Functional Girl: A column
by CJ LEGARE

Q. I love to swim but I don’t love what the chlorine is doing to my hair. How can I keep my hair healthy even if I’m in the water every day? — Laura A.

A.: Dear Laura: The key to preventing chlorine damage is to saturate the hair follicles before you dive in. Wet your hair with non-chlorinated water and work some conditioner (the 99 cent bottle will do) through to the ends for an extra barrier.

Twist and tuck your hair into a swimmer’s cap to prevent tangles and protect against the sun if you’re outside. And, remember, your hair is most fragile when it’s wet, so always use a wide- tooth comb on wet locks.

Q.: I love the look of liquid liner but it always gets into the corners of my eyes. Is there any way to avoid this? — Jordan N.

A.: Dear Jordan: I love liquid liner as well. There’s nothing better for creating a sleek, classic eye. Here are a few tips to prevent liner migration:

1. Select a waterproof formula.
2. Apply an eyelid primer first. This will set your eye makeup by creating a barrier that absorbs any excess oil or perspiration. Matte foundation is a cost-effective alternative.
3. Apply your eye shadow before your liner to prevent smudging.
4. Never pull your lid taut to paint your line. That technique exposes your inner/under lid to the liner. Once you release the lid your eye will begin the natural process of cleansing itself, which is how you end up with liner in the corner. Instead, create gentle tension on your closed lid and sweep your liner across the lash line.
5. Set the finished product with a light dusting of translucent powder.

Remember, liquid liner takes practice and patience. But ultra-sexy eyes are worth the effort.

Functional Girl CJ Legare lives in Kyle with her husband, Joshua, and is addicted to 2 percent organic milk. If you’ve got a question or comment for Functional Girl, email her here. She blogs at http://functionalgirl.com/