Does Winter damage Beauty?
It need not, if beauty is only looked well after. But how shall it be? Not by powders and paint, dear young readers—dinna forget that. Leave rouge and the rest of it to Miss So-and-so and all the other "quite old things" whom you know. Be ye natural; unless, indeed, you have some real blemish. Dinna forgot you have youth on your side, and youth and beauty are almost synonymous terms. You like Miss So-and-so very well indeed, and my swift has just told me she heard you make the following remark the other day to a companion—
"Know Miss S.? Oh, yes; have known her for ages. Poor, dear, old thing, how well she makes up!"
Well, hug the happiness you possess in being young, to your heart of hearts; but a little tinge of sadness must mar it at times, when you remember that you too must get older and be fain to assume the attractions you shall then no longer possess.
But beauty in winter? Well, it must be kept up, and can only be kept up by rational means. If you expose yourself to high cold winds while biking or driving, you may spoil your complexion for weeks to come. I declare I should hardly like to enter the breakfast-room with such a cold as your own folly has brought you, accompanied by watery eyes that blink at the sunshine, and that wicked, wee red nose. Well, exposure is unnecessary, so we shall leave that alone.
Next comes ablution and clothing. If you care a French penny for the beauty you possess, you will be careful as to both. If you won't, can't or sha'n't take your bath, dinna forget to have very frequent changes of underclothing. But in some form or other thorough ablution is imperative.
Food comes next. Never touch stimulants. I know some young ladies do, but it is the biggest mistake in the world, quite an elephantine error. Dinna forget that. As regards solid food, the more solid it is the better; and you should now—unless stout—have plenty of sugar and fatty food. Potatoes and other starchy foods should be taken also. You want to keep up the strength? Sugar is power! Dinna you forget that.
Dinna forget this either: that pudding after dinner helps to spoil the complexion. Have fruit instead. A little vaseline—cold cream at night will preserve the skin. You need nothing else. Good-bye! Dinna forget!
["SISTER WARWICK": A STORY OF INFLUENCE.]
By H. MARY WILSON, Author of "In Warwick Ward," "In Monmouth Ward," "Miss Elsie," etc.