I’d love to kiss you but I just washed my hair!

p>I’d love to kiss you but I just washed my hair!
—Bette Davis in The Cabin in the Cotton, 1932

Ciao bella,

Recently I was up late channel surfing. This infomercial really caught my attention. The “WEN HEALTHY HAIRCARE SYSTEM,” a new and innovative shampoo/conditioner developed by celebrity stylist Chaz Dean claiming luxurious, shiny and manageable hair after using it. There were all the “live” testimonials playing with their gorgeous locks! Before and after photos were also shown.

It was revolutionary hair care without harsh chemicals, using a perfect blend of herbs and natural ingredients. A “single” step" process that cleanses and conditions simultaneously and will not strip hair of color or moisture.

It all sounded fabu! But I’ve learned my lesson! “Google” reviews first—nothing like another sap to order the latest and the greatest! Must be used following manufacturers explicit directions. Cucumber seems most popular. Ordering from Amazon is safest (otherwise you could be signed up for automatic delivery!) Cleansing hair has come a long way.

As early as 4000 BC a cosmetic routine was established during the Eurasian Bronze Age where a system of beauty pampering ranged from bathhouses to hairstyling. Shampooing hair consisted of using soap, perfume and essential oils, none of which provided the quality of cleansing and luster of modern shampoo. It took modern science to understand the composition of hair soil and then develop a cleansing formula to combat it. The science of shampoo was a huge milestone in the achievement of personal hygiene. Good shampoo, let alone the word itself, was centuries away!

The Greeks and the Romans took part in the first development of personal hygiene. The Roman baths emphasized on the purity of water and according to their famous innovations of aqueducts were ultimately designed to improve the quality of life, certainly related to one’s personal health.

The ancient Greek word KOSMOS meant “to order, to arrange, or to adorn” while its similar meaning to English “cosmetics” was KOSMETIKOS, meaning “having the power to beautify” So as “curiosity killed the cat” one might say, I’m placing my order for shinier, healthier-looking and more manageable hair as Chaz Dean promised!

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.