1212. Golden Brown Hair Dye

1212.      Golden Brown Hair Dye. Brown hair may have a golden tone imparted to it by the judicious application of any of the yellow dyes already noticed. Light hair may be previously dyed of a warm light brown before applying the latter. A solution of sulphate of copper (blue vitriol) followed by a solution of ferrocyanide of potassium, gives an extremely rich golden brown or bronze brown to light hair, when the process is expertly managed.

1213. Cautions about Applying Hair Dyes

1213.    Cautions about Applying Hair Dyes. The application of the above dyes, so as to produce appropriate and agreeable shades, requires more consideration and experience than that of the black dyes. The complexion, and the natural color of the hair of the person operated on, with other attendant circumstances, must be carefully considered beforehand, and allowed for. Unless all these points be attended to, the party may, on looking in the mirror, suddenly find himself strangely altered in appearance, and probably for the worse. Hair dyes of all kinds will only act effectively and satisfactorily on perfectly clean hair. The presence or the slightest contamination of oily or greasy matter will arrest or greatly lessen their action, and render it unequal in different parts. Hence the hair, in all cases, should be first thoroughly washed with warm soap and water, then rinsed with tepid water, and lastly, wiped dry previous to their application. A few grains of soda or of salt of tartar (carbonate of potassa) added to the first water, will facilitate its detergent action

1214. To Bleach Hair

1214.    To Bleach Hair. It has been found in the case of bleaching hair that gaseous chlorine is the most effectual. The hair should be cleaned for this purpose by a warm solution of soda, and washed afterwards with water. While moist it is put into a jar and chlorine gas introduced, until the air in the jar looks greenish. Allow it to stand for 24 hours, and if necessary repeat the operation. The employment of binoxide of hydrogen has been often recommended for this purpose, it being in every way superior to the other agents, but it has the drawback of being difficult to prepare.

1215. Lotions to Change the Color of the Hair

1215.    Lotions to Change the Color of the Hair. A number of lotions are extensively advertised, and sold under the name of " Hair Restorers," " Hair Rejuvenators," " Life for the Hair," etc., which purport to restore the color and improve the growth of the hair. The active agent in all these preparations is lead, combined with sulphur, and this, by frequent application, darkens the hair. In the majority of cases, probably, a moderate use of such a lotion would be unattended with mischief; but it is worth remembering that palsy has been known to be produced by the long continued use of cosmetics containing lead. The following receipts show how these restorers are made :

1216. Hair Coloring which is not a Dye

1216.    Hair Coloring which is not a Dye. Take 1 drachm lac sulphur; sugar of lead, 2 scruples; glycerine, 2 ounces; distilled water, 6 ounces; mix, and perfume to fancy. Or, lac sulphur and sugar of lead, each 1 drachm; sulphate of iron (copperas), 10 grains; glycerine, 2 ounces; water, 6 ounces; mix and perfume. Shake well before using, and apply with a sponge every other day until a change of color is obtained, after which one application each week will be sufficient. The hair must be cleansed of all greasy matter before using the above. (See No. 1213 (Cautions about Applying Hair Dyes).)

1217. Magic Hair Colorer and Restorer

1217.    Magic Hair Colorer and Restorer. Take of sugar of lead, 1/2 ounce; lac sulphur, 3 drachms; aqua ammonia, 11/2 ounces; glycerine, 6 ounces; water sufficient to fill a pint bottle; mix, and perfume to suit the fancy. Or, take of lac sulphur and sugar of lead, each 1 drachm; tinctures of capsicum, and cantharides, each 1/2 ounce; glycerine, 2 ounces; water, 5 ounces. Apply as above. Do not employ any greasy oils in perfuming these preparations. (See No. 1213 (Cautions about Applying Hair Dyes).)

1218. Hair Restorative

1218. Hair Restorative. Take 1 drachm milk of sulphur, 1 drachm acetate of lead, 2 drachms muriate of soda, 2 fluid ounces glycerine, 8 fluid ounces bay rum, 4 fluid ounces Jamaica rum, and 1 pint water. Mix together, and shake before using.