God Save the Queens: Protecting the Mane of Palimore Triplets, as Well as Girls and Women in Every Corner of Country with CROWN Act

BY VW

WITH all of the problems that plague the United States, one of the very last ones we should be dealing with – in the 21st century! – is hair discrimination. Yet, it is a problem that persists. And you, you, you and you can help from the comfort of home and device.

Are you scratching your scalp, wondering what I'm on about? I get it. It’s a ton of botheration to even bring it up, but needs must, hence the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act of 2021, for instance. But I will return to that shortly.

First, some background: Fellow Americans all across the United States – an overwhelming majority of them black, if media reports and at least one study are to be believed – have been experiencing discrimination because of their hairstyles. One might think such practices were left behind in 1919 or 1984 or 1999. Alas, no. They persist in 2000, 2010, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 …

It could be a situation where an athlete is told he must cut his locs to compete. A little girl is sent home because she is wearing braids in violation of school policy. A woman receives a job offer contingent on her abandoning her locs or braids. Little girls are bullied at school because of their hairstyles. Many of these same little girls begin to dislike their hair and desire straight hair.

This hair discrimination impacts mostly women and disproportionately black women who wear natural hairstyles like afros, braids, locs and ringlets. In fact, the 2019 Dove CROWN Research Study found in part that 80 percent of black women compared with 65 percent of nonblack women reported hair dicrimination.

The study also found that black girls as young as 5 have experienced hair discrimination (See "As Early As Five" above. It is a short film from Dove that dramatizes this finding). Yikes! This should not be the future of the Palimore Triplets or any little girl regardless of her hair type.

To paraphrase Marcus Garvey, “Don't force them to remove the kinks from their hair! Remove the kinks from your brain!

Not surprisingly, these outrages have spawned activism and legislation, giving rise to the CROWN Coalition and the CROWN Act. The former is an alliance of various non-governmental organizations, including Dove. Its mission is to push anti-hair discrimination legislation across the United States.

The coalition has had success. Currently, 14 states and more than 30 municipalities have passed hair discrimination laws under the rubric, CROWN Act.

You can follow the Palimore Triplets on Instagram (@palimore_triplets). Image from Palimore Triplets Instagram page.

The CROWN ACT, which outlaws hair discrimination (particularly the race-based type) in institutions and workplaces, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in September 2020 and was introduced in the U.S. Senate in March 2021. There is a big push to get the bill passed in the Senate. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the CROWN Act, making it the law of the land.

I hope yous will get on board and support the CROWN Act (use the links below to act). Because in 2022, we don't have time for this.

Visit the following links to support the CROWN Coalition and the CROWN Act of 2021:
Join the CROWN Coalition: https://www.thecrownact.com/join-crown-act

Get help if you have experienced hair discrimination: https://www.thecrownact.com/hair-discrimination-help

2019 Dove CROWN Research Study: https://bit.ly/3ubzl9j

2019 Dove CROWN Research Study for Girls Infographic: https://bit.ly/3s8RZMe

Sign petition to support an end to hair discrimination in all 50 states and the District of Columbia (Washington, DC): https://www.dove.com/us/en/stories/campaigns/the-crown-act.html

Use online form to request your U.S. Senator’s support of the CROWN Act of 2021: https://www.thecrownact.com/email-your-senator

You've Got Skin in the Game (All of It), Nine Ways to Keep It Looking Its Best

Sky Organics 100% Organic Unrefined Ivory Shea Butter is good for the entire body, including the face. During the winter, shea butter provides more moisture for normal and dry skin than lotion. Image from Sky Organics website.

BY VW

‘TIS true: If you look good, you feel good – at the very least, better. One thing we can do to achieve that feel-good feeling is to take care of ourselves, especially our skin. To ensure that it looks its best.

Offering pointers (nine) toward achieving that goal are a couple of experts from Houston’s top-ranked Department of Dermatology at McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center.

