Cozy Friedman Archives (2024)

When I was a teenager in the 1970s, North American fashion magazine covers presented an almost uniform sameness month after month, year after year. Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, Lauren Hutton, Shelly Hack, Farrah Fawcett… all blonde, blue-eyed and All-American. Even the brunette models had the same sky blue eyes; Jaclyn Smith, anyone?

If you were very lucky, Beverly Johnson would make a rare appearance on the cover of something other than Ebony, or Janice Dickinson could be found on the cover of Paris Vogue.

For those of us with hair that wasn’t blond and who didn’t have blue eyes, there were few women in the public eye who looked like us. And the fashion industry at the time had a ready excuse for it, too — light eyes photograph better than dark ones was the prevailing wisdom.

With the dawn of the age of the “super” model in the late 1980s, it was obvious that the face of the fashion industry was changing. While nowhere near as integrated and eclectic as the populations they served, magazines began to showcase culturally diverse women like Yasmeen Ghauri, Iman, Veronica Webb and Christy Turlington, and replaced the blonde, blue-eyed “All-American Girl” with the brown-eyed brunette, Cindy Crawford.

By this time, I was long past those “formative” years and I carried a secret yearning for blue or green eyes to match the pale, celtic skin and rich auburn hair of my Scots-Irish heritage. But several more years were to pass before technology in the eye care industry was able to make my dream a reality.

In the fall of 1994, I read an article in the Fashion section of The Toronto Star about a local optician who was carrying a new brand of soft contact lenses in colour, including a non-prescription (plano”> version of the product for people who simply wanted to change the colour of their eyes. This optician happened to be located between my apartment building and my office, and on my next pay day, I stopped by his office and plunked down my 50 Canadian dollars to become a green-eyed lady!

It took me a bit of time to learn how to put them in, as I do not wear contacts on a daily basis – I wear glasses with different prescriptions for reading and for distance. And once I did get them in, they weren’t comfortable for more than a couple of hours at a time.

Over the next couple of years, I kept the same pair and wore them only on special occasions. I was scrupulous about cleaning them properly, as anyone who wears contacts on a regular basis should be, and they lasted until I lost track of them in my move from Toronto to Ottawa and didn’t find them again until 1998. At that point, I realized they were probably past their “best before” date, and tossed them out.

It was while researching my column for August 2004 about the makeup colours to suit different eye colours that I thought about buying colour contacts again. I thought it might be a good idea to put those colour theories to the test. But by then, it was almost impossible to buy one pair in colour for occasional use. Almost every contact lens manufacturer offers a six-pack of lenses for about the same price I paid for one pair over 10 years ago.

This summer, I discovered an online company that sells individual pairs of coloured lenses in varieties they call subtle, bold and dramatic. Comfort Lenses also makes theatrical-effects lenses for television, movies and stage productions. Though almost the same price for one pair as a box of the most popular brand, Fresh Look, the Comfort Lenses are supposedly suitable for daily wear for up to three months, so I suspect I will get a couple of years from my “dramatic green” and “bold violet”.

The green is intensely, vivid jade. When I wear them, I am totally startled at how different I look. And while the violet is less shocking in appearance, I still feel “unlike myself” when I look in the mirror. These lenses are as comfortable as the manufacturer claims, however, and I was able to wear my “Elizabeth Taylor eyes” for an entire evening when I went to a Halloween party.

Recently, I got Encore Colour lenses from Singapore in blue and grey. Colour contacts are very popular with Asian women, who regard the lenses as cosmetic items for everyday wear. These seem to be a bit larger than the American-made Comfort Lenses, although Cooper is a well-known manufacturer. I find them a little more difficult to get in my eye, but they are easy to wear and very natural-looking.
Until last fall, colour contact lenses were considered “cosmetic items” in the United States. However, as of November 9, 2005, all contact lenses are classified as “medical devices” by the FDA and you must buy them – even the plain ones – from a reputable eye care professional and have them fitted.

Go ahead! Turn your brown eyes blue… just do it safely!

CurlyTeen Scene is a column especially for curly teens. Julia Rizzo is a teenager living in Central New York. When not writing, she enjoys acting, reading and snow skiing. She has loved writing as long as she can remember, and plans to pursue a career in English. She hopes her column will provide encouragement and inspire girls to love their curly hair.

I’ve realized that in my nine months of writing this column, I’ve catered mostly to girls. Yes, we worry a lot about our hair, but lately it has come to my attention that there are a lot of curly guys out there, too! So this month I’ll write a column for all of you, our friends, brothers and boyfriends.

One of my guy friends has curly red hair, which he adamantly refuses to let anyone touch. We all tease him about his insistence on not having his hair messed with. But he’s onto something. The more you touch curly hair after you style it, the more it has a tendency to frizz. In the same vein, it is almost never a good idea for guys to blow-dry their hair.

Stick to the basics, boys. Einstein had an interesting look, but probably not one you want to emulate. Also, don’t let it get too long. Curly hair in your eyes and face will not only be hard to manage, but you’ll probably find yourself looking a little bit like a poodle by the end of the day.

So, now that you’ve got some don’ts of curly hair, here are a few do’s. Curly hair is usually dry hair, so try to condition. If you shower twice a day (athletes and the germaphobes alike”>, a conditioner is a must! Suave for Men 2 in 1 Shampoo/Conditioner works well for my brother, who plays soccer year ’round. It’s inexpensive, and just as quick as your regular shampoo. It’ll clean your hair and condition it all in one step, it smells masculine, and you can take it to the gym without shame.

For those of you up for a little styling (especially if you have finer hair that just needs some taming”>, try a light cream or gel. Almost anything with a light hold will do, and remember, you’ll need one with a lighter hold than your friends who want to spike their hair.

Generally you can just rub some on your palms, run your hands through damp hair after getting out of the shower and you’re good to go.

So girls, share this column with your guys. And, guys, take heart; taking good care of your curly hair doesn’t have to be a long process. With one or two convenient products in your shower or gym bag, who knows? You may find you have a whole new ‘do, and a whole new you!

Email your questions/comments to Julia.

Once again I have this special time to speak to the Curly/Textured Girls of the world through this fabulous venue. As the holiday season approaches, I would like to take this time to reflect on what a very tumultuous year this has been. But also, I would like to give thanks for all the wonderful blessings that have been bestowed upon us all. Let’s give thanks to ladies of NaturallyCurly.com, who are growing stronger than ever and are able to deliver curly information to a global medium. And I am especially thankful that in January I will be launching the long-awaited collection of my styling products — TAI TEXTURE HAIR CARE, January 2006 — which was first featured on NaturallyCurly.com as a limited edition. In honor of the luanch, we are giving away some of our uniquely designed Textured Inspired T-shirts right here on NaturallyCurly.com. Blessings & Happy New Year!

Q: I would like to know if you have any theories on why single-strand knots form at the end of your hair, and what ways those can be avoided!

Diane: Two common reasons why knots form at the end of the hair are a.”> The ends are very dry and porous and b.”> they are split ends, or both. Depending on the texture or curl pattern, coily hair will form knots faster than any other curl because the hair naturally curls together. Hence, if the hair is dry and split, it forms a knot. You can avoid knots by using a moisturizing conditioner after cleansing and by shaping or trimming the hair at least every two months. Also, one should apply pomade or gloss on the ends of the hair daily or as needed to provide moisture. I’ve created a complete line of styling products especially formulated for curly and textured hair that will be available in CurlMart in January 2006. Tai Texture WhipCrème is a moisturizing pomade and sealing heat protector that you can apply daily. Great for moisturizing the scalp and hair. WhipCrème contains shea butter, essential oils and sesame oil.

