Category Archives: Beauty

Anything to do with the embellishment and enhancement of human appearance.

They are not cross dressers, they are sport enthusiasts.

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By Jeffrey the Barak

For years I have noticed many young men walking around in brightly colored nylon mini dresses. I should explain that my eyesight is not great and that I have never watched any sport involving teams of men playing with balls.

Well it turns out these are not dresses at all. They are vests, otherwise known as singlets or tank tops or A-Shirts, and they are derived from the uniforms worn by basketball players.

What I was observing was these tank tops being worn by people of smaller size. In other words the shirts were far too big for them and worn over matching nylon shorts, also very baggy in design, to the extent you cannot easily see there are two legs, and they appear as pleated nylon skirts.

The resulting appearance was therefore that of a man wearing a large, sleeveless, nylon, knee-length dress.

So now I know why they don’t also wear makeup and high heels with their dresses. They have no idea they even look like men in dresses.

(Photos blurred to simulate silly old fart’s eyesight)

The Green Shave

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By Jeffrey the Barak

How would you like to spread Napalm on your face while releasing questionable propellants into the ozone layer, and then put a stack of eternal plastic into a landfill?

Doesn’t sound like something you’d want to do does it? And yet if you use aerosol shaving gel, it contains the very same naptha and palm oil as Napalm, that cruel and unusual weapon used in the flame throwers of wars past. This is palm oil that comes from plantations that are gobbling up the habitats of endangered orangutans.

And this convenient chemical cocktail is being helped out of the pressurized, plastic lined can by a propellant gas, which in many countries still contains ozone-eating CFC compounds.

The 2, 3, 4 or 5.5 tiny blades on your razor cartridge are surrounded by, and packed and wrapped in, ounces and ounces of disposable plastic also.

Surely this is not necessary? Of course it’s not!

Just ask your father or perhaps your grandfather. A good shaving brush and some shaving soap can give you a better lather than anything in an aerosol can, for a fraction of the price, and with zero waste. And used properly, a double-edged safety razor, made entirely of steel will give you a close enough shave without irritation or cuts, and that razor blade contains no plastic. It’s all steel. While most come in a plastic box complete with a disposal slot in the back, you can easily find them individually wrapped in paper and then packed into a paper box of 100. Zero plastic.

So if you think you are going green but still use Edge gel and a Fusion razor, think again Mister. It’s time to get into responsible shaving, while saving the planet, and also saving my friends the orangutans, (who never shave).

Jeffrey the Barak shaves….often and repeatedly.

Becoming Un-Gorilla – Finding the best razor for body shaving

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A hairy man’s transformation into a smooth modern man.
By Jeffrey the Barak

I was born in 1957, which means I was in my teens to thirties in an era when hairy men were considered normal and even sexy. But these are smooth times, and the social norm for attractiveness no longer includes a built in fur coat.

The first time I did something about it, I made my chest hair shorter with clippers, and the resulting short sharp curly hair made my life a misery. I repeated the same mistake three times.

On the third time, whilst pulling my tee-shirt out in agony, I ran for a waxing salon for some relief, and promptly experienced intensely painful chest waxing, then got infected. Folliculitis. More agony, which only cleared up with anti-biotics.

Then I suffered through the regrowth and stayed hairy again, until one day I realized I was gray and hairy, and I felt too young to be the Old Silverback Gorilla.

So began my commitment to staying shaved.

First I tried electric hair clippers, but my short stubble is as thick as cable and I felt like a porcupine. So I tried a rotary (Philips-Norelco) shaver. It worked, for a day or two at a time, but it took a very long time to get the whole body to be hair-free, and the soft skin areas of the body were very sensitive to all that electric hacking.

So then it was a (Braun) foil shaver. Those are quite good for facial beards, but next to useless on the body, as they pass right over softer longer hairs without cutting them at all.

So into the shower I ventured and there I remain. Wet shaving a body is much faster and easier than using anything electric.

My first razor for this almost daily job was the Schick (Wilkinson Sword) Quattro, and I have to say it did a good job. The best thing about a Quattro is it is almost completely impossible to nick the skin with it, no matter where you shave.

The worst thing about the Quattro is that the big fat heavy handle won’t stay inside a Razorba, which is a long bent plastic handle designed to help you shave your back without help.

So one day, a year into the era of the Gillette Fusion, I picked up a Gillette Mach 3. This is the most acclaimed razor ever, and still the market leader, despite Gillette’s attempts to evolve further, driven by their expired patent and the threat of generic blades taking over their market.

Like the Quattro, the Mach 3 makes it very hard for one to draw blood. The cartridge itself keeps the lethal steel from digging in. Back in the Gillette G2/Sensor/Atra twin-blade days, the cartridge did not offer such protection and I remember those old Sensor Excels cut me just as easily as a twin edged safety razor (which I happily use from time to time on my face if I feel like a slow, careful, traditional shave that contributes no plastic to a landfill and requires no store clerk to unlock a security case to release the shoplifter’s favorite pricy booty).

But the truth is obvious. The single, traditional, economical, environmentally friendly, razor blade does not and can not shave as closely or as safely as a complicated, expensive, plastic and steel, modern cartridge head from Gillette or Schick.

The Mach 3 shaved my face slightly better then the Quattro, but it shaved my body many times better. I think the blades in the Quattro are too close together for effective body shaving, and the Mach 3 took away absolutely all the hair in one pass, whereas the Quattro always left something behind and got jammed up with stiff curly body hair that stayed between the blades even when rinsed under a large bath faucet.

For this reason, I won’t even be trying the new Gillette Fusion, because that has five little blades that are so close together, it makes the Mach 3 look like Venetian blinds.

And I also won’t be buying any vibrating razors, as a steady hand is the goal, and since Gillette is the same company as Duracell, and Schick is the same company as Energizer, it’s obviously just a way to sell batteries and more new razor handles. Gillette already got into legal trouble for false advertising claims regarding what a vibrating razor can actually do.

Gillette says their Fusion razor was tested on 9,000 men, who compared it to the Mach 3 and the Schick Quattro. They apparently preferred Fusion by a 2-to-1 margin, but that was for beard and moustache hair, not chest and genital hair.

But wait a minute. I have been overlooking the obvious. The Mach 3 is a facial razor, and I’m shaving my gorilla body. The ladies version is the Gillette Venus. The same three blades, but with more rubber fins to stretch the skin and set into a nice oval chassis, designed to protect those beautiful female legs.

So time to hit the shower and pop one of my wife’s Gillette Venus cartridges onto my Mach 3 handle. (All Mach 3, Mach 3 Turbo, M3 Power, Venus and Vibrance cartridges etc. fit each other’s handles)

So now it’s between Mach 3 and Venus. The ultimate anti-Gorilla test. Not a hair shall remain from sideburns to toes. (Yes it does include all those places, I said not a hair).

My left side, including half a chest, a shoulder, half a back, an arm, a hand, half a tummy, a testicle, half a penis, a hip, one side of an anus, a leg and a foot will be the Venus test bed, and the right side gets the Mach 3 treatment.

Now anyone who is awake should realize that all of the weak foams and toxic chemical gels that we are supposed to buy in aerosol cans are clearly terrible for shaving. And similarly, the so-called lubricating strips glued to all of these modern cartridge razors are an obvious scam as well.

So I lather up (a section at a time) with a good shaving brush and some amber glycerin shave soap, and out come the razors.

As with any shave, to avoid irritation, I do not repeatedly go over any area that I’ve already scraped the lather from. And I do not press the cartridge into the skin. Just a quick light shave once over everywhere in one direction.

And the winner is: Mach 3

Why? Well the Venus did seem better than the Mach 3 in concave areas such as armpits, belly button etc. but otherwise, the larger head was unwieldy, the rubber fins did not improve the shave and overall, the Venus side of the chest exhibited more post-shave redness than the Mach 3 side of the chest.

So guys, if you are a Gorilla like me, and you want to pretend to be human like those male models, you know what to do. Here is a shopping list:

  • One Gillette Mach 3 or Venus razor and some genuine Mach 3 cartridges from a reputable source (fakes are common and are they are quite terrible).
  • A high quality cake of shaving soap.
  • The best shaving brush you can afford, (It will last as long as you live).
  • A shaving mug (the green Marvy rubber mug is safest for slippery hands and tiled floors, but any mug will do).
  • And a Razorba handle for your unreachable back areas. (surprised these never sold in the millions!).

Then enjoy a smooth life and marvel at how quickly you can get dry after a shower, with only one towel!

Disclosure: I’m not affiliated with Gillette or Razorba. I’m just a hairy bastard, er, I mean gorilla.

Jeffrey the Barak is the publisher of the-vu

Shaving – The Old Fashioned Way

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By Jeffrey the Barak


New things are better than old things and new gadgets are better than old gadgets, right? Wrong!

Sometimes the impetus for tools and gadgets to evolve is not to make them better, it’s to change the marketplace to receive more expensive goods. There is no better example of this than the field of men’s’ shaving. Yes the good old Gillette safety razor, invented in 1901, and the good old brush and mug are better than the modern plastic wonders at providing a good shave, and in the long run they save you money and they save your environment from many extra cubic feet of plastic landfill.

The history of shaving is a bloody one. Until the introduction of the straight razor, the ancients used shaving knives, and before that, various sharp shells, flint, and rocks. We see pictures of ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans without beards, and we know that their less sophisticated bearded enemies were called Barbarians, because they had beards. Through copper, bronze and iron ages, blades improved in sharpness, but not safety. Razors eventually became steel, and then in the mid-nineteenth century, they developed handles.

But this article is not meant to be a complete history of shaving. Such a history can be found at various websites following a simple web search for “history shaving”. So I will instead quickly switch to recounting my own history of shaving. As a man with a tough beard and a need to shave twice daily to remain approachable, I have quite an interest in it.

I was born in 1957 and during my childhood in the Sixties I watched my father shave each morning with what I now recognize as a Gillette double-edged safety razor with a double door screw open head. I would stand beside him and pretend to shave with my little plastic toy shaving set with paper razor blades. But my first real shave was at age 12, in late 1969. By that time I had received two electric shavers as bar mitzvah gifts, so I began my shaving career with an electric shaver.

Meanwhile, the seven decade reign of the worthy safety razor was coming to an end. Gillette had to contend with competition from Schick, Wilkinson Sword and others, and the only way to sell enough razor blades was to change, and change often. My father, by this time had acquired his Gillette Techmatic, a razor with a handle and a ribbon blade. A turn of the handle and a new section of blade presented itself. There was now a heap of plastic following the old blades to the landfill, and it continues to this day.

By the time I first tried to switch to wet shaving in 1971, the razor was in the era of the Gillette Trac II. The old tradition of father teaching son to shave had by this time been largely forgotten and the extremely effective brush, mug and soap had been replaced by aerosol cans full of foam. The combination of poorly lubricating shaving foam, the non-swiveling, easy clogging, twin-blade cartridge and the lack of instruction meant that my early wet shaves produced a lot of blood, every single time.

Through the periods of the swiveling Atra series and Sensor series I came in and out of wet shaving, usually for a short while until I bought the next new electric shaver.

Recently, I returned to wet shaving with the Schick Quattro and much better aerosol gel, and I got good results, and no cuts. I was content with my method, But then I saw a big plywood sign.

The store was not even there yet, but in the Century City Shopping Mall was a sign that there would soon be a store opening called The Art of Shaving. A whole store just for shaving! I wondered what they could sell to stay in business. Didn’t every drug store sell Gillette Mach 3′s and Schick Quattro’s? Perhaps they would sell Braun and Norelco shavers? I decided to look them up on the Internet. What I found were expensive wet shaving products and an interesting notion that perhaps shaving brushes and shaving soap might work better than the aerosol gels.

Exploring further, I found more websites selling razors, soaps, brushes, mugs etc., with more educational material and lower prices. Realizing I had never actually really shaved, the old way, I found ClassicShaving.com and purchased a large British silver-tipped badger brush, a German Merkur razor that looked like an early 20th Century Gillette, a stand, and some shaving soaps, razor blades and a mug. I was excited, and even though I was not really that bothered about the long term financial savings and lack of discarded aerosol cans and plastic razor cartridges, my (quite expensive) purchases had me anxiously awaiting the package.

My first shave yielded a comfortable and easy shave. Being careful to use a 30 degree angle, by placing the guard down first then raising the handle to 30 degrees to bring the blade into contact with the skin, and by applying no pressure, I was delighted to be able to shave quickly and easily with no cuts. The result was not as close as I would have liked, and not as close as that achieved earlier with my Quattro and Gillette gel, but it was the first try. Shaving this way takes practice. One immediate improvement was the lack of clogging. With my tough hairs and the aerosol gel, the closely set multiple blades of my modern razors were always clogging and needing to be rinsed vigorously after about three inches of shaving. But there was nowhere for the safety razor to get clogged. Soap can go straight through.

