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!

The Art of Manliness

by David Trumbull (substituting for Mary DiZazzo Trumbull)

[Mary’s husband is giving her an early Valentine’s Day present: a week off from writing All That Zazz.]

Mindful that Monday we celebrate the birthday of George Washington I must tell the truth—the title of his confection is not original, rather I take it from a website http://artofmanliness.com/, authored by a husband and wife team, since 2008 it has featured articles on helping men be better husbands, better fathers, and better men.

While that website ranges over topics such as health and sports, money and career, and relationships and family, there is a section devoted to topics that correspond to beauty culture for women—men’s dress and grooming. In that regard, I’ll offer some rules for men.

1. Your suit: it’s dark, it covers you up (including the budges we get with age), and they all look more-or-less alike. You put it on and go to work every day. It’s not a style statement; it’s a uniform. It frees you from thinking about what to wear or how it makes you look. It’s clean, it’s pressed; it says, Here’s a man who’s going to get something done today.

2. Your hat—wear one! A bareheaded man looks as unfinished as those hideous modernist building of the mid-20th century that lacked a cornice. From May 15 to September 15 it is acceptable to wear a straw hat rather than the more formal, but warmer, felt hat. The dates are inviolable. According to St. Paul a woman should crown her beauty with a hat. She therefore takes care in picking out the correct hat for the season and occasion to perfect her charms. For a man to have to think: is this a “Straw Hat Day” or “Felt Hat Day?” is unbecoming and unmanly—that’s why we have a calendar to dictate such things.

3. Somewhere along the way some misguided fools came up with something called “creative black tie.” Don’t do it! For eveningwear a man has but two options: “White tie and tails” which unless you are a member of the diplomatic corps is almost never seen, and “Black tie” which means black dinner suit with black bowtie. It is the most “uncreative” dress possible, and that is precisely the point. At formal or semi-formal evening events the men all wear the identical uniform so that all the attention will be on the ladies present and their gowns.

Remember men: It’s all about the ladies. Remember your lady on February 14th!


Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns at www.mary4nails.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

GETTING THE KINKS OUT" with “The Coppola Keratin Straightening System" at ACOTE Salon

Ciao bella,

Thanks to my Italian heritage I was born with very curly, frizzy, kinky hair. So many people say, “Oh I wish I had your hair!” Well be careful what you wish for. I’ve only come to like my curly hair after it’s been set and dried in rollers or blown dry with the use of specific products required! The results are lovely, soft, shiny waves—but of course only when there is not a drop of humidity, no drizzle and no rain. Products be darned that claim “anti-humectants” descriptions –don’t work!

I have a wonderful collection of fashionable hats that have somewhat saved the ‘do’ from what everyone calls “a bad hair day.” I have tried numerous times to go au naturale but to no avail, the tight curls just don’t suit me. No glamour there. Not for me!

Now take my cousins Josie, her sis Connie and Connie’s daughter Sharon—their curly hair is beautiful on them. I can’t picture them any other way. That’s what happens when you are born in a Beauty Salon! My Nana’s was on the second floor of her tenement Fashion Beauty Salon.

This past June we had so much drizzle, rain and humidity I was fed up! I did my homework thanks to LOLA magazine and found a marvelous salon on Newbury St. to help my woes of “hair depression.” They offered this NEW smoothing, straightening therapy—it carried a hefty price tag. But the professionalism and attention to detail of ACOTE SALON was unsurpassable! As an early morning appointment I was greeted by French music and the lovely Allison -and as every employee arrived for their day of work I was treated and greeted in a friendly and warm fashion.

ALEX my stylist was certainly “born into his niche.” His Dad Gaston and Uncle Serge (both owners of several and successful salons on Newbury St. for years) studied cosmetology in the South of France in Marseilles. Many hair inventions, techniques and products have come from France way before any place else. ALEX trained at Vidal Sassoon, the Training Academy in Miami. Alex has brought hairdressing to an artistic form-a true master of hair.

He is quite handsome and a charming personality to keep his clients feeling comfortable with an undeniable trust. Alex says “You must like and care for your clients because they'll be nothing but floors, ceiling and furniture to look at—I don’t think hairdressing is just a career, it’s a calling, not just a job—almost something you’re born with inside of you.”

My treatment originally called the “Brazilian Straightening System” was reformulated as “The Coppola Keratin Straightening System” (formaldehyde removed)

The process took 3 care-free hours. Alex worked to loosen the curl and remove the frizz. Voila!!! Remarkable-it’s a miracle!!!...I have enjoyed soft, shiny and most important FRIZZ-FREE hair for 3 months! Stop by ACOTE, 132 Newbury Street and say hello to Alex. Take in the beautiful deck adjoining the salon, relax and ask for a consultation and a cappuccino—the BEST Boston has to offer!—salonacote.com for more info!

--Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull

Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns at www.mary4nails.com. Mary is a third-generation cosmetologist and a Massachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil. She can be reached at mary@mary4nails.com.