Q:: My name is Candace and I am a biracial woman (dad: black, mom: white”>. I have gone natural (no chemical relaxers, no heat, and cut off relaxed ends”> 13 months ago and my hair seems completely foreign to me. I’ve looked up pictures of mixed people online and my hair doesn’t look like those pictures at all. My hair definitely grows in curly but the curls are very small (smaller diameter than a pencil but bigger than a coffee stirrer”> and very shiny. It looks like my hair is locked but it isn’t. I was wondering if this is natural for biracial people, and if there is any chance that my hair’s texture will loosen as it gets longer because the shrinkage is unbearable. Also I have a lot of straight hair that actually grows in with my curls (It looks exactly like my mother’s hair only it’s growing out of my scalp”> and seems to strangle and tangle the curls. I use a lot of conditioner and make sure my hair is always moisturized but the straight hair won’t curl. It makes my curls look frizzy sometimes. Is this normal? Thank you for your time.

Diane: After reading your question, I must say, your hair is probably very beautiful and you’re just not accustomed to dealing with it now that it is in its natural texture. It is not uncommon for biracial individuals to have more than one texture on their head. From what you are saying, you have two distinct curl patterns – from both your father and mother. Most times, multi-ethnic individuals will have a blend of textures and their hair will be a combination curl pattern, which results in wavy or loose or very curly hair. However, sometimes you will have multiple textures on one head. Now, your goal is to work with what you have! The good news is that you have shiny hair, so it is not lacking in moisture or oils. However, it will be very important to keep your hair conditioned with a moisturizing cleanser and conditioner as it grows out. There are various styles you can try to control to elongate the curl pattern, like two-strand twists, coils and flat-twists, which are all demonstrated in my book, Textured Tresses. Also, purify your scalp and hair with a spa treatment for the scalp. Once a month, massage Tai Texture Botanical Treatment into the scalp and create an at-home steam conditioning treatment with the bathroom steam technique mentioned in the book. Simply, cleanse and condition your hair, rinse, comb through with a wide tooth comb, then massage Botanical Treatment into the scalp. Fill your bathroom with steam from the shower for 3-5 minutes and sit with the Botanical Treatment in your hair for another 15 to 20 minutes. The results will be soft, shiny and manageable tresses. Also, try Tai Texture StyleShine Gel for styling and setting wavy, curly and all textured sets. As your hair grows out and if you would like the curls looser, you can consider a botanical softener by PhtyoSpecific’s: The Relaxer or botanical temporary straightening balms that are applied before blow drying.

Q: I hope that you are doing well. My problem is that no matter what kind of products I use on my natural hair it just comes out looking puffy and dry. Can you recommend good hair products from shampoo to styling aids? I have a semi-natural curl pattern.

Diane: Hello, Semi –Natural. I think you might have your curl patterns confused. If your hair is semi-natural, it should be either wavy or loose curls. However, your texture might be coarse and thick if your hair is puffy and dry. Or semi-natural could mean you have a softener or texturizer in your hair, which then indicates that it was under texturized leaving the hair puffy and dry. In any case, your cleansers and conditioners should always be moisturizing — never protein-based or exact products made specifically for relaxed hair unless the hair is texturized. Also, try to use products that are made from plant and flower essences or botanicals. Pantene Relaxed and Natural has a great line of products with botanical ingredients that will assist you in your search for shampoos, conditioners and moisturizing products. My styling products — Tai Texture Lavender Mist, Texture Botanical Treatment, WhipCrème and Texture StyleShine Gel — are great products to begin your regime for controlling puffy and dry hair. Use the Botanical Treatment to condition the hair once a month or as a daily moisturizer. Try the StyleShine Gel to control frizz and puffiness. Texture Lavender Mist will moisturize, conditioner and detangle and will keep your hair vaporized throughout the day with a just a squeeze of the mist pump on loose or curly hair. Have fun experimenting with the products that works best for you.

Q: My 6-year-old daughter has curly, dry, thick hair that shrinks to the back of her neck when loose, and hangs down to her mid-back when it’s in braids. Whenever I use products on her hair, it just sucks it up. Then it’s back to the dry look again. I’d like to put it in twists, but need to know what types of products will keep it moisturized and will prevent it from looking so frizzy. I’ve been using oils. I want to go a little more natural. What would you recommend?

Diane: Your daughter’s hair is very thirsty, it wants a lot of moisture and is very porous. That is why it soaks up all the products. First thing, you have to have your daughter’s hair professionally conditioned to begin the process. I recommend she receive a Cream Bath conditioning treatment, which is a combination of a moisturizing conditioner and botanical oils — and then placed under a steam vapor dryer. This process will help the conditioners penetrate into the hair shaft as well as apply water vapor moisture into the hair cuticle. Botanical and essential oils are the best (they are natural”>. After you have completed that process, read my book, Textured Tresses, for at-home conditioning treatments. Tai Texture Hair Care — my collection of styling products — will be available on NaturallyCurly.com’s CurlMart in January 2006. I suggest you use the entire line on your daughter’s hair — from Texture Lavender Mist for daily light misting and conditioning to Botanical Treatment for hot oil treatments to the WhipCrème for moisturizing the scalp and hair and finally StyleShine Gel for Two-Strand Twist. Cleanse and conditioner with moisturizing products.

Q: What’s the best way to cut highly textured hair? Wet, dry, natural, straight? How often do you recommend a trim?

Diane Highly textured hair means that there are very tight curls and the hair is very dense. For this reason, the best way to cut or shape textured hair is by blowing the hair out first with a wide tooth comb to loosen the curl pattern slightly, leaving enough room to see the elasticity. Cutting highly textured hair dry will give the best result. However, when having the hair shaped, the stylist will allow for the curl pattern to bounce back into the curl formation, allowing for the length and amount taken off. I recommend a shaping or trim for healthy ends at least every 6 to 8 months depending on the texture and style cut.

Q: What are some techniques for getting chunkier curls?

Diane: There are several techniques that one can use to achieve chunkier curls. My understanding here is that chunkier means thicker or spirally. Apply Texture LavenderMist and StyleShine Gel after cleansing and conditioning. A”> Set the hair on long sponge rods to achieve chunky curls — they are available in several widths for your choice of dimension. B”> The Nubian Knot set, featured in Textured Tresses will also give you a similar look.

CurlyTeen Scene is a column especially for curly teens. Julia Rizzo is a teenager living in Central New York. When not writing, she enjoys acting, reading and snow skiing. She has loved writing as long as she can remember, and plans to pursue a career in English. She hopes her column will provide encouragement and inspire girls to love their curly hair.

Being a teenager and being busy seem to be synonymous.

Although I enjoy everything I’m involved in, it seems as if there just aren’t enough hours in the day with schoolwork, a job and everything else I do. Being a little short for time can be an all too familiar situation.

Luckily, curly hair care doesn’t have to be one more thing on the list!

There are a lot of ways you can style your hair with minimal time and effort, whether you have a ton to do or just want an extra 15 minutes of sleep.

My favorite trick is to shower at night, put some leave-in conditioner or light mousse in my hair, and then put it in a tight braid. The top comes out shiny and frizz free, and you have beautiful, tangle-free waves when you get up in the morning. Unbraid and enjoy!

One of the advantages of curly hair is that you can usually skip the blow-drying,and the heat and damage that goes with it. If you shower in the morning wrap your hair in a towel to get rid of excess water, then use your fingers to put in your favorite product. Your hair will dry while you get dressed, eat breakfast or walk the dog!

If you are a girl on the go who prefers her hair back and out of her face, “the Edwardian” is a beautiful style that shows off your curls while keeping them out of your face. I like this style because it controls my little fly-aways that tend to pop up during the day when I have my hair back.

