I’m often asked if and how much one should tip his or her stylist or if they should tip the owner. Let me clear the air.

Hair, skin, and body professionals rely on their tips as a source of their income. People tip anywhere from 15 to 20 percent of their service. (Not on tax or retail product). Still, a tip should depend on how satisfied you are. Certainly if you’ve been made to wait longer than 20 minutes, it would be acceptable for it to reflect in your tip. But if you don’t mind the wait and love your results, tip accordingly. One thing I can I assure you is that beauty professionals notice and are appreciative of tips.

What about the owner?

Many hairstylists rent a chair making them their own business owner. You won’t find a stylist who rents a chair who will refuse a tip. In contrast, major corporate chain owners whose income is from company sales more than from their haircut may not expect (or desire) a tip. Not tipping the owner is an old tradition. If your stylist is the owner simply ask the staff at the reception area what is generally done when you leave.

Often the owner charges more and in the mind of a client makes more money. I can assure you this is often not the case. The overhead, expense and pressure of owning a salon is relieved by the gracious gratuity of devoted clients. Though many salon owners will not be offended if you don’t tip, they likely won’t be offended if you do.

Whenever I see those two words anti and aging put together, whether on a product, a book or a magazine I stop everything and check it out. My heart starts to race and I think “is THIS it? Is this the NEXT thing I can try?” I actually have an anti aging journal to keep track of what works, and what doesn’t. It includes a list of supplements, what they do and when to take them. I have my trainers, my cosmetic surgeons, my hair, face and body people all ready at the touch of my cell phone.

I love shapewear. I love the illusion it creates, and I’d rather see the illusion of a balanced, smooth and firm figure than the reality of sag, lump and jiggle. I spent two solid hours with a friend last night at Macy’s trying to find the perfect foundation pieces for her little black dress. A one piece body briefer would have been perfect, but the dress had a plunging neckline. Try finding a long legged body briefer that has allows for this. Go ahead, try. This led to finding the right bra and high waisted to the thigh shaper. Lonnie Eiden, bra fitter extraordinaire spent the two hours running around, several bra choices in hand, as well. Lonnie works for Wacoal and will meet you at your desired department store for a fitting here in the Twin Cities. Contact her at AvalEid@aol.com. Lonnie explains that there are three different breast volumes for each cup size. Shallow, Average and Full. You can be an average 34 D but may require a different bra style than, for instance, a full 34 D. Different shaped breasts with the breast tissue in different places require a different style or shaped cup. All so interesting. I thought I knew bras. But I guess I know results, not necessarily how to get there.

When it was finished Lauri's 50-year-old, 10-petite figure looked smooth and firm with a lovely, youthful and plump décolletage. She brought a pair of strappy heels and a slight debate ensued about hose with open toes but in the end we all agreed it just looked better with the black sheer sandalfoot hose. (Ever wonder why they’re called sandalfoot? THEY ARE FOR WEARING WITH SANDALS). Gasp! I know, I know, hose with open toes? You bet. But that's another fashion vs. flatter blog attack.

Inspired by celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, focus in the mid 90’s into the first part of the 21st century was on the buttocks. Styles designed to showcase the derriere created booty mania and it seemed no one noticed how much girth was created by such “hot” new looks. Interestingly, it was the same at the turn of the last century. The difference being that women used corsets and bustles. Today we use pocket detail, fading, tapered styling and low slung hip belts to increase focus and size.

Though some find it difficult to believe, many women desire a booty boost. If you want to enlarge or draw attention to your hips and buttocks remember these handy “Christopher Quotes”:

• The tighter the taper the bigger the butt.
• Hip huggers help build hefty hips.
• Bias cut equals bigger butt.
• Wherever a pocket, so too our eyes.
• Fade on your fanny gives sprawl to your seat.
• Bling on your butt puts junk in your trunk.

I am still amazed by all the women with accoutrements of attraction on their back sides. Fade, bling, stiching, seams, pockets that scream "EYES STOP HERE"! I recently met with a high school friend who, now at 43, had those dark wash jeans with white low pocket treatments. Surprisingly, it was hot as hell. They were obviously very expensive jeans and she has the figure she had when she was the cutest cheerleader on the squad. 82! Go Cards! But, for most women over 40 and whose jeans size is in the the double digits, this is an unfortunate choice.

Regarding your rear view and your desire to diminish or draw focus use the Christopher quotes to guide your choices.