Sleep.—We hear much about “beauty sleep.” Really, all sleep is beauty sleep. It is then that the exhausted nerves regain tone, and the body generally undergoes a restorative process. Nothing more surely undermines beauty than lack of sleep. It leaves its mark behind in dull eyes and even loss of flesh. But in sleep, too, there is a right and wrong way. The right way is to sleep in a well-aired bed in a properly ventilated room. The outdoor sleeping room is the ideal one, but it cannot always be arranged, so the next best thing is the indoor one with windows wide open. One should awaken in the morning fresh and bright and strong. Do not cover yourself heavily, just enough to keep comfortable. The wrong way is—but why waste time in description. It is everything the right way is not, and consequently one wakes up tired, heavy and dull-eyed.
Hair, face and teeth.—Aside from the constitutional measures spoken of, there is a word or two to be said in favor of simple local treatment that the beauty seeker should resort to daily. I mean the little nightly attentions to the hair, face and teeth. The hair will be much healthier and brighter if carefully brushed and aired after the unnatural confinement of the day. The teeth must be well cleaned, so that there are no tiny particles of food lodged between them to become decomposed and endanger the teeth. The simplest of tooth powders is all that is necessary, but the brushing after each meal, if possible, and especially the last thing at night, should not be neglected. The use of a pure face cream to soothe the skin from the day’s irritation and exposure is also advisable, though I do not approve of using cream instead of water, as is sometimes advised. Soap and water are the best cleansing agents.
CHAPTER XXXIV
PHYSICAL CULTURE
(By George R. Borden, Physical Director.)
Fresh air and exercise are fast being considered the best health producers in the world, yet how sadly neglected; as hundreds of women give evidence every day, with the dull eye, flat chest and lifeless carriage. Every woman would like to be attractive, but few are willing to devote any time to its acquirement. What arouses our admiration when seeing a statue of Minerva or Venus? It is the abounding life of the whole body, finely developed chest and limbs and well-poised head.
Let us learn how to breathe, how to walk with a strong and graceful carriage. A small amount of time each day spent in systematic exercise with deep breathing would change many a weak woman to a healthy, vital, living person with the grace and beauty of perfect health and a fine physique.