Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I never received a reply from my question 2+ years ago and my wife still wants to know if you are aware of lipsticks that do not melt in a hot car.
--Mike D.
Dear Mike: That’s a long time to wait for an answer.
I confess that I have never left a lipstick in a hot car, but I strongly advise against it. It shakes me to the core when I think of the gooey mess of a melted lipstick—especially if your wife left her entire purse, with the lipstick inside, in the parked car on a hot day.
I’m unwilling to test an array of my lipsticks in my car! But, here’s an idea for you: Buy a Covergirl Outlast Lipstain at Target, Walmart, Walgreens or your local drugstore ($8.98 and up), place it in a plastic bag (or two) and leave it in your hot car.
This product is not a traditional creamy lipstick but more like a felt-tip pen. If any lip product is going to survive intact, this will be it. Keep me posted.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Is black back? I’ve built a pretty versatile wardrobe that is almost all black clothing. It has served me well but I’m starting to think I need to get out of that rut and add some color to my clothes choices. Do you have advice for me?
--Emma T.
Dear Emma: Black isn’t back. That’s because it never left. I have skirts, shirts and a couple of dresses—daytime and evening—all of them black. Many of them are 10 years old or older and still serving me well.
Usually around this time of year, I get a bunch of questions that boil down to: “Is it true I shouldn’t wear white after Labor Day?” so thanks for your question. (As for the ban on wearing white after Labor Day. That’s a fashion “rule” that you can ignore. Although, men wearing white belts is a strong year-round “no.” If you must wear one, confine that look to the golf course.)
Back to black: If you’re wary of adding some color to your wardrobe, go slow with a scarf, a couple low-investment T-shirts, a purse in an unexpected shade and see how you feel.
I just browsed through the celebrity photos of women at the Venice Film Festival and many of the chicest women (Amal Clooney!) are showing up in black. That’s evidence, if you need it, that it is never out of style.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I was shopping for some basic, plain ballet flats at a reasonable price and found dozens of them but they have square toes, not round. When did that happen? They’re not flattering. Where can I find the classic round-toe versions?
--Jada O.
Dear Jada: I thought you were exaggerating so I did a quick browse through the huge shoe department at my local Nordstrom and…you’re right! Most flats had square toes—from the least expensive to designer models at $300 and up.
I went to Amazon looking for round-toe flats and ordered four different brands. Each fit differently. All rubbed my feet, especially the heel, when I tested them out at home. I sent them all back for a refund.
DSW ( dsw.com ) has a decent selection of round-toe flats, but beware, the online photos can be deceptive. Don’t fall for the square-toe ones, of which there are many. Best to shop in-store.
Readers: Help Jada (and me) out. Let’s hear your recommendations for comfortable, well-priced round-toe basic flats.
Angelic Readers
Janet K. writes: “I have a cleaning option for folks who wear white Crocs. Two of my kids wear them all the time and they also get dirty very quickly. I simply throw them into the washing machine with my whites. Hot water setting with detergent and bleach. Air dry. They come out looking like new.”
A tip from A.S.: “The tab on the zipper on an old, comfortable pair of jeans came off. I took a small bead, worked it onto a paper clip, and worked the paper clip into the spot where the tab was attached to the zipper. I now have a new zipper pull. The jeans are still good and I don't have to get rid of them now!”