Secrets and beauty advice about makeup

April 17, 2000

Are you having hair, makeup, or skin problems? Chances are that no matter how many times you are told that these are completely normal, you still want to find a solution so you don't have to worry about them anymore. CosmoGIRL!'s beauty editor Genevieve Jacobs offers her secrets and beauty advice about makeup, blemishes, and skin problems, and shrinking those large pores.

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CosmoGIRL: Welcome to our beauty chat with CosmoGIRL! beauty editor, Genevieve Jacobs. She's here to solve all of your hair, makeup, and skin problems! This chat is sponsored by CosmoGIRL! --a magazine for REAL girls with REAL issues. Log on at www.cosmogirl.com! Welcome, Genevieve!

Genevieve Jacobs: Thank you! It's wonderful to be here!

CC498: Got any secrets to making my hair really shiny?

Genevieve Jacobs: A couple of secrets. The first one is after you have shampooed and conditioned as you normally would, rinse out the conditioner, then follow that rinse with a shot of cool water. That will close the cuticle on your hair, each strand, making light bounce off your locks and look shinier. If that doesn't get you the shine that you're seeking, once your hair is dry, try using any variety of glossers, shine serums, or silicone drops. Paul Mitchell has just come out with a product called Gloss Drops. It polishes the hair AND fights frizz.

Peachyprincess22: Is it true that if you put lemon in your hair it will turn blonde? If it's true, how would you do it?

Genevieve Jacobs: It's true for those of you who have blonde or light brown hair to begin with. It is not going to lighten dark hair noticeably. Redheads probably could do it too, though I would not recommend it. To do it, take real lemons. You want to use the real thing and not the processed kind that your mom might put in iced tea. You want real lemons, probably two. Cut them in half, squeeze them, or use a juicer if you have one at home that your mom will let you use. Squeeze the juice out of the lemons, enough that you have enough to fill, say, half of a squirt bottle. Pour it into a squirt bottle and then sprits it all over wet hair. Then use a wide toothed comb and comb it through your hair, scalp to ends. And then, to lighten, you either need to spend the next few hours outdoors, or use a hair dryer to blow-dry. The heat will help to lighten somewhat, but for the most dramatic results, sit under the sun.

Kassie021: I have really puffy, thick, thick hair! My mom's friend said it would work to layer it to bring the weight off and to make it flatter, so I did. It's better now, but not good enough. It's still puffy and I can't wear my hair down, cause it goes everywhere! My question is: Are there any products that I could use/get to make my hair flatter, and make it so I can actually wear it down?

Genevieve Jacobs: Start by loving your big hair. You wouldn't believe the number of letters we get from girls who want more body. You've got what they want. If that doesn't convince you, or if you'd like a sleeker change now and then, try using products that have extra conditioners, like a moisturizing shampoo or a conditioner that has the word "deep" on it. These products have more oiled and emollient ingredients, and will actually weigh the hair down. Some other products to try--anything that claims to straighten, reduce frizz, or smooth hair, will help hold hair straighter and sleeker through the day. A blow dryer on high and a round brush will also help to minimize volume if you pull hair straight down and shoot the hot air towards your ends, so as to smooth your cuticle and straighten your strands. Two last things to try--after blow-drying, try a defrizzing product smoothed on the outer layers of your hair, or pull your hair back into a tight ponytail at the nape of your neck. Let it sit there or stay in the ponytail for about an hour. Take out, and your hair should be significantly smaller.

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