Trash Talking

Loreal Cosmetics sure knows how to talk the big talk.

The bright yellow package of their new Loreal Voluminous Naturale mascara says it’ll give lashes natural-looking volume and perfect definition. Flip it over and it goes on to claim the mascara is smudgeproof and flakeproof.

And it doesn’t stop there.

Loreal takes beauty-boasting to a whole new level by boldly proclaiming this $7.50 mascara to be 100% clump free.

Now Loreal, there’s nothing wrong with a little trash-talking, but you’d better bring an A-game mascara.

Me? I’m giving this one an A-plus! Two coats lifted and separated my lashes and helped them hold their curl all day. No smudges, no flakes and no clumps.

Keep in mind, my goal is a natural look with a bit of oomph. Super thickening and lengthening mascaras that make a twentysomething look fabulous (uh, that would be a REAL twentysomething, not a forty-is-the-new-20something), make me look like I’m trying too hard.

The only thing I didn’t like about this mascara was the flimsy, flexible wand, but I like the product so much I can deal with it.

Loreal Voluminous Naturale mascara can be found at just about any grocery, drug or discount store.

P.S. You may have noticed Fortyisthenew20 got a makeover! If you're wondering what the book and hearts have to do with beauty, the answer is absolutely nothing. I just wanted the blog to coordinate with my revamped author website which should debut sometime next month.

Redken Smooth Down Butter Treat

When the Product Junkie Diva recommends a product, I don’t hesitate jumping into the PBW-mobile and burning up my $4.09 a gallon gas searching for it.

Luckily, I found an 8.5-ounce tube of the PJD-approved Redken Smooth Down Butter Treat for $14.99 at my local Walmart’s styling salon.

My plan was to have my stylist use it on me during my next visit. However, my eight-weeks-post-relaxer-on-a-short-style hair couldn’t wait that long. It was so kinky – okay, downright nappy - just looking at a comb gave me a headache.

Then I remembered PJD’s blog post mentioning it could be used on dry hair.

“What the hell?” I figured. “It can’t make it any worse.”

I applied the conditioner to my nape and sides, where the new growth was most visible (and annoying). I gave the treated areas a few brush strokes and tied it all down with a scarf.

The next morning, I removed the scarf and the treated areas were so smooth I had to re-read the ingredients on the tube to make sure it wasn’t a relaxer!!!!

Still, it couldn’t be that good, could it?

I gave it the fine-tooth comb test to make sure. The comb glided effortlessly through my nape and sides.

I’m very impressed and looking forward to trying Redken Smooth Down Butter Treat as a traditional conditioner.

Thanks, PJD! You rock!

Queen Helene To The Rescue

Ever have a weekend from hell?

I won’t bore you with the details, but this past one was a doozy!

In the aftermath, a person might turn to classic, reliable, comfort foods like mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, or meatloaf to recover.

With the weekend’s stress wrecking havoc on my skin, I also turned to a classic - Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque.

Yep, that’s right. I reached past the pricier brands in my bathroom cabinet, all boasting the latest and greatest in high-tech ingredients, for this simple drugstore cheapie.

Like comfort food, I knew Queen Helene would make it all better.

I smoothed the thick, green clay on cleansed skin. The fresh, mint scent gave me an instant aromatherapy boost while the mask dried. It took about 10 minutes.

After spending a few more minutes running around the house pretending to be a space monster, I wet a washcloth with very warm water, squeezed out the excess and placed it over my face. I held it there a few minutes to soften the mask before scrubbing it off.

The result: Tightened pores, eradicated whiteheads and fresh, perky skin that practically glowed.

Queen Helene has been promoted from my bathroom cabinet product cave to my countertop.

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque is available at most drug and discount stores for under $4 a tube.

Review: Ojon Restorative Treatment

They say there’s a sucker born every minute. When it comes to hair care products – I’m that sucker.

Over and over I run out and buy the latest miracle product guaranteed to make my hair manageable, shiny and healthy.

Over and over I’m disappointed.

Even worse, I could have probably bought a new Mercedes with all the money I’ve spent on hair crap that didn’t work for my fine, bone-dry, shedding, relaxed, colored hair.

So when I heard the host on QVC hawking Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment, I was more than skeptical.

“It’s natural,” the host says, flashing a toothy grin.

“Yeah, right,” I reply to my television. “I’ve got a cabinet full of all natural flops.”

So while they prattled on about the virtues of this wonder conditioner, I dialed the number on the screen to order. (I warned you I was a hair care product sucker, didn’t I?)

One treatment and I feel like I’ve been kissed by the Hair Gods. I can’t stop touching my soft, sleek, shiny, moisturized hair. And the shedding that accompanies my relaxer touch up and semi-permanent hair color has come to an abrupt halt.

I can’t say enough good things about this treatment.

Ojon was my first experience with a pre-shampoo deep conditioner. I slathered it on dry hair (a little goes a long way) and covered my head with a plastic cap. I wrapped my head in a scarf and kept the treatment on overnight. The next morning, my stylist took over. She rinsed and shampooed out the Ojon; then conditioned, wrapped and styled my hair.

She loved the results as much as I did. She didn’t have to spend 20 minutes piling tons of crap on my hair and beating it into submission, giving her more time to smoke cigarettes and talk on her cell phone.

While I opted to leave the treatment in overnight, it can be left in for as little as 10 minutes. It can also be applied in smaller amounts as a leave-in conditioner or shine enhancer.

The burnt coffee scent may be a turn-off to some, but it doesn’t bother me. It contains several ingredients including, 100% pure Ojon palm nut oil, natural anti-oxidants, natural preservatives and fragrance.

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment is available at iqvc.com and Sephora in various sizes. Prices range from $21 to $55.