“All the stresses and excesses of the holidays can leave your skin in bad shape, which makes you feel low, too,” asserts Megan Rogge, an assistant professor of dermatology. “The challenge is that at the start of a new year, we all want to look great. The good news is that with a little extra time and effort, or sometimes just breaking bad habits, you can change your skin condition for the better.”

The annmarie organic bamboo washcloth exfoliates as it cleanses and is naturally woven from a chemical-free blend of bamboo yarn and charcoal bamboo. Photo from annmarie website.

Drum roll, please ...

1. TAKE A CHILL PILL
Stay calm, cool and collected because stress can cause and worsen skin problems. "Acne, psoriasis, eczema and certain types of hair loss all get worse when you’re feeling stressed," MR says. "Unfortunately, these are the four most common complaints of my patients. That’s why I recommend finding time to decompress. Practicing yoga or meditation is a good option, but even just doing breathing exercises can make a difference.”

2. OVERHAUL DIET
In addition to adding unwanted pounds, what we eat can also adversely affect the look of our skin, McGovern medical school clinical dermatology professor Rajani Katta says.

"Your skin definitely feels the effects of your diet choices. I advise my patients to eat more foods rich in antioxidants, especially fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, since they've been shown to help combat the effects of free radicals, which take a toll on your skin."

RK, who speaks nationally about skin issues, also advises her patients to be monitor their sugar intake. “Too many sugar-laden coffee drinks, candies and desserts can elevate your blood sugar levels, which in turn can lead to collagen damage. This makes your skin less supple and more prone to ‘sugar sag.’ "

Water is essential to any health- or self-improvement regimen. Nuff said. Archive image.

3. MAINTAIN SUNSCREEN ROUTINE
Even during the winter, stick to wearing sunscreen. “Sunscreen," stresses MR, "should be an everyday essential. It’s often associated with being sticky and smelly, but most major skincare brands offer a daily version that is lighter and easier to apply. Even in winter, the sun’s rays can still emit damaging ultraviolet radiation."

She recommends a brand with at least an SPF of 30, "and placing it by your toothbrush so you don’t forget each morning.”

4. DRINK SUFFICIENT WATER
It is not necessarily eight glasses a day, but dependent on how much is injested through beverages and food as well as how much one sweats.

Says RK, "It's easy to become dehydrated in the winter. Unfortunately, beyond fatigue and other health effects, dehydration also accentuates fine lines and wrinkles."

5. REMOVE MAKEUP AT NIGHT
Sometimes, it's a real struggle to take off your face after toiling all day, but it is essential and beneficial.

"Any buildup of dirt or oil in your skin can leave it looking flat. It can also block your pores, resulting in acne breakouts and irritations,” warns MR. “That means always removing makeup before you go to bed and doing regular cleansing, as well as exfoliation, to remove the top layer of dead skin. This will help keep your skin clear and shining bright.”

Bananas have myriad benefits, including promoting heart health and improving digestion. And they are delicious. Archive image.

6. GET PLENTY OF SHUT-EYE
When we get enough sleep, not only do we feel better, we look better. “Being sleep-deprived can increase those dreaded dark circles. Concealer can help hide the issue, but there’s no substitute for shut-eye,” RK asserts.

Further, she adds, not getting enough sleep slows the skin's healing process. “Researchers have studied the effects of poor sleep on the skin barrier. In one study, volunteers who reported poor sleep actually repaired their skin damage more slowly than those who reported good sleep."

7. MAXIMIZE MOISTURIZING
The skin becomes dryer during the cold weather season. That is OK for oily or combination skin, and there are particular topical treatments for the latter. However, those with dry or normal skin should keep the skin moisturized with something that has more oomph than lotions, which tend to be water-logged, thus not conducive to good moisturizing, MR says.

Instead, "opt for thick creams to maximize results. Applying twice daily is normally sufficient, and you can help lock in moisture further by applying while your skin is still damp. This technique, called soak and smear, involves only patting dry your skin after stepping out of the shower before applying a moisturizer.”

