ALL THAT ZAZZ

By Mary N. DiZazzo

I’d like to kiss ya,
but I just washed my hair.
    --Bette Davis
    in The Cabin in the Cotton

Ciao bella,

Dating back to 1762 the English use of the word shampoo meant “to massage.” The word borrowed from the Anglo-Indian shampoo in turn Hindi chāmpo. The word in itself from Sanskrit/Hindi came from a flowering plant, the michelia champaca which was used to make a traditional fragrant hair oil.

Sake Dean Mahamed opened a shampooing bath in 1759 in Brighton, England. Mahamed’s Indian Vapour Baths were similar to Turkish baths where clients were given an Indian treatment of champi (shampooing) or therapeutic massage. He became so popular and celebrated he received the high status of being appointed Shampooing Surgeon to both George IV and William IV.

Other English stylists boiled shaved soap in water and added herbs to give hair shine and fragrance. The first known maker of shampoo was Kasey Herbert who is credited with the origin of keeping our locks clean and shiny.

First introduced in the 1930s was Drene, a modern shampoo as it is known today.

From ancient times to this day, Indians have been using different formulations of shampoo using herbs like neem, shikakai or soapnut, henna, bael, fenugreek, buttermilk, amla, aloe and almond in combo with aromatherapy add-ins like sandalwood, jasmine, tumeric, rose, and musk.

Try a jaunt back in time with LUSH shampoo bars. They have been made with similar fragrance combos. New is a spice bar for the scalp: cinnamon, peppermint, and clove bud oil revitalize your scalp and hair follicles as it eliminates dirt, grime, and product residue.

Ultimate Shine bar with ylang ylang and coconut oil keeps your tresses glossy.

Karma Komba bar detangles and deep cleans with perfumed patchouli, orange, pine, Lemongrass oils and gardenia and jasmine. What a party of fab fragrance.

Many more to choose from. Shampoo bar tins for easy carry are also available at LUSH locations in Harvard Square and Boston’s famous Newbury Street.

Buona giornata and God bless the United States of America!


Have you missed any of Mary's columns in the Post-Gazette? Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns on her website www.mary4nails.com. She is a third-generation cosmetologist and owner of Mary for Nails, etc. natural nailcare salon in Andover, and a Massachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil products. She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183. She also sees select clients by appointment in Boston at (617) 742-6881.