The one I've been avoiding....

I'm overdue for a hair cut. I actually just made an appointment for next week:) But in the meantime, I'd rather not look like I stuck my finger in an electric socket. So, I need a quick fix to moisturize my hair and calm the frizz.

US magazine to the rescue, ahh. Actress Audrina Patridge (The Hills) said she once used a mayo hair mask, but her hair looked greasy for a week. I've heard about this remedy for a long time and, frankly, have avoided it. Mayo is reportedly also a safe remedy for lice since it doesn't subject children's scalps to harsh chemicals. But, unfortunately, it does subject them to mayonnaise. I hate mayo! I don't like it in my sandwiches and I wouldn't want it on my head. But a lot of people LOVE mayo, so I'll take one for the team.

So, as always, there's conflicting info online. Someone on Yahoo.Answers.com said it's a known fact that mayo is damaging to hair, but didn't say why. If anyone has more details on that, please let me know. But the overwhelming majority stands by the treatment. Apparently, mayo's ingredients are beneficial: vinegar (clarifies hair and helps with dandruff), olive oil moisturizes and seals hair and split ends (although Stephanie disagrees), and eggs have essential proteins that supposedly strengthen the hair follicle.

Here are the steps that came recommended by several sites:

Step 1: Apply the nasty goo from root to tip and convince yourself it's just conditioner. Yuck.

Step 2: Cover your hair with a plastic cap or grocery bag. I opted for the bag. At least this helps to conceal the smell.

Step 3: Wrap a hot, damp towel around the bag or cap for 10 minutes or so. This helps your hair absorb the moisture.

Step 4: Wash out all the goo and sigh with relief.

Bottom line: Where's the grease? I suppose my hair is softer, but I don't feel any heavy effects from the treatment....I guess that's good, right? I'm not sure if this experiment proves that mayo is a good conditioner or that my hair is made of straw and can't get enough oil. Try it at home and let me know how it works for you!

Update: It's the day after I treated my hair with mayo and now I see the grease. I don't think other people can see it. It made my dry hair normal, but I know it's there because my curls fell down and the frizz is 95% gone. This may be a good treatment afterall, especially for people with dry, frizzy hair!

What the H can we do about zits and wrinkles?

How is it you can be in your late twenties and still have pimples? How is it you can be in your early thirties and already have wrinkles? Fortunately for my wonderful boyfriend, Andrew, his subtle "wrinkles" look more like sophisticated symbols of his sexiness. Whereas my "pink lady bumps" are just....sad, and they must be destroyed immediately.

I read in US magazine (or was it People) that actress Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon (top) used Preparation H to zap away zits. I've always heard that old Hollywood starlets used to use the cream, as unappealing as that is, to shrink wrinkles.

As usual, I've found a lot of conflicting information online. Many people in chat rooms said they use it to shrink wrinkles and it helps. PeoplesPharmacy.com says, "Preparation H has been reformulated. It no longer contains Live Yeast Cell Derivative (LYCD). As a result, any reports about its power against wrinkles and other skin problems are probably no longer relevant."

So Andrew and I put it to the test-- although I hope his experiment doesn't work:)

Andrew spread the cream under his right eye and let it set for 10 minutes. He wants me to add that he was watching football while we waited. I smeared the cream across my forehead. We waited.......I felt nothing. Andrew felt his eye slightly tighten. We waited...I really don't like watching football. But then again, my boyfriend did put Preparation H under his eye:)

Ok time's up. And nada. His eye doesn't feel tighter and it doesn't look tighter. I didn't expect my "lady bumps" to go away in 10 minutes, so maybe they'll look better tomorrow. I'll let you know if they do. They do look slightly less red though!

Bottom line: Sorry starlets. No lines are filled here. But if you'd like to avoid numbing your expressions with Botox, I hear the original Preparation H formula is still available in Canada. If any Canadians want to send me a tube, feel free!!!