I usually do this when my hair is wet, but it’s just as easy to do dry. First pick up a section of hair at your temple and twist it toward your head. Keep adding sections of hair as you move toward the back of your head, twisting as you go. Use a barrette or ponytail holder to fasten one side (or just have a parent, sibling or friend hold it”> while you do the other side. You can twist all your hair and put it in a low ponytail, on only do the hair around your face and put it half up. Once you practice a bit you’ll be able to do it in no time flat, and it’s a dressy and feminine alternative to the ponytail.

Just because our lives are crazy doesn’t mean our hair has to be. Whether you like to wear your hair up or down, with a little practice and some knowledge of your hair type, you can find quick and simple ways to make your hair beautiful every day.

Hopefully, if nothing else, it will help your morning go a little smoother!

Email your questions/comments to Julia.

CurlyTeen Scene is a column especially for curly teens. Julia Rizzo is a teenager living in Central New York. When not writing, she enjoys acting, reading and snow skiing. She has loved writing as long as she can remember, and plans to pursue a career in English. She hopes her column will provide encouragement and inspire girls to love their curly hair.

As a 16-year-old, I view the world from the perspective of a teenager who’s halfway done with high school. In this month’s column I’d like to explore curly hair from a different perspective, that of my 12-year-old sister.

My sister Lilly is in seventh grade and known for, among other things, her short, curly hair. She’s a member of her middle school’s swim team, outgoing, funny, and loves to meet new people. I’ve always thought that her spunky haircut complimented her perfectly, but I wondered what she thought of it.

So I asked her, and she told me “I like my hair. Sometimes it’s hard to manage, but it goes with my personality!” My friends come up to me all the time and compliment it, telling me how cute it is. According to her, her friends do the same. “My friends love my hair.” she told me. “They touch it all the time! Kids come up to me and tell me ‘Oh my gosh, I love your hair!’ They ask me if it’s natural.”

She loves her curls, and has learned to take care of them herself over the last few years. I asked her if she had any haircare secrets, and she told me “Leave-in conditioner. You have to use leave-in conditioner, especially if your hair is dry like mine. And don’t touch it while it’s air drying — it makes it frizz like crazy!”

She’s right; leave-in conditioner is one of the best things for curly hair. If your hair is less dry, or thinner, a spray is great. And if your hair is thick and dry, a cream helps to define curl and provides more intense conditioning. While watching my sister put all her hair under a swim cap is fun, all this leave-in conditioner ensures that when she takes off her swim cap after a meet, her hair hasn’t suffered from the chlorine.

I asked Lilly what she disliked and she said that she doesn’t like to see girls in her grade straighten their hair. “A lot of girls at school straighten their hair but quite a few girls leave it natural, too.” she told me, “I think when people leave their hair curly it looks gorgeous. When they straighten it, it looks fake and fried!”

I’m really glad my little sister loves her hair, and I support her all the way! I’ve been getting a lot of e-mails from preteens and parents of preteens, and I hope this encourages all of you to love, appreciate and take care of your awesome hair.

Any last words, Lilly?

“You gotta rock the hair!”

Email your questions/comments to Julia.

CurlyTeen Scene is a column especially for curly teens. Julia Rizzo is a teenager living in Central New York. When not writing, she enjoys acting, reading and snow skiing. She has loved writing as long as she can remember, and plans to pursue a career in English. She hopes her column will provide encouragement and inspire girls to love their curly hair.

By Julia Rizzo

Since writing my August column, I’ve had the opportunity to be a member of a People to People Student Ambassador Delegation. As we traveled through Italy, France and Greece I learned a lot about the countries we visited, the other teenagers we were traveling with, and about traveling itself.

In the countries we visited, I met many different people. And I did some people-watching, as well. As I walked around, I noticed many more curlies! The women I saw wore their hair down, loose around their shoulders. They had a tendency to wear their hair natural, whether it was straight or curly.

The other girls in my delegation did much the same thing . The combination of the need to pack light and a busy schedule made them forgo the straighteners and embrace their natural curl!

It was great to see girls leave behind their jumble of straighteners, blow dryers, barrel brushes and straightening balm, instead choosing to let their hair go natural. I met some really amazing people on this trip, and I learned that often we rely too much on our “routines”, whatever they may be, to make us feel beautiful.

What I’ve found is that the outside world sees us as just as vibrant when we skip the long morning ritual and opt instead for things that refresh and rejuvenate us.

So, if you’re a curly girl who’s been straightening her hair for as long as she can remember, break out! Experiment! Try putting in some leave-in conditioner or a little gel designed for people with curly hair and letting your hair air-dry. Your fingers can be your best styling tool; use them to scrunch and encourage curls along as your hair dries. You may be surprised by the results, and unleash a whole side of you that’s more confident with herself!

Sometimes all it takes is that one step, and you realize that you feel better about other aspects of your life. It may give you the boost you need to branch out and make other changes.

As we all head back to school, try simplifying your complex morning routine. Your attempts to “beautify” yourself in the morning may be producing more stress than confidence. Try setting aside that extra half hour or 45 minutes as time for you. Get some extra sleep, meditate, go for a walk, or cook yourself an extra-yummy breakfast.

You might find that you benefit the most when you give your mind a makeover!

Stay curly,

Julia

Email your questions/comments to Julia.

Once upon a time there was a little curly girl who liked to play with her aunt’s miniature Avon lipsticks. These were samples handed out by the Avon Ladies to customers so that you could “try before you buy”. Today we rely on swatches in the Avon catalogue that are helpfully labelled Warm, Cool and Neutral so that we can choose the shades that suit us best and avoid the mistake that 10-year old me made of wearing yellow eyeshadow and bright pink lipstick – together.

Maybe your first trips to the adult world of makeup involved your mom’s bottle of Chanel No. 5 or a furtive swipe of your older sister’s Russian Red lipstick from MAC. Most of us start with an experiment with someone else’s makeup.

Whether or not you are allowed to wear makeup when you start junior high or high school is a decision your parents will have to make with you. Because I attended a Catholic junior high with a dress code, Bonne Bell lip smackers and Love’s Baby Soft perfume were all I was allowed to wear when leaving the house.

The most important thing you can do for yourself in your teen years is to start a good skin care routine. It’s especially important now when your skin is prone to blemishes and breakouts. Not only will it lay the foundation for beautiful skin into your elder years, it will help fight off the breakouts.

Use a mild cleanser like Cetaphil Gentle or Bioré Shine Control Foaming Cleanser. Avoid scrub products with crushed apricot shells. These can break the skin and spread infection if you’re in the middle of a breakout period. Today’s scrub products use tiny plastic microbeads that are smooth and won’t tear your face.

If you have acne, try to keep your hands off your face. The dirt that your hands pick up as you go about your day sticks to skin oils when you touch your face and sits there clogging pores.

Remember, too, that acne is not caused by diet – it’s adult hormones producing that oil. A healthy diet doesn’t hurt, however, and try to drink more water to flush out toxins.

Don’t pick!!! I know how tempted you must be to squeeze pimples and blackheads, but I can tell you from personal experience that doing so leaves scars. These last years longer than teen acne and are more difficult to get rid of.

If you feel you need a toner after cleansing, use one without alcohol. Witch hazel is a popular alternative to commercial toners that is inexpensive and available everywhere. Toner is not a necessary step in cleansing, though many people like it to help remove every trace of cleanser.

Most people find that they can get through acne breakouts using over-the-counter products. The companies with the widest range of readily available acne-treatment products are Bioré, Neutrogena and Noxema. Proactive is available through infomercials and their website. Persistent and severe or cystic acne usually requires medical intervention. Your doctor may prescribe a topical treatment, or medication, or a combination of the two.

