Makeup has strong guidelines
Dear Answer Angel Ellen:
Without makeup — eyeliner, eyeshadow and lipstick — I just don’t feel right. I look washed out and tired. I have a beauty regimen that is working for me and makes me feel better when facing my day.
My question, actually two questions, has to do with color, namely the color of lipstick I wear and the color of shadow. Is there a rule that the lipstick has to match your clothes — specifically is it OK to wear pink (or orange) lipstick when wearing, say, a red blouse? And eyeshadow: What colors are considered most flattering?
— Alixe J.
Dear Alixe: I know what you mean about makeup. Just a little eyeliner and lipstick does wonders for the spirit.
I’ve written before that in fashion there are no rules. But in makeup there are a couple strong guidelines: Your lipstick certainly doesn’t need to “match” your clothing, but you look better if it doesn’t clash (like red with pink or vice versa). When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with a beige-y neutral, for instance well-priced Maybelline’s number 660 “Touch of Spice” (drugstores, $5.99).
Colorful or highly pigmented shadow is best saved for evening. And although powder blue shadow enjoyed a moment of high-fashion popularity, grays and browns are my usual go-tos. Don’t overdo the shadow and blend it in thoroughly for something that (for some of us) gives a more natural accent. As for liner, again a natural look
in black, brown or gray is usually the best choice.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen:
Help! Covergirl Perfect Point Plus has discontinued their 215 Grey Khaki color. This works best with my light skin tone and hair color. Can you help suggest a brand with a similar color?
— Katie C.
Dear Katie: In researching your question, I found the closest matches to “grey khaki” when I typed in “olive brown eyeliner” and “olive grey eyeliner.” Check out these options: Palladio Retractable Waterproof eyeliner (olive, amazon. com, $8.09); NYX Epic Wear Liner Stick (All Time Olive, drugstores, amazon. com, $8.99); Maybelline TattooStudio Waterproof Mechanical Gel Eyeliner Pencil (smokey grey, drugstores, amazon.com, $6.79).
When you find a product you love, buy several. The ones you rely on most often are discontinued. Sometimes you can find them on eBay but at inflated prices.
Angelic readers 1
Sue D. writes: “To hopefully help Madeleine about her mascara clumping issue. On an episode of ‘Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,’ I watched hair and skin care guru Jonathan Van Ness wipe the end of the mascara wand with a
tissue before the application to remove excess. Absolutely no clumps … been doing it ever since.”
Angelic readers 2
From Ms. Bindy B.: “The letters you print asking ‘Can I still wear’ something or other. I am a fairly chic (for a 93-year-old) woman with a substantial collection of items over 10 or 15 years old; items that still look good on me and therefore qualify as still wearable. … ‘Fashion’ be damned!”
Reader rant
“Tight Squeeze Jam” writes: “Please tell the reader who wrote you about the resurgence of pointy-toed shoes that you have to go up, possibly even a full size, to make pointy-toed shoes work. And if you have large, American feet, you may as well forget expensive designer shoes. They’re extremely narrow. Also, please beg shoemakers to not use that stupid vanity sizing. I’m a size 10, I’ve been a size 10 since I was 12. … I don’t want to buy size 10 online and have to go play games with returns for a larger size because of this stupid sizing game.”