8. GET SOME FRESH AIR
During winter in particular, we spend more time indoors. The air quality in indoor spaces can be contaminated by smoke from cigarettes, cooking and other things. "While many of my patients recognize how harmful cigarette smoke is to the skin and therefore don’t smoke, some don't realize that secondhand smoke and pollution can also accelerate aging of the skin," says RK.

Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30
is good for all skin types. Photo from Drunk Elephant website.


"That's why it's so important to avoid these situations whenever possible, and to make sure you're eating plenty of antioxidant-rich foods to help protect your skin from pollution and smoke-induced free radicals."

9. NEVER GIVE UP!
“Setting a routine morning and night is crucial because most skincare regimens give the best results when they are consistently followed,” MR says. “But if certain products aren’t working for you, don’t be afraid to try something new. To give your skin an extra boost, you might want to use Vitamin C and Vitamin E serums to strengthen its defenses and improve elasticity.”

Here, patience is a virtue, she says. “Although it’s natural to want a product to have an immediate impact, it usually takes six weeks to be able to assess its effectiveness and start noticing any significant difference. So before giving up too soon, try to give any changes to your routine a proper chance and you might be pleasantly surprised.”

In short, stick to the gameplan and the skin you're in is only mere weeks away from an improved appearance.

At Marilyn Monroe Spas, Pampering From Head to Toe Now Includes Hair and Makeup

The Marilyn Monroe Spas recently added makeup applications to its list of services. Photos courtesy of Marilyn Monroe Spas.

HEADS UP: Dilemma: The last days. YOU: bewitched, bothered and bewildered. US: elves at VEVLYN’S PEN are, of course, on the case. Practically every day through 24 Dec., we will introduce at least one or a series of products, items and brands that we believe is worthy of consideration as a holiday gift(s). Now, stop your fretting.

SO you're not taking a vacation. Instead, you're taking a staycation.

You can also take a daycation – at Marilyn Monroe Spas.

With its new addition of hair and makeup – called Glamour Room Services – the 2½-year-old, Orlando, Florida-based chain of full-service and specialty spas obviously named after a certain cultural icon, is an oasis where a lady and/or gentleman truly can make a day of it. And why not?

A body deserves some relaxation, a body deserves a Relaxation Massage. The masseuse at the New York City location of Marilyn Monroe Spas at the Hyatt Times Square administered a demo version to Yours Truly. After about 10 minutes, I could feel a higher level of Zen and a lower level of kinks. It is an experience that will be repeated in full.

A massage is not your thing because you are already Zenful. Understandable. Reflexology may be the thing, followed by – say – some heat with Steamy Wonderful, followed by a Mani and Pedi or Mani-Pedi.

The Marilyn Monroe Spas in Monterey, California is one of five full-service locations in four states.

If by now you are becoming famished, the staff may arrange for some lunch, lest you move too many muscles. You only need ask, I was given to know. Besides, you are spending the “day” at one of the five full-service Marilyn Monroe Spas in California, Florida, Hawaii and New York.

There's still hair and makeup to do. Decisions, decisions. You've settled on a blowout style, but you are toggling between Beach Waves or My Marilyn. As for the paint, your thing is Malibu Sun-kissed Star.

By the end of your daycation, the good people at Marilyn Monroe Spas will have you showered, shampooed and shining. Or leave you fun, flirty and fabulous – like Herself, of course.

The Marilyn Monroe Spas gift card is a passport to pampering.

Now don't be discouraged, the proposition at Marilyn Monroe Spas – where the mandate is affordable luxury – is not a day or nothing. You can stay as long or as little as you like (within reason, of course).

In fact, in addition to five full-service spas, there are four – at the moment all in Florida – that are distinguished as Glamour Rooms or Nail Lounges. All of the locations welcome party animals along the lines of Girls Night Out, Birthday and Client Appreciation.

Meanwhile, for the harried and hurried are some services that Marilyn Monroe Spas practically do on demand. The Express and Extras categories include such quality of life spa and glamour treatments as Puckered Lips, Polish Changes and quickie mani pedies.

At the Marilyn Monroe Spas, hair services run from simple haircuts to complicated color treatments.

