How to Be a Powerful Woman, 1404

Beinecke Library, Visconti Tarot

“The better and more virtuous a lady is, the greater the war Envy very often makes against her... Therefore, the wise princess, and similarly all those who wish to act prudently, will be aware of this problem and provide themselves with a remedy... If Fortune should wish to assail her in any place (as it has done and does to many good people) and she finds out that some powerful person or persons do not wish her well, dislike her, and would harm her if they could... or by their false reports would portray her badly to barons, subjects or people, she will not make any sign that she notices it nor that she considers them her enemies... She should not talk carelessly... with a heart that is large and full, a lady cannot always keep quiet about what displeases her, but if she let slip a wrong word she might ruin her whole project… in such a situation the lady inevitably gains more in the long run by maintaining so long-suffering a manner than by being vengeful. There is no doubt that this teaching is suitable for princesses and ladies but also generally for all women.” 

Christine de Pizan, The Treasure of the City of Ladies

Wise princesses: putting up with everyone's crap since forever.

How to Pack Lunch (Businesswomen's Edition), 1889

Godey's Ladies' Book, December 1884

"Portable Lunches... To women breadwinners how to have some change from the fare they daily carry with them, and which, perhaps, has long since palled on their tired palates, is a very puzzling and important question…  It will seem almost a mockery, perhaps, to tell tired business women to do anything that will encroach on their precious time. Yet good, enjoyable food is health, and, if they are well nourished, they will be more vigorous, and perhaps feel more inclined to take a little trouble… 

Chocolate sandwich.
Cut thin slices of bread and butter as for other sandwiches, have a cake of sweetened chocolate in a warm spot over night, or long enough to become soft like cheese. Scrape it and spread thickly over the bread and butter, then make into sandwiches. This sandwich, when the appetite is jaded and craves variety, will be agreeable to chocolate lovers. A cake of chocolate between two crackers is another form of it." 

Mrs. John A. Logan, The Home Manual

Age-old secret of successful businesswomen: the chocolate sandwich. 

How to Wash Your Hair, 12th century

"Dear Past, How often should I wash my hair and what should I wash it with? Sincerely, Hair Befuddled in the Present"

Mary Magdalene
14th century, Les Enluminures

"After leaving the bath, let her adorn her hair, and first of all let her wash it with a cleanser such as this. Take ashes of burnt vine, the chaff of barley nodes, and licorice wood (so that it may the more brightly shine), and sowbread... with this cleanser let the woman wash her head. After the washing, let her leave it to dry by itself, and her hair will be golden and shimmering...  If the woman wishes to have long and black hair, take a green lizard and, having removed its head and tail, cook it in common oil. Anoint the head with this oil. It makes the hair long and black." 

The Trotula (12th century)

How frequently you should do this is not explained, but if you are going the lizard-conditioner route, my recommendation is: use sparingly.

How to Practice Your Side Eye, 1913

                                             
"The muscles of the eyes may be strengthened by slowly moving the orbs from side to side and also by bending the head a little forward and rolling them up and down. One does not want to practise this too many times; the eyes need to be stimulated, not fatigued."

          Marie Montaigne, How to Be Beautiful (1913) 

One does not want to practice this in public, either. Train those orbs in the comfort of your own boudoir before you give the world the side eye. 

How to Please Italian Gentlemen, ca. 1309

Tacuinum sanitatis Casanatense

"Once I was in Venice. We saw a beautiful woman. One of us asked: 'What do you think of that lady?' One replied: 'I would like her if she did not laugh.' Another said: 'Because of that I like her more.' A third answered: 'I would like her best if she could laugh but hide her missing tooth.' I avoid mentioning her name so as not to insult this lady."

          Francesco da Barberino, 
          Reggimento e costumi di 
          donna (ca. 1309)

Oh, that jolly Venetian gal! I bet she lost the tooth in an altercation with an Italian gentleman.