I particularly enjoyed the lathering up with the brush and mug. Without a thick layer of white stuff on my face, the glycerin based soap left an extremely slick surface and the hairs were standing at attention waiting to be cut down. I immediately had no doubt that a good brush and shaving soap will prepare anyone for a shave much better than anything from an aerosol. However, to get a very close shave will take careful practice with the safety razor.

While many aficionados will tell you that you should not strive for a very close shave and should not try to cut the whisker at a level that will be below the skin’s surface, this is exactly what the multi-blade systems have been trying to do since 1971. But do we really need to do that? The re-growth of curly beard hair can be uncomfortable if you shave too close, and no matter how close you get with your Quattro or Mach 3, it’s only close for a few hours when the whiskers you pulled out and cut at below skin level start to poke through the follicles again.

The face seems to prefer a shave that’s not so extreme. And here, a gentle practiced touch with an old fashioned safety razor can offer the most comfort, when used lightly and at the correct angle. Of course we all have different skin types, and some shavers are prone to ingrown hairs, (usually men with curly beards), or bumps, whereas others can tolerate a much closer shave. Trained barbers will always shave with the direction of the growth of the hair, as opposed to against it. For most of us that is generally down, but often the neck hairs point back to sides of the neck.

Our instincts, and yes, even our experience, tell us that if we shave up, against the growth angle, we’ll cut the whiskers shorter and get a closer shave, but we will also be inviting razor burn and nicks and cuts as the blade takes that rough ride up the steps. It seems the skin experts want us to sacrifice the potentially closer shave for the more comfortable drag in the direction of growth, downward. But as everyone really knows, a close shave can be easily had if we lather up two or three times. The first pass can be in the direction of growth, the second across the direction and the third, against the direction. But you know what? Even three shaves like this with a safety razor is less irritating to the skin than a single pass with the multi-blade cartridge.

After a few days of carefully shaving in the correct direction, with the correct tool and following a good brushed on lather, I began to get results comparable to that which I achieved with the Schick Quattro. In fact I believe the shave is now just as close with the single razor blade! But remembering that each Quattro or Mach 3 cartridge is a plastic device that comes in a plastic protector, which is itself in a plastic rack of the back of a plastic handle holder, and that those cartridges are about $2 each, I can’t help thinking again about the savings in money and plastic waste that switching to a safety razor will bring. And we won’t even begin to discuss the new Turbo razors that use disposable batteries to make them vibrate.

True, each pack of ten razor blades comes in a little plastic box and even these blades can cost from 15 cents to $1.50 each, depending on where you buy them, but that little box is a tiny amount of plastic by comparison, and the blades are double sided, making them last longer than a modern cartridge. And each cake of soap in that mug can last as long as a few cans of gel or foam and only costs from $1.50 to $6. The brush and mug can last a lifetime, if you’re already an old geezer like me. Again, no landfill. In fact I just bought 100 Israeli blades on Ebay for $15, and there is no plastic box at all.

It seems strange to talk about saving money after spending $80 on a stand, $90 on a brush, $30 on a razor, $12 on soap, $4.50 on a bowl, and $4.50 on my first pack of blades, but the blades and soap will last a while and the rest of my purchase may last longer than I do. In fact, if you decide to buy a shaving brush and a safety razor, bear in mind that they can last forever so try to get everything right in your order. No sense buying a less expensive pure-badger brush to save money, when for a little more you can get a silver-tipped badger brush. You will get into this, and you will end up upgrading, so it will save you money to get the best brush the first time out. Unless you lose your brush or your razor, they may be the last you’ll buy. So consider if you want the original design, or a thicker handle, or a longer handle, or a butterfly opening top. The best selection will of course be online, not at the mall or the drugstore, so try starting at classicshaving.com and then do a Google search for the competitors. Choose your tools carefully.

A pack of 12 Mach 3 cartridges is around $22 these days, and a can of Series Gel is around $3. It’s very hard to calculate, but I guess that after about 3 years, I’ll get my investment back in savings. But once again, that’s not what it’s about. We have to shave and it’s a drag, so why not enjoy it with good tools and materials, and why not spend a few more minutes a day doing it with care and skill?

After decades of putting up with the need to shave, I now look forward to it. Shaving the right way is fun.

One day I shaved my right side with the safety razor and my left side with the Schick Quattro. The results were quite interesting. The modern razor felt safer and faster. But it needed a lot of rinsing or it just didn’t get to the skin at all due to all the hair stuck between the four blades. And also with the Quattro, I could sense tugging, in other words, it felt as if the hairs were being shaved progressively shorter, just as on the famous Gillette television commercial animations, (the reality of which is under dispute to this day). But following the rinse and the pat dry, the side of my face shaved with the Quattro had not in fact shaved me any closer than the side shaved with the safety razor. Not closer, just faster. Perhaps the imminent release of Gillette’s five-blade Fusion razor is the proof. All these blades are nothing but marketing. Each manufacturer trys to get one blade ahead of the other.

So now to the question that many readers who have made it this far will be dying to ask. Why didn’t I go the whole way and learn to shave with a straight razor? Why didn’t I get into honing, stropping, and all the rest? Well I thought about it, but quickly realized that King Gillette’s innovation was called a safety razor for a reason. I think it would only be a matter of time before I dropped the straight razor and did something nasty to my willy, or my foot or something else that happened to be in the way. Too risky for me I’m afraid.

So in all likelihood, I will stay with my brush and safety razor for my daily shaves, but I will also keep my Quattro and can of gel for traveling, and for shaving things that are not my face, as I still can’t picture putting a double edged safety razor anywhere near my “personal hairy areas”.

Jeffrey the Barak is the publisher of the-vu

Hollywood celebrities with hair loss turn to the $300 CoolPiece

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Los Angeles, California, USA. March 2005.

Gossip columns abound with speculation. Who is wearing a hairpiece? Is that his real hair or is it a hairpiece? Did he get transplants, or is it a hairpiece?

As technology brings us less and less detectable hairpieces, celebrities and regular folks alike are saying goodbye to baldness with today’s high tech hairpieces. Los Angeles based CoolPiece.com is an online business with no salon, no hairdressers, no showroom and no storefront. But CoolPiece is the buzzword in the movie industry as make up artists, hairdressers and the stars they serve are lining up alongside the regular men and women to get the latest hairpieces for $300 via the Internet.

One Emmy winning hairdresser in New York says, “Why pay $3,000 for a designer hairpiece when side-by-side, a $300 CoolPiece is plainly better?”

At CoolPiece, owner Jeffrey the Barak, gets asked by the tabloids, “So who is wearing a CoolPiece? We hear its Celebrity B or Celebrity A”. But Jeffrey never tells. His motto is, “The day that movie star sends in a picture of himself to put on the website is the day we’ll admit we serve him. Until then our official line is, as far as we know, he’s not even bald.”

So why CoolPiece? Jeffrey says “Regular people who cannot afford high prices for top quality, hard-to-detect hairpieces come to CoolPiece for the savings, but the surprise is the quality. Even though the price point is down at $300, there are no compromises, and if there was a better option out there, CoolPiece would sell that for $300 also.”

In the early days, CoolPiece was always under attack from people who worked for certain expensive salons. The hair-replacement industry was never known for its honesty or good ethics, but CoolPiece changed all that by publishing the secrets that were previously hidden in the back rooms of the expensive salons, and former victims of the industry warily took what was left of their money and put their trust in this website full of free information.

They never looked back, and the appalled vendors of high-priced hair systems were less than pleased with CoolPiece and its effect on their old businesses. But quality prevails and a deal is a deal, and before long the millionaires and movie stars began to do the same as the regular folks and began to switch to CoolPiece.

CoolPiece’s secret? “Simple”. Says Jeffrey. “Help everyone, guarantee everything, replace anything, and refund anything. The customer comes first every time. In other words, everything the expensive salons wouldn’t do for their clients.”

So is there really a difference between a CoolPiece and a regular hairpiece? Usually there’s a huge and obvious difference, but CoolPiece is not totally unique as far as good hairpieces are concerned. The main difference is the actual level of quality. Until CoolPiece came along, you had to pay a fortune for top quality units, whether you were a celebrity or a schoolteacher, and now you don’t. Add in the considerable trust factor, and CoolPiece finishes ahead. And that’s without even considering the radically lower price point.

So what’s new at CoolPiece? Owner Jeffrey the Barak credits singer Beyoncé for the latest boom. He says “It seems that there are a lot of African-American females who have hair loss due to traction alopecia and chemical damage. The American singer Beyoncé is the women they all want to look like, and each week we get custom orders from around the world for full wigs, accompanied by photographs of Beyoncé. She seems to have the most admired hair since Jennifer Aniston in the early days of Friends.”

And the men? Jeffrey says “There is not any particular man that lots of guys want to copy. They’re just happy to have some hair that looks and feels like it grew out of their scalp.”

What about kids? CoolPiece features an offer on its home page, to make a hair system free of charge for kids with cancer and no insurance. Surprisingly there are not many takers, but there was a Russian gentleman who claimed to have a thousand children with cancer. “We had to turn him down” says Jeffrey.

So does CoolPiece owner Jeffrey the Barak make the hairpieces himself? “Of course not. They are made in the world’s best factory. I just spend all day and part of the night answering email and helping people find their way out of baldness and bad deals.”

And what about Jeffrey’s own hair? The Englishman in Los Angeles has this to say: “Some it is my own, and some of it is a CoolPiece. It all looks like my own though”.

How does CoolPiece handle the celebrities? “We treat the movie stars like librarians and we treat the store clerks like pop stars. Everyone gets the hair they deserve”.

Beauty Goes Skin Deep

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Ten Minutes A Day Keeps Those Wrinkles At Bay
By Diana Dudas

Our skin like other body parts is not invincible, when it comes to being susceptible to damage. As it is necessary to get monthly haircuts and weekly manicures as part of your grooming regime it should also be a necessity and not a luxury to take care of the most important organ of your body, the skin. And the time to start doing that is now.

Too young to care

It may seem unimportant to contemplate doing anything about your complexions before reaching your thirties. However it is in our twenties that the effects of aging begin to be visible in our complexion. As we mature, biochemical changes occur in elastin and collagen, the connective tissues that give skin it?s firmness and elasticity. Genetics also play a part in this, which is why these changes occur at different times in different people.

As skin becomes less elastic, it also becomes drier, and the fat padding begins to disappear. This causes the skin to sag and look less supple. Ultimately wrinkles will appear. Then one day, after glancing in the mirror you suddenly notice those crows feet creeping in around the corners of your immaculately decorated eyelids, or you notice that your lip potions have sadly waded into the spider like crevices above the lips. It is normally then, when decisions are made to go out and get a miracle cream or maybe a facial. Aging can be slowed down, and you can do your part to promote a younger complexion even as you mature. All it takes is a little TLC, but start NOW! The sooner you start to nurture your skin the more chance you have of a age-less complexion. All it takes is a short monthly visit to a skin care specialist, or a few minutes a day, taking care of your skin at home.

Skin care starts at home

Enjoying a monthly facial is an excellent idea. Having your, face, neck and shoulders massaged for an hour and a half will most definitely put you into a state of euphoria and your skin will feel revitalized and renewed. And for those of you who haven?t got time for a full treatment, you will be pleased to know that the New York style facial is now available, which takes only 15 minutes, perfect for a quick lunch hour treat. Making time for a facial is important, but more so it is of the utmost importance to maintain this caring act at home. Your skin needs twice daily nurturing to keep it clean, moist and protected and it only takes ten minutes a day.

Easy as ABC

A good skin care regime is neither complicated nor laborious. A quick 1, 2, 3 step is a great start. This means a twice daily cleansing, toning and moisturizing. it only takes 5 minutes each time, that?s just 10 minutes a day.

Cleanse: Use a liquid, cream or foam cleanser. And gently massage your face to remove all dirt and make-up. Then rinse. Do not use soaps as they can be overly drying and also clog pores.
Tone: After cleansing saturate a cotton pad, and stoke over face and neck, this will work to remove the last traces of cleanser and also close your pores.
Moisturize: Apply your cream with upward motions to both the face and neck. Avoid eye area.

This is all you need to get you well on your way to a healthy and more radiant complexion.

You’re only young once!

This might be the case, however there is absolutely nothing wrong from being in denial of your age for as long as you fell fit!
For those concerned about skin maturity or maybe suffer with problem skin there are extra steps that you can take to ensure healthy skin.

A weekly exfoliation will uncover fresh new layers of skin. Look for exfoliators that contain enzymes as these will dissolve dead skin cells without being too abrasive. This will give your skin a healthy glow.
For optimum results, immediately after using your exfoliator, apply a masque . Check the ingredient lists for anti-inflammatory agents such as cucumber or chamomile, these will work to calm and soothe your skin, so that it emerges, refreshed,, refined and revitalized. Always a good thing!

