Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1948)

Your Hands Are Showing ( Continued from page 64) San Bernardino. Because she, too, had a special beauty routine. “In fact,” says Dottie, “all that domestic exercise made my nails stronger than they ever were before.” Which is reasonable enough. Nails, you know, like teeth and skin, bespeak general health always. The first thing to do to bring your hands to greater beauty is to consider the length and shape of your nails. Long pointed nails are dated. Let your nails grow out with the corners square or slightly rounded. Nails kept the width of the fingers grow stronger. Don’t bruise your nails with cuticle pushers. And don’t clip your cuticle. Never oil or wash your nails before you file them. This has a softening effect — makes them more likely to tear under the file and emery board. Hold an emery board or file flat against the edge of the nail or tip it slightly toward the underneath area. Be sure to take in the entire tip of your nail with every stroke. Don’t use either file or emery like a buzz saw. And don’t let them bite into the corners of your nail where it joins the cuticle. POLISH will protect weak nails. Every now and then, however, go without polish for a week or so — to give your nails a “breather.” Whenever you remove your polish soak your hands in warm olive oil. Buffing strengthens the nails by stimulating circulation. So buff your nails even though you immediately cover their shine with polish. Never shake your polish bottle. Shaking produces bubbles. Clean your polish brush regularly. Keep it free of dust, little particles of hardened polish and loose hairs. To keep polish from chipping wipe a fine hairline off the edge of the nail. Short nails will look longer if you’ll cover them completely, even the moons. Nails will look slimmer if you leave a hairline free from polish on each side. If you keep your nails short because you do heavy housework, play the piano, type or use your hands in some similar way, take a leaf from Diana Lynn’s book and use only a clear or subdued pink polish. A small jar of oil on your night table will help you remember to oil your cuticle daily. So your hands will be supple, exercise them. Wring them and pull on imaginary gloves, a la Rita Hayworth. Rita also snaps her fingers on a table, pulls every finger back as far as possible and shakes her hands until her fingertips tingle. See that your gloves fit properly, are not too tight and are free at all times from ugly folds. Betty Grable, who learned to use her hands gracefully years ago when she was a dancer, says men like to see a woman’s hands in graceful repose. She warns against toying with table silver, twisting your rings or putting your hands to your hair or face. And last, but far, far from least, see that your hands — which do more grubbing than any other part of the body — get plenty of soap and water. Gene Tierney, who is credited with having especially beautiful hands, says, “Soap and water isn’t enough. Scrub your hands briskly with a small stiff brush — as often as possible.” Lend yourself a helping hand by giving your hands meticulous care. You’ll be surprised what this will do for your lifeline— and your heart-line! The End W A si qst 50 daw wad l “I’m fed up with ‘wash day fairy tales.’ How any grown woman can believe some of them is more than I can understand!” Lady, we don’t blame you. But please don’t point at Fels-Naptha Soap. Every word we say about Fels-Naptha has been said before . . . by the women tuho use it. In fact many of our customers make stronger claims for this fine laundry soap than we do. We say Fels-Naptha is better because it gives you two great cleaners — gentle, active naptha and good mild soap; that it makes all kinds of washing quicker and easier; that it makes linens and delicate garments so fragrantly clean they’re a joy to behold. And we believe — if you try Fels-Naptha Soap— you’ll never even read another 'wash day fairy tale.’ Fels-Naptha Soap BAJY/SHES "TATTLE-TALE GRAY'