Beauty is Health

Beauty is Health

Ciao bella,

Health is beauty; beauty is health! That is the theme of my “You Look Marvelous” Beauty Talk series at the North End Branch Public Library for spring.

Join me at noon for the first two Saturdays in May and let's discuss it!

Back in December my friend Robert who is a master stylist at the Catherine-Michaels Salon in Burlington Mall, knows good taste. He gave me a gift of Argan oil. Oh he mentioned it a few times to me if I’d heard of it and its many benefits. It was vague to me and all. So as a gift he presented me with this sunshine from the gods!

The oil is derived from the nut of the argan tree found in southwestern Morocco. You would think with my two trips there in the late `80s I would have known all about it! New discoveries are out there at our finger tips so we must always read and listen for it!

The argan tree is well adapted to very dry weather. Unfortunately human invasion is putting the tree on the endangered list.

The oil is extracted from the kernels of the nut found inside a green, olive-like fruit. Manual extraction and crushing has been done by Berber women for hundreds of years. Lately modern presses are extracting the oil. Fair trade cooperatives in Morocco benefiting women have popularized the oil, skyrocketing its use for users and also beneficial for local harvesters. The oil is slightly deeper in color than olive oil, has a nutty flavor, is rich in vitamin E, absorbent and highly moisturizing.

The unroasted oil is used for cosmetic purposes such as rejuvenating the skin and neutralizing free radicals. It is also used to revitalize hair and strengthen nails. The oil is also known to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. You can find argan oil in beauty products for skin, hair, nails and in lipsticks, face masks and self tanning sprays. And of course just bottled by itself.

Argan oil has also been in clinical tests that prove its properties to reduce cholesterol and is good for the heart. So considering its beneficial health properties with its light, nutty aroma argan oil is a staple in many kitchens.

Another one of nature's wonders-truly sunshine from the gods!

Kosmea’s Rose Will Keep Your Skin Healthy and Nourished

Kosmea’s Rose Will Keep Your Skin Healthy and Nourished

Ciao bella,

Skincare as nature intended is what Kosmea is all about. Certified Organic by the USDA Rose Hip Oil is the cornerstone for all Kosmea products.

Extracted from rose hips in a region 11,000 feet above sea level in South Africa where high rainfall delivers pure and clean air making the best quality ingredients in Kosmea's products.

Organic Rose Hip Oil is a natural source of vitamin A, unlike the synthetic form—commonly known as Retinol. Like a multi-vitamin for your skin The Rose Oil helps to replenish the nutrients our environment takes away-repairing and rebuilding sun damaged skin and scarred and dehydrated skin. Also helps balance the skin whether your skin is dry or prone to oiliness. Helps to treat acne scarring, wrinkles and fine lines. You will experience a difference in a day.

The 8th Natural Wonder Serum will instantly "lift" dull and tired skin and has the effect of freezing fine lines and wrinkles giving skin instant youthfulness and vitality. Combined with a routine of the Rose Hip Oil, this duo form nature's answer to cosmetic surgery.

For daily sun protection use Kosmea's popular SPF 30+ Moisturising Face Lotion. Contains sunscreen which has been formulated to a micronized fine particle size and is not absorbed into the skin, yet still effectively absorbs damaging UV radiation.

ROUTINE:

Cleanse face with Kosmea Clarifying Face Wash

Mist skin with Kosmea Rose Water (Rose oil absorbs best on damp skin)

Apply 3 or 4 drops Rose Hip Oil (let absorb)

Then apply 8th Natural Wonder Serum (let absorb) also use at bedtime for a real "beauty sleep"

For daily protection use Kosmea SPF 30+ Moisturising Lotion

A guarantee your skin will feel like the world's 8th Natural Wonder!

Buona giornata and God bless the United States of America!

Shake Off Winter Blues With LUSH

Shake Off Winter Blues With LUSH

Ciao bella,

It’s that wonderful time of the year again when you know winter is going, going, GONE!

That fresh smell of spring is in the air and you can feel a delicious breeze across your face. So time to brighten your mood and moisturize that winter burdened, environment rattled skin into some soft, dewy LUSHness!

Start with: COCO LOTION- inspired by the Caribbean. Its soft scent of oils and herbs include mandarin, rosemary and pineapple. This protein rich moisturizer naturally balances skin’s PH and will leave your skin soft and smooth. The extra virgin coconut oil used in COCO LOTION comes from NIAS, a small Indonesian island badly stricken by the tsunami. LUSH supports these communities and has helped them restore their island and even build a NEW kids club for local children.

KING OF SKIN—this is red carpet worthiness! A solid crown-shaped body butter that will leave your skin deliciously scented, smooth and shiny. With skin softening oatmeal, jojoba and almond oils, organic bananas are whipped up with extra virgin coconut oil and cocoa and shea butters—ahhhh—silky and fit for a king.

SYMPATHY FOR THE SKIN—for really dry, neglected with that alligator skin feel... SYMPATHY is for you. Packed with skin softeners and vitamin C and scented with vanilla bean so you will subtly smell of creamy vanilla cream custard! So give yourself gloriously touchable skin once again

Retro LUSH presents once again-HAPPY 4 SAD—put some sunshine in your shower! This Ultra Violet, citrus gel will surround you with sunshine and brighten a gloomy day. Made with Fresh Dove Orchid Infusion, aloe vera gel, grapefruit oil, and fine sea salt—sunshine for body and hair in a bottle.

Find your nearest LUSH location and for more info www.lushtown.com.

"Old Italian Tradition says: clip a snip of your hair in March and it will grow in healthy and strong.

NOTE: Correction: www.indulgedayspaboston.com is where you'll find a comforting oasis in the heart of Southie, owned by ANNE MARIE IANNELLI.

