Before we had the internet to share hair care recipes, there were newspapers that published articles specifically for women.
The article below was originally published in 1919 and is being reprinted here strictly for research purposes.
Beauty Ways To Care For Your Hair Before Retiring
Some women fail to understand the beautifying results of the proper care of their hair before retiring. They allow their hair to remain done up during their sleeping hours, and thorough brushing and combing at bedtime is frequently either carelessly accomplished or not done at all. You should do a thorough take down of your hair at night and comb it out evenly and smoothly. Then you should brush it thoroughly and allow it to remain flowing or do it up in one or two loose braids.
If your hair is inclined to be dry some bland oil should be rubbed into your scalp with the tips of your fingers about once a week. Pure white vaseline answers very well for this purpose, because it doesn’t turn rancid and it helps promote the growth of hair. Only the smallest amounts should adhere to your fingers, and it should be rubbed into your scalp and not on your hair.
If your hair is inclined to fall out, a tonic vaseline and oil combination may be applied to your scalp every two or three nights.
The following tonic is excellent:
- White vaseline – 3 ounces
- Castor oil – 1-1/2 ounces
- Oil of bergamot – 30 drops
The vaseline and castor oil are thoroughly rubbed together until an even mixture is obtained, and the essential oil is then added slowly and distributed by further rubbing.
If your hair is dull and you wish to impart a luster, the following may help:
- Oil of almonds (sweet) – 3 ounces
- Oil of rosemary – 1 ounce
- Oil of lavender – 30 drops
If your hair is naturally oily and a perfume is desired, any essential oil, such as oil of violet, oil of bergamot or oil of lavender may be used in the same manner – that is, by applying lightly with the finger tips, though a perfumed oil should be used sparingly, certainly not more than once a week.
Sometimes the least touch of an essential oil and a bland oil may be given, especially after a shampoo, to give sheen to your hair. Such preparations are known as brilliantine.
The night before you expect to shampoo your hair, the following ointment should be massaged into your scalp if your hair is inclined to be dry:
- Lanolin – 1 ounce
- Sulphur – 1/4 ounce
An old fashioned hair tonic which is said to be effective in restoring color to faded hair and in arresting falling hair and which also stimulates the growth of new hair is made of green tea and new garden sage, prepared as follows:
- Green tea – 2 ounces
- Green sage (dried) – 2 ounces
Put in an iron pot which can be closely covered, and pour over the herbs three quarts of boiling water – preferably soft water – let simmer until reduced one-third. Then take off the fire and leave the liquid in the pot for twenty-four hours. Strain and bottle. Wet your hair with this lotion thoroughly every night and massage your scalp for ten minutes both night and morning. This tonic has the inconvenience of staining your pillow if your hair isn’t dry before retiring.
Source: The Chattanooga news. (Chattanooga, Tenn.), 27 Oct. 1919.
