Introducing our reporters...

Ashley

Hi, my name is Ashley and I am 15 years old. I live in Virginia in a little town out in the sticks. I am very excited about having the opportunity to write my likes and dislikes in a column to help you all. I consider myself a very normal and average teenage girl. I love guys, clothes, and friends and hate homework, school and chores.

I enjoy hanging out with my friends or just staying home and doing some reading. A boy enthusiast, I seriously doubt. I like guys but I am not obsessed with them. Along with every other teenage girl in the world I love to shop and hate any kind of homework. I will be doing reviews of cosmetics, makeup, fashion and some other stuff. I will let you know what I think is hot & what's not.     * Ashley *

Eric

Hi, my name is Eric, I live just outside of Philadelphia, PA, I am 19 years old. I work as a hair dresser, or hair stylist -- whatever you want to call me, I don't care. Why do I do what I do? WelI, I grew up in my mom's salon as a kid, I am creative and I like making people feel good when they like the way they look. Anyway, I will be writing a column about “Hair Tips and Tricks” and stuff like that. I think you will learn something since most of what I know is stuff I have learned from working in the business. I will have an article out soon with tips for all hair types. I just wanted to introduce myself. See ya soon. - Eric -
(Click to see Eric's hair articles below).

Brittany

Hi, my name is Brittany, I have my own page at Teen Reporter - Brittany. Stop by to see what I am writing & what is our topic of discussion this week. I would like to hear from you and hear your "stories". Check out Eric's hair tips first of course, I learned a couple of good tips.

~ Product Review by Ashley ~

Oil of Olay foundation stick: I recently bought the Oil of Olay foundation stick. I think that this product is very convenient and portable for any touchups that may be needed through out the day. One downside to this product is that it is very fragile and breaks easily.

Other than that one draw back I love this product. The mistake I made was I pick a color that was too dark. Make sure that before you buy it you test it or at least look at the label on the bottom to see if it is close to your natural skin color. Please don't try and get a color too dark because with this product it will definitely show. I advise the use of this product very much. I give it three stars .

Rating scale:
    Definitely No!     Okay     Pretty Good     Have to have it
Can't live without it!

Hi, this is Amy. I found a new product (new to me that is). I really liked it so I thought I would review it. I have very long curly hair and it is often either frizzy from brushing it out too much or I don't know what to do with the curls that nature gave me, until now.

Pantene Pro-V Scrunching Gel - Curl Defining: Use this product on your hair when it is still damp after shampooing. It shapes and holds your curls and it isn't sticky or shiny looking like some of the older products for curly hair. It wasn't the cheapest of the "scrunching gels" but not the most expensive either. And since it comes in a 200 gram size tube, it probably lasts a long time. If you don't have curly hair, it also comes in other formulas. I would rate it with four stars!
  More product reviews soon, stay tuned!

Fashion Reviews
~ By Ashley ~

Summer Fashions -- Yep, they're out already!

This summer bright, solid-colored bathing suits will be hot. Last year was all about flowers and plaids. I think a lot of warm colors will be used like orange, red and yellow.

Victoria Secret has some cute suits in the latest catalog. These bathing suits sun from
$50- $100. If you would rather spend less, I would suggest American Eagle Outfitters (www.ae.com) or A&N. These particular suits run between $20- $40.

Don't think that these are the only stores, a lot of little surf shops carry adorable suits.
Victoria Secret  American Eagle  A&N  Other

MORE REVIEWS SOON...

Eric’s ShAmPoOiNg ToP FoUrTeEn TiPs

If your shampoo isn't lathering, your hair most likely isn't wet enough! Add water, not more shampoo.

You do NOT have to switch shampoos (some say to change them weekly), you only need to change products if your hair goes through a change like if you perm it or color it.

Wash your hair with warm water! Don't use cold, even if your best bud says it is good for your hair. Shampoos are formulated to work best with warm water.

To eliminate frizz or to define curls use a wave enhancing shampoo like Back to Basics Get Curly Shampoo.

Don't pour shampoo onto your head! Pour it into your hands then work it through your hair.

Dandruff shampoos -- Massage them into your scalp, then leave the suds on for a few minutes before rinsing.

If greasy hair is a problem, use a deep cleansing shampoo like Clairol Herbal Essences Clarifying Shampoo.

Curly hair is often dry, so use a moisturizing shampoo like Neutrogena Clean Shampoo Replenishing.

Before conditioning, squeeze excess water from your hair (please be gentle) soaking wet strands don't absorb conditioner very well.

To strengthen strands try a protein-based conditioner like Pantene Pro-V Daily Treatment Conditioner.

AFTER conditioning rinse those locks with cool water to boost the circulation in your scalp and to increase the shine of your locks.

You'll know conditioner is all washed out when your hair feels slightly slippery.

DON'T pile your hair on top of your head (if it is long), this will only create knots.

DON'T brush wet hair, it can tear your hair, use a comb, more on that in Hair Tips.

Eric’s Tools Of The Trade

Get a blow-dryer with 1500 watts max. Higher voltages can fry your hair. The hair dryer should also have a built-in heat sensor to protect from burning.

A flattening attachment like Champion Straight-On Straightening Pic will turn most dryers into straighteners.

When heat styling, start with the lowest setting, hot appliances will damage hair. (I can't say this enough).

A hot air brush blows heated air through built-in bristles, giving you the benefits of a blow-dryer, round brush and curling iron in one tool... I use this on many clients. Julbere Blue Lightning Hot Air Brush is available in most stores & is one I recommend.

If you plan to trim your own bangs, invest in a good pair of shears, paper scissors just don't cut it. (To trim your own bangs, twist the hair together into one piece then snip into the ends in a zigzag motion. Brush out the hair & cut the longer pieces to match the shorter ones.) More on hair cutting tips coming soon.

Every two weeks clean your brushes by soaking them in warm, soapy water for a few minutes. Rinse & air dry.

A broken-in brush is easier to work with than a new one.

To break in a new brush, heat the bristles with a blow dryer to soften them for easier styling.

Make sure your hair is dry before using curling irons or irons to straighten. These are not meant to dry your hair, but to finish your look, use the last.

NEVER use a metal comb which can tear hair, use a plastic one with large teeth, you can buy a good one for a dollar!

TTFN -- more coming soon, stay tuned! -Eric-

Eric will be getting his own page soon, he has a lot of great hair tips to share with us. Thanks Eric, I bought myself a large wide-tooth comb!

Check out Teen Reporter Brittany's Page

Go to Eric’s Hair Care Pages...