Folklore for Hallowe’en

Folklore for Hallowe’en

Ciao bella,

As Hallowe’en approaches we are surrounded by all things creepy and spooky. During this haunting holiday season, superstitions, folklore, and myths descend upon us unremittingly. We have all heard about the superstitions concerning broken mirrors and Friday the 13th. But did you know that as early as A.D. 77 people began documenting beliefs suggesting that fingernails and toe nails played a vital role in the outcome of their lives? Read on for more eerily notions that have circulated throughout the world for centuries.

It has been known that nails reflect a person’s health, but some even believe that they can also see into the future and detect a person's true character.

According to some believers—

It is best to cut nails during the waning of the moon.

Ttrim nails at sea if a storm is desired.

If babies’ nails are trimmed before they are one year old, they’ll grow up to be thieves.

Never cut nails on a Friday or Saturday for fear it will bring bad luck.

Parents are encouraged to let their children’s nail clippings fall into an open Bible as they are cut so they will grow up to be honest.

White specks on a person’s nails are thought to be “gifts” that portend something good will happen in that person’s lifetime.

Personality traits are detected through the shape of a person's nails.

Ridges and breakage are symbols of important things that have happened or will happen in someone’s life.

If a boy’s nails are dirty with soot and oil and turn toward the sun, the reflections from the sun’s rays may produce images that can be interpreted to foretell future events.

As luck has it, these folklore tales have since passed their validity! But look out for black cats crossing your path and stay away from walking under a ladder (those are two I believe in!)

So everyone have frightfully and fun Happy Hallowe’en!

Buona giornata, and God bless the United States of America!

--Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull

Beauty is what Health and Happiness looks like on the outside

Beauty is what Health and Happiness looks like on the outside"—from a 1916 issue of Good Housekeeping

Ciao bella,

We all need “tips” and reminders to stay feeling good and looking good. Enjoy these tried and true ones to a prettier and healthier you!

• Use sunscreen with a minimum of 15 SPF or higher—no matter what your skin color is, everyday, winter and summer ,no matter where you live.
  

• Take care of your chest and to renew it—gently exfoliate regularly with a face scrub.
  

• Queen Latifah’s grandmother’s beauty secret for an exfoliant is mixing water and baking soda. Use gently.
  

• For those low digit winter days wear a super rich moisturizer.
  

• Keep a steady date of close friends regularly meeting—lowers blood pressure, delays memory loss, reduces risk of infection such as the common cold.
  

• Drink your morning “joe”—3 cups a day for cancer prevention and to enhance memory.
  

• Eat your romaine, spinach, kale, and Swiss chard—helps protect your eyes from UV damage.
  

• Use lemon juice as a slough for hands and age spots.
  

• Your hair becomes drier as we age. Take care of it with frequent trims and conditioning on a regular basis.
  

• Curl your lashes!
  

• After washing your face—gently pat dry especially around the delicate area of the eyes. Rubbing stretches it.
  

• Always try to maintain healthy eating habits including whole grains and fruits and veggies. (Your skin will thank you!)
  

• Live, love, and “laugh”—increases blood flow by 22 percent which is good for your heart.

Most of these wonderful tips are from Good Housekeeping—celebrating 100 years in print!

Buona giornata, and God bless the United States of America!

--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 products. She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183 or mary@mary4nails.com.

SOY-Use it Inside and Out!

SOY-Use it Inside and Out!

Ciao bella,

I have made soy an everyday part of my diet. Just a cup of soymilk in the morning seems to keep those “hot” moments cooler! If you know what I mean!

Soy is a legume native to east Asia, grown as part of crop rotation due to their ability to add nitrogen in the soil. The United States is the most recent leader in the production of soybeans. They are high in protein and vitamins A, E and K. The oil is produced by solvent extraction.

A healthy and delicious soy snack is Edame—look for it in the frozen foods or your fav Japanese restaurant. So lo-cal and good for you.

Soy is not only a healthy addition to a women’s diet but can also be found on the cosmetic counter. Soy oil and its qualities are natural antioxidants that block out the harmful rays of the sun. Soy oil is known to treat wrinkles, repair skin and improve elasticity.

Soy is also used to protect and moisturize dry skin.

Look for soy in lip care products, mineral makeup, shampoos and conditioners, moisturizers, anti-aging skin care, body oils and soaps.

So stay looking beautiful and look for Soy.

Buona giornata, and God bless the United States of America!

--Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull

After Summer "KOSMEA" and Always! Skin as Nature intended!

After Summer "KOSMEA" and Always! Skin as Nature intended!

