Licorice root may help stop tooth decay - TRUE

Only 14% of you fell for this XXXX. Most of you figured correctly that scientists have found a compound in licorice root that could stop tooth decay. Researchers say the extract inhibits the life cycle of Streptococcus mutans, one of the organisms that cause cavities.

Look at that, another useful “natural” ingredient

Lollipops can prevent cavities - TRUE

This one fooled the most people as 34% of you thought it was fake. However, it’s true. UCLA microbiologist Wenyuan Shi has created an orange-flavored lollipop that is sugar free and contains…get this…a licorice root extract that kills bacteria which causes tooth decay! Basic science used to create useful products, I love it!

Note these are special lollipops. The traditional kinds can still cause cavities.

The most effective dental braces are also the most attractive - FALSE

Oh, if only this were true. It would’ve prevented 9 months of childhood awkwardness and embarrassment in this Beauty Brain. However, the exact opposite is true. Less attractive headgear works better than the more attractive ones. At least that was the findings of scientists at Ohio State University.

Scientists have created a mousse that repairs teeth - TRUE

Only 20% of you did not think this was true, but it is. Researchers at the Australian based Cooperative Research Centre for Oral Heath Science (CRC-OHS) have designed the tooth mousse as a better way to delivered fluoride. It works by repairing tooth damage and replacing minerals lost from decay.

Look for this one coming to the US soon

How did you do? Were you able to sniff out the beauty BS? Leave a comment below and let the Beauty Brains Community know.

The Right Brain’s dis-jointed reply:

Sorry to disappoint you MJ, but the hemp seed oil that Alterna uses is free of THC, the active ingredient in pot that gets you high. But you might be consoled by the fact that recent studies indicate that there are cannabis-like substances that may actually improve the condition of your skin.

Stoner skin care?

According to CosmeticsDesign, researchers from Hungary, Germany and the UK believe that our bodies produce a natural version of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Not only are these chemicals similar to THC but they also help keep our skin looking young and healthy. It sort of makes sense: If marijuana plants product THC to protect themselves from pathogens, then similar compounds could have a related effect in the human body. At least that’s the theory of researcher Gerald Weissmann who says: “…our own cannabinoids may be necessary for us to maintain healthy skin.” Whoa!

This work on these “endocannabinoids” is slated for October publication in the journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, which you can also find on my nightstand sandwiched in between Cosmo and Glamor.

How do cannabinoids work?

The scientists theorize that the endocannabinoids may regulate lipid production and could be an important tool to treat sebaceous gland related problems like acne and dry skin. They also said “Dude, do you have any more of those brownies??” (Sorry, couldn’t resist that one.) But seriously, the researchers believe that topical skin creams containing endocannabinoids are a real possibility.

By the way, speaking of Alterna, they’re not the only ones who are high on hemp. Burt’s Bees in the US and Neal’s Yard Remedies in the UK have recently launched hemp seed products.

What do YOU think? Would you use a hemp based product? Or here’s an even more provocative question: how many of you in the Beauty Brains community have gotten high before? Leave a comment, if you dare!

The Right Brain’s special selection:

We’ve blogged before about matching your shampoo and conditioner. The quick answer is that you don’t need to use the same brand but you do want to use products that give you the right balance of cleansing and conditioning. For example, if you want more body in your hair it doesn’t do much good to use a volumizing shampoo and a heavy moisturizing conditioner. But with a little common sense (and a little trial and error) you can a combination that works for you. There’s nothing magical about using pre-matched products like those offered by Salon Selectives. (Unless of course you insist on matching scents.)

Advertising age

Nonetheless, Salon Selectives is an interesting brand. It was all the rage in the 80s and early 90’s when it was owned by Helene Curtis/Unilever, but then it kind of fell of the map. Recently the brand has been relaunched by a new company, SSB LLC. It’s too early too tell if it will be successful, but their new ad campaign doesn’t seem to be making much of a splash. Here’s what our old friend Scatter Brain had to say about the resurrection of Salon Selectives:

Their TV ads claim very little at all. It is of interest that the brand was taken over by a company that specializes in resurrecting dead or dying brands. As crowded as the haircare market is already, it seems a poor business decision to try and reintroduce a brand that had already fallen by the wayside, but I’m a creative person, not a strategist, so I’m sure they had their reasons. My only critique of Salon Selectives is felonious creative. An escapee from prison touting hair care products. It wasn’t even funny and not that clever. I doubt it’s very effective either since they were really lacking any definable selling point that would set them apart from other shampoos/conditioners. There are plenty of mix and match products in the haircare category.

Salon Selectives Prison Escape

What do YOU think? Do you care about using matching products? Do you believe Salon Selectives’ hype? Leave a comment for the rest of the Beauty Brains community.

SheFinds dispels the archaic fashion myth that you can’t wear black to a daytime wedding.

Smarter Fashion gave us five simple tips & tricks on how to travel this summer in fashion!

Get the perfect faux tan with StyleBakery.com’s top 5 tested tanners for 2008

The Beauty Brains explain what to do when you find a 2 year old bottle of nail polish under your couch.

I don’t know if the Beauty Brains community has already seen this story on other beauty blogs, but I just came across this article on Jezebel about hair hats. Apparently a Japanese stylist creates these sculptures out of real hair and attaches them to your head. Why? I have no idea. But I would like to know what kind of hair spray and gel the stylist uses!

Click the link above to see the rest of the pics; I think the walrus may be the weirdest.

What do YOU think? Which of these hair hats if your favorite? Leave a comment for the rest of the Beauty Brains community.

Photo via Jezebel