Shampoos for sensitive skin
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Don’t you just love it when a favorite product is discontinued?! There is an ultra gentle shampoo I’ve used for years (ever since my prior shampoo from Clinique was discontinued). Now I can’t find that particular product at my local beauty supply store or online. Looks like they discontinued it. I have sensitive skin and also prefer no fragrance. Otherwise, my hair is healthy, not dry, not damaged, not colored, not thin, not frizzy. Can you recommend a gentle, fragrancefree shampoo?
— Julia B.
Dear Julia: Let’s hear a round of applause for fragrance-free products of all sorts! I too am fed up with the trend of perfuming just about everything. Back to your shampoo question. (I’m also fuming about my favorite products being discontinued.) Here are several shampoos to try: Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour Shampoo (amazon.com, $32) or, for frugal shoppers, Vanicream Free & Clear (drugstores, target.com, starting at $9.99) and Pipette Baby Shampoo + Wash (target. com, $8; walmart.com, $7.97.) Readers: Can you help Julia out with your favorites and if you know of shampoos that are scent-free, formulated for sensitive skin and colorsafe? I’m especially eager for your recommendations. The ones I’ve found that are great for colored hair/sensitive skin all have fragrances.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I am struggling to find “classic”-style tops and blouses
for work. The loose, flowy, ruffly, flowery, long styles do not look good on me. I need more of a slim fit (and a tapered waist is even better). Do you have any suggestions as to where I can find tops like this?
— Jeanne S.
Dear Jean: Foxcroft (foxcroftcollection.com) is a great source for what you’re looking for. And a huge plus: Hang dry, no ironing, and they look fantastic! The shirts, some of them tailored, are not cheap ($89 and up), so I buy mine gently used on eBay.com. I’ve also found a few at thrift stores for under $10. Thrift stores also are an excellent resource for well-priced women’s shirts of all sorts like the classic, no-frills tops you’re looking for.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen:
My godson’s university is finally returning to a “normal” college experience and an end to remote learning. This has been a real struggle for him (and many other students). I’m impressed with his endurance and success despite the obstacles — virtual classes, isolation. I’d like to send him a gift to underscore how proud I am of him. But what? Definitely not a Starbucks gift card but something a little more creative and enduring.
— Naomi J.
I’ve had excellent luck with olpr. com, a small leather goods
Dear Naomi:
store based in Mooresvile, North Carolina. It was started by a family that began the business eight years ago in Ukraine before moving to Mooresville. The leather itself comes from a Milwaukee-based company, Seidel Tanning. Consider a refillable leather journal or a classic leather notepad cover or “padfolio” to hold a standard size paper pad 5-by-8 inches or 8.5-by-11.75 (olpr. com, $39 or $96). The embossed three-initial personalization is free. I’ve been truly impressed with the responsive customer service and the speedy order delivery. And my purchase arrived in a wellmade heavy-duty fabric drawstring bag.
Reader Rant
Patricia L. writes, “When are womenswear manufacturers going to realize that women want pockets; dresses, skirts, shorts and pants, whenever style of the garment allows. On many occasions, carrying a purse is such a bother. A pocket for tissues, cash, credit card, house key or car fob is what I want. Many skirts and dresses are perfect for pockets and I don’t understand why they don’t go the extra step.
Now it’s your turn
Send your questions, rants, tips, favorite finds — on style, shopping, makeup, fashion and beauty — to answerangelellen@gmail. com.