Celebrate celebrity style - beauty and grooming tips

Ebony, Dec, 1991

Entertainers offer beauty and grooming Ps to take you through the holidays

Sensuous jazz singer Phyllis Hyman says that after a performance or a long night in the recording studio, her eyes tend to get red and puffy. So, in the mornings, I place tea bags that have been submerged in hot water over my eyes to relieve the irritation and puffiness,' says Phyllis, whose current recording is Prime Of My Life.

Because most soaps used alone tend to dry out her exceptionally soft skin, Phyllis uses a special soap combined with almond oil. She spreads the mixture over her body with a loofah glove. It's a great way to moisturize your skin during the washing process,' she says.

After thorough cleansing, Phyllis rinses her face with ice cubes and cold water to close the pores and keep skin taut.

To combat the dryness resulting from hair coloring, she often leaves conditioner on overnight to moisturize and soften her hair.

Being on the road can be extremely draining, but Phyllis has found distilled water to be the perfect antidote. 'I drink a gallon a day and carry my own water when traveling,she says.

Singer James (J.T.) Taylor, who formerly performed with Kool & The Gang, is especially aware of the importance of good grooming, for he is proprietor of the James Taylor Hair Studio, a full-service salon for men, women and children in Hackensack, N.J. In high school and college, J.T ran track, and he still is invigorated by a good jog twice a week to keep his physique slim and firm. His fitness regimen also includes doing 100 sit-ups daily and some light weight training.

J.T.'s grooming and fitness routine also includes:

* Weekly sometimes twiceweekly) manicure with relaxing hand and cuticle massage. He gets a pedicure at least once a month.

Monthly 30-minute European facial with deep-pore cleansing and steaming.

A minimum of 8 glasses of water a day.

No red meats and very few dairy products.

Whenever possible, J.T relaxes in sauna and steam room.

And he encourages men to take dental care more seriously.

Singer Vesta Williams, whose hit album, Special, has been riding the charts for months, says she's from the old school and still washes her face with a popular facial cleanser she's been using since her teens. She adds that she has normal skin type with an oily T-zone on her face, and she uses a non-comedogenic moisturing lotion to keep the skin soft without clogging the pores.

Twice daily Vesta washes her face with warm water, followed with a cold-water rinse to 'close pores and keep makeup from sinking in.' She uses a moisturizer before applying makeup, and regularly uses an apricot facial scrub to slough off shedding skin cells and keep her complexion smooth and vibrant.

To keep her skin looking fresh, Vesta gets plenty of rest. "You've got to lie down, Honey. No amount of money can help tired skin,- she says.

She also advises eating a proper diet, including fresh green vegetables like collard greens and broccoli to ensure pretty skin.

And she pampers herself. 'I get my pedicure and relax in a steam sauna every now and then,' she says.

And good, safe sex is excellent for your skin,' she says Good, old-fashioned, safe sex with someone you love will give you that effervescent glow to take you on through the holidays.'

Keith Washington, whose debut album, Make Time For Love, is a big hit, says he also makes time for the exercise he needs to stay physically fit and well-groomed. The Detroit native says he plays basketball "every other day' to get an excellent cardiovascular workout. Whether on the road or at home in Los Angeles, he jogs four miles every morning, which keeps my lungs expanded and improves vocalization."

The 5' 10", 155-pound singer says he also makes a point to drink plenty of water and eat healthy foods, though he admits straying every now and then into the world of junk foods.

And because he has oily skin, Keith is diligent about washing twice daily with a facial soap. He then applies a moisturizer.

To get rid of the skin's constantly shedding outer layer, Keith gets a facial every two weeks or so.

And he uses sheens and gels to groom his hair, and gets the ends trimmed regularly.

Echoing the sentiments of his celebrity colleagues, Keith says: 'I make an effort to stay well-groomed. it's important to maintain the outer body as well as the inner soul.'