HELP! How do i select my downloaded content in my sims 2 game?

Question

i downloaded hair/makeup/etc., and it says it downloaded succesfully. but it doesnt show up in the game. sometimes, if i randomize in create a sim a hairstyle or two will show up, but i can't pick it out. The content does, however show up in body shop.
its been going on for months now.
PLEASE HELP.
the sims website doesnt help either. =(

All of the content is in the right folder..

anndd i downloaded a house too, and the house showed up.

Answer 1

Did you enable custom content when you loaded the game? (It should pop up automatically; if it doesn't, it's under options.)

Did you put the items in the right folder? Body Shop draws items from a different folder. It should be in My Documents > EA Games > The Sims 2 > Downloads.

Is the hair/makeup for an expansion pack you don't have?

Are you looking under custom items when you create your family? (Most hair is not color binned, so it won't be under red/blonde/black/brown but under the custom section.)

Did you download the mesh?

Just some things to check...