Even oily, blemish-prone skin requires a moisturizer, however, the lightest versions you can find are best for your face during these years. Neutrogena’s Multi-Vitamin Acne Treatment is an oil-free moisturizer that also helps to reduce breakouts. During the day, use an oil-free sunscreen like Neutrogena’s Healthy Defense or Coppertone Oil Free Faces Sunblock. Sunscreens can be used instead of moisturizer.

Which brings us to colour!

Youthful skin should never be completely covered. Even if you are having a serious breakout, the solution is not to slather yourself in foundation in an attempt to hide the blemishes. Using the wrong colour or type of concealing product will only draw attention to the things you’d like to hide.<

Find a foundation or concealer that matches your skin exactly. This is one place where you should not skimp on cost, however, most good foundations are expensive. Last year, L’Oréal came out with a drugstore product that makes it easier to match your skin tone without using up a week’s allowance. True Match comes in a wide range of warm, cool and neutral tones from light to dark. It also has companion concealer and powder. For more information on hiding blemishes, see my May 2005 column.

Use a light hand when applying colour makeup. A beginner shouldn’t be using every product in the beauty arsenal. Start with clear or light shades of mascara, barely blushing cheeks and clear, glossy lips.

In addition to Bonne Bell, which has been around since the 1930s, several companies now market makeup lines specifically for teens – Annabelle from Canada, Caboodles Cosmetics, Jane Cosmetics, N.Y.C., Rimmel from the United Kingdom, Tru and Wet N Wild. The Body Shop has reasonably priced products in flattering skin tones, Avon has the Mark line, in addition to some incredible bargains in their regular line,and Maybelline is known for its youthful image. In department-store lines, Clinique was the teen-friendly line that I started out with, and MAC is the cheapest of the high-end brands.

Fat pencils designed to give a quick swipe of colour are ideal. They’re usually sheer in texture and fool-proof to put on. Maybelline’s Cool Effects Shadow/Liner Pencil in Peach Daquiri will suit many eye colours. MAC’s Shadesticks stay on all day, even if you have very oily eyelids, and Avon’s Big Color Eye Pencils are regularly discounted. You can use gloss at this age and there are many products available that are designed to add shine to highlight features other than lips. Try Caboodles Go Glam Glitter Eye Gloss.

Maybelline has been the go-to company for mascara for decades. Great Lash is the best-selling mascara in the world, but their Lash Discovery mascara features a small wand that is great for beginners. Avon Waterproof Wash Off Mascara really does wash off with soap and water. It also goes on quite easily as it’s thinner than most mascaras. One coat darkens nicely.

You probably won’t need to wear blush often, but if you do, try to find a powder that goes on sheer in light tones of peach, pink or plum depending on your skin tone. Clinique makes a sheer cheek gel in several different shades and Avon’s Tint ‘N Go is in a push-up tube.

Bonne Bell’s Lip Smackers are widely available and come in a huge variety of flavours – including the one I bought religiously 30 years ago – Dr. Pepper. Other products to try: MAC Lip Glass, Maybelline Shiny-licious Lip Gloss; and Rimmel Star Dazzlers Lip Gloss.

When you’re ready to move on to more complicated looks, try to get a lesson. Makeovers are always free at Sephora and if you ask them to show you what they are doing every step of the way you’ll learn some great tips. Every Clinique location has one or two “All About Eyes” clinics every year and they will gladly demonstrate techniques. Be brave and experiment with colour.

Your teen years are your time to shine as you head into the wonderful world of makeup!

CurlyTeen Scene is a column especially for curly teens. Julia Rizzo is a teenager living in Central New York. When not writing, she enjoys acting, reading and snow skiing. She has loved writing as long as she can remember, and plans to pursue a career in English. She hopes her column will provide encouragement and inspire girls to love their curly hair.

While a lot of us curly girls feel self-conscious about our hair, some of us have recognized what fun being curly can be. This month, Chelsea sent me an awesome and encouraging e-mail. She tells us that our curls are empowering, and not something you should have to defend. Chelsea says: ‘I definitely get your point about sort of being defined by your hair, but I think it gives us an edge. To me, curly hair shows the world you play by your own rules and don’t need a straightening iron to feel great about yourself. I think it tells people there is definitely something special about you…’

Chelsea is right on. How spontaneous can you be when you need to lug a straightening iron around to feel confident? Curly girls show that they can feel great about themselves without an arsenal of things that heat and pull and straighten. (Who wants to do all that to their hair anyway?”> As Chelsea says, curly hair ‘tells people there is definitely something special about you.’ When it comes down to it, when you have confidence in yourself, from your hair to your height to your sense of humor, it shows.

Sometimes people recognize the ‘edge’ I feel as a curly girl. Compliments are awesome to hear, and reinforce the benefits of expressing my individuality. Now that school’s out, and we have a little free time, there is no better time to express ourselves. Learning a language, renewing a friendship, finding an outlet for our creativity or reaching out to someone in need are all ways we can say ‘This is who I am and this is what I stand for.’ As girls, our declarations of self don’t need to be limited to how we wear our hair or our clothes. We can show who we are through all our actions and endeavors. This summer, as we head to summer camps or summer jobs, to the nearest lake, pool or sprinkler, remember that every part of our lives can be an outlet for our intellect, creativity, talent and originality. Thanks for your e-mails, and I’d love to hear your questions, comments and curly stories.

Stay Curly,

Julia

Email your questions/comments to Julia.

She may not have won the American Idol title, but finalist Nadia Turner was the clear champion when it came to hair.

Turner’s signature curly ‘fro made her stand out among the tens of thousands of wannabe Idols who auditioned at sites across the country, and she was one of a few hundred to earn a trip to the Hollywood rounds. From there, her hair and sultry rock/blues vocal stylings launched her into the top 32, and she later garnered enough telephone and text-message votes from American Idol viewers nationwide to advance to the final 12.

Her eighth-place finish was lower than she might have hoped, but by making the top 10, she earned the right to go on a nationwide tour this summer with the other Top 10 finishers. After she’s done touring, Turner hopes to continue pursuing singing and acting.

Her first stop of the summer, however, was Charlotte, N.C., where she and the others — minus wavy-haired winner Carrie Underwood and rocker runner-up Bo Bice — sang the national anthem at the Coca-Cola 600, a race on the NASCAR circuit.

NaturallyCurly.com caught up with Nadia as she enjoyed the Memorial Day weekend festivities in Charlotte. She hadn’t lost her highlighted ‘fro — in fact it was bigger and better than ever!

‘I’ve been getting lots of compliments on it,’ said Turner, an 28-year-old Miami native. ‘Lots of celebrities I’ve met have told me they love it.’

Turner didn’t have much time to chat about her hair routine and her journey to naturalness, but NaturallyCurly.com tried to get in the important questions. Although I was just one person in the restricted crowd of about 100, she immediately smiled when she saw me. After all, we were members of a natural-haired sisterhood!

The Idols had a packed weekend — the finalists arrived in Charlotte on Saturday, May 28 and were immediately shuffled to a photo opportunity with NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip in Concord, N.C., the site of Lowe’s Motor Speedway. That evening, they performed at Speed Street, a downtown Charlotte street festival held in conjunction each year with the race.

The next day it was back to Concord, where the Idols toured the NASCAR garages and met other drivers. They ‘raced’ driver Greg Biffle in a computer simulator and had a few seconds to chat with media and fans before performing the national anthem at the start of the race. I managed to get a quick picture with Nadia though. Too bad we had to take it so fast that I wasn’t given a cue to look at the camera!

Along with Turner, fans had the opportunity to meet Anthony Federov, Constantine Maroulis, Anwar Robinson, Scott Savol, Jessica Sierra, Nikko Smith and Vonzell Solomon. American Idol host Ryan Seacrest also traveled with the group.

Turner said she first went natural when she was in college because she just ‘woke up one day’ and wondered why she was spending so much time and effort straightening her hair.

