Go-to makeup products
DearAnswerAngel Ellen: Is it the pandemic? Politics? Theweather? The fact that it gets dark at 4:30 p.m.? All of the above? Whatever the reason(s), I feel like I’ve never looked worse. I go back and forth withmy sister on whatwe can do to at least improve our looks, if not our psyche! I knowyou can’t fix all of our problems, but howabout answering this question: If you had to pick onemakeup item tomake mefeel better about howI look, whatwould it be?
— JennyT.
DearJenny: What a relief that you boiled your question down to the issue ofmakeup because I sure can’t helpwith the other things you mention. Although, if it is any consolation, you’re not alone in feeling lousy about all the other stuff. Your search for a singlemakeup product, unfortunately, has an “it depends” answer.
For instance, if your eyelashes are blond or gray or skimpy, mascara is your best bet. I’ve tried manymascaras and I’m not convinced that spending $25 is everworth it. I keep coming back to Maybelline in the pink tube for around $6 at drugstores, Walmart, Target, etc. Eyeliner makes the biggest difference for me and that’s what I’d choose if I could only pick one thing. If I could pick two, I’d add light brown eye shadow. I foolishly splurged on $28 Bobbi Brown Taupe eye shadow(bobbibrowncosmetics.com; department stores), but drugstores are a great place to shop for eye shadows for vastly less.
I’m surprised what a difference a bit of blush makes. If you’re adven
turous, try a colorful mascara, liner or shadow just for fun. In these bleak pandemic days and months, it’s a great time to experiment with colors you’d ordinarily avoid. If not now, when?
DearAnswerAngel Ellen: I’ve noticed that retailers are stocking holiday clothes in real and artificial velvet/velour, and they look cozy. I have a dark red tunic and black leggings in one of these fabrics, but I’m afraid that I’ll look like I’mwearing an old tracksuit. Will good jewelry do the job? How do I look dressy, whether it’s for a socially distanced small gathering or aZoom party?
— AmyL.
DearAmy: You’ve answered your own question. Jewelry— whether the real thing as in “good” jewelry or glitzy costume statement earrings and/ or necklaces— dresses up any basic. Ascarfworks, too, although I find it is always a challenge to tie the thing nicely. (Lots of YouTube videos will help you there.) OnZoomyou need onlyworry about waist-up dressing, so don’t expend any energy on your bottom half. In general, you don’t need to
worry about velvet/velour looking like a tracksuit. Those fabrics are perfect for holidaywear, and you’ll look party-ready in that tunic and leggings combo. They’re also comfortable— just right for your socially distanced small gathering.
Angelic Readers 1
Many readerswant to help Paula M., whose parrot attacked the zipper on her favoritewarm reversible vest. Jodey has had good luck with zipper repairs at her local shoe repair shop. JoanB. and OlgaV. also sing the praises of their neighborhood shoe repair shops and “it’s great to support small, local businesses,” writes Olga. Bernie S. took her broken zipper to a seamstresswho fixed it without needing to replace thewhole thing.
Now it’s your turn
Send your questions, rants, tips, favorite finds— on style, shopping, makeup, fashion and beauty— to answerangelellen@gmail. com.