I HAVE a lot of different shampoos and conditioners. To say that I?m loyal to just one would be a lie. Unlike my husband, who only has two kinds, I shift hair products a lot because I have problematic hair. My hair can be curly, wavy and straight in one day depending on the weather, so using the right product on any given day is a must. When I was approached to use a mystery shampoo and conditioner for two weeks, it didn?t excite me at first. I had to smell the product first because no matter how good the product is, if it doesn?t smell good, I won?t use it. My husband smells my hair, which I believe most guys do unconsciously. Every time a guy gets close even just to say, ?Hi,? he automatically takes a whiff. This was put to my attention one Sunday Mass, when we said our ?Peace be with you,? and he pointed out he didn?t like the smell of my shampoo.

To make the long story short, the mystery shampoo passed my smell test. Also, they agreed to give away 40 goodie bags with products worth P2,000 each for you, readers. That sealed the deal.

It has been two weeks since they set a meeting with the mystery shampoo and conditioner, which I had to use. Result? It passed the test! The normal texture of my hair is coarse, but not anymore. I can run my fingers through my smooth hair. It?s also very shiny! The only thing I am having a hard time dealing with is thinking what shampoo and conditioner I?m going to use for the day. I take my sweet time in the bathroom. Before events, I normally call Massage By Us Makati (0920-9673529) to do my blow-drying. I haven?t called since. I?ll never be loyal to one brand, because using different shampoos and conditioners is good for the hair, so this will be added to my shower arsenal.

We?ll have to wait for the big revelation and I?ll be writing about it next Friday. Join the contest. It will be worth your time.

Faking the right way

Beauty is mostly about enhancing, but what do we do when we really don?t have it? Fake it! It may sound really bad, but it does a lot of good to the way we look.

I?m all for faking some things, like the length of my lashes. Unfortunately, I wished mine were longer, so I tried semi-permanent eyelash extensions that are supposed to last for at least three weeks. They stuck on strand by strand. I was happy for a day; after that, I knew it was a big mistake. I know some people who can ?deal? with it, but I?m not the ?dealing? kind. First, I?m all over the place when I sleep, so when I woke up my fake lashes were going in different directions. Second, I had to be conscious of my lash extensions when washing my face. It just stressed me out! Third, after a few weeks, some came off and it looked really funny; I ended up trying to pull them off. Some came off but the others didn?t, so I had to go back to the salon and have them removed. I didn?t like the experience at all because the liquid they removed from the remaining eyelash extension stung my eye and smelled weird. Lastly, a lot of people have confirmed some strands don?t grow back. I?m a very unhappy customer and will never do it again.

If you really want dramatic lashes, go for those fake eyelashes of Shu Uemura, Makeup Forever and MAC. They do not damage your lashes because you paste them on top of your lids. Plus, it is easy to take out and there are no stinging and strong chemical smell. I fake it with lengthening mascara.

Fake nails; I understand why some people want it. Just don?t use paraffin nails. It damages nails and makes them thin. Also, it is very high maintenance, since as your nail grows you have to have it filled. At some point you?ll have to have your nails rest and undergo the process of removing it. Go to PCX or Essenses and have your manicurist stick, shape and paint to your desire. It will fall out at some point, but at least you won?t damage your nails. When it comes to nails, as long as they?re kept clean, they?d look good.

It?s great to look sun-kissed, but there are other safe ways to get a nice color. Rustan?s has a lot of tanning products. For my legs, I use Sally Hansen?s spray-on stockings and a lot of bronzing powder on my face and arms when off to a night-out to get the sun-kissed color without hurting my skin.