Mirror, Mirror On The Wall, Who's The Fairest of Them All?

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall, Who's The Fairest of Them All?

Ciao bella,

Many countries and different centuries claim the discovery of the mirror! However, I found some interesting facts on the mirror, a precious tool of beauty and reflection. It can also be an object for dismay, disappointment, and the truth of what is beauty as we see it.

The first mirrors in ancient times were dark colored container of water. Then in Turkey, around 6000 B.C., people started doing non-water mirrors with highly polished volcanic glass.

Then in Mesopotamia, around 4000 B.C., polished copper mirrors were around. The Chinese were making bronze mirrors in 2000 B.C.

Jumping to the 16th century, Venice was already well known for its blown glass. Mirrors were made from glass with a tin/mercury backing producing an extremely similar reflection we experience today. The Venetians mirror making was precious, lucrative and top secret, so that a renegade craftsmen who tried to sell the formula was assassinated!

It's always been said that in this beginning of reflection, the mirror could only be afforded by the wealthy. The materials to make this high quality mirror and their delicate transport made for a luxurious expense!

Lowering the price of the mirror came from the French. When they learned how the Venetian glass blowers were making the mirror they began mass producing them inevitably lowering the prices in Western Europe.

Today the modern process in making a mirror is called "silvering", by spraying a thin layer of silver or aluminum onto the backside of a sheet of glass. However, most mirrors

Buona giornata and God bless the United States of America!

Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull

Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns at www.allthatzazz.com. Mary is a third-generation cosmetologist and a Massachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil products. She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183 or mary@mary4nails.com.

Hair Removal: the Fun of it All!

Hair Removal: the Fun of it All!

Ciao bella,

My experiences have been all over the board when it comes to hair removal! From so many years of waxing, tweezing and shaving my extraneous hair, it's hardly a problem anymore. One good thing of getting older hair does get scarcer -- unfortunately on the top of your head as well. I still have plenty.

Recently my best hair removal, especially for facial hair, is Naad's. Developed by a Mom in Australia whose daughter had very sensitive skin. Once hair is removed, the residue can be washed off with water! Wish this product were around when I was young and hairy! When I used this hair removal product it lasted for several weeks! Hair growth becomes slower.

Then there's waxing which should be done professionally. Keeps hair gone for several weeks as well. After waxing so many years I do attribute that to my lesser hair experience as of today!

My eyebrows are a bit thin than I would like them for the style of the day. Although waxing under my arms left that area sensitive and now can only use a certain deodorant.

Shaving anywhere isn't great, however, it is very quick. Fine for legs although they must be done every week. It's a myth that shaving your facial hair promotes hair growth. The razor cuts a blunt edge making hair look thicker.

I've used a depilatory that dissolves the hair just a few times. For all the fuss, mess and odor it has to be used once a week.

And then there is the epilator, which looks very painful! It rips the hair out of its root in a wide margin. So if you have pain tolerance and invest in one your hair will stay gone for several weeks with the prospect of not returning so heavy.

Any Hair Removal product you use that removes the hair from the root will eventually make hair growth lesser and sparser.

Buona giornata and God bless the United States of America!

Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull

Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns at www.allthatzazz.com. Mary is a third-generation cosmetologist and a Massachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil products. She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183 or mary@mary4nails.com.

Eyebrows Are a Matter of Choice!

Eyebrows Are a Matter of Choice!

Ciao bella,

Japanese noblewomen in the 8th century practiced "hikimayu," encouraging the shaving or plucking of their eyebrows so they could paint ones higher on the forehead.

Today there are many styles and shapes one can choose from, however which shape will look best on you? Well groomed brows will balance your features and frame your eyes. Eyebrows that are incorrectly shaped can throw off the shape of your face. Go to a professional, "Andrea at Eyestarr," on Newbury St in Boston. Voted Best of Boston for her fabulous individual eyelash extensions that last for weeks, she has trained to shape your brows to flatter your best expression. She takes care of many prominent women in Boston. After all Eyebrows can be a form of a facial expression depicting your mood whether it be happy, flirty or sad! One of my favorite ladies of the Silver Screen that graced a lovely, thick arched brow was Audrey Hepburn. You'll see her at Andrea's Eyelash Boutique!

