The Arts of Beauty/Chapter 5
Besides the rational and natural means of developing and preserving the beauty of the skin, there are many artificial devices by which a lady may keep up and show off her attractions to great advantage, and for a long period.
As long ago as 1809, an odd and half-crazy old duke in London, used to take a sweat in a hot-milk bath, which was found to impart a remarkable whiteness and smoothness to his skin, and the ladies very naturally caught the idea of using the milk-bath as a means of beautifying their complexion. In another place I have mentioned some ludicrous scenes which followed the habit of milk-bathing in Paris.
But a far more rational, less expensive, and more scientific bath for cleaning and beautifying the skin is that of tepid water and bran, which is really a remarkably fine softener and purifyer of the surface of the body.
The ladies of ancient Greece and Rome, who were said to be remarkable for the brightness and transparency of their skins, used to rub themselves with a sponge, dampened with cold water, and follow this process by rubbing hard with a dry napkin. Rightly managed, the human skin is susceptible of a high polish. Friction is never to be neglected by those who would shine in the courts of beauty.
The following wash was in great use among the beauties of the Spanish Court, and gives a polished whiteness to the neck and arms.
Infuse wheat-bran, well sifted, for four hours in white wine vinegar, add to it five yolks of eggs and two grains of ambergris, and distill the whole. It should be carefully corked for twelve or fifteen days, when it will be fit for use.
A lady may apply it every time she makes her toilet, and it will be sure to add a fine polish and lustre to her skin.
The following wash is a great favorite with the ladies on the continent of Europe, and cannot be used without the happiest effects, while it is a delightful and refreshing perfume:
Distill two handfuls of jessamine flowers in a quart of rose-water and a quart of orange water. Strain through porous paper, and add a scruple of musk and a scruple of ambergris.
There cannot be a more agreeable wash for the skin.