Next door to Tropical Taste (Filipino Chinese Japanese and Indian cuisine), past the stack of Freedom Toilet Tissue - now there's a thought- the entry to this emporium of proto-pulchitrude, reveals an astonishing array of products for skin and hair. On display just inside the doorway are more combs and hairbrushes than anyone would ever possibly need in a lifetime, all with their own particular tweak to the problem of how to preen oneself to perfection.
The combs are followed by a huge array of hairpieces and extensions in all manner of colours lengths and shapes. The brands each convey their own images, but work together on the shelves to conjure up a whole world of exciting transformations and possibilities- Soft Pony, Neuter, Futuratress, Aftress, Outre, Jazzy, Free Tress and African Dream. Add to this the body lotions, texturisers (I like the sound of the Black Magic Private Collection range), toothpastes, hair oils, colourants, shampoos, razors, moisturisers, skin lighteners, skin brighteners and soaps and we are clearly standing at Base Camp for some serious explorations of the human capacity for attraction and self-fulfillment.
While it is possible that in the heady atmosphere one could come to believe there are no limits at all, just endless possibilities with no rules to adhere to, a small sign does bring us back to earth at the back of the shop: 'We do not exchange or refund wigs and hair pieces because of hygiene reasons'. So choose that wig carefully, my lovelies.
tempted by the possibility that I would find treasures only dreamt of, i ventured from leafy Richmond to ... well, cosmopolitan Walthamstow to check out what was on offer at Hollywood Cosmetics. I was not disappointed with the choice. Nor the prices. Ah! if only I could find an outlet closer to Richmond that sold cosmetics, shampoos, moisturisers, hair adornments, and much at comparable prices!
But i did, to my great disappointment, find one 'missing' item. there must have been every brand of soap on offer except the one i was in search of: Wrights Coal Tar. Still, a girl can't have everything she wants in life.