IT Cosmetics by Jamie Kern has put out "BROW POWER" which is a universal pencil with brow enhancing technology. After Andrea shaped my brows and I went home to do my cleansing ritual washing off her magic, the next day I did need filling in since Mother Nature or whatever has thinned mine out. The IT Brow Pencil is fabulous to fill-in or even make your brows thicker. The universal, transforming shade adjusts to your brow color! Press softer for lighter hair, press harder for darker hair! For a finishing touch brush through brows for a natural polished look! The IT Pencil has a spooley brush on the opposite end for easy application.

Look for it at Beautylish.com or www.itcosmetics.com! And shape up!

Buona giornata and God bless the United States of America!

Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull

Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns at www.allthatzazz.com. Mary is a third-generation cosmetologist and a Massachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil products. She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183 or mary@mary4nails.com.

BRUSH YOUR WAY TO BEAUTY!

BRUSH YOUR WAY TO BEAUTY!

Ciao bella,

Make-up brushes have always played an important part in my beauty routine. I've gone through several sets in my lifetime. From hand painted, to hand carved, to natural bristles, to artificial bristles, I've enjoyed them all! Right now I have two sets on my vanity and travel sets in every bureau.

The ones on my vanity have a clear acrylic handle with gold specs that are quite glam. The other set are just plain wooden handles with a good tight brush.

The brushes are all different depending the cosmetic you are applying. The newest brush for me out of my collection is the Kabuki with a short handle. It's truly great for highlighting cheekbones, applying mineral powder, and contouring in general.

Using the appropriate brush with your mirror to apply your cosmetic product blends better in the skin tone achieving professional results! A Foundation Brush as well as The Face Sponge also helps to blend foundation into skin with velvet like results. A Powder Brush is soft, full and rounded with fluffy bristles. Use this brush over foundation to seal in cosmetic. A Concealer Brush is flat with a pointed tip and a soft wide base. It's great for blending concealer product under your eyes or wherever you may need it.

In 1835 a German chemist mass produced mirrors by depositing a thin layer of metallic silver onto glass! Mirrors were luxuries along with makeup brushes for the wealthy. Makeup brushes were probably invented by the Egyptians with a finding of a bronze one dating back to A.D. 500! The Germans are credited for inventing the modern makeup brush.

Shenzhen near Hong Kong boasts more than 200 factories that manufacture makeup brushes. A tremendous amount of labor goes into these hand tied and hand trimmed tools for beauty.

I lighten up on my makeup routine in the summer. I like a little tan and Mother Nature's blush all SPF infused safety! However on a night out to look and feel special, out come my brushes to sweep me away into Beauty Land!

Buona giornata and God bless the United States of America!

--Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull

Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns at www.allthatzazz.com. Mary is a third-generation cosmetologist and a Massachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil products. She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183 or mary@mary4nails.com.

"Eyestarr Will Flutter Your World"

"Eyestarr Will Flutter Your World"

Ciao bella,

Eyelashes are an important part of your face! A quick make-up is lip color, mascara and brow powder/pencil and out the door we go. Lately I've been getting lazy on the mascara. It starts to feel heavy by afternoon. But then when I look at my mirror without it I can see bland Mary. I had to change something to make life easier and still capture the glamour gal that I am.

I decided to make an appointment with Andrea Starr on Newbury Street here in Boston. I had read a raving review on her individual eyelash extensions she adheres to your own lashes. Walking into EYESTARR, an Eyelash and Brow Bar Boutique was a pleasure. I felt comfortable immediately with Andrea's gentle and calm professional manner. Her modern '40s decor included framed photos of Marilyn Monroe (my very fav), Lucille Ball, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and more! There were comfortable chairs to wait and loungers when your lashes are applied!

After two weeks I have just felt so "Hollywood" everyday with my new lashes that just sweep up so elegantly! Easy to care for with a few lengths to choose from, Andrea is an expert in her field. She is also in the process of developing her own line of products including an eyebrow enhancer that will strengthen and grow in a fuller brow.

Now I just don't have to spend all that time waving around that mascara wand. I will enjoy them as long as my lash cycle lasts. That's just about four to six weeks. After one day I felt like they are my very own. Must remember not to rub or pull at them. Cleanse your face with a face cloth as usual and cleanse your lashes with Baby Shampoo. Spray them with water once a day to keep them hydrated. So easy!