Obviously the more you care for our skin, the better you are going to look. And that alone will give you a new lease of life. There are also eye creams and gels that reduce fine lines and firm the area around the eye. Thus helping to prevent further wrinkles.

Doctor my Eyes!

Eye crèmes are a vital part of your skin care regime. The skin around your eyes is much finer than the rest of your face and body and cannot absorb a heavy moisturizer. If you were to compare the thickness of skin on the various parts of our body to paper. The delicate eye area, would be like tissue paper, the face like writing paper, and the neck and body like wrapping paper this is why it is important to use lighter crèmes that are specifically made for the delicate eye area. If you were to apply your usual facial moisturizer to the eye area, the moisturizer would have no where to go, and would in fact create puffy, baggy eyes. Also for the same reasons never use eye crèmes on the eyelid before going to sleep. However you can use an eye gel sparingly under the eye area.

Going below and beyond

Once you have achieved your basic skin care regime, your skin will be like a clean canvas ready to absorb all the nutrients found in anti-aging formulas. These include products containing liposomes, night crèmes and also serums. When crèmes containing liposomes are applied to the skin, the liposomes are deposited on the skin and begin to merge with the cellular membranes and then release their active ingredients. Serums go one step further, they are able to penetrate below the skin wall and attach themselves to emerging skin cells promoting healthy new skin cells. Serums come in the form of droplets and are applied sparingly under your moisturizer.

What to look for

The thought of shopping for skin care items can tedious and knowing which ingredients to look is daunting, so here are a few suggestions of what ingredients to look for when starting your skin care regime. When choosing your cleanser toner and moisturizer look for the following ingredients, which will vary depending on your skin type:

Dull dry skin? oxygenating essential oils including: Peppermint, Geranium, Rosemary, Cyprus, Thyme, Anise and Cinnamon

Oily or acne prone skin?anti-bacterial and oil blotting extracts including: Camphor, Eucalyptus Oil, and Witch hazel

Mature Skin?Liposomes, serums. Sunflower, jojoba and hazelnut are rich lubricants.

Exfoliators?ENZYMES are the gentlest and yet most effective form of exfoliation. Papaya being the most effective

Once you start on the road to good skin care, your skin will crave it. Remember, a good diet, exercise and drinking lots of water will also help improve your complexion. With just ten minutes a day you will soon see results and others will also notice.

So start your twice daily skin care regime and , when you just don?t feel like it, remember just 10 minutes a day keeps those winkles at bay.

If you have any questions on skin care please email dudasdiana @ aol.com
Or for product questions email alkemiskincare @ aol.com

Author Diana Dudas G.C.H.S.R.H. is an expert with more than 28 years experience in the beauty industry. She has answered over 2000 questions for allexperts.com and has had her work published in many well-respected beauty magazines both online and off.

Your Crowning Glory

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A new awareness to the causes of hair loss in women
By Diana Dudas

Summertime can have a nasty habit of making us sit and notice. We suddenly have anew self awareness. Wintertime can have a definite adverse affect on both your hair and skin. This is aggravated by an over indulgence of rich nurturing foods, caffeine and alcohol. It sometimes takes spring creeping over the windowsill to give you that extra wake up call, and a new self awareness. It is during this time that your old summer wardrobes may look sad, due to extra poundage gained over the hibernation season. Skin may appear dry, and your hair can appear to seem limp and lifeless and in extreme cases hair loss may be apparent.

Hair loss in women is becoming more prominent, and this has persuaded doctors to take a closer look at the problem. It has been proven that poor diet can play a big part in promoting hair loss, especially in women, whom already have to contend with hormone in balances, which also contribute to hair loss.

What causes hair loss in women?

DHT

95% of hair loss in women is cause by androgentic Alopecia ( female pattern baldness). This may be inherited from your parents. What causes the hair loss in this condition is a chemical called DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is hormone that all men and women produce) .People that make more DHT have a lot of the enzyme called 5_alpha reductase. An excess of DHT may cause hair follicles to the hair become increasingly thinner, until the follicle will eventually stop producing hair at all. The baldness will be predominantly over the front and sides of the head and not in the crown area as with men. This will get worse with menopause.

A women’s biochemistry if often out of balance, and this along with poor diet can create a toxic environment and un acceptable amounts of copper and salt in the system.

Oily Hair

As hair thins the sebaceous gland that secreted sebum the hairs natural oil, will stay the same size and continue to produce the same amount of oil. This can make thinning hair overly oily, flat and lifeless. This makes frequent shampooing vital for hair loss cases with oily scalps. Sebum also contains DHT which can clog pores and deter healthy hair growth.

Hormones

Hormonal changes are a common cause of female hair loss. After a pregnancy, or when taking birth control pills, many women experience hair thinning to varying degrees, but only on a temporary basis.
While a woman is pregnant, and hormonal changes are occurring, more hair follicles enter the growth phase than normal. About two to three months after childbirth, the normal hair cycle returns and many hairs re-enter the resting phase, which causes excessive shedding to occur. If the condition does not change after six months, a woman may be experiencing hereditary hair thinning or maybe be lacking in certain nutrients to an unbalanced diet.

Unbalanced Diet

What you eat is reflected in the health of your hair. Your hair as well as your body needs a balanced, nutritious diet to stay healthy. Making a conscious decision to eat an abundance of fruits and vegetables that are loaded with vitamins and anti oxidants is essential. whist, whole grains , nuts and seeds will provide minerals and vitamins. A lean protein will add sufficient iron to the diet and a fortified cereal breakfast will complete the nutritional pyramid. Of course drinking plenty of purified water will give your hair maximum hydration.
Eating organic, will help deter the body from becoming toxic, especially from copper, and steering clear of processed foods will prevent a high sodium intake.

Salt and Copper wreak havoc

Unhealthy tissue concentrations of copper, can cause hair loss. These amounts would be below 1.7milligrams or above 3.5 milligrams. Copper toxicity can vary from person to person, and can depend on the individuals metabolism and diet. Vegetarians for example are not always able to retain copper, which means they are more susceptible to hair loss.

How does copper get into our system

Drinking water that comes from old copper pipes is prime. Also the food that we eat. For instance copper can be included in animals diets which in turn is then passed on in our daily regime. It is also not uncommon for farmers to incorporate copper into their anti-fungal and algae sprays. Birth control such as the pill and IUD both use copper, making women more susceptible to copper imbalances. Swimmers are also at risk sue to a popular algaecide used in pool water.

Salt Savvy

It is common knowledge that too much sodium or salt is not good for us, But even if we are salt savvy and do what’s best by avoiding salt. Our bodies can still produce too much sodium due to too much stress, which will naturally increase sodium retention.

What to advise!

If you have a client suffering with hair loss, it might be a good idea to mention the above and advise the following:

* Drink Bottled Water
* Avoid foods high in copper, such as milk, chocolate, oysters, nuts, high fat meats and salmon.
* Avoid salt and eat a low sodium diet ( steering clear of processed foods is a good idea as they tend to be high in sodium
* Try to stay stress free. If a stressful lifestyle is on the agenda, then relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation will help to reduce sodium levels.

Other causes of excessive hair loss.

* You should normally shed on average between 80-100 hairs each day, however any more than this and you might want to re-think your diet or lifestyle.
* Chemical treatments done in correctly , or excessive pulling on the hair due to over tight ponytails or braids, are also likely to cause hair loss.

If you follow a healthy lifestyle or do not fall into any of these categories and you are still experiencing hair loss, you may want to consult with your doctor or trichologist. As a more serious health problem may be the cause!

Author Diana Dudas G.C.H.S.R.H. is an expert with more than 28 years experience in the beauty industry. She has answered over 2000 questions for allexperts.com and has had her work published in many well-respected beauty magazines both online and off.

Wave of the future

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Wave of the future, A new awareness of chemical strengtheners and natural alternatives

By Diana Dudas

Although relaxing is a huge part of the black hair care industries income, sales from relaxers ,last year were down more than 5%. People are opting to go au naturel and there is now a definite trend towards natural hair. Later on we will look at non-chemical options (afro is definitely back); But for those who prefer the option of sleek shiny straight hair, lets answer some of your concerns on your choice of relaxers and how they will affect your hair.

Hairs chemical transformation

One of your first concerns will be the change of your hairs pH level. Hair in a healthy state should have a pH of between 4.5 – 5.5. Hairs natural oil, sebum, has a pH of 5. On the pH scale of between 1 – 14, 1 being the most acid and 14 being the most alkaline relaxers have a pH of between 8.4 and 14, thus changing your hairs naturally slightly acid state to alkaline. This will cause the hair to feel, dry coarse and in extreme cases you may experience hair breakage. It is therefore imperative to take good care of your newly relaxed hair by the use of pH balanced, treatment shampoos and conditioners.

Once the straightening solution has been applied to the hair, it will penetrate into the cortex (middle layer of hair), where it will react with the di -sulfide bonds, also known as the cysteine bonds. These bonds join together the protein chains, which are responsible for the structural stability and strength of the hair. This reaction will cause the protein chains to be broken and allow the hair to soften and take on a new form. Once this has occurred the hair is rinsed free of the solution so as not to allow any further softening to take place. The neutralizing process is then needed to repair the broken protein chains allowing the hair to be fixed into it’s new straight form. Chemical reactions can still occur up until 48 hours after your chemical service, so it is wise to wait at least that long before shampooing your hair.

Lye or no-lye

There are basically three types of hair relaxers. They are sodium hydroxide, guanidine hydroxide and ammonium thioglycolate:
Sodium hydroxide is the strongest of relaxers and is often called the lye relaxer. It is a very harsh, caustic chemical, and should only be used on coarse, extremely curly hair. The pH level is between 10 – 14 which means it has the most potentially harmful relaxer. And if not used with proper care can cause soreness of the scalp and dry, brittle hair.

No-lye relaxers are either Guanidine hydroxide (a combination of calcium hydroxide cream with guanidine carbonate), OR Ammonium thioglycolate. These have a pH of between 9 – 9.5, and are considered to be less damaging than the sodium hydroxide or lye relaxers. However it is still vital to give your hair the same TLC that you would give your hair with a sodium hydroxide relaxer.

New Ideas

A recent breakthrough in hair straightening is known as the thermal ionic or bio ionic system. Using an ammonium thioglycolate substance, with the aid of a flat iron maintained at 170° – 230°C, this process promises to transform your hair into permanently “pin-straight ” hair, that will be soft, shiny and frizz-free.

For this service your hair needs to be at least four inches long. You will have to completely grow out your relaxer. The service takes about three hours for short hair and 4 -5 hours for longer hair. Because of the time involved it is obviously a costly service. However the upside is that it only needs to be done every six months.

As with all other relaxers do not wash your hair for at least 48 hours. And use products that are pH balanced. Also with this particular service, it is not advised that you bleach or hi lite your hair at all afterwards.

Precautions

It is advisable when contemplating getting a chemical relaxer that you go to a hair stylist that is well respected in has plenty of experience. On your first visit to them, they should allow extra time to consult with you, check the porosity, elasticity and texture of your hair. Your scalp should also be checked for abrasions. This will allow them to determine the best type of relaxer for you, after which time a strand test should be done, to confirm their decision. During this time, records should be taken for future reference, and suggestions on after treatment hair care should be given. You should also be informed of how often you would need to return to the salon, so as to maintain your relaxed hair.

Non Chemical Relaxers

An exciting new approach to retexturizing hair are the non-chemical temporary strengtheners also known as a smoothing glaze. This innovative type of styling lotion allows you to choose when you want to go straight or stay curly, by temporarily relaxing curls. They are designed to straighten, reduce frizz and protect hair from heat. Look for natural ingredients such as Matricaria and wheat proteins. These lotions are normally humidity resistant also. For those who prefer the natural approach this is a great way to go:

Au Natural

With the increase in demand for natural alternatives to the 6 weekly regime of hair relaxing, there is obviously an increase of natural hair care experts. Offering new services in the maintenance of natural hair styles, such as the afro, , two strand twists, coils, braiding and locs.

As part of your natural heritage you may have learnt these techniques already. If not natural hair care experts are always willing to pass on their knowledge, of maintaining your look. Or you could maintain your natural look my a monthly visit to your salon.

Wave of the future

Natural hair care is the wave of the future . Women are becoming more aware of how harsh chemicals are on their hair and how toxic and harmful they can be to their health. There are more natural hair care salons now available and there is a new awareness about natural hair.

© 2003
Author Diana Dudas G.C.H.S.R.H. is an expert with more than 28 years experience in the beauty industry. She has answered over 2000 questions for allexperts.com and has had her work published in many well-respected beauty magazines both online and off.