She spoke about her days as a straightie during an American Idol broadcast as well. During the show’s 1990s ‘theme night,’ Turner said she spent much of that decade with straightened hair. There are pictures of the straight-haired Nadia on the Miami Dolphins website; she was a cheerleader for the football team during the 1996 season.

Turner said she’s had few problems being ‘accepted’ with her natural hair, and believes it worked to her advantage when auditioning for American Idol. On the program, she showed that her natural hair — which is 4A in texture — could be versatile as well. Who could forget the mohawk (or was it a ‘frohawk?”> she showed off on the 1980s theme night?

She said she swears by Paul Mitchell products, particularly Paul Mitchell’s ‘The Cream,’ to keep her hair looking great. The Cream is a leave-in conditioner that both moisturizes and provides styling benefits. Like most curlies,Turner said her biggest hair challenge is maintaining moisture, so she’s always looking for products to keep her hair from becoming dry and brittle.

I made sure to hand her a Curl Ambassador card and told her to check out the product section. Maybe she’ll spend some of her American Idol earnings at CurlMart! The American Idol tour kicks off on July 12 in Sunrise, Fla., just minutes from Turner’s hometown. The tour concludes in Syracuse, N.Y. on Sept. 10.

From the topics posted on message boards at several of the web sites I visit, it appears that the message about wearing sun screen is not getting out.

A member here at NaturallyCurly.com posted about getting sunburnt on a lovely spring day. “But I’m black”, she said by way of explanation. And she posted a photo of her beautiful self, glowing pink from the sun. However, her skin tone isn’t that dark and I know Italian Canadians who are darker in complexion than she is.

On one of my dating sites, a member asked what she could do for a sun burn so bad that she could barely stand clothing against her skin. All I could recommend was painkillers, aloe vera gel and yogurt packs.

Last year, I remember another member here at NaturallyCurly.com mentioning that she only used a very high SPF sunscreen on her face and often none on the rest of her body.
Since we in North America live in a youth-obsessed society, it bears repeating that the best anti-aging cream on the market is sunscreen. And compared to many of the lotions and potions available to “reverse” damage, it’s also one of the cheapest products in your skin care arsenal.

Today, there are products available for sun protection for everyone. My younger sister is allergic to almost ALL commercial sunscreens. This year, she is using Coppertone Spectra, which is micronized zinc oxide. If even that causes a bad reaction with your skin, there are fabrics available that are lightweight and designed to offer a high degree of sun protection. Sunbrella is the most common brand name of these fabrics. You can also buy this by the yard to make covers for baby strollers, to go above a child’s play area or to create screens and sunshades to take to the beach for your family.

Neutrogena and Coppertone are leading the way in sunscreen research and have many different forumlations of sun protection products for every skin type. Banana Boat is known for their child-friendly products. In high-end makeup lines, Shiseido offers the highest levels of SPF.

Some things to consider:Most sunscreens are only effective for 2 hours: reapply, reapply, reapply.The sun is strongest between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm; try to avoid being outside for any length of time during those hours, and stay in the shade if you are outside.If you part your hair, put sunscreen on your scalp along the part, or wear a tightly woven bandana or hat.Melanoma is more likely to take hold on your legs or back—slather yourself with sunscreen EVERYWHERE. Skin cancer rates are increasing despite increased use of sunscreen.Australia has the highest rates of skin cancer incidence in the world.If you have actinic keratoses, you are at greater risk for developing squamous cell skin cancers. Please visit your family physician or dermatologist for regular checkups, including a full skin screen.

An article in the newsletter of the American Academy of Family Physicians (published July 15, 2000″> said it best:

“While the role of sunscreens has been questioned, most evidence suggests that their correct use can lower the risk of skin cancer. Sufficient amounts must be applied at least 30 minutes before sun exposure, with reapplication after prolonged exposure or swimming.”

Enjoy your summer – safely!

CurlyTeen Scene is a column especially for curly teens. Julia Rizzo is a teenager living in Central New York. When not writing, she enjoys acting, reading and snow skiing. She has loved writing as long as she can remember, and plans to pursue a career in English. She hopes her column will provide encouragement and inspire girls to love their curly hair.

As someone with lots of curls, it’s not uncommon for people to describe me simply as “the girl with all the curly hair”. Even though I consider myself a very multi-dimensional person, often my hair is what people see as my distinguishing feature.

In this e-mail Sarah has experienced the same thing, and expresses her frustration:

“I’m 13 years old, and I have very, very curly hair. A lot of people tell me that my hair is really bouncy, and pretty, but others sort of look at my hair as frizzy and that I’m not normal because of my curls. The ways that they look at me make me feel self-conscious, like they can’t get past my hair to see me. What can I do to fix this?”

Even though a curly girl’s hair often may be her most memorable feature, it is not what defines her. We all, as teenagers, have a range of passions and interests. I love to write, I read like crazy, and never have more fun than when I’m on stage or at an audition. This is what really makes me who I am — not my hair or anything else that is tangible. I always hope that the people around me can recognize this. I always try to let my passions shine through. For example, I join clubs where I can meet people with common interests. Strike up conversations with people you meet and share your interests with them. Share what you’re passionate about — whether it’s ballet or basketball — with those around you. People will see past your hair if you show them what really makes you tick.

Sometimes it’s harder, however, to feel completely comfortable with your hair. When I started middle school, I felt as if I stuck out. But I realized that people weren’t judging me on it as much as I thought, and while it wasn’t totally typical, my hair definitely wasn’t “not normal”. Looking around me now, I see a lot of confident women — including teens — with curly hair.

Curly girls are everywhere, and when you start looking for them, you’ll be surprised at how many confident curlies you’ll meet.

Peel me a Grape!

Healthy skin is the most beautiful thing in the world; and it usually belongs to the very young. Although I haven’t voluntarily tanned myself in almost 25 years and I’m a faithful, year-round sunscreen addict, my skin isn’t in great condition. While the scars from my bout with acne during my teen years have mostly faded, I have discolouration from hormone therapy to treat polycystic ovarian disease and broken capillaries due to sun exposure, cold winters and blowing my nose a lot during allergy season. I’ve also noticed increased dryness on my forehead, and areas where whiteheads are tending to congregate.

Since the beginning of this year, I’ve been taking steps to improve the condition of my skin. In that time, I’ve had two lactic acid peels, a microdermabrasion treatment and I bought the Avon Anew Clinical 2-Step Facial Peel kit to use at home.

As we age, our skin cells don’t turn over as often as when we were younger and collagen breaks down. This leads to skin that looks dull, clogged pores and breakouts. Collagen loss is what causes wrinkles. Sun exposure, most of which we get during childhood, adds to this.

Peels, whether acid-based — salicylic, glycolic, lactic — or mechanical — lasers, dermabrasion or microdermabrasion — offer deep exfoliation, eliminate acne scars, can diminish the appearance of some wrinkles and hyperpigmentation and, with continual use over time, MAY speed up cell turnover and stimulate collagen production.

High-tech lasers are best for helping to diminish fine lines and age spots. Depending on the type of laser used, you can have dramatic results requiring long healing times, or more subtle refinements requiring minimal healing. A CO2 laser vaporizes several layers of skin and can require up to three months of healing time. However, this is an effective treatment for deeper wrinkles and severe acne scarring.

Thermescent laser treatments, also known as “Cool-Touch” treatments, use a cooling spray and shorter laser pulses to stimulate collagen production in areas of fine lines. Intense Pulsed Light — IPL — treatments are not lasers as they use broad-spectrum light to deliver high levels of light power to the skin in short bursts. IPL is effective in treating rosecea and hyperpigmentation.

