Page:The White House Cook Book.djvu/623

 TOILET RECIPES, ITEMS. 581

rose, oil of lemon thirty* drops, oil of bergamot fifteen drops. Rub thoroughly together.

The French throw this powder into alcohol, shaking it, letting it settle, then pouring off the alcohol and drying the powder. In that case, the perfume is added lastly.

TO REMOVE FRECKLES.

THE following lotion is highly recommended : One ounce of lemon juice, a quarter of a drachm of powdered borax, and half a drachm of sugar ; mix in a bottle, and allow them to stand a few days, when the liquor should be rubbed occasionally on the hands and face. Another application is: Friar's balsam one part, rose-water twenty parts.

Powdered nitre moistened with water and applied to the face night and morning, is said to remove freckles without injury to the skin.

Also, a tablespoonful of freshly grated horse-radish, stirred into a cupful of sour milk ; let it stand for twelve hours, then strain and apply often. This bleaches the complexion also, and takes off tan.

TO REMOVE MOTH PATCHES.

IXTO a pint of rum put a tablespoonful of flour of sulphur. Ap- ply this to the patches once a day, and they will disappear in two or three weeks.

CURE FOR PIMPLES.

ONE teaspoonful of carbolic acid and one pint of rose-water mixed is an excellent remedy for pimples. Bathe the skin thoroughly and often, but do not let the wash get into the eyes.

This wash is soothing to mosquito bites, and irritations of the skin of every nature.

It is advisable, in order to clear the complexion permanently, to cleanse the blood ; then the wash would be of advantage.

To obtain a good complexion, a person's diet should receive the first attention. Greasy food, highly spiced soups, hot bread and but- ter, meats or game, rich gravies, alcoholic liquors, coffee all are in- jurious to the complexion. Strong tea used daily will after a time give the skin the color and appearance of leather. Coffee affects the nerves more, but the skin less, and a healthy nervous system is neces- sary to beauty. Eating between meals, late suppers, over-eating at

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