Ciao bella,

There is always melancholy in the air just around Labor Day and a bit after. Our short fun-filled season is coming to a close for packing a pool/beach bag, barbeque, swimming outdoors, chanting of the Feasts and sunning our skin to golden brown. The tan is so becoming, but after it fades with a certain dullness. Now is the time to treat it with simple, loving care.

Use KOSMEA to brighten up skin tone and put back some much needed moisture.

KOSMEA’s Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil is Nature’s answer to anti-aging! It’s rich in Vitamin A, essential fatty acids and antioxidants. It will help smooth wrinkles, even skin tone and leave you with an instant healthy glow.

KOSMEA’s Eight Natural Wonder Revitalizing Facial Serum instantly “lifts” dull and tired skin. The hibiscus extract smoothes out fine lines.

KOSMEA’s Replenishing Moisture Cream is a vitamin rich formula that replenishes and hydrates your complexion to restore skin’s youthful radiance and elasticity—great as a make-up base.

KOSMEA’s Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30+ are for those gals who (should be everyone) monitor how much direct sun they are exposing their skin to. The encapsulated sunscreen offers broad spectrum protection to prevent premature ageing caused by the sun. Use this light, non-greasy face protector daily.

KOSMEA’s full line of extraordinary products are all listed with their info on my web page.

Do yourself a favor and stay looking young!

Buona giornata, and God bless the United States of America!

--Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull

Attention Men: Tomorrow is Felt Hat Day!

September 15th is Felt Hat Day the end of the season when men may wear their straw boaters and Panamas rather than the fur felt fedoras, porkpies, homburgs, and bowlers that we wear (You do wear a hat, don't you?) the rest of the year. For more information see http://www.thefedoralounge.com/. Straw hats may not be worn again until Straw Hat Day which is May 15th.

Condition your eyelashes, not only your hair

Condition your eyelashes, not only your hair.

Ciao bella,

A few years back I was noticing everyone’s eyelashes. Probably because mine didn’t look as long as they used to be. So first I tried the one-piece fake lashes, from Mac brand to Duane Reade (a New York City “CVS” except better for make-up).

Trying to glue those babies on was quite a task. Thanks goodness eyelash glue is very forgiving! Practice and experience seemed to be the key in mastering this procedure.

They were really beautiful. But I still felt like I had a quarter weighing on each eyelid!

Then there were the individual lashes. I needed a tweezer and small scissors to apply because you can cut them to your desired length without much error—not like the one-piece lashes. I patiently sat at my vanity and tried my creative hand at it. The “individuals” were easier to apply and looked lovely. Unfortunately the only time I wore the individuals it was wasted on a “girls night out” and not fluttering at somewhere someone is seen!

It was a worthwhile try. So being the catalogue shopping queen I found an “eyelash conditioner”. I applied it once in the morning and once at night. Stroking my babies with a mascara brush dipped into a clear gel on top and bottom lashes. After just a couple of weeks I saw a big difference. It was worth the effort.

Lately I discovered a vibrating wand mascara by Maybelline and I truly believe that from the stimulation on the lashes it has promoted lash growth.

TIP: always remove your mascara before bed to prevent lash breakage.

So if you see that your lashes and brows are looking sparse try the next NEW lash conditioner (most are sold over the counter but you might want to try a prescription one for a more serious problem). You’ll have fluttering peepers again before you know it!

Buona giornata, and God bless the United States of America!

--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 products.

Ginseng—use it and keep young!

Ginseng—use it and keep young!

Ciao bella,

I have been giving all my readers an insight to utilize all of nature's finest “nectars of the Gods.” This one is no different. Ginseng is a perennial herb with a fleshy root and is slow growing. Coming from Eastern Asia, primarily China and Korea, it is readily used. Wild American Ginseng has had a problem of over-harvesting, leading to crops that are not as valuable.

The active ingredient which makes Ginseng so popular is in the root. The ginsensosides help to reactivate and revitalize epidermal cells. The saponins, mucin and vitamin B also come from the root.

Ginseng products help in smoothing wrinkles and aid in replenishing moisture for dry skin. It is great for renewing skin elasticity, rejuvenating, oxygenating and stimulating skin. For centuries Ginseng has been known as a cure-all for illness. It has been known to balance and normalize body functions. Try it to boost your immune system, energy levels and can help lower blood sugar.

You can find Ginseng everywhere in the store, from the beauty aisle to the grocery bin. Look for it in facial products, lotions and creams, and hair care products. The extract of Ginseng can be found in teas, energy supplement pills and herbal capsules. Ginseng has also been known in some instances to stimulate hair growth. You can also make “tea” by boiling the peeled knotty root in water and drinking it—great for digestion and balance!

So keep these “nectars of the Gods” well within reach to feel good and stay beautiful.

Buona giornata, and God bless the United States of America!

--Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull