South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Look for brow dye in men’s aisle
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Do you know of any permanent eyebrow dye that’s safe to use, covers the gray and lasts a long time? I saw an eyebrow dye at Target that lasts only two weeks. I’d like to find one that lasts longer than that.
White/gray eyebrow hairs seem to pop up overnight! My recommendation for at-home use is borrowed from the men’s aisle at the drugstore: The aptly named Just for Men Mustache & Beard Dye (target. com, $9.99; amazon.com, $10.97). For me, it lasts longer than other at-home products and lots longer than what my hair stylist uses at the salon.
But, I’ve never found an eyebrow dye that lasts as long as you (or I) would like. There are many drugstore products, sort of like mascara for eyebrows, that will color the grays temporarily. Also, if you just have a few, you can pluck them but, as we age, brows often thin out and when you pluck them you’re asking for trouble.
Dear P.G.:
I have very small eyes, and I have short lashes. I have tried to find an eyelash curler that isn’t so wide that I pinch the skin on the sides of my eyes! If I hold the curler further away, it barely crimps the very ends of my lashes. I don’t want to use false lashes. Any suggestions?
— Ellen H.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen:
Dear Ellen: This is a new question for me but when I dug into your issue, the most often-mentioned
products were Japanese brands. These are generally made to appeal to women with small, almond-shape or deep-set eyes.
I haven’t tested these myself so it is crucial to look at the reviews because many of them have significant downsides: Muji Portable Eyelash Curler (muji.usa, $6.90); Chinese Everbab Eyelash Curler
EB001 (chicdecent.com,
$8.99); Tweezerman Curl
38 Eyelash Curler (twee zerman.com, $20). And all of these are on amazon. com: Mukai Mini Eyelash Curler 215 ($16); Koji Curving Eyelash Curler
($16.14); Japonesque Travel Eyelash Curler ($11) and Shu Uemura S Curler
($23).
Dear Answer Angel Ellen:
Since you wrote recently that women are returning to hair rollers, my question to you is do these Velcro rollers that I hear about online damage one’s hair? Or is another roller going to protect hair better than the Velcro?
— Ruthie K.
Dear Ruthie: I received this rave from reader Diane O.: “As someone who has curled her hair all her life, going to bed in curlers every night, I just wanted to suggest foam rollers for comfort! A set costs about $9 on Amazon.”
These won’t damage your hair. But, to answer your question, Velcro is terrible for your hair.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have just read the recommendations in your column from your readers for wireless bras. Like some of the responders, I want a bra that separates the breasts . To complicate what I am looking for, I am a 34 DD/DDD. None of your readers’ suggestions make a bra in my size.
— Carol B.
Dear Carol: Diane S. is in a similar fix: “I am not an overweight woman but my shoulders are broad and my chest size is a 40. Unfortunately my cup size is an A. I’ve been everywhere including online and done everything I can to find a wireless bra that fits. Even stores that advertise that they will fit me properly end up saying there is no bra anywhere made in my size. Please help!”
From M.M.: “I’m an overweight woman with small A cup breasts. Finding a bathing suit to fit is a nightmare even when I can order a separate top and bottom. A one-piece is much worse. To fit my chest circumference, the cups are always huge on me like I’m wearing a buoyant life preserver.”
Readers, please come to the rescue of Carol, Diane and M.M.!