I was all set to whine about how the ONE beauty product that I’ve found indispensable since moving had become unavailable on-line and was about call in a huge favor and make Shana go to Portland, for crying out loud, in search of it for me, but apparently it’s back in stock. Now I just have to try to figure out how to get it here really soon.

The people who know me in real life are probably scratching their heads, saying…”Um, beauty product? Kate?” (Especially Gila, because she saw me two days ago, sporting my ratty red sweatshirt and doing my best not to pass out and look even more pale.) I am not into the beauty products; this has probably saved me oodles of money over the years, which I have turned around and promptly spent on books and pricey condiments.

But moving here I knew I’d be dealing with hard water, which turns my hair (and Miss M’s) to straw. So I hemmed and hawed about writing to Amy at the Advice Smackdown when she answered someone’s query about living with soft water. I hijacked the thread; it turned out that there are both soft and hard water hair “solutions” from LUSH cosmetics.

Yes, they’re a green company, and yes, they don’t use nasty chemicals in their products, but mostly? The Hard solid shampoo keeps my hair feeling like hair. This is, frankly, awesome. I used to be vain about how my hair looked; now I just care how it feels. Still vain about the kids’ hair, though, and it works for them too.*

And now it’s back in stock! *swoon*

* I of course alternate with rosemary shampoo for lice prevention.