A Long Stretch from Tradition

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Preventing common hair and scalp disorders caused from braids and weaves.
By Diana Dudas

My earliest memories of braids are watching little girls sitting on their front porch steps being having their hair done by their elders. Now, this old time tradition has turned in to a multi million dollar business. Braids have come a long stretch from tradition and become an elaborate art form. It seems as though, salons specializing in braids and weaves have popped up almost over night. This new talent is highly respected. However there are concerns and problems caused by going to a stylist not specialized in this field making it vital that you find a well respected hairstylist and insist on a receiving a consultation before making your appointment. Hair braiding can take anywhere from three to ten hours, and is therefore costly. So you need to be sure that this is something for you.

Why are consultations important?

Whenever you are considering trying a new hair service, or something that you haven?t done in a while, it is vital to sit down with your stylist of choice for a consultation.
Once you have decided on a service in this case braids or weaves, the stylist should discuss the pros and cons of this service along with telling you how to maintain your new look, and the cost entailed for both receiving and maintain the new look.

But most essentially during this time, the stylist should be checking a few vital pieces of information. Such as the hairs texture, porosity and most importantly the hairs ELASTICITY! Braids or weaves should never be performed on hair that as poor elasticity.

Why is the hairs elasticity so important?

Elasticity is in my opinion one of the most important properties of hair: This is the hairs ability to be able to spring back to its original shape and length without damage. Wet hair that is in optimum conditioner can be stretched up to 25% of its length and return back to its original length when dry. As an experiment, if you was to hold a piece of hair about two inches long in your fingers and pull, you would be able to see considerable movement.

Hairs elasticity depends mostly on the keratin levels and sulphide bonds in the cortex of the hair. These can be quite easily damaged by chemical treatments, such as relaxers, perms, or bleaching. These chemical services will then create poor elasticity in your hair. This will limit the amount the hair will be able to stretch. The hair will also not curl, be weak, fragile and will break easily. Natural and artificial sunlight will do the same damage. Poor elasticity can be rectified by the use of good treatment conditioners that contain wheat, rice and corn proteins. Treatments containing Keratin protein are also acceptable, however the natural ability of vegetable proteins to immediately penetrate into the hair shaft make them a better choice.

You should wait at least two weeks after a chemical service, or until you get the stylists OK, before considering braids or weaves.

Traction Alopecia caused by braids and weaves:

Alopecia is a medical term for hair loss. There are various types of Alopecia such Alopecia Areata (this is normally caused by severe trauma and causes one to lose hair in small patches on their head, that can then enlarge and become one).Alopecia Androgenetica (otherwise known as male of female pattern baldness, which normally happens as one matures) and Traction Alopecia.

Traction Alopecia is caused by constant stress on the hair follicle, due to continuous wearing of tight pony tails, hair buns , up-do?s and most commonly hair braids, such as corn rows, or braids that are now used for hair weaving techniques.

In order for hair braids to look neat and to last any length of time without loosening, they need to be put in very tightly. Most hairstylists specializing in braids or weaves etc. have great dexterity and strength in their fingers, this is due to having been braiding from a very young age.

It is important when receiving this service, to let the stylist know if they are pulling too hard, however it is my experience that stylists normally insist, that they need to be pull tightly in order for the braids stay in. If you are having braids as a one off, this is not too harmful as your hair follicle will be able to withstand the stress. However if you continue to braid your hair on a regular basis (every 6 weeks or so) Your hair will eventually pull away from the follicle, shortening the hairs lifespan.

Braids Shorten Your Hair’s Lifespan

The lifespan of an individual hair is on average between 2 and 6 years. This life span is divided into three stages

* ANAGEN which is the first stage, when the new hair grows from the base of the hair follicle.
* CATAGEN during which the hair has now ceased to grow, the root shrinks and the follicle breaks down, allowing the hair to move upward.
* TELOGEN the mature hair is loosely anchored to the hair root, and after a couple of months the hair will fall out. Hair overly stressed during braiding can encourage the hair to fall out shortening its lifespan.

Scalp problems caused by braiding wet hair.

I have known stylists to wet or dampen the hair before they braid. This is because it helps them to section the hair more precisely and makes hair easier to control and hold in their fingertips. What happens then is that when pulling the wet hair it will stretch it to its fullest potential, this will of course depend the condition and elasticity of the hair. Then as the hair dries it will contract and try to return to it?s previous length causing great stress on the hair follicle. This can cause severe headaches a day or two after the appointment. It can also cause sores to appear on the scalp which in turn can become infected and very painful. These sores can also be caused by the stylist being too harsh when using sharp combs or implements during braiding.

Hair Breakage caused by braiding too soon after a chemical service.

There are cases when braids are applied immediately after a chemical service. This is not acceptable because the hair after a chemical service does not an optimum moisture level of 8%, is overly porous, and most importantly, has poor elasticity. Even if the hair does not break at the time of service, it could break within days or weeks after the services.

Caring for your braids.

For all of the above reasons it is vital that once you have your braids that you take care of them. Follow the stylists instructions. However due to the lack of conditioning once your hair is braided ( it is often recommended that you do not condition for fear of the conditioner making the hair soft loosening the braids. It is vital that a month prior and past your appointment that you spend time giving your hair lots of TLC. This means pampering your hair with shampoos that will restore your hairs moisture level to its optimum 8% treatment conditioners that contain vegetable proteins, improving elasticity. Try and give your hair a treatment at least one a week.

Author’s Notes: There is no reason at all that you cannot enjoy the experience of hair braids or weaves, as long as you take the proper precautions. Go to a well respected specialist, use good professional hair care products, and ALWAYS GET A CONSULTATION.
If you have any questions on this article or other hair care questions, please feel free to e-mail me at dudasdiana@aol.com

© 2002
Author Diana Dudas G.C.H.S.R.H. is an expert with more than 28 years experience in the beauty industry. She has answered over 2000 questions for allexperts.com and has had her work published in many well-respected beauty magazines both online and off.

Quench the Thrist of Frizzy Hair

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By Diana Dudas

It seems like such an enigma. Of the hundred or so emails I receive daily, the same question pops up endlessly. “Why is my hair so, frizzy and dry, coarse or brittle?” I intend to try and solve this mystery. And my first clue has to do with moisture deficiency!

Oil and Water

90% of us suffer with dry brittle or frizzy hair because our hair is deficient of (moisture) WATER! There is a certain preconceived notion that has been passed on from generation to generation. That is the idea that our hair is dry, because we are lacking in natural oils. We are told that if we nurture our hair by brushing vigorously 100 times a day, or if we nurture our hair with hot oil treatments and cholesterols. If we do all of these things, then we are sure to be blessed with beautiful, shiny and healthy locks. This might be the case, if you have young virgin (hair that is not chemically treated) hair. But this is certainly not the case, once you have impaled your tresses, with harsh chemicals such as bleaches and alkaline permanents. Or if you have naturally curly hair,

Naturally Curly Hair

Those of you who have curly hair, have these curls, because of a curvature of the hair follicles .A normal hair follicle under a microscope would be seen as perfectly straight. However yours would have a definite bend in it. This causes the hair to curl. Where the hair curves it compels the cuticle (the outer layer of the hair) to lift.

The Cuticle

Under a microscope, A cuticle is similar in appearance to shingles on a roof. When the hair is in good condition, and is straight and has good porosity the tiles or cuticle layers are tight together and in perfect in shape, giving the hair a smooth appearance. This makes light reflect off the hair enhancing shine! When hair is in bad conditioner, is curly or has poor porosity, the cuticle layers are lifted and sometimes damaged and broken. This makes the hair feel coarse and brittle. It also causes the hair to absorb light, giving the appearance of dull lifeless hair.

To sum up this scenario. Because curly haired cuticle layer is permanently lifted, it feels, coarse, and brittle and has no brilliance. Hence the dull, lifeless look. It also means that our hair has poor porosity.

Porosity

Is the ability for hair to be able to absorb and retain moisture. The best way for me to explain this is to would be for you to imagine a sponge. First of all imagine a brand new sponge. It will have tiny holes in it, and when you immerse it in water, it will soak up a large quantity, and be able to hold that liquid for a long period of time. This is because it has good porosity. Now imagine an old sponge. Its holes have become damaged and distorted. It might even be torn in some areas. When you immerse this sponge in the same amount of liquid, it will absorb far less and will certainly not be able to retain the moisture so readily.
It is the same with hair. Hair that has poor porosity will not be able to absorb or retain moisture as well as hair that has good porosity. making hair permanently dry.

Hot oil treatments

Traditions have taught many of us that lavishly applying oil to our hair will give us the soft, shiny hair that we all desire. However more often than not, the opposite takes place. Most oils if they are not essential oils do not have the ability to penetrate into the hair shaft. Nor do heavy cholesterols. What they will do, is to lay on top of the cuticle, and coat the cuticle. This may give the hair some Brilliance. However, it will also coat the hair. And causes product build up.

Product build up

Once the hair is coated, your problems will commence. First of all, the moisture that our hair so desperately needs will not be able to permeate through the wall of product build. The moisture is then not able to find it’s way underneath the cuticle layer. The hair cannot then be conditioned. Also the oils will not diffuse, but sit on top of the cuticle layer. If you use any kind of hot styling tools such as blow dryers or hot irons, what will happen to your hair, is exactly what happens when you put an egg into a hot pan. It will fry!

If you live in a sunny climate, the oil will do the same thing. The sun will heat the oil and fry your hair. You must have heard the term, my hair feels fried.

Optimum condition

For hair to be in tiptop conditioner is has to have a moisture (water) content of at least 8%, and the right balance of protein and natural oil. Most of us produce enough natural oil (sebum), to keep our hair healthy, but lack the moisture. After having a chemical service your moisture level will drop as low as 2%, causing, drying of the hair, followed by split ends. The same will happen with constant use of blow-dryers and hot styling tools, such as curling or flat irons. If the moisture level is not restored to it’s optimum 8%; by the use of good moisturizing products your hair will ultimately become brittle and possibly break.

What to do

You need to give your hair lots of TLC, with shampoos that are designed to restore your hair’s moisture level to its optimum 8%. Along with intense conditioners that will help to repair damaged cuticles, improve porosity, elasticity and general health and appearance of your hair. Avoid product build by using products that contain natural ingredients. Also avoid hot oil treatments, heavy cholesterol type conditioners, and petroleum-based and silicone-based products. Also hairsprays, mousses and gels that have a high alcohol or butane content.

Those of you with naturally curly, wavy or frizzy hair, those of you who use hot styling tools or who chemically treat your hair, will need to give your hair extra nurturing by supplying it with the necessary nutrition and moisture that it needs. Sun worshippers need to make sure that your hair care products have sunscreen properties to protect your hair from the damaging affects of the UV rays.

Summary

Our hair needs moisture, moisture, and moisture! Who needs to add moisture more than most? People with naturally curly hair, chemically treated, hot styling tool users or people who live in hot sunny and arid climates.

© 2002
Author Diana Dudas G.C.H.S.R.H. is an expert with more than 28 years experience in the beauty industry. She has answered over 2000 questions for allexperts.com and has had her work published in many well-respected beauty magazines both online and off.

Beauty and the Beast

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By S.D. Craig

The beauty industry is a fine thing. After all, where else can we go to have our feet and hands petted (which makes us sleepy, isn’t that odd?), our hair shampooed (feels sooo good when someone else does it) and fixed (thank the Lord), our faces steamed and puffed up (so we take years off our age)?

Well, I have two sisters in the beauty world. One does nails and one does hair. I am a licensed masseuse myself, in addition to being a writer. You join our family, you’ve got it made. We can make you feel better and then, I can write about it. It’s true, a writer’s friends and family do always live in fear.

A beauty salon is a hotbed for gossip, gossip of any sort. Especially in a small country town. There isn’t anything sacred in the town where my sisters work that they don’t hear about before the local newspaper does.

I’ve never understood why having someone trim your hair causes you to spill your guts about Aunt Martha’s inheritance going to cousin Leonard instead, the fact that your period has been off and on for a year and is it menopause, and that your husband is cheating on you with his best friend. Yeah, another guy. Do you honestly think your hair stylist WANTS all this information? Not really.

But if you’re paying someone fifty bucks for a perm you feel you can say whatever you please and they must listen. It’s a captive audience thing, right? Right.

I’ve heard my sister often remark if she could do nails without people being attached to them, it’d be great. Just drop their hands off at 9, pick them up a few hours later. Shh, you didn’t hear that from me. This is fiction. She’s not a people person, however, she has a delightful personality. She just would rather not have to use it during her workday. My other sister has been doing this a few years, so give her time. She’ll probably ask that they just drop off their heads, too.

