Care Of The Hair.

During the Summer season we find that the hair often becomes dry and brittle, principally owing to the action of the salt water on the hair. It is absolutely necessary to wash the hair thoroughly with fresh water to get rid of the salt. It cannot be too forcibly emphasised that it is nothing short of disastrous for anyone who has been sheltered from the weather to spend days on the beach, hatless, in the sun and wind. Such exposure dries the scalp and takes more than a toll of natural oil from it. If we are careless about taking precautions about sun and wind-burning, we must look round for a remedy to see what can be done to get our appearance back to normal. We must do away with the appearance

Young New Zealanders enjoy themselves at afternoon tea.

of our hair looking like tufts of dried, dyed hay, which it certainly does in its dry, brittle and bleached condition. Our thoughts at this stage naturally turn to the oil shampoos, and if the following directions are faithfully carried out, the hair will have the well-groomed look which is the pride of the womenfolk.

Warm the oil and apply to the scalp with a piece of absorbent cotton wool. Then massage the scalp thoroughly for at least ten minutes. Then take a towel and wring it out again in hot water and apply once more. Renew several times. This treatment opens the pores of the scalp and allows the oil to be absorbed. Shampoo as usual and rinse again. Shampoo the hair again at the end of the week, and continue to do so until the hair has regained its former appearance.

Regular massage is essential to keep the scalp healthy and the hair glossy and luxuriant, by stimulating the circulation through the scalp and the roots of the hair.

To massage, first part the hair in the centre, then press the tips of the fingers firmly on the scalp on the line of parting, and moving them in a rotary motion, at the same time pressing the sides of the head with the heels of the hands, so that the scalp moves with the action of the hands. Repeat this process until the whole of the head has been massaged, which should take at least five minutes.

Perfect cleanliness is necessary to keep the hair from becoming lustreless and dull in colour. Of course, the brushes and combs must be kept scrupulously clean.

A simple shampoo which can easily be made and will keep for some time is as follows:—

Dissolve as much Castile soap as is required—approximately half a cake to one pint of water. When the soap is thoroughly dissolved put it aside to cool, then beat well, adding the yolk of an egg. Lavender Water or Eau de Cologne, or any special perfume, can be added to give the shampoo a professional touch.

One cannot stress too strongly the necessity for thoroughly rinsing the hair during the washing process, as this is an essential part of the performance.

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