Soap Opera Digest
October 5, 1999
Product Queen

I get mail. Oy, do I get mail! Since so many of you have asked about hair care products, I have been buying and trying like a madwoman. As summer winds to a close, our locks have been tortured by the sun. If you've been plagued by Broom-Hilda hair, take note. Being on a soap opera, my hair gets tortured on a daily basis. You think it's easy? Wayne Bilotti, my hair wrangler at One Life to Live, works like a dog to make my hair look full, and that means blow-drying and spraying it into submission. As a result, I really have to take care of what I've got. Since I color my hair (what, you thought I was born like this?), I use Redken Color Extend Shampoo. It's gentle and keeps my color from fading. However, I strongly dislike the Redken Color Extend Conditioner, so steer clear of it.

Nexxus makes a fabulous conditioner called Humectress, which is not too heavy and leaves your hair soft like a baby's. Nexxus also makes a volumizing shampoo called Diametress, but as with all volumizing shampoos, you should only use them once or twice a week (they're strong). There's also a very inexpensive line called Infusium 23 that features Leave-In Treatment. It's fantastic. Spray it on and leave it in (not too much now!) before blow drying. And I especially love the Wella Liquid Hair Brilliant Spray Gel. If you're after volume, try an inexpensive mousse called Condition by Clairol 3-in-1 Extra Hold Mousse. Girly Girls, I had hair for days! I would also try their Natural Hold hairspray if you don't want to spring for the stuff we use on the set, which is Sebastian Super Shaper Plus Hairspray -- it's expensive, (Aqua Net is the hairspray your grandmother probably used. I wouldn't recommend it for your hair, but it does make a great substitute for Mace.)

Remember: Always rinse out shampoo and conditioners super well (30 seconds more than you think it needs) and try to give your hair a break from washing every day. See you next month!