Columnist Lisa Ferguson: Sun Lite for July 12, 2004

Lisa Ferguson

Monday, July 12, 2004 | 8:06 a.m.

Dogged by beauty

Nothing, it seems, is immune these days from makeover madness - not even man's best friend. Pet-food maker The Iams Company is offering pet owners the means by which to transform their scruffy mutts and alley cats into perfect pooches and fancy felines - with the help of its free Pet Makeover Kit, available by calling (800) 863-4267.

The contents include a "progress checklist" (presumably to assist in keeping Spot from straying from his beauty regimen) and coupons for its pet-food products and for a glamour shot of Fido to be snapped at The Picture People portrait studios. The kit also features tips for setting the makeover in motion:

Finally, don't skip visits with the veterinarian - schedule appointments once a year for healthy pets; and every six months for older cats and dogs. Perhaps the most enticing element of the Pet Makeover Kit (at least those of us who don't wear flea collars) is the entry form for the Iams Stronger, Shinier, Healthier Pet Makeover Contest. One grand-prize winner will receive a three-day, two-night stay in a suite at Loews Miami Beach hotel, to be enjoyed by themselves, a human pal and one four-legged friend, as well as a lifetime supply of pet food. Ugly ducklings better not waddle, er, dawdle, as the contest ends Nov. 30.

Hair goes nothing

Good news for French poodles, or anyone else blessed at birth with naturally curly hair (or those who have fallen victim to a perm that just won't quit): Hair-care product maker CurlFriends recently kicked off its "A New Twist on You" hair-makeover contest. On an ongoing, quarterly basis, the company will choose one person to be the recipient of a hairdo do-over in their own homes at the hands of celebrity stylist Antonio Soddu, who also serves as CurlFriends' "chief curl consultant."

Soddu, who the company claims is "a curly hair expert of 20 years," has coifed the stars of such flicks as "The Color of Money," "Broadcast News" and "Dances With Wolves," along with cast members on the soap operas "All My Children" and "One Life to Live." Had it with your curly locks? Enter the contest (which is open to both men and women age 18 and older) by visiting www.curlfriends.com.

Winners will be selected at random and warned ahead of time when to expect Soddu - with High Humidity Gel, Anti-Frenzy Smootherator, Gooey Goo Wonder Wax and other products in hand - to land on the front porch.