Q: My nails break constantly. What can I do about it?
A: Here’s a “strong-nail” checklist to help you see what you’re missing.
Munch on raw fruits and raw vegetables every day (especially broccoli and carrots).
Take a daily multivitamin that includes zinc, iron and B vitamins.
Eat foods high in vitamin A and in calcium.
Drink plenty of water.
Use a nail buffer to increase blood circulation and promote strength.
Apply a nail moisturizing cream.
File nails from sides to center—one direction only, not sawing back and forth, which causes splitting.
Keep nails short and square.
Apply nail strengthener like Sally Hansen’s No More Breaks.
Q: Why do some fragrances stay on longer than others?
A: Spritz some cologne on a person with dry skin, then on her oily skinned friend. Smell the scent an hour later, and you’ll discover that the girl with the oily skin still has the hint of fragrance. Oily skin has more natural moisture that gives the fragrance something to cling to.
Q: Do you know anything about the new foundation that claims to automatically adjust to your skin color? Does it work?
A: Almay’s ad campaign for their foundation, called Smart Shade Makeup, is very intriguing, isn’t it? They show a white or “colorless” cream “magically” changing to match your skin tone. And it does do that, sorta!
What you can’t see in the commercial are the tiny beads of color in the colorless foundation that pop open when applied to the face (be sure to blend it thoroughly to get the most color). That’s how it suddenly transforms into your perfect shade, but you still have to purchase it in light, light/medium or medium. Dark skin tones are out of luck.
The light, sheer, oil-free formula is wrapped up in skin-soothing aloe—making it a winner for teen skins. Another great feature is its SPF 15, and as with all Almay products, it’s allergy-tested and won’t clog pores.
Q: Are nylon bristle hairbrushes or natural boar bristle brushes better?
A: Your choice of hairbrush depends on what you want it to do. Nylon bristles are heat resistant and good for detangling. Boar (male pig) bristle brushes, made of stiff hair, are great for achieving a smooth shine. But those are only two of tons of options. Want to know the purpose of vented, thermal, cushioned, round and ceramic brushes? Cruise over to sallybeauty.com to get all your hairbrush questions answered.
Beauty Bonus
Want something new for zit zapping? Try Zeno or ThermaClear. They’re not a gel, lotion or medicated pad. They’re handheld, portable devices—not much bigger than a cell phone or iPod. These clinically proven medical devices deliver heat directly to the pimple, killing acne-causing bacteria. Just two or three treatments a day and it’s goodbye bacteria, goodbye zits. Get more info at myzeno.com or thermaclear.com.