Makes you wonder just how many times do the beauticians, those faithful people who work through thick and thin, have to stand on blown-up feet and work with aching shoulders and hands that are numb while listening about your Uncle Ned and his four mistresses, his way-cool corvette, and his loser son, Buck? Give them a break.

Get a massage. Hey, nothing wrong with that. It’s the best feeling in the world. Well, okay, the second or third best. What I don’t get is why people think that because I have a license to do massage therapy up on the wall, that I’m also a licensed therapist. I might as well have a couch off to the side with my legal pad and pen poised. I can assure you, more of my clients have quit going to their therapist because they see me for a massage. It’s the funniest thing.

Do they ever remember what they’ve said to me afterwards? Hell no, I’ve got them in a state of relaxation, they can barely exit the table. I had one client go into my walk in closet in my office a few years back, and when I began working out of our home, the last one went into the hall closet by the front door. They dress inside out and leave their jewelry. My favorite one was the guy whose wife had a massage at the gym where I worked. Their kid was in the nursery downstairs. He worked out, then came up next for his massage. He drove home, ten miles away, and they’d both left without their kid. Yeah. I could make a killing writing about it, but I won’t. This is all.

Let’s just say these hands are lethal weapons. I can make any person on that table melt, and when they sit up (which is a rather large effort after), they have no idea who they are or who their bosses are. That’s what I get paid for. For an hour, they don’t have to remember. Okay. I know, I said that was all about massage.

Next time you’re at the beauty salon, do me a favor. Let the gal fixing your locks talk. Let your manicurist, who puts you into a trancelike-state, give you her story. You won’t be bored.

Last time I had my hair done I tried it. I liked it. I gave away no secrets of my own.

And guess what? I got material to write about!

SD Craig is a freelance writer and editor of LovingYourCurves.com and was given the nickname “Chatterbox” by fellow writers. At age fifty, Craigs Southern flair and sense of humor give her plenty to write about with a rapier wit and a wacky outlook. Her articles on body image (her biggest passion), marriage/divorce and relationships, family, friends, career issues, computers, the Internet, horses, baseball, movie reviews and writing tips remind one of Erma Bombeck or Dave Barry. A freelance writer who once juggled five columns then got real, Craig welcomes your e-mails and feedback on her articles. Drop her a hello at sdcraig922@yahoo.com or stop by www.lovingyourcurves.com.

Your Size

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By S.D. Craig

Size matters. That’s what they tell me. Only a lot of the time, they’re simply not referring to a man’s pride and joy.

As I once again tuned in to my taped version of a Dr. Phil episode, I hear the man himself introduce a slender, pretty young woman who despises fat people. I shake my head, my husband shakes his. And we sit and listen to her opinion on why fat people are fat, stay fat and infringe on her space.

Next, Dr. Phil has her wear a 300 lb. suit for the day and they put fake implants put in her cheeks (yes, both sets). Just for the day, I said. Just to see how the other half feels and what they continually go through on a daily basis. Funny, but it isn’t that funny to me. You see, in order to understand how being fat really is, you must live it.

This young woman just didn’t get it.

In her eyes, her mind, those of us that are heavy can change our lives if we want to. Some people cannot. There are a myriad of reasons for overweight statistics in America. Some are guilty of overeating, not exercising, indulging themselves in their passion (mine is chocolate). Others have health problems, family heredity, or issues, as Dr. Phil calls them.

She abhors people larger than her taking up room in her movie theatre seat, her airplane seat, her bus seat. She thinks they’re disgusting, arrogant and selfish.

You know what I think? I think, no, I know, that she’s never even taken the time to get to know a person whom she’d call fat. Underneath everyone’s size, color of skin, or disabilities happens to be a real person. Someone special she’s just missed knowing because she can’t see past her own nose in the air.

Now, to me, a curvy woman myself, that’s what arrogance really is.

Size does matter. It’s all about heart.

SD Craig is a freelance writer and editor of LovingYourCurves.com and was given the nickname “Chatterbox” by fellow writers. At age fifty, Craigs Southern flair and sense of humor give her plenty to write about with a rapier wit and a wacky outlook. Her articles on body image (her biggest passion), marriage/divorce and relationships, family, friends, career issues, computers, the Internet, horses, baseball, movie reviews and writing tips remind one of Erma Bombeck or Dave Barry. A freelance writer who once juggled five columns then got real, Craig welcomes your e-mails and feedback on her articles. Drop her a hello at sdcraig922@yahoo.com or stop by www.lovingyourcurves.com.

A Tiara in 2001, A Marriage Forever

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By Kim Knode

The author and the Queens

The author and the Queens

The stereotype of beauty queens as Barbies with silicon breasts stuffed into swimsuits topped off with tiaras is starting to loosen its self-righteous grip in my mind.  The pageant gals I spoke with: Mrs. United States 2001, Dana Opsincs; Mrs. Globe 2001, Stacey Cooper; and Mrs. US Globe 2001, Becky Coomes are well-rounded women who are as different as well, Barbie, Skipper and Kelly!  For example, Opsincs thrills to the roar of engines revving up for a death-defying chase around the NASCAR racetrack.  Cooper loves chasing yellow tennis balls around the court in hopes of adding another golden trophy to her collection.  Mississippi born and bred Becky Coomes delights in touring her state giving ‘I-think-I-can’ motivational speeches to school children.

Heart smarts and relationship savoir-faire is what impressed me most in the interviews (besides the rhinestones!) If nothing else, the ladies deserve endurance medals.  Each has spent over 4,745 days of their lives with the same man.  All three have sailed past their crystal anniversaries. Impressive too is their candor about navigating through choppy waters stirred up by arguments about money and children.  (None of them mentioned sex.)

The lady who prides herself on luxurious golden locks and the crown of Mrs. United States, 17-year marriage veteran, Dana Opsincs confesses, “There have been times that I’ve been so mad at my husband that I could spit.”

So how does she resolve the differences? The exuberant lass who I met on stage shortly after receiving the title of Mrs. United States 2001 disappears for a second. I hear a small sigh on the other end of the telephone.  “I’m not a fighter.  I am the kind that will clam up for two or three days then talk things out.”  She declares that, ” part of our success as a couple is our ability to step back and look at how petty things were that we were arguing about.”

Speaking up is no problem for Mrs. Globe 2001, Stacey Cooper.  (Perhaps her tennis training prepares her to step up to the net fearlessly and face challenges.)  In between bites of green salad at a fund-raising luncheon for abused women, Cooper tells me, “If Tim and I have disagreements or things we don’t like about each other  – we just say it. And then work it out.”

I question the open declaration or dislike of a mate’s behavior.  Cooper  (wearing a light lime suit which shows off her tan) looks directly at me with flashing brown eyes. “You must tell them,” says the 16-year marriage veteran.  She explains, ” No marriage is perfect.  You have a commitment to work it out. I think people give up too easily nowadays.”

As Cooper munches her Boston lettuce, I ask about communicating differences in front of children. “You have to stand together on every issue with your children.  You can argue points behind closed doors,” she says.

Drs. Ron and Mary Hulnick who have conducted hundreds of seminars on the subject of relationship over the course of their 20-year marriage agree. “Presenting a united front to children is exceedingly important if you want to teach them that relationship is about cooperation,” says Dr. Ron.  He adds, “Good communication and mutual understanding are the keys to winning the game.”

Mrs. US Globe 2001, Becky Coomes embraces the Hulnicks’ sentiment. The Mississippi beauty claims that compassion is an essential part of keeping her 13-year marriage on an even keel.  For instance, her husband, Ken, sometimes gets hot under the collar about the pageant queen’s penchant for clothes shopping and purchasing video games for her son.  Instead of exploding and reacting, This Southern Belle says, “I try to be more understanding of his needs and wishes.”  Dressed in a fire engine red mini with matching jacket, shoes and purse in the lobby of a luxury Palm Springs hotel (the morning after snatching the Mrs. US Globe 2001 scepter), she explains, “Ken would be happy with nothing.  He was brought up having very little.  You see, he came from a large family with 12 brothers and sisters.”

The Coomes Family

The Coomes Family

So how does the couple regain harmony after a heated discussion?  Coomes coolly states, “We talk it out.”   She asserts that, “Women in the South are a lot stronger then people may give them credit for.”  Mrs. US Globe 2001 continues, “Yes, we are submissive.  But we want a man to support our dreams.” She flashes her pearly whites, “Or, you know, it’s just not going to work.”

Coomes continues, “From the time, “I won “Most Beautiful” at Heinz Community College, I knew I wanted to be Mrs. Mississippi.  I never had the dream to be Miss Mississippi.  I always wanted the all-American Family.”

Some might say Coomes realized her goal of the all-American family and American dream. Past pageant wins include Mrs. Mississippi America 1991, Mrs. Mississippi United States 1993, Mrs. Mississippi International 1998, Mrs. Mississippi All American. Her latest title is, of course, Mrs. US Globe 2001. In addition she helped her husband expand his snack distribution company to an empire. Proudly she states, “The business does well over million dollars a year sales in quarters and dollars. You know, just through those vending machines!”

Also, Coomes is now able to greet her son at the door after school. “I was always torn between home and work,” she explains. “So I moved my  (formal wear rental) business home when my lease came due.”  (Becky’s Kloset was created as a reaction to aspiring beauty and prom queens coveting Coomes’ pageant gowns.)

Conversely, Cooper  (who is fit and fabulous looking at 40) recently stopped serving “crudités” to her children after school because she went back to work.  All four of her progeny urged her to accept an invitation from New York’s Ford Agency to return to her modeling career. And what was her partner’s reaction? Mrs. Globe 2001 proudly proclaims, “My husband has never squashed anything that I wanted to do.”

However, the athletic Coopers are able to keep their commitment to maintain a solid family unit by traveling together. “Last week, my 13-year-old had a national basketball tournament.  We flew where she had to go.  Two weeks earlier, another one was also in a sports thing.  My 15-year-old does dance competitions around the country.” The professional model/pageant queen smiles and says, “We all support each other.”

Psychologist, Robert Jameson  (who is married to the owner of a successful Santa Monica skin care salon) declares that, “the advantage of couples with common goals is like a corporation with a mission statement.”   When conflict occurs, couples can steer their Love Boat back on course by remembering their mutual interests.

Indeed, car racing is a fascination Opsincs and her husband, Bill have shared for 17 years.  Mrs. United States 2001 and her beloved also revel in swooshing down snowy slopes together. “Bill and I love to ski. In fact, we’d love to move to Colorado,” she says.

“So why are you still in Florida?”  I ask.

“Well, we both have these career paths going on.” Opsincs explains, “He’s got his electrical business.  Plus I’ve got things that I do like the pageants and PR for (race car) team Rensi.”  She enthusiastically adds, “We’re both working hard and saving so we can live in Colorado.”

Certainly expending energy and effort to realize heart visions are nothing new for Opsincs, Coomes and Cooper. Strutting the catwalk with confidence in Atlantic City or anywhere else is precipitated by months – years of disciplined diets and exercise regimes.

Perhaps the ladies’ diligence lends itself to a willingness to communicate, have compassion, resolve differences, discover and support every family member’s passions so they can manifest dreams of a happy home.  These are hardly the attributes or accessories of a plastic Barbie doll.  Maybe a sentiment from Coomes’ poem for Mississippi school children is right, “…For out of the world we find, Success begins with a fellow’s will – It’s all in the state of mind.”

Kim Knode’s interview articles focusing on artists, celebrities and dance champions have been published in various print and on-line publications.

The Sparkle Behind Beautiful Eyes

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By Kim Knode


Alexandra Roberts, Beautiful Eyes (cosmetics company) CEO curls her 5’10” lanky body into a black leather chair in my apartment. (My humble abode is located across from the Armani Exchange in Santa Monica.

Serendipitously her attire defines the casual elegance of the Italian designer.) Roberts accentuates her trim figure with an ebony cashmere pullover and charcoal light wool slacks coordinated with dark ankle boots. With a toss of her luxurious honey-colored locks, I see the cover girl face of the former Eileen Ford model. She smiles and swears that the correct use of, “cosmetics is like knowing the combination lock to feeling good.”

The make-up company CEO hastens to add, “I believe the philosophy that we are all beautiful on the inside. And I adhere to using all the tools and techniques available to reflect our own individual unique beauty.”

Hot Lashes, Roberts’ invention, is one such tool. New York make-up artists inspired her safe-to-use heated eyelash curler. “They would use the hair dryer on eyelash curlers, ” says the former model.  Why? “To open up the eyes – the windows of the soul,” replies Roberts. She promises me that Hot Lashes will,”A: make you look more awake and B: make your eyes look two to three times larger.”