New Product from Kosmea: Rose Hip Oil Now in 42mL Bottle, Thats Three Times the Amount for Just Twice the Price

Skin Clinic™ Certified 100% Organic Rose Hip Oil 42mL
NEW Bargain size rose hip oil, 42mL (1.42 fluid ounces) for $67.00; that's nearly three times the size of the 15mL (0.5 fluid ounce) bottle for merely twice the price.

To see my online selection of Kosmea rose hip oil products click here.

Kosmea is a South Australian company and international success story founded on the unique properties of organic rose hip oil. From ancient Greek meaning to ‘harmonise’ or ‘bring into balance’ Kosmea offers a complete range of natural skin care products for the face, hair and body.

Kosmea believes in ‘skin care as nature intended’. They have formulated natural skin, hair and body care range around organic rose hip oil and the finest herbal, plant and flower extracts. They believe that health and beauty are inextricably linked with nature, which is why you’ll find products free from harmful synthetic ingredients and containing only the very best nature has to offer.

• No mineral oils
  
• No artificial colours
  
• No petrochemicals
  
• No artificial fragrances
  
• No sodium lauryl sulphate
  
• No animal derived ingredients

Nail Care Products

There are many nail products on the market. It is important to know how to use them safely. As with any cosmetic product, follow the labeled directions carefully and pay careful attention to any warning statements. Nail products for both home and salon use are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act1 (FD&C Act), these products are cosmetics [FD&C Act, section 201(i)]. For more information see Nail Care Products on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website.

Controlling Chemical Hazards During the Application of Artificial Fingernails

Artificial fingernail products are made from many chemicals, but the main one in most of these products is ethyl methacrylate (EMA). In 1974 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration outlawed a similar chemical, methyl methacrylate (MMA), used in fingernail products. MMA was proven harmful to nail technicians and customers. However, both MMA and EMA can cause contact dermatitis, asthma, and allergies in the eyes and noseCall problems that nail technicians know about. Both can make the eyes, nose, and other mucous membranes sting, become red, and swell. Customers are at risk, too. Because it is often difficult to tell which chemical in a nail salon is causing a sensitivity or allergy, it is best to control your exposure before you become sensitized.

For more information from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, see NIOSH Publication No. 99-112/.

A Hairdresser's Appointment Book in 1950

Mary Catalano's Beauty Shop with Josie, late 1940s, South Union St, Lawrence

A Hairdresser's Appointment Book in 1950

Ciao bella,

Rummaging in the bowels of my dad's cellar discovers a huge chunk of remembrances from my childhood and before. Up on one shelf was yet another box filled with just plain junk on top of what I considered a treasure -- my mom's appointment book from nana's shop in the year 1950.

Calendars from just 20 and 30 years ago lay on top. But 1950: why did she save that book in particular? More on question later.

Each column for January through December detailed each client --customers at the time-- a name, always with a proper Miss or Mrs. in front.

The services ranged from perms to polish on the nails. There were no answering machines then, so Mom relied on being there to answer the phone, take appointments, and service the walk-ins.

Some days were slow, with just one customer. And then some were just packed in and she barely stopped all day, working as late as ten o'clock --and off to the bus for home.

The services included a "treatment," shampoo and wave, a tint, and so forth. The cost for a shampoo and wave in 1950 was seventy-five cents! Other services were priced similarly.

Among the names she would mention over her next 51 years on earth, many were there in that book. I saw there listed the mother and aunts of one of my own especially loved clients Mrs. Pat P_____a. I've been servicing her nails for at least 20 years now! She tells me how she accompanied her mother to my mom's shop and would press her face into the window to see just how much longer mom would be.

Ah, if the book could only talk, what tales it could tell.

So, enough about business. Let's get down to romance in the beauty shop. Lo and behold, there were scribblings of my dad's (her future husband) name: his visitor's day there. And a year's appointments for her future sister-in-law, Aunt Ann DiZazzo (my mom finally spelled it correctly three-quarters through the year.) And, of course, her future mother-in-law, my nana Mrs. Mary DiZazzo!

Where there's beauty, there's love.

Buona giornata and God bless the United States of America!

Achilles should have known the importance of protecting your HEELS!

Achilles should have known the importance of protecting your HEELS!

Ciao bella,

You’re getting ready to do the town, showered and smellin’ great! Prettiest dress in the store, last touches of make-up, you look down—oh no, those dry, cracked, neglected winter feet can only be hidden in shoes. So let's take care of that NOW.

In all my adventures in the Beauty world, there are just a few I’ve met with true dedication from the heart in what they DO!

CHRISTINA FEDELE is one of those intelligent, enthusiastic and gentle gals who is here to escort you to smooth and soft feet that lasts for weeks!

Christine, a pedicurist with over 20 years experience has introduced an innovative pedicure device to the salon and spa industry. She uses it in all her pedi services. The "FOOT BUFFER" leaves your feet sensationally smooth. Finally getting heels like never seen before. VOGUE magazine voted it "# 1 Most Potent Pedicure" At the Orlando Beauty Show it sold out in 40 minutes. The "FOOT BUFFER's" revolutionary technique prides itself in acquiring smoothed out calluses and removal of dry skin with out harsh chemicals or dangerous cutting blades. The buffer softens skin so creams and moisturizers can absorb more easily.

You can find Christine at 1-800-516-7449 or www.footbuffer.com or at INDULGE DAY SPA, 637 East Broadway, South Boston, 617-3076345—a wonderful Day Spa owned by ANNE MARIE IANELLI, a comforting oasis in the heart of Southie. www.indulgedayspaboston.com.

Take care of yourself today with the professional experience of these fantastic gals!