CAROL'S COLUMN

Views & tips from your side of the counter........

TRY BEPANTHOL FROM ROCHE

The Bepanthol range is already used widely through Europe and is a unique approach to problem dry skin, and is also suitable for eczema and dermatitis. Bepanthol skin conditioners each contain a different amount of moisturising power, called a Skin Conditioning Factor, which soothe and soften dry, cracked skin at different levels.

These skin Conditioning Factors form a non-greasy protective film over the surface of your skin, holding in your bodies natural moisture. Bepanthol also contains Pro-Vitamin B5 which promotes natural healing. At last, whatever age you are, choosing the right level of moisturise for your problem dry skin is simple. Write to Dry Skin Info Centre, PO Box 2557, London W1A 3JS.

'GIFT GALLERY'

Need to buy a gift for a teenager? SLEEP OVER MAKEOVER KIT from Petunia Cosmetics and available at Boots is a sure winner. All you could want for party-goers and the morning after - includes eye pencil, lip gloss pen stick and more!

MAVALA MINI POLISH

Shade 37 for the ultra-trendy. Fun and funky best made, dare her to be different with this outrageous polish, which will glow in the dark!

Norfolk Lavender Bath Soap

These fabulously calming, soothing soaps are still a perfect gift for Mum, Auntie, Granny indeed anyone who can remember long summer day, Watch With Mother and Womens Hour!

SOLID PERFUMES

Have you tried the new solid perfume sticks yet? A fashionable alternative to sprays these will not mark clothing and are easier and lighter to pop into your handbag.

JOY PARFUM SOLIDE

Smells and in fact is wildly expensive at around £90! Encased in a golden jewel box with a crystal lid this jasmine fragrance perfume is definitely for the girl who wants to be noticed!

ROUGE HERMES SOLID STICK

Nifty twist up case, priced at around £30 it has a sexy, seductive smell and lives in its own little silk pouch. Simply scent-sational!

BOBBI BROWN ESSENTIALS

Looks and works much like a lipstick it has a fresh citrus smell great as a daytime perfume. Priced around £25 in a smart, silver case.

TRIED AND TESTED - 2 IN 1 CLEANSERS

GARNIER NUTRALIA CLEANSING GELEE

• A runny gel that did take off make-up but left the skin feeling rather greasy.

Voted 2 out of 5

ROC 2 IN 1 CLEANSER/FRESHNER

• Nice and creamy - took all traces of make-up off, even mascara. Non irritating and quick and easy to use.

Voted 5 out of 5

VICHY ONE STEP CLEANSER

• Needed 2 attempts but did the job second time around leaving skin clean with no stickiness.

Voted 4 out of 5

HELENA RUBENSTIEN PURE CLEANING WATER

• Very light and worked beautifully. A bit pricey but lovely to use.

Voted 4 out of 5

BOOTS CUCUMBER 2 IN 1 CLEANSER

• Gelee formula felt very refreshing and cooling. Cleansed perfectly, even mascara left skin clean and fresh with no stickiness. Absolute bargain price but the cucumber smell might not suit everyone.

Voted 4 out of 5

TOP TIP f your hair is permed or porous due to bad condition be careful with colour. Dye can GRAB on to this type of hair and colour will develop much faster than time recommended

Did You Know?

TOP 5 PRODUCTS ACCORDING TO CAPRICE

Want to know how Caprice keeps her beautiful looks despite a hectic lift? Here are her top 5 favourite products.

• URBAN DECAY'S skincare range - quick and simple to use with great results, and even greater names - try Zen Cleanse, Detox Cocktail and Guardian Angel!

• NIVEA VISAGE TIME DEFYING FLUID - Contains SPF 15 which will reliably protect your skin from ageing sunlight.

• ELIZABETH ARDENS EXTREME CONDITIONING CREAM - made with plant extracts, developed to calm and soothe skin and defend against pollution and harsh weather conditions. Oil free but wonderfully moisturising.

• JURLIQUE FOAMING FACIAL CLEANSER

• Lancome Cleansers - plant based and very gentle, choice of 3 different combinations to suit all skin types, all smell delicious and cleanse beautifully.

BLACK VELVET

Virtually all Afro hair is dry because the sebaceous glands produce insufficient sebum to moisturise the hair. Because the hair is tightly curled the sebum cannot physically travel down hair shaft. Regular remoisturising is the key especially if hair has been chemically relaxed or coloured. It is not such a good idea to have both chemical treatments especially if you enjoy swimming and sunshine. If you are colouring at home look out for products which have the added protection of a protein conditioner, usually shampoo-in or semi-permanent varieties.

Heat styling and even just combing can easily damage black hair - always use a strenghtener or restorer which are designed to carry chemicals to the damaged areas to rebuild the hair. Panthenol products are particularly good as it penetrates the hair and maintains elasticity, clinical trials have shown that Panthenol products can actually increase the diameter of the hair shaft, improving the strength of hair. Hair that has been severely damaged will benefit from a course of intensive conditioning treatments, helping to strengthen hair and reduce the around of breakage which is common amongst black hair groups.

HOW TO KEEP BLACK HAIR BEAUTIFUL

• Use a wide toothed Afro comb for curly hair and a natural bristle brush for hair that has been 'relaxed'. (Check out the Denman Professional range at Boots). Combing helps to distribute the hairs natural oils through the hair.

• Massage your scalp regularly to encourage oil production.

• Shampoo as often as you feel necessary but only lather once using a small amount of moisturising shampoo. Try something like Redken Oliance Moisture Shampoo - great for detangling and hydrating the hair.

• Always use a conditioner, there are special ones on the market for relaxed hair, to repair and strengthen hair. A hot oil treatment once a month will lubricate a dry scalp and moisture brittle hair.

• Always use a protecting product before blow drying, most of the top ranges include one, including John Friedas frizz-ease range, and use a cool setting during drying.

• A sheen spray will add instant shine to the hair, again try John Friedas or Charles Worthington.

• If you liked the products your hairdresser used, ask if they are available to buy at the salon or see if your stylist can recommend products which will suit your needs.

• Look out for products containing jojoba oil, silk protein, Panthenol and aloe vera, these will provide the extra moisture that black hair needs. Avoid any products containing alcohol as these will lead to frizzing.

• Gels are good for moulding black hair or for softer curls try a body-building setting lotion such as Dark and Lovely Conditioning Setting Lotion.

• Braided hair needs a softening shampoo that maintains the moisture balance and eliminates a dry scalp, ask the stylist when you have hair braided.