Incidentally, just about all of the Marilyn Monroe Spa products are available for purchase, including the natural and organic skincare line (no animal testing involved). Not surprisingly, the company sells gift cards made charming with a peekaboo Marilyn Monroe feature ...

Your feet are killing you! Do not suffer in silence. Take yourself off to Marilyn Monroe Spas for Wingtip Relief and Stiletto Relief. Oh, yeah!

Visit http://www.marilynmonroespas.com/ to learn more about Marilyn Monroe Spas.

Some of Agathe's Good Scents for Us All

“FRUGAL fatigue.” You have it? You know what it is, right? The condition – as defined by one of the commentators on CNBC's “Fast Money” – characterized by a weariness of being frugal and thus wanting to spend money. Of a great desire to pony up for something a bit more substantial than toothpaste and toilet paper. According to the “Fast Money” guy, many Americans are tired of T&T and crave SONY&DKNY&BMW&I-PHONE & the like. This being December, FF is probably taking a huge toll on lots of folk.

Yours Truly, on a strict money diet for many moons now, is not suffering from FF. But I would be remiss if I did not do my patriotic duty and lend a hand to my fellow Americans who are agitating to furiously and, no doubt, responsibly spend for the holidays. Over the next several days I will introduce a product (or brand) a day that I would buy for myself or someone else if I were spending (and could afford to, of course).

Let’s see, Gift No. 6:

When I decided to attend the launch party for the Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris line at Bergdorf Goodman, I imagined that it was just another fragrance debut. A perfumer, even one of the most famous in the world, throwing a shindig to introduce his new scent to a (hopefully) receptive and exclusive public. I’d be in and out in 30 minutes tops, I calculated, long enough to pay proper respects.

My imagination was way off, for FK’s vision is much grander than a mere cologne. This goes far beyond his thriving bespoke (made to order) business. Or his scents for Elizabeth Arden, Giorgio Armani, Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, et al.

A Frenchman of Turkish/Armenian descent, FK has imagined “24 hours of a perfumed life.” In other words, a product line, “because day after day, perfume does exist for me as a part of the art of living, as a transcendent approach to life,” he waxes poetic in the press materials. He works in the main from a base of white flowers (Aqua Universalis), orange flowers (APOM), and rose (Lumiere Noire), but the scents vary (great marketing!) from product to product.

Naturally, cologne (for morning and evening, $195), eau de toilette and eau de parfum (for him and her, $130 to $185) are to be expected. But by my count, the cologne and two eau des only add up to around 9 hours. What of the other 15 hours? Mmm …

Scented Candle – ($65) Why not offer the hostess one of these in lieu of flowers? It sits on a zinc base with a felt underside, rendering it quiet and non-detrimental to fragile surfaces. More important, the host will be able to spend more time with guests because s/he won’t feel obligated to go in search of a vase.

Interior Perfume ($55) – What a charming euphemism for air freshener! Move over Glade.

Incense papers ($25) – The eccentric aunt who goes in for chanting and palm-reading may appreciate these strips. Even if she isn't eccentric, even if chanting and palm-reading aren't her thing her appreciation is almost a given. Place them in a container such as a drawer or suitcase (my plan for my samples) or burn them. Light the fire with one of the matches included with the 20 strips in a slender match box.

Perfumed Leather Bracelet ($200) – Inspired by leather gloves, it fastens with a sleek monogrammed silver magnetic clasp. A fragrant alternative to a wrist watch

Agathe’s Bubbles ($20) – Says FK of his little muse: “For Agathe, I have created a collection of scents to help discover the world of fragrance while playing. Twist, blow, marvel! … Here’s an opportunity to both program children to love a brand, and for adults to get in touch with their inner 6-year-old (smart marketing!, both).

Laundry Detergent (fabric softener, too, $45)– Banish the thought of dirty gym socks and rough towels! Move over Tide. Bounce, Downy

Like the man said, 24 hours of a perfumed life.

Learn more about Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris at www.franciskurkdjian.com