Life With Ferris: Beauty Bits

Thursday, July 12, 2012 - by Ferris Robinson
Ferris Robinson
Ferris Robinson

I just read an article about new offerings in the world of fashion. Titled Beauty Bits, it is all about brand spanking new products claiming to make us beautiful. Perfect, I thought as I put down the front page and started in on the column at the bottom of page 4 of the lifestyle section. I am always on the lookout for the secret to a big mane of hair I can wave around triumphantly, and tips to make me look well rested and refreshed and not so damn old. 

My note pad was on the ready and with pen in hand, I carefully prepared to write down the particular websites or stores, the exact product names and prices of every single new offering. I try to be openminded and consider that these are bonified beauty products made specifically to make the consumer look more beautiful, even if they sometimes sound suspect. 

I really like the one that claims Big Hair like Jerseylicious star Gayle Giacomo's new Gatsby line of shampoos and conditioners. I've never heard of her show, but would buy it just because she comes right out and says Big Hair. I'll take it! 

I'm not too sure about Borghese's new leave-in hair collection which is made of volcanic mud. Just the idea of bits of lava grit makes me want to wash my hair; I certainly don't want to leave that mess in! 

I did a double take after I read the next paragraph, and actually read it twice to make sure I didn't just make this up because I was sick of reading about stupid beauty products that don't have a chance in hell of working for me. Lee Stafford, a British stylist, has a new line of hair care products called the Pink Range. This product line supposedly has edgy names, and that's perfectly fine. Nothing wrong with clever names at all.  My problem is, one product in particular, Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray, costs $15 and is apparently some kind of hair spray that makes you look like you just came out of the ocean.  

Are you kidding me? What woman in her right mind wants to look like she just came out of the ocean? That means she's in her bathing suit, which is another article altogether.  

Is this product for teenaged girls? Do even they want to look like their hair is sticky and wet and sprinkled with sand? I think there's some kind of disconnect here. 

Now, I'm not knocking England. Some very attractive people have come from there. Jacquline Bisset, Kate Winslet and duh, Elizabeth Taylor. But I don’t think of any of them with their thick gorgeous Big Hair slicked back with saltwater.  

Bo Derek could probably pull it off, but I always thought she looked better with her hair out of those gazillion pigtails. 

No, I'm going to put my $15 on that woman from Jersey who just tells it like it is and announces she's going after Big Hair, and not apologizing for it. Even though a great big helmet of hair has been frowned upon for decades. 

All I know is, I'd pay at least $15 NOT to have my hair look like I just stepped out of the shower.




Library Offers New Baby Bounce Program

The Chattanooga Public Library now offers Baby Bounce, a unique story time for newborns to 18 month-old-children and their caregivers. Baby Bounce story time will have its inaugural presentation on Thursday, May 23, in the storytelling room of the Downtown Library at 10:00 a.m. As babies grow, they learn by interacting, playing, imitating adults and by watching others. ... (click for more)

Weight Limit On Standifer Gap Road Bridge Over Friars Branch Decreased To 6 Tons

The weight limit on the bridge over Friars Branch just west of Woodland Park Baptist Church on Standifer Gap Road has been lowered to six tons for all vehicles. This change is now in effect.    (click for more)

Man Stabbed To Death After Argument

A Chattanooga man was stabbed to death after an argument on Friday night. At approximately 11 p.m., Chattanooga Police responded to a stabbing at 101 E 20 th St. where they found the victim, Alexis Lewis, 51, lying on the walkway with a fatal stab wound to his chest. Detectives located the suspect, William Morris Jr., 66, and found that he and Lewis had an argument earlier ... (click for more)

Baker Says City Withdrawal On Riverbend Security Will Make Pin Costs Rise Next Year

Riverbend Festival Executive Director Chip Baker told the Civitan Club on Friday that the city's decision to no longer provide city police officers inside the festival gates will cost pin prices to go up next year. Mr. Baker said, "I understand the actions that governments have to take, but we'll have to adjust our prices next year. How much, I don't know yet." City officials ... (click for more)

Scandals At Home And Abroad

Since my hip operation and time in recovery, I have tried to set aside things that are insignificant to me and to average Americans. Don't get me wrong here. What these people are doing (Bengahzi) is despicable be they left or right wing, and they have been doing it (both sides) for a long time. But the dirty deeds themselves carry little weight as to what they mean to you or me. ... (click for more)

Roy Exum: The Boy Who Dared To Speak

Jeff Bliss, an 18-year-old who is in the 10th grade because he dropped out of school last year, got kicked out of a Texas classroom a couple of weeks ago. But as he was exiting the room, he launched into the most wonderful rant that has ever been on the art of teaching children. He should know – his mom is a teacher. With his long hair waving almost as much as his arms, the teenager ... (click for more)