Dear Damone

Q: Dear Damone. I have long-layered fine hair. I usually curl it with a curling iron and use a mousse to add volume. For special occasions I've tried using hot rollers, but the curls and volume never last, no matter what styling products I put in my hair. Help!

— Dana, age 41, Weyauwega, Wisconsin

A: Dana, this seems to be a very common question. I consulted my friend, hairdresser extraordinaire Louis Licari, and he suggested starting with clean hair that is completely blown dry. Add hair spray to the straight hair to create texture, before using a curling iron. While hair is wrapped around the curling iron, slightly spray more hairspray and gently slip the iron from the curl. Hair might look a bit tight initially, but it will relax to look like natural bouncy curls and will last for a good amount of time. Good luck!

Q: Dear Damone. My eyebrows have gotten very fine as I have aged. Hair removed does not seem to fill in any longer. What suggestions do you have to make them a stronger part of my makeup routine and not seem too lost in my appearance?

— Patricia, age 70, Warwick, Rhode Island

A: Patricia, sometimes as we mature in this journey of life, certain things—like hair growing everywhere but where we want it—tend to occur. Do not negate the power of the eyebrow as it frames the face. My first suggestion would be to try a product I designed for women with this particular problem, or for those who have over-tweezed. It's called Brow Gain ($35—DamoneRoberts.com). It was designed to stimulate the hair follicles and condition the eyebrow hair. In addition, you can fill in with a soft brow shadow to keep eyebrows looking natural, instead of artificial—as a pencil might do.

Q: Dear Damone. I recently cleaned out my makeup jar and found over 70 different lip gloss colors that I used several times before stashing in the drawer. My question is: Now that I have rediscovered them, can I still use them? How long is the shelf life? I'm really trying to stop spending money and use what I have.

— Sue Light, age 42, Chicopee, Massachusetts

A: Sue, 70 tubes of lip gloss are more than I have in my makeup kit, and I'm a makeup artist. I'm glad you are trying to use what you have and stop spending on something you obviously are using for a short period of time before dooming it to the drawer of never-neverland. Lip gloss has a duration of 18-24 months before it is considered expired. Remember, there are no set rules for makeup. I have been known to add gloss to a cheekbone to highlight, or to an eye shadow for a smudgy effect. Maybe when you are done with your 70 tubes of gloss, you can enlighten me on a few new uses? Have fun!

What aspect of your beauty routine do you need help with? Ask Damone your question. 

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