THE LADIES’ WORLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2642, 26 October 1909, Page 3

THE LADIES’ WORLD.

LATEST BEATJTY FAD

The sand bath is fast becoming a popular fad with Chicago women, lo not only reduces weight and makes the skin clear and elastic, but also gives the cheeks the fresh, rosy look of youth. No tub is required, and no water is used in the operation. Many of the enthusiastic followers of the cult claim that water, as a means of cleanliness, is not necessary when the sand' hath is available. The sand bath may easily be taken at home. The first requisite is three or four bushels of. clean, dry sand. Women who live near the lake take the sand from the shore. The bath js taken on a sheet, and the only apparatus necessary is the’ blower, and even this may be omitted from the bath. The most difficult article to secure in connection with the bath is the fine sandpaper, which must be of an especially soft and fine quality. Care must be taken that it is “sand” paper—emery will not answer. In Paris a special article has been prepared, composed of finely ground sand mounted on satin. This is,- however, not as practicable as ordinary sandpaper. A large sheet of good, strong linen or cotton is first spread upon the floor. The temperature of the room should be comfortably warm, and there should be no draughts. About two bushels or a little more'of clean, dry sand should be placed in a second sheet and slightly warmed near a radiator or stove, to be ready for use a little later. The real luxury of sand bathing is when you have two sheets full of saud, one which can always be kept warm. —Sandpaper First Used.—

After disrobing, stand in the centre of the sheet. For, the first part of the bath no sand is used. The sandpaper is held in both hands and used just as you Avould a face cloth. The whole body is nibbed briskly, but not too hard at first. Beginning with the wrists and backs of the hands, work up towards the shoulders, then rub the neck and throat, and from there down to the toes. Most women have ugly elbows, coarse, and rough. For these there is nothing more beneficial than the fine sandpaper. The elbows are sandpapered until they are smooth. They may bo a trifle red after the treatment, but they are massaged with a skin food to keep them soft until the skin has had time to recover. If well cared for, the elbows will never become hard and rough again. The rest of the arms and body do not need such strenuous treatment as the elbows. The sandpaper removes more cuticle than a dozen Turkish baths, and it isn’t at all unpleasant unless the paper is too coarse. It gives the live skin a chance to live, and it takes off the dead growth, which is useless. It exhilarates the live skiu, and docs not scratch, as might be imagined. When you get used to it, you will be surprised at the vigorous way you can scrub yourself without any unpleasant results. After you have rubbed yourself thoroughly with the sandpaper, the warm .sand should be used. The drj' sand should be spread over the sheet about an inch thick, for you to lie on, and then the balance of the sand must be thrown over the entire body ; bury, yourself iii it if vou can. Everyone does this at the beach, and it is excellent for the skin. The indoor burying is even more beneficial, for then you are protected from a sudden chill when you get up.

—Body Rubbed with Loose Sand. Rest as long as you like in the sand, although the most enthusiastic followers admit it is not aviso to linger over fifteen minutes. When yon have rested long enough, start in and rub yourself hard with handfuls of sand. Rub every part of your body, and go at it as if you meant business —don’t be afraid to rub hard. Keep as much sand as possible in the hands while you rub, for the benefit is in the sand, not in your hands. By this time you will lie fairly aglow and ready for the last stage of the bath. This last- is the blast, and it corresponds to the shower in the water bath. The apparatus necessary for the blast is not complicated. 'Any tinsmith could manufacture one. All that is necessary to arrange the blower so that the sand is whirled out briskly and is fan shaped. The sand must be blown against the body as bard as vou can comfortably stand it. The effect is wonderfully stimulating, and feels not unlike electricity. When you get through all your body will be a-tingle. The b.ood will come to the surface, and you cannot possiblv catch cold for it closes the pores of the skin without clogging them, as soap often does. In Paris, where sand baths are most popular, there arc a great many who have found water no longer necessary to cleanliness. Indeed, you really , feel cleaner and look cleaner after the sand bath than you do after the water bath. But Chicago women admit they have not yet reached the stage where they can get along without the old-fashioned water bath. DOING AS WE PLEASE. “The man who does what he pleases is seldom pleased with what lie does. In a clever novel to-day these words occur, and they ring true. It is one of the ironies of life. All of us who live long enough find it out. No pleasure palls so quickly or lias such dis astrous consequences as “doing as we please.” A course of it leaves us a prey to lassitude and boredom. No struggling, no battling to ensure rest and satisfaction afterwards. No interest either. All is as fiat as ditch-wat-er. But this is not the worst. “Let me do as I please,” says the mind, and forthwith gets into trouble. Let us do what we please,” cry the young men and maidens, and think 'themselves hardly used when older people see more c. early than they do what is good for them, and try to prevent undesirable engagements, foolish marriages, hasty decisions, and imprudent ventures. Une must, be cruel to be kind sometimes. One of the most terrible moments m a parent’s life is that in, winch, aitei lona years, lie is confronted with the ■'reproach, “Why did you let me do it?” '■ 'v'' No children are more unfortunate than those who are allowed' to do just as they please. “Must” is the backbone of life to them as well as their elders. A child who gets every single thing he wants the moment he demands re, is fobbed of his measure of delight. Things withheld are the things valued, ■whether it be a child’s toy or a young man’s fancy. : . • , . That doing, as we please, instead ox being one of the best things in life, is really one of the worst ; and it is fortunate for general happiness that seltdenial, which is the exact opposite of “doing as we please,” may be trusted to bring satisfaction' to every human being in the long run.