half pint of white wine vinegar. This should be put into a tightly corked bottle and left undisturbed for two weeks, when the mixture is poured through coarse paper that acts as a filter. It can be used full strength, or diluted, like the two previously given. It must not for a moment be thought that these tonics take the place of water as cleansing agents. The skin must be quite clean before they are put on, otherwise the tendency will be to contract the pores while they are filled with impurities. The only time astringents may be substituted for THE ROAD TO BEAUTY 25 water is when one is tired or wishes to refresh the complexion. When used in this way the tonics can always be left to dry on. Fountain of Youth Water. Quick sulphur. 1 ounce Oliban. 2 ounces Myrrh . 2 ounces Amber . 6 drams Eosewater. 1 quart Distill the whole in water bath, and wash with it every night on retiring to rest. The following morning wash with weak barley water, and your complexion will gain a youthful appearance. Beauty Eubber Bulb. Pure rubber bulb, none better made and only the best rubber is used in these goods, finely finished, strong and very elastic. Used for removing wrinkles, blackheads, filling out hollow cheeks and neck. This cup is used by professional masseurs. Price 50c. Perspiration. Some people are much distressed with profuse perspiration, more especially under the arm pits, this can easily be checked by boracic acid baths, in the proportion of one part of the acid to twenty parts of hot water. Powdered boracic acid, mixed with fine starch, forms a most useful dusting powder for the pur¬ poses of checking unpleasant perspiration. It is largely used as an antiseptic in hospitals, and it is mild even to abraded surfaces. 26 THE ROAD TO BEAUTY Too much heed cannot be given to the condition of the the undergarments. Better to wear those that have been washed and not ironed, because they will be fresh, than to continue using those that have an odor, even though they look clean. An excellent suggestion for the business wo¬ man compelled to economize on laundry is to put the undergarments she has worn all day in a tub of hot water and ammonia, leaving them to soak for an hour before retiring. Then they must be wrung as dry as the hands can make them and left to air, so they will be in condition for wear on the following day. In the morning they will be fresh, though slightly wrinkled. 