A co-worker recently underwent three treatments of IPL to treat redness around her nose and cheeks. She is very happy with the results and has noticeably clearer skin. When I quizzed her on the sensation during the treatment, she described it as hundreds of pinpricks as once, but not too painful.

Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are two entirely separate procedures, the first being a medical procedure that should only be undertaken by a plastic surgeon in a clinical setting, while the second can be done in a spa setting.

During a dermabrasion treatment, the doctor uses a rough wire spinning brush to remove the outer layers of skin. If you have acne scarring, your doctor may choose dermaplaning, using an oscillating blade to skim off the outer layers of skin. In each instance, the aim is to create even texture, eliminating pockmarks or deep scars. These procedures are done under sedation and require months of healing, though you can return to work after two weeks.

Microdermabrasion uses fine particles of crystal jetted against the skin then whisked away by a vacuum to deeply exfoliate superficial layers. One week after my first treatment, I still notice that my skin is smoother, although I did not find any reduction in the brown patches on my cheeks. The esthetician went over my skin three times, using different strengths of the jet. It wasn’t very painful, but more pronounced than the medical euphemism “discomfort”.

I have noticed improvement in the dark patches with the acid peels, however. Glycolic acid is the most common of the light peels available. Using a sugar cane or fruit sugar derivative, these products loosen the top layers of skin to allow them to be shed more rapidly, leaving fresher, healthier-looking skin. The Avon kit offers the minimum level of glycolic acid recommended for use at 10%. Spas and dermatologists offer higher concentrations of acid peels with better results. My esthetician uses 30% lactic acid on my skin and after two treatments, the dark patches I have were reduced by about 10 per cent. Since adding the Avon kit to my skin care routine, I’ve also had fewer breakouts.

These mild peels can be effective in fighting acne. Salicylic peels done at a spa or dermatologist’s office are also recommended.

Deeper chemical peels are available from dermatologists and plastic surgeons. Trichloroacetic acid is a medium-depth peel that can smooth out surface wrinkles, correct pigmentation problems and remove superficial blemishes. It is one of the few chemical treatments recommended for darker skin. However, recovery can take several days and may require pain medication.

The deepest chemical peel available is with phenol. This acid can treat coarse wrinkles and even remove pre-cancerous lesions. However, it can noticeably lighten skin and should not be considered by those with darker skin tones. Phenol peels are so serious that they should not be done on anyone with heart trouble, and patients will require assistance at home afterward as their eyes may be swollen shut and they will be restricted to a liquid diet for a few days.

All of these procedures require diligent use of sun block products in high concentrations of SPF. Because new skin is being exposed, it will be highly sensitive to sun exposure.

Those of you with darker skin tones should also carefully research peel procedures before having them done. One of the reasons to have peels is to even out skin tone; you want to make sure that the one you choose won’t exaggerate or cause hyper-pigmentation.

Peels won’t magically take 20 years off your looks or give your face the softness of a skinless grape, but they can be a useful addition to your beauty regimen.

In most instances, the purpose of makeup is to enhance our best features. We shadow our eyes, line our lips and apply highlighter on cheekbones to draw the eye there.
But makeup can also help hide those things we don’t want seen; the scars from teen acne, broken capillaries and dark circles under the eyes.

Concealers come in a variety of types — pots, tubes, sticks and wands. Choosing the right one for the job at hand is actually fairly easy. For under eye circles, a creamy formula is needed, and for facial blemishes, heavier types, like those found in pots, are better.

The right tools can also help make the job of camouflage easier for you. While using your fingers will help warm the concealer and allow it to spread easily, it isn’t a good idea to add skin oils to a blemish you want to hide. Small, triangular makeup sponges or a brush are your best bet. DON’T buy a concealer brush from a makeup line. Most of these are tiny and so pointed, you’ll be painting for hours to try to get the right effect. The one that I bought is only 3 mm wide at the base, tapering to 1 mm at the point. Pick up a “detail brush” at your local Michael’s Craft Store (artist brushes are regularly discounted”> or art supply shop. These are also pointed, but you can get them in a larger size. Mine is 5 mm, tapering to 3 mm; a size that is much more useful. Sable is what most companies use to make these brushes, and mine cost about 1/3 as much as those available at MAC.

Do not be fooled by the promises of coloured “corrective” concealers. During my teenage years, I fell prey to a green “corrector” that promised to hide the redness of pimples. When it wasn’t washed away by the foundation I put over it, I looked like Dr. Frankenstein’s monster with it showing through my makeup.

Most blemishes and dark circles can be hidden by yellow or orange toned concealers a shade lighter than your own skin tone. The most common mistake made when choosing a concealer is using one that is too light.

Finding the right concealer for you is a matter of trial and error. Go to different makeup counters or your local Sephora if you’re lucky enough to have one near by. Try different formulas from different lines, request samples if possible and always try to see what the product looks like in natural light.

If you have good skin, you may be able to simply put a bit of concealer where you need it, set with powder and walk out the door. For the rest of us, it’s not quite that simple.

To hide acne or blemishes from acne, choose a stick or pot foundation — MAC’s Studio Finish or Stila Cover Up Stick are two popular choices. After applying foundation, use the brush to lightly dab a small amount of concealer over the blemish. You can add more if needed, but it’s much more difficult to subtract. Blend out at the edges with the brush or a sponge. Apply more if needed and powder LIGHTLY to set.

To hide dark circles under your eyes, first apply eye cream and let it absorb. Using your brush or sponge, or a wand-type concealer like St. Laurent’s Touche Éclat, apply the product lightly, working from the inside corner out. If you think you’ve added too much, thin it out with a dot of your eye cream. Do not use powder on this part of the face; it gives a crepey look that you would rather avoid.

There’s one more trick to hiding those dark circles under your eyes that you may not have heard of. According to Jeanine Lobell, founder of Stila Cosmetics, wearing blush along the tops of your cheekbones brightens the eye area and reduces the effect of the under eye circles. I find it really works!

One of the best concealer products on the market at the moment is the Becca Cosmetics Compact Concealer duo ($33US at Sephora”>. It contains two formulations of concealer in heavy and medium textures in slightly different shades depending on where it will be used and comes in one of the widest ranges of skin tones available.

Another great product for those of us who need more coverage is the Estée Lauder Prime FX Pro Concealment Kit ($25 US at select Lauder counters”>. This contains a line diffuser, yellow and red concealers and a light-weight powder to set the products.

In drugstore lines, Physician’s Formula has the “Wanderful Wand”. I have this in the light and neutral shades and they are great for under eye circles and around the nose. They also take up little space in your makeup bag.

It can take time to master concealer, but it’s well worth the effort you put into it to put your best face forward.

Q : I live in Flushing, NY, and I would love to get some hints on how to avoid the frizz. I would like some helpful hints.

Torch : Curly hair naturally goes curly because the cuticles (scales”> are always open. Some curls are frizzier than others as the cuticles are opened wider. Straight hair cuticles are closed and lay flat against each other. The trick to controlling the frizz in curly hair is to allow the cuticles to dry in a closed position. You will notice when your hair is wet it is never frizzy, as water easily fills the open cuticle gaps and immediately stops the frizz. Until now there have been two options: either glue the cuticles shut with sticky gels or weigh them down with heavy greasy oils. The magic behind Curl Keeper is when used properly it will seal each cuticle during the drying process without using silicones or other waxy ingredients. Learning to control your frizz with a water-based product such as Curl Keeper will make living with curly hair, even in a humid climate, more manageable.