Apparently she has got QVC audiences convinced. Every Roberts’s appearance on the shopping network produces wildfire Hot Lashes sales. Her clientele includes several celebrities such as the queen of Weight Watchers, Sarah Ferguson.  Cosmopolitan rates the Hot Lashes eyelash curling system in their top 10, “Gotta Have Golds.”  Mademoiselle editors also rave about the product. Fitness researchers report that Roberts’ mascara, which accompanies every eyelash curler, is “smudge- proof even after a five-mile run.” (Beautiful Eyes scientists are currently cooking up other make-up, which survives the marathon day of everyone from model to mom.)

Roberts also conducts experiments on her king-size bed in her beachfront Malibu home.  ” I recommend all women do this,” says the CEO with an impish smile.  “Spread your make-up on the bed – experiment! See what works.” She explains, “Like a designer or architect, look at it as a time to aesthetically train your eye.”

So how does a lady like Roberts go from appearing in glossy ads and steamy Jacuzzi movie scenes with Mel Gibson to a CEO charting sales?  “An accident on a ski trip,” replies Roberts. “I was always waiting for someone like a Revlon” to manufacture the product. So with a little extra time on her hands, the mannequin turned businesswoman.   She hired scientists and started exploring the possibilities of Hot Lashes.

Her modeling career also began serendipitously in Texas where an Eileen Ford agent plucked her as one of the Lone Star State’s rarest roses. Any thoughts of modeling again? I ask. “I wouldn’t seek it, ” says Roberts. She explains, “I’m pretty focused on the Beautiful Eyes business right now.”

Does she still watch her weight with the same eagle eye of her Manhattan days? ” With the years I’ve gotten more disciplined with the honoring of self and form for the sake of health,” says the former model. Roberts maintains that higher self-esteem makes, “cutting out carbs, chips and cookies easier.” She confesses, however, a penchant for chocolate cake. Roberts stresses the fact that, ” my diet isn’t about deprivation.” As part of her self-care program, the Beautiful Eyes CEO takes “brisk walks” on the sands of the Pacific Ocean in Malibu.

If Hot Lashes’ success is any indication, the signs of Roberts rapidly stepping into a future where her beautiful eyes will spot more women adding Beautiful Eyes tools to their daily regimen, looks certain.

Kim Knode’s interview articles focusing on artists, celebrities and dance champions have been published in various print and on-line publications.
See more of Kim’s work at www.kimknode.com

Learning Curves from Scotsmen

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By S.D. Craig

Well, well, well.  Let it be said that I’m even more proud to be part-Scottish now that I’ve read that Scottish men prefer the Titanic’s Kate Winslett over ex-Spice girl Geri Halliwell’s slim look.

My husband has said many times that men look for a woman that can bear them children and women are searching for men who can support them financially, keep them secure.  So, in truth, yes, men are visual and looking at what a woman is built like.  They want sturdy mothers for their babies.  If beauty happens to fall into that range, that’s fine.  It’s not the end all though, believe me.

June research in Scotland shows a fifth of their men prefer Kate Winslett’s shape, while only 11% want a thin woman.  Eleven percent.  Think about that when you next worry about your cellulite and weight, ladies.  More than half of us worry about this in every day life.  That’s a shame, it is.

Especially when one third of British men have no idea what cellulite is, and again, a fifth of them think it’s a type of battery.  Okay.

So here we are, at a crossroads.  That of men admitting they prefer chunky women and yet, here we are, stating eighty percent of females would rather look like Geri.  Oh dear.

I do think men have something over on us, you know.  We need to stop obsessing and worrying about the details of our figures and weight.  Men don’t.  Believe me, baby, when was the last time you saw your man in front of the mirror, twisting and turning and grimacing, only to ask “Babe, do you think this makes me look fat?”  I rest my case.

Women need to let loose, give in to the freedom of being a woman with a womanly curvy body, and kiss the rest goodbye.  Men find their natural shapes (without surgery) much more attractive.

Besides, those curvy women can handle childbirth just fine.  Just ask the Scotsmen.

Ah, who’s that I see packing their bags for Scotland?

With acknowledgement to The Daily Record for the inspirational source for this article

SD Craig is a freelance writer and editor of LovingYourCurves.com and was given the nickname “Chatterbox” by fellow writers. At age fifty, Craigs Southern flair and sense of humor give her plenty to write about with a rapier wit and a wacky outlook. Her articles on body image (her biggest passion), marriage/divorce and relationships, family, friends, career issues, computers, the Internet, horses, baseball, movie reviews and writing tips remind one of Erma Bombeck or Dave Barry. A freelance writer who once juggled five columns then got real, Craig welcomes your e-mails and feedback on her articles. Drop her a hello at sdcraig922@yahoo.com or stop by www.lovingyourcurves.com.

Tips from the Thirty-Plus Tiara Set

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By Kim Knode

The author with Mrs. US Globe 2001

The author with Mrs. US Globe 2001

The diamond-studded tiara is placed on the pageant queen’s coiffure.  The crowd goes crazy. The other contestants gather around with congratulations. At age twenty, my reaction to this oft-played TV scene was criticism.  “Why the emphasis on looks?” Two decades later as wrinkles appear I have an answer. Looking good makes you feel good. Or at least – it helps in the self-esteem department.

Today, tricks are welcome to conceal the signs of living – crying and laughing – and dieting to and fro between dress sizes. So on my quest to reflect the inner exquisiteness (which I am more in touch with in my forties), I plied several plus- thirty Mrs. pageant victors to discover the secrets of the tiara set.

Encountering Stacey Cooper, Mrs. Globe 2001 in California was encouraging for those of us concerned with weight.  Cooper is a far cry from a skinny Kate Moss. She is, however, a steadily working statuesque Eileen Ford model.  Among her credits: “I was the tall brunette girl, Danny, on the Michael J. Fox Pepsi commercial,” says the super-fit model.

And as if a tiara and scepter are not enough Cooper touts a Cleo. (Cleos are kind of an Emmy for commercials.)

Competition thrills Cooper. “I love pageants. I think it is fabulous to be able to train and get in shape. ” Cooper declares, “It’s like any other sport.”

In fact, the beauty queen keeps strong and lean with loads of aerobic exercise. She pursues her preferred sport of tennis with almost as much passion as her ambitious Mrs. Globe platform of assisting abused women through the Women In Need (WIN) Foundation. Cooper is ranked as a 4.0 player with the USTA (United States Tennis Association).

Instead of diet sodas, nuts give Cooper the capacity to energetically navigate between WIN work, sports, modeling and motherhood. “I always keep almonds and stuff in my car because I don’t like drive-thrus. To me that is like hurting yourself,” says the model Mrs. Globe.

Cooper admits that, “Every once in a while I’ll have something fancy. But most of the time – just simple food – just healthy, simple, natural. I do a lot of vegetables.” She adds, “And I drink water – a ton, ton, ton.”

On the tennis court, the beauty queen often trades in her scepter for a water bottle in one hand and sunscreen in the other.  She also replaces her tiara with a protective visor.

“To avoid cancer?” I ask.

“For aging!” replies Cooper. Eager to educate me, she explains that women should buy sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in the top three ingredients. Cooper adds that, ” I would also suggest the sunscreen on the hands and arms. A lot of times people try to make the face look good but forget about other exposed areas.”

Mrs. U.S. Globe 2001, Becky Coomes (who will be competing for the Mrs. Globe 2002 title and Cooper’s crown) says that her Mississippi grandmother’s elixir keeps her complexion flawless. (Savvy to the idea that a picture is worth a thousand words, Avon advertisers chose Coomes for their Retroactive Age Reversal Cream campaign.) Apparently, granny’s recipe is also partially responsible for Mrs. U.S. Globe’s Scarlet O’Hara waist.

Living up to her reputation in Mississippi as a champion of community service, Coomes agrees to share the winning ingredients with me. “You take one-tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, two tablespoons of honey and dissolve them in water.” She adds, “You know I’ve told women this. They drink the vinegar and honey with only a smidgen of water! ” She scrunches up her face with a giggle. “It’s important to take a big glass of water and stir it around.” Coomes also advises, “Drink it with a straw. You don’t want the vinegar to eat the enamel off your teeth.”

“And it helps with weight control?” I ask.

The southern belle whispers, “Oh it’s so good for your body because it will flush out the impurities.” She continues with a furtive smile, “And the vinegar will literally eat what you eat.” She adds, “Of course honey is good for your hair too.” Like a trial lawyer making her final statement she triumphantly concludes, “And the value of vinegar dates back to biblical times.”

I ask Coomes (who looks more like Barbie than a woman who has given birth to a child) if she eats three times a day. “Usually,” she replies. (The beauty queen even eats cheesecake.) She swears that the key to her enviable figure is moderation and daily shots of her maternal grandmother’s drink.

“Also, I get up early in the morning and I love to jog at our local walking park,” says Mrs. U.S. Globe. “When I get back home, I’ll work my biceps and my triceps with a weight bar. You know the one that has a crinkle and bent in it?”

Mrs. United States 2001, Dana Lee Opsincs’ methods of squeezing into a swimsuit are slightly more conventional.

“I went on a high-protein, low-carb diet,” explains Opsincs. “I lost fifteen pounds,” she proudly proclaims.  “Egg whites and eating something every two hours is my secret,” says Mrs. United States. “And working out at least three times a week. I also hired a trainer.”

As for her luxurious cascade of blonde, Opsincs confesses, “Oh! I hardly do anything at all.” As an afterthought she adds, “Well, I try not to blow dry it too long.”

By following the tips of beauty queens – egg whites, elixir or almonds and sunscreen advice – we may not all end up garnering tiaras. We may, however, win the accolades of our husbands. Most importantly, stop worrying long enough about our looks so we can pause and appreciate our individual inner beauty strengths.

Kim Knode’s interview articles focusing on artists, celebrities and dance champions have been published in various print and on-line publications.    See more of Kim’s work at www.kimknode.com

Total Body Shaving Guide

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By Margarita Dominguez

Margarita Dominguez wrote Hair-B-Gone a year ago, and it raised an Internet storm which helped to put the-vu on the big hit list. Now she’s back with a much-requested treatment of a subject that is driving people nuts all over the world, Body Shaving!

Okay, so I’m writing this article for the-vu, but I am personally more of a waxing kind of gal. Shaving is not my thing because it has to be repeated so frequently.

But two things have made me write this guide,

I have received a lot of feedback, via the-vu, from people who have had adverse reactions to waxing. These people have expressed a strong interest in reading a helpful guide to shaving the body.

Jeffrey the Barak, the-vu’s publisher, has informed me that enough people have hit Hair-B-Gone to populate a small country. Hair-B-Gone has been more popular than most books in Barnes and Noble.

So let’s all get wet, lather up and get out our razors for an exciting trip into the world of body shaving.

Why do people want to shave their bodies?

It’s mostly about sex! But also hairy men with good figures and good muscle tone want to show it off by removing their fuzz, oiling up and posing for their admirers and lovers.

Also, the waxing technique that I recommended so highly in Hair-B-Gone just isn’t for everyone. It hurts too much for many folks and many more are prone to contracting folliculitis (infected hair follicles) following a wax job.

Then there is the aspect of the shaving procedure itself. Whilst waxing is endured or tolerated for its end result, it is apparent that people enjoy shaving their bodies. It can be a sexual experience in itself, whether done alone, or performed upon a partner. There are many men’s magazines featuring women being shaved and women who are already shaved, and in the male gay community, mutual shaving is a common form of sexual foreplay.

When asked about hair removal, adult movie performers generally say they go for shaving over waxing for the maintenance of a hair free look. If they wax, and they are waiting for a long enough re-growth for the next waxing, it can interfere with their readiness to work.

About the research for this article! Hold on to your hats!

It would have been irresponsible of me to make this stuff up and have it published on the Internet so I decided to do some serious research and experimentation. For my research I assembled the following ingredients:

* My boyfriend
* Some razors and shaving gel
* And an outgoing male gay couple!

I used my boyfriend as a laboratory. He was hairy and now he isn’t! Lucky for him he was able to have his chest shaved without getting a rash or folliculitis from the re-growth. I have to admit I liked the feel of a naked shaved man, but I have to warn you that any flab or lack of tone around the middle looks much worse without hair to disguise it!

I actually preferred him before the shave, so I broke up with him and kicked him out. I can be brutal sometimes! Actually I’m only kidding, there was another reason to get rid of that guy! Enough said.

The gay couple came in handy to explain the appeal of the shaving act itself. My funny friends shave each other three to four times weekly and they say it always leads to sex. Aside from the mutual shave being practical, (they can each get their backs shaved) they say it’s essential for games involving baby oil and what they referred to as snake fights. These guys have very good physiques and when they insisted on revealing them to me in their entirety, their total hairless beauty mesmerized me. I showed them my own fabulous waxed hairless body but it didn’t hold the same appeal to them as their own overwhelmingly male bodies, so unfortunately for me, nothing happened as usual!

Basics.

Body shaving is best achieved if these basic rules are followed.

