Dripread - Book

"successive contrast of colors."

Colors for Blondes and for Brunettes.

Now, for a practical application of this knowledge.

The hair of the blond is a mixture of red, yellow and brown. As a rule
the skin is lighter, that is, it contains not so much orange, and the
tinges of red are lighter. Nature, therefore, very properly made the
blond's eyes blue, since the blue is complementary to the orange of her
hair.

The brunette's skin, on the other hand, has more orange in it, and hence
a color favorable to one would not be becoming to the other.

What would be the effect of green upon a complexion deficient in red? It
would certainly heighten the rose tints in the cheeks, but the greatest
care should be exercised in the selection of the proper shade of green,
because the brunette's complexion contains a great deal of orange, and
the green, acting upon the red of the orange, could readily produce a
brick-dust appearance. Green, therefore, is a risky color for a
brunette, and so is violet, which would neutralize the yellow of the
orange and heighten the red. But if the orange complexion had more
yellow than red, then the association of violet would produce pallor.
Yellow, of course, is her color, since its complementary violet
neutralizes the yellow of the orange complexion and leaves the red.

But with the yellow-haired blond the conditions are very different. The
complementary of blue is orange, which improves the hair and freshens
the light flesh tints. A blond, therefore can wear blue, just as a
brunette can wear yellow.

In arranging flowers the same law holds. Complementary colors should be
placed side by side; blue with orange, yellow with violet, red and rose
with green leaves. And anyone who successfully selects his wall paper
and house furnishings is drawing unconsciously, perhaps, on an intuitive
knowledge of these fundamental facts. Dark papers are bad, especially in
rooms with a northern exposure, because they absorb too much light. The
complementaries of red and violet are exceedingly trying to most
complexions, and orange and orange-yellow are fatiguing to the eye. The
most pleasing effects are to be had with yellow, light blue and light
green, for the latter freshens the red in pale skins, and the blue
heightens blond complexions, and goes well with gilding and with
mahogany and cherry furniture.

COLOR CONTRAST AND HARMONY.

The following tables will be found useful in selecting colors for dress,
decoration, or any other purpose in which the proper application of the
true laws of contrast and harmony in color is desirable:

Contrasts in Color.

Yellow contrasts with--
Purple, russet, and auburn.
Red contrasts with--
Green, olive, and drab.
Blue contrasts with--
Orange, citrine, and buff.

Harmonies in Color.

Yellow harmonizes with--
Orange, green, citrine, russet, buff, and drab.
Red harmonizes with--
Orange, purple, russet, citrine, auburn, and buff.
Blue harmonizes with--
Purple, green, olive, citrine, drab, and auburn.

THE CARE OF THE TEETH.

Decay of the teeth, or caries, commences externally, appearing upon the
enamel or bony structure of the teeth. Usually it is the result of
chemical action produced by decomposition of food. Acids found in some
fruits will cause decay if allowed to remain in contact with the teeth.
Then there are the natural mouth acids, which, although not strong, are
none the less effective if allowed to remain long enough around the
teeth. Microscopical examinations have shown that the secretions of
almost every person's month contain more or less vegetable and animal
life that will withstand the application of acids and astringents and
will only succumb to alkalies. A dentifrice or mouth wash should be
alkaline.

Toothache.

Toothache is not always due to an exposed nerve, for in the majority of
teeth extracted because they are painful the nerve is dead. Inflammation
is often the cause of the trouble.

A toothache due to inflammation is a steady, aggravating pain,
overspreading the affected side of the face, sometimes even the neck and
shoulder. As there is no nerve to kill in a case of this kind, the tooth
should be treated until cured, or removed upon the first symptom of
trouble. Its extraction would be unattended by any danger and would
afford welcome relief.

Tartar, a creamy, calcareous deposit, supposed to be from the saliva,
will sometimes cause toothache. It accumulates around the necks of the
teeth and eventually becomes

The Handy Cyclopedia of Things Worth Knowing / A Manual of Ready Reference