Q : I would like some advice on getting bangs. I don’t have them as I have curly/wavy hair. It is layered but I feel I need some hair on my forehead. I am a little leery about change but how would l ask someone to do it. I have a problem finding a good hairdresser. My hair is pretty long and I want to keep it long. Also, I have a wedding next week. I am conservative and I like to put my curly hair in the updo. Thanks! Jackie Sinke

Torch : You are absolutely right to be leery of bangs. Having bangs is quite a commitment. Because you have a combination of both wave and curl you must be aware that your hair will seldom fall the same way or in the same place twice in a row, especially in the humid months of summer. However, if a few curls are carefully selected and cut shorter around the face, it can make a refreshing change that is not as big a commitment as having full bangs. Face framing could be the change you are looking for. Remember not to cut the pieces too short as curly hair shrinks as it dries. So dry your hair first in perfect frizz free curls before the cutting begins. Your stylist should carefully snip individual ringlets at the desirable lengths around the face. NOTE: curly hair styles better when it is cut uneven.

Q : I live in Callander, ON, about four hours north of Toronto. I have medium-length curly, fine hair and have rarely been happy with how it looks. Could you please give me some information about your new salon, including services, fees, location, and length of time to get an appointment? Thanks so much! Denise

Torch : Our Curly Hair Institute is an environment where it is possible to focus exclusively on the needs of curly hair. Complete with styling salon, training facility and photo studio, we have the space to host seminars and curl classes. Curly hair has so many different personalities that it needs a specialized environment to conquer all the problems related to taming those out-of-control curls. The Curly Hair Institute is a place where people will feel comfortable no matter how difficult they think their hair is. We make it a priority that everyone understands how to master the art of controlling their own hair. We are located at 85 Sheppard Av. West, just west of the Yonge/Sheppard subway station. We are also happy to provide complimentary parking and extended, flexible hours. Call 416-362-1068 to book an appointment.

Q : I have brown curly hair (loose curls”> that is just past my shoulders. I am dying to do something new with my hair, but I don’t know what. I have had it long and I have had it short, it seems like those are the only two options I have. Also my hair has been super static-y lately and quite frizzy in the back. What do you suggest I do? Thanks!! Jackie

Torch : The most important fact to understanding your hair (loose curl or wave”> is that if you cut your hair too short you will lose all the curls and waves. Keeping your hair length longer makes it easier to achieve any form of bounce. Now I don’t mean growing your hair past your shoulders or even having all your hair one length. Just long enough for a wave to form a curl when you are able to squeeze a curl in your hair while it is still wet. There are hundreds of variations of layering curly hair to help enhance curls to create more volume. Check to see which one your hairstylist would use on your hair. Careful consideration must be taken as the wrong technique could create havoc with your style.I suggest the first lesson is to learn how to style your curls to their full potential. Avoid using product that coat the hair or add any waxy feel. Learning to style your curls is the first step, before looking for the perfect cut.

Q : My question is the very basic one of what products to use in my hair to get that great curl definition. I have read many articles, etc on the the do’s and don’ts for curly hair. My problem with this information is that it is based on a much finer texture of curly hair than mine. It does seem that the ‘typical’ combination is curly hair with fine texture — I have curly hair with coarse/very heavy texture, and I have lots of hair ( I am from India”>. So, where do I go with this hair? I do believe I have a pretty good cut. Any advice on what I can do?? Thanks so much. Suri

Torch : The most important advice I can offer is to take your time in the preparing your hair BEFORE you do the blow-drying. The key to styling your heavy hair texture is creating lift at the root area of your hair (at the scalp”>. Do this while your hair is soaking wet and 100 percent detangled. Comb your hair while hanging your head over. Slip Detangler is weightless and 100 percent effective in removing tangles and shutting the cuticles. Focus your combing at the roots and comb opposite to the direction your hair grows. Curl Keeper will control all your frizz and keep your hair light and feeling clean.

Davines, a hot new organic product line hitting the United States from Italy, is fast gaining a following among Red Carpet curlies such as Keri Russell.

Davines was founded by the Bollati family in 1983 as a research laboratory and producer of professional cosmetic products for hairstyling salons and spas. Initially, the company produced products for major cosmetic and perfume brands. But in the ’90s, the company decided it was time to produce products under its own name.

Over the past 10 years, the product line has grown, now boasting such lines as the Mask Color Conditioning system, the Shine System, the Volume System, the Alchemy System and Natural Tech. The most recent launch is Davines/Essential Haircare.

Davines stylist Damian Monzillo of Lather Beauty Lounge in L.A., used the line to create the ‘dos for many of the stars’ hair for the Academy Awards.

Application is key, Monzillo says. For starters, keep your hair from getting very dry in the first place by not washing it too much.

The trick? Even if you work out a lot or use tons of product in your hair, don’t shampoo!

“Just rinse and condition,” Monzillo said. “Rinsing gets rid of almost anything Davines makes, because it’s water-soluble. If you sweat, conditioning will get rid of any smell you’re worried about.”

Then, when you’re toweling dry, don’t rub your hair vigorously. “The less you disturb the cuticle, the better,” Monzillo said.

“Push water out into towel with hands rather than aggressively drying with towel. Start at the top and then scrunch top to bottom.” Now that you’re ready to put product in, start by mixing all three of your products in your hand. “Start with the roots and then rake through all hair with fingers,” Monzillo said. “Finish by combing through, which will push more water to the ends. Then you have to towel the ends again. Our hair holds water on the ends, because they’re older and more thirsty.”

Monzillo’s clientele include Kate Moss, Kirk Hammet, Maya Angelou and Seth Green. He has done photo shoots for such publications as Vogue and Self. He just was voted one of the best hairdressers in California by the New Hair Stylist Association.

To find out where to buy Davines products, call 1-866-DAVINES.

Damian Monzillo’s curly co*cktails

Fine, curly hair – a relaxing fluid such as Davines’ Defining System Relaxing Fluid, style gel such as Davines’ Artifixture gel and a replenishing leave-in mist.

Super-tight curly hair – a relaxing fluid, a styling cream such as Davines’ Bio creme and a hair paste such as Davines’ carving paste

Thicker curly hair – relaxing fluid, a hair gel such as Davines’ Honey Gel and a leave-in cream such as Davines’ Moisturizing Daily Crème,

With all the products on the market labeled “curly hair,” “dry,” “frizzy,’ sometimes it’s hard to figure out which one is right for your hair

At this time of year, we generally throw open our windows to warm breezes and start clearing the cobwebs from the corners. But while you’re washing windows and shampooing rugs, give some thought to cleaning out your hair product and makeup stash.

A lot of members here at NaturallyCurly.com have multiple hair care products taking up space in the bathroom cupboard and around the edges of the bathtub. Some members confess to spillage into other areas of the house — the linen cupboard, the bedroom closet.

Find some alone time to take stock of what you have. This is not the time to have a spouse, parent, child or friend saying — “Wow, look at all that stuff!”
Pull every bottle out of every nook and cranny. Put them all together and count them if you dare.

Now, divide them into two sections — the ones you use regularly and the ones you haven’t used or used once or twice to ill effect. Starting with the ones you use regularly, open the bottles and make sure that everything still smells good. Pour a little into your hand to make sure that nothing has separated. Discard anything that you suspect has passed its shelf life and put the others away.

Move on to the once- or never-used pile and again sniff the bottles and jars and look at the product to make sure it hasn’t separated. Now it’s time to evaluate the potential usage — be HONEST with yourself. Did the product do what you thought it would? Why not? Do you really want to give it a second chance? Make three piles — keep to try, do more research, discard. Put away the keepers.

Take the research pile and log on to NC. Go to the search function and look up your product. Once you’ve read about other members’ experiences, you might have a better idea of how to use something to good effect, or determine that you want to discard the item. Again, put away the keepers and put the rejects in the discard pile.

More about the discard pile later.

Turn your attention to your skincare products and makeup stash. Dig out every pencil from the bottom of every purse and hunt down every elusive eye shadow and lipstick. Once again, divide the products by use regularly and never-once-or-twice usage.

