Pert Plus Fresh 2 in 1

So, I admit I am about as low-maintenance a girl as you will ever find when it comes to personal care products. Especially makeup and the like. I put some moisturizer on my face in the morning, right after my shower, and occasionally, this time of year, I apply a little lip balm. And that, my friends, is pretty much it for me.

There have been times in my life when I have worn makeup (foundation, blush, even the rare application of eye shadow). I never got the hang of mascara or lipstick; I was simply unable, in my one or two attempts to put on either product, to keep them from clumping or globbing, so I gave up. I have been known to use a little concealer to cover a zit — and, truthfully, these ever-present dark circles/bags under my eyes could probably use some coverage, too, but ... too much work. I just put on my glasses and pretend they do not exist.

: )

My girlfriend is from the Lipstick Generation: Women who have been conditioned, through years and years and years of wearing lipstick, to apply it before entering into any encounter with other human beings. Before we go in anywhere: “Wait a minute — I have to put on my lickstick.” (I roll my eyes and act sort of impatient, but truthfully: I think it’s sexy as hell.)

Tonight at Target, as soon as we’d finished wading through the toy aisles, she announced that she needed some new lipstick. She headed off toward the lingerie and jewelry.

“Hey, where you going?” I asked. “The lipstick is this way!”

How ’bout that: Me, knowing the way to the lipstick!

We made our way to the lipstick aisle, and once we arrived there, she just stopped. And stared.

I knew that look ... and I have been with her whilst she shops for lipstick. I knew we were in for a lengthy stay if I didn’t make a move — and quickly.

“Do you know what shade of lipstick you want?” I asked her in my best salesgirl voice.

“Well, actually, I’d like the same color I have right now,” she said, reaching into her purse. She pulled out her lipstick holder. I’ll take it from here, I told myself, as I ever-so-gently took the holder from her hand. I quickly took out the lipstick, looked at the bottom: L’Oréal Earth Rose 220.

“Here we go: L’Oréal!” I said, pointing to the display.

“Oh, there it is: Earth Rose 220!” she said excitedly. “Wow, I figured that would take all night!”

You and me both, sister, I said to myself.

: )

On the way home, as we were discussing moisturizers and other stuff, I decided to tell her about my new shampoo: Pert Plus Fresh 2 in 1.

Now, I am not one of those strictly brand-loyal girls; on the other hand, I tend to fluctuate between Pantene (“Do I smell? ... Pantene?!”), Pert and Dove shampoos. I will use one of those brands for a few months and then switch to another when I think my hair needs a break.

I honestly believe I am one of the few people on earth who has “normal” hair. Perhaps because I wear it very short, who knows; all I know is my hair never really seems to be too dry or too oily or too anything, really.

So, anyway, the last time I bought shampoo, I was still on a Pert kick, so I grabbed this Pert Plus Fresh stuff. I was intrigued by the words “for all hair types para todo tipo de cabello.”

All hair types! How amazing! In theory, this shampoo can be used by anyone, with any kind of hair: dry, oily, frizzy, damaged, permed, colored and, of course, normal!

Cool, I thought.

A few days later, when my previous Pert ran out, I used my new Pert for the first time.

And whoa.

Almost immediately, my head felt way cooler, temperature-wise, as if I was using some kind of medicated shampoo or something. I went ahead and finished my shower, then doublechecked the label: No sign of it being any kind of anti-itch or dandruff shampoo. Whatever, I thought; I mean, this was a 25.4 fl. oz. bottle of shampoo, I wasn’t exactly wanting to chuck it after just one use.

I continued to use it each morning, and I would sort of marvel at the cool, ever-so-slightly tingly feeling on my scalp. Naturally, of course, some of the shampoo would run onto my forehead and neck and along the sides of my face. It felt like a lightly cool blast.

This continued for a few mornings until the weekend rolled around. I decided to take a more leisurely shower than my usual 7-minute rush job each morning. Absentmindedly (or was it on purpose, I later asked myself?!), after I had lathered up my hair and scalp, I also soaped up my, uhm, nether regions.

And whoa. I mean: WHOA!

Without elaborating and/or pointing out the obvious, let me just say that as sensitive as you might think your scalp is ... well, I will admit I felt a much cooler blast down below.

And I have to admit: I really like my new shampoo.

: )

The Lovely seemed to enjoy the story as well.

“What kind of shampoo did you say that is?” she asked me after I had finished my tale.

Atta girl!

: )