  • Wash the skin first with warm, not hot, not cold, water so that the skin is very clean.
  • Stand in the bathtub so you don’t make a mess. (Men use a drain basket so you don’t clog the drains.)
  • Use a new blade or new disposable razor. The sharper it is the less it will nick.
  • Let the shaving gel work on the skin before beginning the shave.
  • Do a section at a time, not the whole body at once!
  • Pull loose skin taut with the fingers of the hand that isn’t holding the razor.
  • Don’t press! The lightest touch will shave just as close as a dig but will be less likely to cut the skin.
  • Hairy men, for your first shave, reduce the length of the body hair with a beard trimmer or hair clippers or scissors, but keep those blades off the skin itself.
  • Avoid the temptation to attempt shaving your own back. Sideways movement of a razor will make a straight cut through your skin.
  • If it’s called after-shave, it’s alcohol and it’s going to sting and hurt. All after-shave smells terrible anyway! Buy some witch-hazel to use after your shave. This amazing natural liquid will reduce razor-burn and help prevent the open pores from becoming infected or producing acne. Don’t use pore-clogging cream after your shave!

So lets get down to it, the head to toe guide to body shaving!

Head

I personally think a rotary shaver is better for the head because it is the ultimate curved object, but if you use a razor, be careful not to lose an eyebrow! Use the fingertips of your other hand to feel for areas that still have stubble. Women, you can also shave your heads! Remember when movie star Bai Ling went from four foot long straight black hair to smooth and bald? Try a bald head and assorted wigs for various occasions. It’s a great solution for alopecia, and the entire scalp is of course an erogenous zone when it’s hairless.

Face and Neck

Men do this everyday and are rewarded with that “five o’clock shadow.” That’s why women must never ever shave their faces! Sorry shaving fans, but ladies MUST get waxed or threaded. See Hair-B-Gone
Ears are better dealt with using a rotary shaver but you can also use your wet razor on those coarse wild hairs.

Neck (back of)

Normally the stubbly feel at the back of the neck is quite desirable, but if your scalp is smooth, shave your neck. This should be left for your assistant to do if you are having your back shaved.

Shoulders

Like the chest, re-growth here can be irritating, so once you start, keep it smooth. Best done by an assistant.

Arms and hands

It’s easy to shave your less dominant arm and hand with your dominant hand. It feels weird for a right handed person to hold a razor in the left, but you’ll get used to it because you’ll be doing this at least twice a week from now on.

Back

When shaving your partner’s back, (don’t shave your own unless you really have to,) remember not to press down with the razor. You won’t be able to feel the pressure because it’s not your back!

Underarms

Women are used to this, but guys, don’t press with the blade and relax to let the hollow out. Repeat with a rinsed blade up to five times without pressing!

Chest or breasts

If you are a man with thick dark curly chest hair, the re-growth here will kill you! After you become bald-chested, exfoliate daily in the shower with a scrunchy to make sure you don’t get blocked follicles, which can become infected. If you do get folliculitis go straight to the doctor for antibiotics. During the shave, be very careful not to cut your nipples. Often there is coarse hair right at the nipples edge which should be shaved with great care and precision.

Tummy

It’s like your chest, only lower and hopefully flatter. Luckily it’s less sensitive than your chest and less likely to become infected or irritated.

Pubic Area

If you have shaved the rest of your body bald, why not lose the pubes? You might see the reappearance of that old appendix scar you had forgotten about! I recommend a porn star landing strip, which is a straight edged vertical rectangle of short pubic hair, dead center, directly above your equipment. No pubic hair is also an erotic look, especially on a female. I’m bald there myself and I’m always admiring myself in the mirror.

Guys, if you are keeping an area of pubic hair, keep it trimmed short and have the edges dead straight. Also, having a tiny bald area just above where your shaved penis joins your body will make your penis appear longer!

Bikini area

Okay, we’re discussing body shaving here. There’s no excuse not to include the bikini area, which is adjacent to the pubic, genital and anal areas. No one likes to see hair sticking out of your briefs if your chest is bald!

Genitals (male)

I’ve done this to a guy and I’ve watched two guys do this to each other. It’s not as scary as you may think! Pull the penis if it isn’t erect and gently shave the hairy part of the shaft near the body end. Shave towards the body. Move the penis from left to right to get in all the corners. By the way, If you’ve just shaved your shaft, you’ve just made it look longer! Stretch the skin of the balls as you gently shave them. Get the tops of the legs adjacent to the scrotum while you’re down there. A good way to test for missed stubble is to use the sensitive tongue and lips to feel for rough areas afterwards!

Genitals (female)

You can shave the labia without much danger of nicks and cuts, as long as you’re gentle with that blade. Use the fingertips of your other hand to feel for missed stubble. Repeat as soon as you can feel a re-growth. If you get razor bumps, exfoliate with a wet warm washcloth. No need to get too rough with it, just enough to break the pores free. Unless you’re pure Chinese, this is tough curly hair and it will be re-appearing in a day or two.

Perineum and anus

Between your genitals and anus is an area you shouldn’t miss. Once you’re shaved, you’re more likely to receive visitors down there. When shaving around the anus, stretch the skin of each cheek away from the orifice to get a good pass with the blade. If you are shaving yourself, squat in the tub. Razor bumps should be prevented here, so starting the day after your shave, exfoliate with a washcloth in the shower. Keep this area shaved to avoid uncomfortable stubble. Never press the razor hard against the skin here!

By the way, if you have perfected the martial art of silent farts, the lack of hair around the anus will make it impossible to fart silently from now on. Change your diet or something!

Legs, feet and toes

Easy enough if done in small sections. Any woman will tell you that shaving up the leg, against the direction of growth will net a closer shave, but shaving down is less likely to cut you. Sometimes men’s toe hair is as tough as eyebrows. If so, try soaking the feet in warm water and rubbing soap onto the toe tops for a while to prepare the skin there. No more gorilla sandals!

So there you have it you non-waxers you! Shave only in the bathroom, and clean up thoroughly afterwards.

What’s the worst that can happen?

Folliculitis! Also known as barber’s itch, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and tinea barbae. Basically this is any kind of infection in the hair follicle. The usual cause of folliculitis is the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph) or by a fungus. It may occur anywhere on the skin, as a result of injury or damage to the hair follicle caused by friction from clothing, by blockage of the follicle, or by shaving or waxing. A common cause is the sharp ends of re-growing shaved hair emerging from the follicles and curling back around to irritate the skin.

If you are unlucky enough to get this following your introduction to hairless life, keep the area clean. Avoid re-infecting yourself with contaminated clothing and washcloths. You will probably need to get a prescription for topical or oral antibiotics or antifungal lotion. It is contagious when it’s active and it itches so bad you will be totally miserable for weeks.

Conclusion

As the-vu’s Raymond Wells would say, There you have it! I still prefer to get waxed myself, but I have met people who either can’t stand the waxing or simply enjoy shaving and being shaved. It also has to be said that some people are quite comfortable just having hair all over the place, and that’s cool if you like that look. After all, isn’t this all about sex? We each dance to our different drummers.

Margarita Dominguez is struggling to finish writing a screenplay about road rage in modern America but keeps getting interrupted by the-vu. She maintains a hairless body and owns eight saxophones.

Gail Arias, The Dancing Queen: Mrs. California International 2000

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By Kim Knode

Mrs. California International 2000, Gail Arias, one of the final ten in the Mrs. U.S. International Pageant is ready to hold court in her living room. She sits with perfect posture on the edge of her easy chair. Her thick dark hair minus a tiara is combed to silky smoothness. Not a stray hair or split end is in sight. What’s her secret? “I’ve got virgin hair. I’ve never dyed it.”

The red polish on her fingers reveals not a single chip. Manicured hands rest on top of long muscular legs, which are crossed in lady like fashion. I scan her resume and ask about her athletic prowess. The pageant queen speaks in even tones but her blue eyes betray a hint of rebellion. “I was a tomboy for a long time. In junior high, I beat all the boys and girls in Track.”

Jamie Arias, her husband laughs, “That’s why it took me ten years to catch her!” In marriage, evidently he expresses the same ardent dedication to his wife as he did in the chase. Mrs. U.S. International Pageant judges chose him for the honored title of, “Most Devoted Husband.”

At age thirteen, pageants were the farthest thing from the current Mrs. California’s thoughts. As an adolescent she longed to compete in the Olympics and receive a subscription to Prevention Magazine.  She got her subscription. At about the same time, the precocious girl discovered dancing. What about her Olympian dream? “My parents finally convinced me that it was a hard life.”

And dancing? “Well, I looked at what dance champions were getting paid. So I chose aerobics as my vocation and dancing as my avocation.” As a young adult, in addition to owning and operating an aerobics studio, the athlete created and promoted her own line of vitamins and protein powder. “I have a practical mind, a very practical mind,” declares Mrs. California International.

Her aerobic students actually pushed her into the professional world of dance. Mothers of Miss Teenage USA and Miss Junior Olympics singled out Gail Knowlton (later Gail Arias) as the right person to choreograph routines and coach their children. She designed a winning ice skating dance routine for Miss Junior Olympics. Miss Teenage USA took first place with her floor exercise and artistic gymnastics. The reigning Mrs. California International reflects on her experiences with the girls and says, “It was more than choreographing the dance routine. I think the extra time I took to go over make-up, hair and wardrobe added extra touches of confidence.”

Succeeding in all her endeavors, including marriage, seems to be as easy as breathing in and out for Gail Arias. Her resume foxtrots through accomplishments ranging from winning Crystal Light Aerobic Championships to dancing Tango with her husband for an American Airlines ad to performing with the Beach Boys at the Shrine Auditorium.

As part of a husband and wife dance team, the pageant blue blood continues to accumulate trophies. The lady of the house leads me to the twosome’s private dance studio. The beauty queen is dressed in black jeans. But the 5’8″ Gail Arias almost glides when she walks. She gives the illusion of still showing off the sequined gold evening gown to the judges of Mrs. International. Her hand majestically waves across the couple’s collection of first place trophies, which stand like chorus members in uniforms on the shelves of their exclusive practice area. Her newest additions include her Mrs. Thousand Oaks statuette and her three-foot Mrs. California International trophy.

Ten years ago, Gail Arias spoke to her coach of her desire to collaborate and choreograph routines within the confines of a platonic relationship. “I was running a very successful business and I had a boyfriend.” The coach made no promises.

Mrs. California International recalls that first meeting with Jamie Arias by saying, “Oh my God, oh my God! He was tall, dark and handsome and he was a great dancer! There was just too much chemistry!” She told her coach to call Jamie Arias and excuse her from the partnership. According to the couple, the message was never delivered.

Dancing in Duran Duran videos, illustrating Tai Chi with Morgan Fairchild and winning the Lambada championships along with running her high-end Pasadena work-out studio were just a few of the activities which kept Gail Knowlton from seeing the scintillating Jamie Arias on the dance floor on a regular basis.

Inevitably, the dance world brought them into body contact with a few dances here and there. At one sticky point, the future beauty queen was asked by her date to dance with his teacher. Remembering the incident. Gail laughs, “My boyfriend said, ‘You’re so good. I want to see you dance with my teacher.’ Who is your teacher I asked? My boyfriend replied, Jamie Arias.’”

A pivotal point for the couple was at the U.S. Open Swing Championships. One of the professional photographers admonished the future pageant queen for choosing an inappropriate dance partner. Revealing her pearly whites, the regal lady lets a vulnerable little girl emerge for an instant. She softly recalls, “He said, ‘You should be dancing with that man.’” The royalty puts the bass back in her voice and confidently continues the story. “He pointed way across the room. I said, you mean Jamie Arias?” The photographer asked her to dance with Arias as a favor to him. She asserts, “I never ask men to dance.”

Fortunately, Jamie Arias says, “I saw that look in her eye.” The devoted husband displays a big grin and states, “She had a look I hadn’t seen before.” The photographer saw the couple dance.

Dances later, telephone numbers were exchanged. Jamie Arias called his bride-to-be on Mother’s Day. Mrs. Arias explains, “Every two years my birthday falls on Mother’s Day. I was feeling sad about my last boyfriend.”

Her husband interjects, “I didn’t even know it was her birthday! I was just thinking about her, as usual, and I decided to call.”

Three weeks later Jamie and Gail Arias were married. Gail smiles lovingly at her partner, “I just knew he was the right one.”   Her heart hijacked her practical mind when Jamie Arias got down on one knee and proposed to her in the middle of a Good Earth Restaurant salad. They eloped to Las Vegas. Like church bells, they chime in harmony, “We didn’t tell anyone.” Jamie Arias chose the wedding date of July fourth. The day represented his ability to love freely for the first time in his life.

