Face, Skin and Hair Food- try it you'll like it!

Face, Skin and Hair Food- try it you'll like it!

Ciao bella,

Everyone has been talking about how they survived the winter of 2015. Come on we're hearty New Englanders and choose to live here. The winter camaraderie was actually quite entertaining. Of course I could sit back and listen and see it all. My commuter rail days of running to the train are gone. I live across from the Massachusetts State House so the snow removal is fantastic and I don't have a roof to worry about since I don't own a home. In over 24 years of living here I have never picked up a shovel and the electricity has never flickered. I consider myself lucky and enjoyed the beautiful snow and ice formations from pictures, Facebook, and my window. Beauty is everywhere.

Spring is around the corner and I've found some food recipes to use on your body to cleanse, hydrate and feel human again.

1. Natural Skin Scrub-use sugar or salt with one-third cup of olive oil and adding a few drops of your fav scented extract. Gently rub on damp skin in circular motion while concentrating on rough spots. Rinse off. This will remove dead skin cells so skin looks brighter and feels softer.

2. Clove Hair Conditioner-known to thicken hair and enhance brown color. Boil one cup of water with two tablespoons of whole cloves for five min. Leave it overnight straining twice in the A.M. Use once a week over strands before detangle conditioner. You'll have soft, fuller hair.

3. Exfoliating Facial- make a paste with baking soda, honey and a few drops of water. Apply for five min., then rinse. This mask will gently absorb excess oil while gently exfoliating leaving skin soft and clear.

So if this record-breaking winter has got you down? Just use these few spa-home pick me ups for a lift and think of all the spring flowers that will be coming your way!

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.

"Queene Helene" -- going strong since the 1930s

"Queene Helene" -- going strong since the 1930s

Ciao bella,

There are a zillion face remedies out there. You must find the one that's right for you for whatever complexion malady you may face. One standby for over 75 years strong is Queene Helene Mint Julep Face Masque. I'm sure most of my audience has heard of it and may even use it. The Mint Julep Masque is one of those stand by products that lives up to its name and reputation.

In the 1940s my Nana and Mom's salon not only used the product on their customers but also retailed it. I remember it always around. The all time favorite green masque helps to extract purities, absorb excess oil and minimize pores. Just one time after use your skin is purified and oil free with a velvety touch complexion. It works so well on normal skin although great for oily and acne prone complexions. The best news is its quite inexpensive. I've been educating gals for years that you don't have to break the bank for good skin care.

The founder of Queene Helene, Richard Estrin, expanded his knowledge of the beauty industry by obtaining a degree in Chemistry. In New York he became a partner in Para Laboratories a cosmetics lab. This is where Mr. Estrin launched his hair and skin line of Queene Helene proudly named after his daughter when a fellow sales rep referred to his baby as "Queen Helene!"

So for soft clear skin go green today!

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.

Japanese-Style Watercolor Nail Art

Japanese-Style Watercolor Nail Art

Ciao bella,

As a Nail Technician, when I worked mostly full time, I enjoyed painting art on finished polished nails. I owned different fine brushes and painted free style art with some rhinestones to glam it up. I owned a nail art paintbrush kit and would sometimes decorate one or two nails on each hand or sometimes all ten. Rainbows of colored stripes and swirls, flowers and gold accents with a holiday decal were my fun and quick specialty. Certainly made people happy!

Recently there has been a new development in the world of nail art. Hailing from Tokyo, with a home and salon also in Vancouver, Canada, comes an innovative gal. Her name is Jasmine, a Japanese Nailist who is a certified nail artist. She trained in Yokohama and wants to bring Japanese nail art to the forefront of our industry creating Neiru! This is a subscriber online workshop to train Nail techs the latest in Japanese trends, technique and style. The watercolor art is just amazing, simulating a unique and one-of-a-kind design. Picture your fav watercolor painting and visualize a small part of it on your nail! Perhaps a flower which Neiru is popular.

So the next time you make a manicure appointment

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.

Dry, Itchy Skin? Tame It Now!

Dry, Itchy Skin? Tame It Now!

Ciao bella,

This time of year is such a struggle to keep warm and moisturized! I have bottles of moisturizer and massage bars for my hands and skin everywhere in my house and purse. One thing I must say is I never had such dry and itchy skin since these last couple of years. Oh Mother Nature you are trying my patience once again!

Here are some dry skin helpers from my arsenal--

LUSH has as array of wonderful massage bars. Containing essential oils to sooth and smooth your skin and mood!

• New - PEARL: scented with Rose and textured with tapioca and sago bubbles to work out knots.
• New- YES YES YES: exotically scented with jasmine, ylang ylang, rose and sandalwood oils.
• My fav Lush scent and moisture product is AFRICAN PARADISE! After showering apply this African Flower scented wonder on wet skin then rinse off. Hypnotic.

On my kitchen counter, bedside and next to my TV chair are small pump bottles of OPI Avojuice Quenchers in all the most lovely scents. Just to name a few are orange/vanilla, hibiscus blossom and ginger lily. You can find the small bottles in my purse. Many wonderful scents to choose from! It's lovely and lightly scented and absorbs into skin and last for hours. I just love the pump style since it is easy and quick. Find these at your local salon.

Cuccio is the word! Their Body Butters come in many scents including unscented and most popular the Milk and Honey dreamy scent. It absorbs into your skin and best used after cleansing. Works as a barrier on your skin until you wash it off. You wouldn't know you had cream on your skin! So unbelievably soft! Light scent. Also at your salon.