Makeup companies would like you to believe that the products you buy have a much shorter shelf life than they actually do have. One industry web site suggests discarding lipstick, eyeshadow, eye and lip pencils and concealers/foundations after FOUR MONTHS!!!! This ensures that you will buy, buy, buy more often.

However, with the exception of mascara, which really does have a life-span of three to four months from opening, makeup does last longer than you think before it goes bad.
Last year, in my first column for NC, I recommended the following trick to tell how long you’ve had a mascara on the go — write the date you open it on a strip of masking tape and put it around the tube. Three months after that, toss it!

Foundations and concealers will last about 12 months, especially if you take care not to introduce bacteria into the container. Using brushes and sponges and pouring things into your hands first will help with this.

Lipstick will last about two to three years. Powders are virtually indestructible. However, if a pressed powder product such as eye shadow starts to take on a dark cast, it’s time to throw it out as the oils in the product are starting to separate. Loose powders last even longer, but if yours starts to get lumps, you should toss this too.

Pencils are also good for two to three years. Sharpening them exposes fresh makeup and keeping the cap on helps protect them from the elements. If you lose a cap, discard the pencil just to be safe.

Nail polish lasts about two years. You’ll know it’s time to discard it when shaking the bottle doesn’t make the colour look “right”.
Perfume also lasts about two to three years. You’ll know it’s turned when the smell is wrong and not your old favourite.

Moisturizers will last about a year. To maximize the shelf life, choose one with a pump dispenser. Jars are open to bacteria. Sunscreens last about two years and have FDA-mandated expiry dates printed on the bottles. Discard them when they’re past this date.

Once your discard pile has been finalized — and do be ruthless in determining what you will and won’t use, your closets will thank you for it — determine what you’re going to do with it.

Is it saleable? Do you have a rare product in high demand? List it on the swap/sale board.

If it’s just a matter of too much Aussie Three-Minute Miracle, or the lipstick shade from hell, consider giving it away to your best friend, sister, co-worker or babysitter. There is always someone out there who will LOVE the product or colour that didn’t work for you.

Or call your local women’s shelters and find out their policy on accepting used products. Some places will not take them, while others will.
Not only will you have cleaned out some space in your home, you’ll help someone inject a little curl or colour into her life.

Never underestimate the power of a tube of lipstick!

New to NaturallyCurly.com is CurlyTeen Scene, a column especially for curly teens. Julia Rizzo is a teenager living in Central New York. When not writing, she enjoys acting, reading and snow skiing. She has loved writing as long as she can remember, and plans to pursue a career in English. She hopes her column will provide encouragement and inspire girls to love their curly hair.

I was flipping through the channels on TV the other day and came upon QVC where a man in a slicked-back ponytail was pitching a very expensive straightening iron and line of straightening products, extolling their merits by ‘transforming’ one curly haired model after another.

He could have been pitching other types of products to reduce frizz and define curl, but instead it seems there’s a better market for getting rid of it all together. This made me think back to the previous week. I was skiing with my family and as I came into the lodge and took off my hat, two women came and complimented me on my hair.

“It’s so bouncy!” one said. “Mine’s so flat.”

“Wouldn’t you just die for that volume?” exclaimed her friend.

This left me wondering why we pay so much to change something that is not only an integral part of who we are, but also something that other people think is beautiful?

In response to last month’s debut column, my first question was from a mom who wonders just that: ‘I’m the mom of a 13-year-old girl and she hates her hair. She wants to get thermal transitioning and won’t even attempt to let it go natural. She has such beautiful curls and I think she would grow to love it with the right cut and products. It sure would save a lot of time, money and heartache! How do I help her see that her curls are an asset?’

When I first entered my current school, I was twelve and self-conscious about my hair. I went out and bought a straightening iron and tried to get the look other girls had naturally. What I found was that it didn’t look as good as I thought it would, and it didn’t make me feel any more confident. In fact, my friends told me I looked too different! My mom was also a great influence. She helped me find products that worked well and promoted my efforts to take care of my hair. As I’ve grown older, I have realized (as you have”> that curly hair is an asset. I think you are already on the right track in helping her to see it’s just one part of her, but a part she should love! As I get older, the attitudes of the girls around me are changing.

Another reader, Jenn, asked: ‘Do you see more of your curly friends letting their hair go curly or are most curlies still straightening at your high school?’

I find that in my high school many of the girls are discovering the bounce and spunk of their curly hair. While a few do still straighten, many are forgoing the drying effects of a straightening iron in favor of their natural hair. In my high school, as girls rise in grade level, fewer and fewer straighten their hair as they learn to better care for, and then embrace it. Plus, they’ve discovered curly hair can be fun and versatile.High school is a great time to experiment with all the creative and different ways you can wear it.

Stay curly and keep those questions coming!

It’s March, and the winter-weary denizens of the farther reaches of the northern hemisphere are starting to see signs of spring. Days are longer, the sun is warmer and the snow pack is sagging — a sure sign that it will melt away soon, giving way to fresh green growth.

March also brings St. Patrick’s Day — the one day when everyone not lucky enough to have a drop of Irish blood in their veins is able to raise a wee dram of Irish Mist or Guiness in praise of Yeats’ poetry, U2, the Book of Kells and the glorious rhythms of Riverdance. Of course, you must be decked out in green whilst indulging in this revelry.

However, green is one of the most difficult colours to wear in clothing or makeup.

Going back to colour wheel theory for a moment (September 2004 column”>, you’ll find that green is opposite red. Unless you’re a lab rat, it’s unlikely that you’ve got red eyes to emphasize, so the trick is finding a green shade that suits your baby blues … or browns.

The No.1 best-selling item in Cargo Cosmetics entire line is “Green Bay” — a shimmering lime green eye shadow that looks great on blue and brown eyes alike. A yellow-based green like this will highlight any green in blue eyes and add depth to browns.

Green eye shadows work best on brown eyes, especially when the green has an earthy tone to it; think olive and khaki rather than lime or emerald. I am a recent convert to green eye shadow, using MAC’s “Sumptuous Olive” with “Naked Lunch” (a rich peachy pink shade”> and “Teddy” (shimmering brown”> eyeliner. Other shades to try: Lorac’s “Olive”, a shimmering light green; Pout’s “Miss March” duo of light and medium olive shades; or Lancôme Artliner in “Olive”.

Blue-eyed beauties should consider Lorac’s “Kiwi”, the NARS “Wicked” duo or Revlon Colorstay Eye Glide in “Jade” and Pout liner in “Eye Envy You”.

If you’re thinking of honouring the Emerald Isle with emerald eyes this month, try: MAC’s “Humid”, Stila’s Smudge Pot in “Emerald” or a surprise sweep of Too Faced “Shock” mascara.

Having green eyes yourself does not mean that you cannot wear this colour. Select blue green shades from palest aqua through turquoise to peaco*ck blue. Try MAC’s “Swimming”, Too Faced “Fantasy Island” duo, Paula Dorf Eye Color Glimmer in “Dreamboat” or Laura Mercier “Mermaid”.

Part of the secret to successfully carrying off a green eye shadow look lies in the colour you pair it with. Peach, pink and gold are your best bets for highlight shades — think NARS’ “Night Star”, Clinique’s “Whisper” or MAC’s “Ambering Lights”. Use deep brown or plum liners, never, black, for greatest “oomph” factor.

Finally, for all you true lovers of green eye shadow out there, there is the Pixi Eye Beauty Kit in “Muse”. Along with a neutral eyelid base and under eye concealer, are six shades of green and gold shadows: golden reflex green, avocado green with gold base, deep golden olive, rich sparkly cream-gold, shimmering yellow green, and olive bronze. (Available at Sephora for $28 US”>

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all!