Archive for December, 2008

Now that winter has settled into most of the United States the way my younger sister settles in for America’s Next Top Model marathons, many of us are facing a common problem: dry skin. And, if you’re like me, you’ve tried every intense hand lotion, body lotion and Vaseline-like remedy on the market to try and combat it. So, this year I decided to research some alternative winter skin care regimens.

Here are a few natural steps you can take toward maintaining healthy, glowing skin – even during January.

Drink plenty of water. Staying well-hydrated will help keep your skin looking fresh and feeling healthy.

Exfoliate. Getting rid of the layers of old, dead skin cells can help reveal the brand new, healthy skin underneath. To make a natural exfoliant, just mix some sugar with honey and water (or sea salt and olive oil) and rub into skin using small circles.

Eat fatty acids. Foods like avocado, nuts and olives contain omega 3’s which promote cell growth, keeping skin healthy and younger looking.

Topical treatments. Omega 3’s can also work when rubbed onto the skin. Make a face mask out of mashed avocado and let some fatty acids sink into your skin.

Honey treatments. Combine a small dollop of honey and water and cover your face. A small amount of honey won’t make your face sticky, but its natural antioxidants and moisturizers will keep your face free from patches of dry skin.

I know there are plenty of others – these are just the ones I’ve tried so far. Do you have any natural home remedies for dry skin? Right now, I’m looking for something that works specifically for dry, cracked hands. I’ll keep you posted on any great discoveries.

I’ll be honest. I don’t go to salons. It’s not that I don’t have the money. I just spend it on things like beer, video games, motorcycles and …literature. I’m a guy, but, my girlfriend is a veteran merchandiser in an upscale salon. She knows beauty. She talks about her work all the time, and (more specifically) gabs about her co-workers. “This girl said that to this girl who did that who you would not believe went out with that girl’s man,” and so on. More plots and characters inhabit her work day than the entire cast and catalog of The Sopranos.

Like any normal guy who has to listen to his girl blabber on and on, I began to wonder, “When will she ever tell me an interesting story?” So, I decided to ask female friends of my own about their uncomfortable, gasp-inducing or awful experiences in today’s modern salon. Some are customers and some are professionals with full cosmetology licenses.

Attention to detail is important
A lady came into the salon and sat at this station next to me while I was getting a cut. She requested that 1/2″ be taken off her hair all the way around. The stylist cut her hair and the lady left seemingly happy. Twenty minutes later she marched right back into the salon, walked past me to the next stylist’s station, screamed at her, picked her shears up with just the blades sticking out and attempted to stab the stylist in the head. By the time we had her subdued, the stylist had gashes on her chest and some on her neck. The manager who broke up the altercation needed stitches in both hands.

My stylist told me the result of the court trial. Even with a verdict for assault with a deadly weapon, she was only given 50 hours of community service.
~ Keeley, Brooklyn NY

The “butch look” is in, trust me.
A woman came into my salon and requested a perm. But she had bleached every last pigment out of her hair, which was damaged beyond belief. I advised her that if I were to perm her hair, each and every strand of hair would come out with the rod, right down to the root. She got defensive and said that what I described wouldn’t happen. She “knows her hair” better than me. “Fine,” I think. The customer is always right and she gets what she wants.

Just to cover my butt, I wrote into the services receipt stating that I advised against a perm for this client and any and all damage resulting is her responsibility. She inspected it, signed it and we proceeded. One hour later, she had a crispy butch blonde cut and I had a very unhappy customer. She left without paying, threatening to sue. We never heard from her again.
~ Scott, Overland Park KS

Bag of tricks
I worked in the tanning area of a day spa for a few years. One of my new male customers came up to the desk a bit tipsy, and carrying a Crown Royal brand whiskey bag. I thought, “Did he finish that whole thing in the car?” but went ahead and put him in a tanning room. So 30 minutes pass, but he’s still locked in his room. At 45 minutes, I’m knocking loudly on the door, but still nothing. I open the door, and there he is, passed out on the tanning bed with headphones on. Then I notice why he brought the Crown Royal bag with him. I guess you could say he liked the “tan line-free” look.
~ Chandra, Denver CO

These days, it seems like belts are doing a whole lot more than holding up pants. Whether they’re chunky chains slung around the hips or basic black with a fabulous buckle worn inches above the waistline, belts are everywhere. And, they’re certainly more about fashion than function.

From the red carpet to your local super market, belts are back with a bang. Here are a few reasons why they’re everywhere:

Instant Figure. Wearing a belt with a dress, over a sweater or with a skirt can help you create the illusion of an hour glass figure by drawing attention to the smallest part of your body.

Great Curves. Wearing a simple, thin belt directly below the bust can give you a stylish empire waistline and give you instant curves.

Fashion that Pops. Not feeling your plain Jane outfit? Just add a brightly colored or metallic belt and transform your look with a splash of fashion-forward pizzazz.

Why not? Belts are a fun, easy way to amp up your wardrobe. Instead of dropping bundles of cash on a new outfit, get a great new belt and transform your look instantly.

I found this video on you tube that might give you a couple of cute ways to wear belts. They drop a few designers names as examples, but you certainly don’t have to spend tons of money to create the looks they suggest.