Let Me Talk To You "Straight"

I'm not a snob at ALL! I pride myself on being the Queen of Off Brands! I mean COME ON does it really matter if it's Charmin or Hill Country you wipe your tush with? As long as it's soft, save yourself a few bucks, right? With this attitude, I walked down the aisle of hair products in Wal Mart. Looking at the hair straighteners, I scoffed to myself, I could have 10 Revlons for the price of 1 Chi! The bad part is, I did. Maybe not 10, but on about my 6th flat iron I decided ENOUGH is ENOUGH! I could have almost purchased a Chi with all the cheap straighteners I have, dead or dying, in my bathroom cabinet. The next day I walked out of my hair salon, I had traded my $140 for this tiny little black box. I held my receipt tight, (all Chi's come with a lifetime replacement, IF you keep your receipt) somewhere in the back of my mind I just KNEW it wasn't going to be THAT great. Well, I stand corrected. I am one of those, one of the women who now swears by Chi. In 30 minutes, I can turn my Leona Lewis locks into the softest, shiniest hair you've ever seen! It's healthier for your hair, faster for those of us with busy lives, and even though I can't believe I'm admitting it - it's worth the cash! Quit wasting your money on the knockoffs, the original is much better!

Verdict - FRESH!
Damage - Close your eyes and hand over the plastic!

Say No to Razor Burn!

One of my favorite magazines is Real Simple. I love the clean, no-fuss layout- and the tagline, "Life Made Easier" (who doesn't want that?!). Each month, I look forward to the decorating and fashion tips, recipes, and home organization ideas... and the "New Uses for Old Things" section.

I think it was the August edition that featured shaving tips: the best razors, creams, lotions and potions, which direction to shave, etc. This tip stuck out to me, so I decided to try it:

Mix two squirts of baby oil and four drops of rubbing alcohol in your palm, then apply to just-shaved areas. The antiseptic-moisturizer combo helps prevent an itchy rash.

So on my next trip to the store, I found myself in the health & beauty section. Upon further examination of bottles of baby oil and rubbing alcohol, I decided that this could be a very messy cocktail. I made a few quick alterations - instead of baby oil, I bought baby oil gel (I opted for the aloe vera one, since I thought a little extra moisture couldn't hurt), and I bought regular rubbing alcohol, but I also bought a tiny (travel-size) spray bottle.

Then I tried it on a Friday evening before leaving for the weekend. A small squirt of gel, and 4 or so squirts of rubbing alcohol. It stung for a second, but I am pleased to report that not only was there NO razorburn to be seen, I had smooth, moisturized legs all weekend (without reapplying).

Downfall: Right after you apply, you might want to avoid rubbing your legs against any furniture - you'll end up with an oily dining room chair like I did.

Other shaving tips: Always use a sharp razor. Also, if you're prone to razorburn, avoid heavily scented lotions, which can irritate sensitive skin. Opt for the lightly scented or non-scented versions- not as much fun, I know, but better than having those ugly red bumps!

Verdict: fresh
Damage: less than $5!

Permanent Hair Color vs. Non-Permanent

If you want to be known for as the "girl of many hair colors" use a non-permanent dye. The first couple of days it is really vibrant and then it's time for another box of dye. On occasions when I was not sure how a color would work on me I have used the non-permanent option. However, I find more often than not the dye bleeds on my bathroom towels. I am also amazed at how quickly it fades after the first week or so.

Permanent dyes represent an image you plan to maintain. You look for a color you love and then hope Walmart or Target still has it in stock when you need to touch up in a couple of months. Permanent dyes usually give people the impression that this might be your natural hair color. I imagine people who regularly use a permanent hair color stick to mostly the same color group.

Permanent vs. Non-permanent--Permanent hair dye wins in my opinion. Non-permanent dye was made for teenagers who want to "shock" their friends and parents. Unlike it's non-permanent alternative permanent dye is for adults who want to sell themselves as a blond, redhead or brunette.

Personal Story: I had highlights when I first moved overseas and they had faded. I wanted to have a "new look" before I met everyone. I like reds and I was feeling daring...not a good thing. I ended up looking like a fake redhead for a week before my old highlights started coming through. Also, we were staying in a hotel with white towels and they inevitably ended up a pinkish color.

Garnier Fructis "Length and Strength"

I have been trying to grow my hair out for awhile now. It was mere desperation that drove me to buy a product by Garnier Fructis "Length and Strength." You see, I had tried this brand in High School and it made my hair start falling out. Yikes!

Apparently, there are products with the same purpose out on the market. I was reading Aussie has a line of products for desperate people like me, and I have been seeing commercials for an Herbal Essence hair growth product line.

Garnier Fructis "Length and Strength" is not the answer for long hair. My opinion, just take a good multi-vitamin and make sure your hair is properly moisturized at all times. Damaging hair with straighteners and highlights is fun, but it is to blame for hair that won't grow.

Verdict? Fusty (in my opinion)

Damage? Less than $10, but it will haunt you because you won't throw it away.