A big hit with my clients were Bodi Pure's moisturizing gloves and socks. A waterless high-level of moisture benefits. Heals skin and strengthens nails all in one! Just slip on for 20-30 minutes and there you'll have once again touchable and lasting soft Hands and Feet. Call me to find any of the professional products!

So all you winter babes should take my advice to stay soft and smelling fresh with these tried and true products!

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.

Vicki Peters, Jan. 1954 - Dec. 31st, 2014, "A Nail Industry Pioneer"

Vicki Peters, Jan. 1954 - Dec. 31st, 2014, "A Nail Industry Pioneer"

Ciao bella,

You always hope that the New Year will bring a fresh beginning, whether to start something over or take a new path in whatever your dreams hold. However to lose someone who mentored you immeasurably in your career just at the start of a New Year truly reflects on my past accomplishments. I took it for granted.

I had the pleasure of meeting Vicki Peters many moons ago when nail shows were locally easy to get to! She became an icon in the nail industry. Wearing many hats in her never ending career as working in a salon, nail competitions, consulting, having her own line of products and the way I came to know her best was writing for and cover photos for my (nail Bible) fav mag NAILS MAGAZINE! She was also known for many other nail publications.

As an award winning professional Vicki demonstrated her championship nail expertise as a global educator training nail techs from around the world with online educational programming. Always a staunch advocate for nail techs her determination never wavered!

When I say, "Took it for granted," I'll explain. I would receive my monthly Nails magazine and always couldn't wait to see the latest products, nail colors and nail fashions! And there would be Vicki doing some extraordinary task to make our industry a noteworthy profession. The inspiration was always there with Vicki. Her educational Nail Cruises to the islands always sounded so amazing that I thought someday I might actually have the privilege to sail with this mighty group of nail techs. Just the idea was enough encouragement to be the best I can be as a nail tech. Of course Vicki's passion set me on a successful course in my trade.

Her stories of accomplishment and fame will forever be cherished from all of us who knew her. As for the newbies get a grip on Vicki's philosophies and let her ideas flourish so you can be the best YOU can be! Pay it forward darlings!

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.

DRY SHAMPOO-on the days you want to skip wet shampooing!

DRY SHAMPOO-on the days you want to skip wet shampooing!

Ciao bella,

How many of you remember Psssssst!? the first spray powder dry shampoo from years ago that turned us into believers. This generation thinks you need to wet shampoo your hair everyday. Not so true. Stripping your hair of its natural oils, design coloring, and keratin treatments is expensive. Consider dry shampooing! So what used to be a cleansing hair treatment in hospitals has become a quick beauty secret trick for an instant refresh.

A dry shampoo cleanses with oil absorbers such as starch and volumizes with silica and clay. Using a dry shampoo minimizes damage to your hair since you'll be using hot tools less often. Your color will fade less with minimum salon visits for touch-ups. Your style lasts longer and dry shampooing can puff up limp strands. Dry shampooing also leaves your hair with a fresh just -washed scent!

There are many different brands of dry shampoo. Some specialize in volumizing. Others are best for dark hair. Also portable purse size is convenient. My fav is still Pssssst! and LUSH has a powder form you sprinkle on, fluff through and brush out. So grab some ease of not wet shampooing everyday and try the fluff and go hair magic way!

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.

"It's not a mole, it's a beauty mark."--my mom, when I was 12

"It's not a mole, it's a beauty mark."--my mom, when I was 12

Ciao Bella,

Being born American-Italian comes with so many definite facial and body profiles.

I have cousins that can shave their legs on Monday and by Wednesday have porcupine stubble. They have turned to professional waxing which in time may kill some hair roots. The one and only solution for unwanted bodily hair is a professional electrologist--search out one who is highly recommended.

As we all matured into self-conscious teens our dermatologist became our best friend. He always reassured us "it would go away". Prescribing an ointment or an oral treatment he would calm down our facial anxiety!

I was one of the fortunate ones who barely had to shave and always had pretty good teenage skin years.

And as for those "beauty marks" with all the years I was told that's what they were-well I really came to appreciate them in time. I had a light tan one that was quite raised on the top of my shoulder blade. I was truly convinced it was a mark of beauty. Thanks mom! After all Marilyn Monroe had one painted on her lower cheek everyday!

Oh and the curly hair everyone wishes they had! We rolled it up in beer cans, ironed our tresses with the laundry iron ( really got in trouble with mom for that) and reverse perm straightening-all not worth it. Just one humid hour in Florida or anywhere moist and I could watch my hair spring back into it's frizzy coiled state in seconds. Thank goodness now for Keratin relaxing systems. There is the 6 week one and the 6 month one. No more frizzes. Shiny hair with the most remarkable results I have ever experienced!

The food. It's always been a huge part of my childhood. It's always kept me curvy! I had an aunt that would serve my dad a half a chicken when my mom was in the hospital. Feed them whether it was celebratory, sickness, sadness or whatever the reason. There is definitely a solace and a kind of medicinal effect in food. Then off to the gym.

Proud of my culture and all my wonderful relatives with their glorious smiling faces, warm and giving hearts that has made me the woman I am today.

Wishing all my Post Gazette friends and fans a most joyous and blessed Thanksgiving!

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.