Married for almost a decade, the twosome still look like newlyweds. Not long after the interview is underway, Gail Arias moves to the more comfortable seat of her husband’s lap. She boasts of the telephone calls that come from Hollywood producers begging him to choreograph dance routines and salsa with divas like Nia Peeples.

I congratulate him on his recent inauguration into the Swing Hall of Fame? He replies with a simple yes. But ask him about Mrs. California International 2000 and a big boyish burst of energy erupts with a fountain of praises for his wife and her work with Kids at Heart. The pageant queen explains that the program encourages and educates children from low-income families. She smiles and says, “Choosing Kids at Heart as my platform was natural for me. I’ve been mentoring all my life. From childhood, when somebody needed advice they’d come to me, about everything! My parents used to tease me that I should charge. ”

So what are her words of wisdom for mothers of daughters who want to enter pageants and dance competitions? “I would advise moms to enforce the idea that competitions are to be used as a stepping stone, to learn new skills and to enhance self-esteem. Mothers need to keep their antenna out to see if their daughters are displaying negative behavior or poor sportsmanship… If the girls are not having fun in competitions, move on to something else!”

As for advice on food and nutrition, “I’ve never had a weight problem. I’ve been the same weight since I was eighteen. But I do eat as close as I can to God’s table, mostly fruits and vegetables.”

Is she ever naughty? Her husband offers, “She likes ice cream.” He quickly adds, “But we rarely eat that kind of stuff.”

Mrs. Arias nods. “I don’t use food to comfort myself. But that doesn’t mean I won’t take a piece of cake at a birthday party.” Protocol and protecting the feelings of the hostess is important to her. “My intention is always to make people feel good about themselves.”

With so much love between them, when are they going to celebrate birthdays for their own children? The beauty queen energetically retorts, “Actually we’re working on it right now. We’ve just been so busy. And Jamie and I have really felt so fulfilled with each other.”

I ask what her secrets are to keeping a decade of marriage alive. Without hesitation, Mrs. California International 2000 replies, ” Respect, we respect each other. And we practice forgiveness.” They also take midnight walks and go star gazing. “We really live in the moment.”

Perhaps that is the key to living like royalty.

Kim Knode’s interview articles focusing on artists, celebrities and dance champions have been published in various print and on-line publications.
See more of Kim’s work at www.kimknode.com

Hair-B-Gone!

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By Margarita Dominguez, In Los Angeles

They don’t teach you about hair removal in school. What works best in each area of the human body? For the sake of all women and men, we attempt to find out.

This article received so many thousands of hits, we gave it a sister article on hair replacement called Hair-B-Back!

From the tops of our heads to the tops of our toes, we are literally covered with hair follicles. A lot of men wish that the follicles on top of their heads were a little more active, but for the most part, our ancestral link to early man produces body hair that we regard as unwanted.

But hair removal is complicated. What works in one area of the body can be a terrible thing to do to another part of the body. Some methods are very painful, some are very expensive, some have side effects, and some are permanent. Why didn’t we get instructions with our bodies?

There are differing opinions out there regarding the method of choice for the area in question, but we hope that this article will guide some readers away from mistakes, and towards the right path to smoothness.

But before we get into hair removal, let’s examine one strange alternative, bleaching. Some women use special bleach to make their facial or body hair lighter, so that it stands out less. They somehow convince themselves that if their mustaches and beards change from brunette to platinum blond, no one will see the hair. While they are performing this operation, they are looking at the hair in the mirror. When it’s over, they admire their handiwork in the same mirror. Somehow they don’t realize that if they can observe the result, so can everyone else in their world who isn’t blind. Bleach ladies take note; you have little white beards and mustaches! We can see them! When you get a tan you look like Santa Claus. You really need to read this article. Don’t bleach ever again, okay?

Some people would prefer not to remove their body hair. This is quite socially acceptable for men. Even Gorilla like men can look pretty macho when naturally hairy. Bodybuilders, however, often choose to remove all of their body hair so that it is possible to see the definition that they have worked so hard for. What’s the point of having six-pack abs if all you can see is the same hairy tummy carpet as before you began training?

Even some women prefer not to shave their underarms or legs. However, whether we like it or not, world beauty standards dictate that we should admire a smooth, hairless female body more than a natural hairy one. Therefore, the hair removal industry exists.

In ancient times, women would get thread and roll it up their legs and over their chin and upper lip. The twine would catch their hair and pluck it out. This natural approach, known as threading, is still offered by some modern beauty salons, and it’s very effective for older people with very loose skin, but science has provided the rest of us with many superior alternatives.

There is hot waxing, cold or Persian waxing (also called Sugaring), shaving, clipping, tweezing, electrolysis, laser treatment, depilatory creaming, and hormone inhibiting. Even the threading has electric versions featuring rubber wheels, (remember Epilady in the Eighties?)

We will address each area of the female and male bodies, starting at the eyebrows and ending at the toes. But first, let’s take a brief look at each method of hair removal.

Methods.

Hot wax could be done at home, but it really should be left to the professionals. If it’s a little too hot it can burn you, and if it’s too thick, it can pull off too many layers of skin and cause serious injury that way. It’s safe enough in the hands of a beautician though. Basically, the lady in the white coat spreads a thin layer of wax over the area and immediately presses a strip of cotton cloth onto the wax, then pulls it off. The hair comes out at the root and the area is left smooth. There is always a little redness and irritation and there is a chance that hair on the next growth cycle, which is below the skin surface, will become ingrown.

Some beauticians will prepare the area with a mild topical anesthetic, but most won’t bother. Usually a sprinkling of talc is enough to degrease the skin and prepare the hairs for maximum wax adhesion. The cotton strips are pressed on in the general direction of hair growth and pulled off in the other direction. Some areas of the body, for example the shins, are fairly tolerant to this kind of pain. Other areas are not, as we shall see when we discuss bikini waxing.

Persian Wax, so-called because Persian women have been doing it for years, is a variation of waxing that involves no heat. Instead of melted wax, the solution is a sticky mixture of sugar, lemon juice and water. In fact the process is now more widely known as Sugaring. The solution can be made in a saucepan for pennies, and you can eat it. Most professionals feel that it fails to remove all of the hair in an area and repetition is required. It’s also a little messy and you’d better make sure there are no ants around.

Shaving costs the price of a razor and a little soap and it doesn’t hurt at all. It has to be done regularly unless you are weird enough to find dark, sharp stubble beautiful. The ends of the shaved hairs are sharp enough to pierce fabric. Certain areas of the body should never be shaved. If a man with thick curly hair on his chest shaves his chest, the thick, curly sharp-ended re-growth will irritate his chest in an unbearable manner, and he will have to keep it shaved bald to avoid the nasty ensuing rash. The only way out of the loop is to tolerate one painful re-growth and then get a chest wax. Hair clippers will cause the same problem.

Tweezers painfully pluck out one hair at a time from the root. A beautician will often use tweezers to pluck out a few stray hairs that were missed by the wax. Tweezers are most often used for eyebrow shaping, but eyebrows can be quickly waxed or sugared into shape also.

Electrolysis should be done professionally, even though some home kits of questionable quality are available. When an electric current is sent through a body hair, the root is destroyed and the hair can then be removed. The pain level varies from person to person and as with all methods, it hurts more in places of the body where there are more nerve endings. Sometimes the results can be permanent or close to permanent.

Laser technology is used for all kinds of things these days. Instead of an electrolysis needle in your follicle you can have a zap of laser light with the same result. It’s not painless, there is an after burn, it’s expensive, and sometimes the hair will just grow back.

Depilatories such as Nair have been around for years, and these days they don’t smell quite as bad as they used to. These creams dissolve the hair chemically so they can be gently wiped away with a wet cloth. Course hair is very resistant to the formula, and many areas of the body react to these creams with a red rash and even welts. Use with care in a well-ventilated bathroom, and remember, whatever chemicals touch your skin will be absorbed by your blood stream. Be nice to your organs and steer clear of harsh chemicals.

Hormonal growth inhibitors are liquids that are sprayed onto the skin. They mimic the effect of baldness to cause hair to cease to grow. Some people find they work, others don’t. They have not yet become a commonly used option, partly because there is no instant gratification. You have to wait and see if the hair will stop growing. Usually, when a person wants the hair off, they want it gone as soon as possible.

The male or female human body.

Working down towards the center of the earth we will discuss options for eyebrows, nostrils, upper lip, chin, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, back, underarms, chest or breasts, tummy, pubis, genitals (male and female), perineum, anus, buttocks, bikini area, legs, feet and toes.

Eyebrows

Waxing or sugaring by a professional is good. It hurts for an instant.

Tweezers hurt and it’s a long job.

Electrolysis and laser treatment can be permanent. It hurts, its pricey and if you remove too much, it’s gone forever.

Nostrils

Short round-ended scissors are safe unless you are in a moving vehicle or in danger of being shoved around in your bathroom!

Battery powered nasal hair-trimmers are excellent.

Upper Lip or Mustache

Men: shave daily with a razor or a shaver.

Ladies: wax or sugar or endure the laser or electrolysis. Never bleach (as discussed earlier.)

Chin or beard

Same as above.

Neck (back of)

Men: Use clippers every three weeks or when your hair is cut. Sharp ends are okay here.

Women: Get it waxed. Don’t forget your ear lobes.

Shoulders

Never shave your shoulders. The hair is course and curly and the re-growth will irritate the skin.

Use wax, sugar, laser or electrolysis.

Arms and hands

The entire arms, hands and fingers are best dealt with using wax or sugar.

Back

Did you know that your back was in back of you? Have someone else do it for you! No shaving here, get waxed.

Underarms

Shaving is safe here but you’ll grow stubble, which looks awful. Be brave and strong during that waxing. Keep the depilatory away from this sensitive skin or your armpits may suffer chemical burns.

Chest or breasts

See above for the horrible consequences of chest shaving. Have your chest waxed or sugared. Be careful around those sensitive nipples.

Tummy

It’s like your chest, only lower, and hopefully flatter.

Pubic Area

Fans of amateur porn might like a big scary bush. Pubic hair probably evolved to trap pheromones, but these days we bathe those away. Men should shape their pubic hair just like the ladies do. A “landing strip” is a desirable shape. Also, if the hair is long, take it between two fingers and cut it down with scissors. Women can experiment with a bald look, because it grows back soon enough. A bikini wax will deal with the perimeter of this area. Women who don’t have at least a bikini wax will get some negative responses when first observed without their panties.

Bikini area

Imagine you are wearing the bottom half of a very brief bikini and there is thick black hair sticking out of the sides! A bikini wax addresses the issue of hair outside of that garment. If you plan on being seen naked, see Brazilian Wax below for the solution!

Genitals (male)

Men who have hair on the shaft of the penis can carefully shave it. Testicles can be carefully shaved. Hot wax is not recommended for your balls, guys. Shaving the inch just above the point where the penis meets the body will give you a longer look. Clippers will cut you, a new wet razor probably won’t.

Genitals (female)

The dancers in the nude strip clubs have no hair at all down there. Shaving will result in stubble and you’ll need to do it every day. Razor bumps will be unpleasant, and using a loofah to prevent bumps would really hurt!

See Brazilian Wax below for the solution!

Perineum and anus

The anus is a mucous membrane. Depilatory cream here will injure you. Shaving stubble will cause irritation as one side of your butt touches the other. Ingrown hairs will be a pain in the butt too. See Brazilian Wax below for the solution!

Legs, feet and toes

Most women deal with leg hair by shaving. Waxing gets a better result and the re-growth is fine and un-stubble like. However, you’ll need almost a quarter of an inch of that baby-fine hair before the next wax, and many women don’t want to be seen with that hair, so they shave every other day instead. You can’t win! The tops of the legs are more sensitive, but you’ll survive. Sugaring may be more effective on shorter re-growth than waxing.

The table above seems to favor waxing in many instances, but waxing is unbearable for many people. By all means experiment, but heed the warnings above.

Brazilian Wax

This has been alluded to throughout this article, and for the uninitiated, it deserves its own paragraph. Certain salons offer this service, but many refuse to do it for fear of unhygienic consequences. Suffice to say, a beautician will ask you to lie down and remove your panties and then raise your legs. She will sprinkle talc all over your butt, perineum and vagina, including the anus and within the labia. Hot wax will be spread over these areas and cotton strips will rip out your hair down to the roots. You will experience intense pain and the pain will continue afterwards. However, the result looks amazingly beautiful and feels even better. If you’re a nude dancer, you will get bigger tips.

Conclusion.

Removing hair from the root by waxing or plucking eventually causes re-growth to slow down or even stop entirely. Shaving never does. If the growth inhibitors become more established, they may eventually replace all of this torture, but until then, be brave, be smooth and don’t cuss and swear when you scream.

Margarita Dominguez is writing a screenplay about road rage in modern America. She maintains a hairless body and owns eight saxophones.