So for a satisfying cosmetic pick me up try EYESTARR Lash Boutique on Newbury Street and put some Hollywood glam in your life!

Buona giornata and God bless the United States of America!

--Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull

Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns at www.allthatzazz.com. Mary is a third-generation cosmetologist and a Massachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil products. She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183 or mary@mary4nails.com.

Get Ready for Summer 2015 with Lush

Get Ready for Summer 2015 with Lush

Ciao bella,

After our brutal winter I've decided to clean out my cosmetic closet with the used up and use by date products. Out with the old and in with the new! I just sampled some LUSH-ious products that really hit the spot to cure it all! Scent-sible fragrances to take you into the sunshine!

LUSH will scrub your skin clean gently and leave a favorable feel good scent always! The aroma therapy is key to uplift any gal's spirit. Here is a list for some summer goodies.

COALFACE CLEANSER - contains licorice root and coconut oil that deeply cleanses your skin and pores leaving skin moisturized. Coal is the the new clean and coconut oil is the new moisture in today's cosmetic world.

FUN SOFTY SOAP- one of my fav favorites! 4 in 1 self preserving pliable soap to mold into fun shapes for body, hair and bubble bath. Tangy lime, lemon dreamy scented with essential oils. Sales from this bar go to The FUNd local project in Japan providing fun and safe play to children in neighborhoods where Fukushima nuclear disaster contaminated areas so badly that children are no longer to play outside. That's what LUSH does all over the world!

DREAMWASH- cooling calamine and soothing aloe vera gel cleanses your skin leaving you baby soft. Essentially needed for irritated summer skin or for everyday of the year. Great companion to Lush Dream cream hand and body lotion with same blend of essential oils both for difficult skin.

THE SUN SPRITZ- what we have been waiting for!! A burst of sensual Brazilian Orange Oil, Mimosa Absolute, Sandalwood Oil and Limonene! Wow essence!

Indulge with the new and out with the old!

Buona giornata and God bless the United States of America!

--Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull

Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns at www.allthatzazz.com. Mary is a third-generation cosmetologist and a Massachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil products. She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183 or mary@mary4nails.com.

Leadership is Key

Leadership is Key

Ciao bella,

There are some moments in your life that you can remember forever. Another one of those moments happened when I was invited to be a member on The Advisory Board of The Cosmetology/Barbering course at The Greater Lawrence Technical School in Andover. Bring on the ideas and experience of a 3rd generation Cosmetologist! Mom and Nana would be proud! I was so excited to participate in this honor of being chosen by colleagues to be a part of GLTS's future with its students.

I toured the Cosmetology School with a teacher Linda M. whom I worked with many moons ago at her salon "Champagne." Absolute joy!

Those were the days my friend of enjoying a fun job, making lots of cash, loving your craft of making people feel and look great! The many memories of my Cosmetology School days rushed in. Our "silent dolls", the practice manikin heads were plentiful here at the school with some pretty amazing braids and styles. Bravo Linda! You're teaching them well. Of course, practice on the silent dolls is great for learning, however, it is nothing to it compared to getting on the floor in a real, live salon, dealing with real, live people who talk! During our first meeting all of us professionals were trying to explain that to a student who passed her cosmetology test recently. Congrats! However it's the real world that counts. Besides once you receive your license after school in Massachusetts, it's only a permit to work in a salon. Then after working, getting experience for 2 years you will receive your Class 1 Cosmetologist License that allows you to open your own salon. It's a big deal! Two years is long for some.

I was stunned to see the cosmetology textbook quadrupled in size compared to mine back in the '70s. You could barely pick it up! Learn well my future fellow colleagues.

I really feel like I can give some good advice to the committee and recommend a "Shadow" program that was brought up at the meeting. A program that would encourage students to interact in salons, experience the real world and at the same time achieve the confidence they need to succeed. I've seen the program nourish and teach the passion I hold dear with tremendous success!

Go forth all of you future stylists and curl it and swirl it!

Buona giornata and God bless the United States of America!

--Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull

Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns at www.allthatzazz.com. Mary is a third-generation cosmetologist and a Massachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil products. She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183 or mary@mary4nails.com.