Shopping for…hairspray

The expert: Eva Scrivo, acclaimed hair and makeup artist (high profile clients range from Martha Stewart to Jon Bon Jovi to Howard Stern) and host of “Beauty Talk with Eva Scrivo” on Sirius Satellite Radio.

The product: hairspray

What I want: Hair should feel touchable and still soft, but with more texture.

I must have: I look for hairspray with an unscented lightweight formula. The lightweight formula allows hair to be easily restyled without washing.

What I hate: Hairsprays that are heavy and stiff, making the hair feel dirty the next day.Hairsprays should be light and powdery and not leave that lacquered finish like the sprays of our mothers’ generation.

Savvy Shopper: Spend the extra few dollars to purchase high quality, professional hairsprays that are sold in salons. Not only will you get a much better result, but you will use less product since the sprays are high quality, more concentrated, and are dispersed in a finer mist which gives you more control during application. You’ll spend more money upfront, but you’ll be happier and the product will last twice as long since you’ll use half as much to get the result you want.

My pick: Elnett hairspray by L’Oreal. It’s not widely distributed in the U.S. and is pricey but very popular in Europe and with many editorial stylists ($24 for 200 ml at our salons--632 Hudson St., NYC-- and other select salons and apothecaries).

Next best thing: Does It All by Bumble & bumble. It is more widely distributed throughout fine salons in the U.S. (including The Vanity Room in Bernardsville) than Elnett and more moderately priced ($24 for 10 oz.) for a professional product. Good rule of thumb: keep your cleaning and household supplies separate from your beauty products. My mother once sprayed Raid (roach killer) all over her hair thinking she had grabbed the AquaNet.

as told to Laurie Squire

re: Shopping for Children's DVDs

San just wrote, "also check out www.erockforkids.com, also on cdbaby a big band for children"

SHOPPING FOR...Children's DVDs

The expert: Rick Gitelson, executive producer of Disney Channel’s “Handy Manny” and co-executive producer of Disney’s upcoming new musical preschool series, “Imagination Movers.”

The product: children’s DVDs

What I want: Something that will add value to my children’s lives. It’s a lofty goal but there are so many great DVDs out there I think it is attainable. I also try to find DVDs that we can enjoy watching together.

I must have: Educational value, cultural value or even personal inspiration. They’ll likely be watching this DVD many times over and I’d like to feel that they’ll take something enhancing away from the experience.

What I hate: So many DVDs are loaded with previews and commercials that are difficult if not impossible to click past—they feel like marketing tools for merchandise. I hate to see kids manipulated into buying products. They’re typically not savvy enough to separate the entertainment from the sales pitch.

Savvy shopper: I read what other parents and children have to say about the DVDs I am considering. For example, Amazon.com does a great job of presenting a nice balance of good and bad reviews. The IMBD.com message boards and comment pages are also a good source of information.

My pick: I’m proud of “Imagination Movers: Stir It Up”. The four musicians from New Orleans have a great sound that even gets parents bopping and singing along to their music videos but the messages in the songs are clearly geared to kids, reminding them to clean their room, take their medicine and always say please and thank you ($14.99, Amazon.com).

Next best thing: I love sharing with my kids the things that entertained me as a child. “Schoolhouse Rock” was a favorite and the latest 30^th Anniversary Edition DVD is a compilation of all the classic shorts ($14.99, Borders in Bridgewater, Flemington, Livingston, Watchung, Woodbridge).

as told to Laurie Squire

Clean Conversation

Environmentally-friendly dry cleaning has finally come to Central Jersey! The perc-free dry cleaning process that we've been reading about for some time is now at Martinsville Cleaners, 1990 Washington Valley Road, Martinsville. And it's not any more expensive than more traditional dry cleaners, points out June Lee, owner and resident tailor. In addition, a state-of-the-cleaning-art soap eliminates odors, repels insects, removes allergens and reduces static electricity. All work is done on premises; pick-up and delivery available. O brave new dry cleaning world!

And speaking of new...starting next weekend a new look for Shopping...Shopping for!