Dear Response Angel Ellen: I work in a professional setting where I want to wear classic, dressy but comfortable shoes (2 1/2 inch heels) for work. I need a strap on the top of my foot (not an ankle strap) to make walking more comfortable. Amazon had some, but in limited colors and sizes. I can’t find anything that comes close. I should have bought a pair in all colors when available. No suggestion?
– Bonnie W.
Dear Bonnie: Sometimes finding the exact thing you’re looking for is like finding the right search words to locate the elusive thing on the internet. When I typed in “Mary Jane 2 1/2 inch heel” I found an array of choices for you, similar to the photo you emailed me. You’re right, the size and color options are a bit limited, but check out Shoetopia’s Mary Jane Bow Strap heels (shoetopia.com, $ 28.99), FSJ’s Women’s Mary Jane Black Mid Heel Pumps (fsjshoes .com, $ 74.99) and dance stores like dancestore.com, where I found a selection of colors and materials in a good choice of sizes such as the women’s red Mary Jane dance shoes by Arris Allen for $ 72.95.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: My concealer leaves flesh-colored makeup spots on the inside of my face masks even though I let it dry before putting the mask on. Do you have a list of proofreaders that leave no traces?
– Diane G.
Dear Diane: I wish! Many concealers and foundations come in the form of “anti-transfer”, “that stays in place”, “anti-dark spots”, and so on. I have yet to find one that does not rub off on my mask. Some online reviewers recommend various “setting powders” or “translucent powders” on your makeup, for example Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder, priced at $ 39 at sephora.com. Or, for frugal shoppers, elf High Definition Powder Sheer (target.com, $ 6).
I try never to buy any product (or clothing) that requires me to buy another product (or clothing or new underwear) in order for it to work. So my best advice is to resign yourself to erasure and buy a 50-pack of these (usually) blue disposable paper masks (like the ones hospital staff wear) and present them when they appear. disgusting.
It doesn’t solve the problem of your faded makeup and concealer. Admittedly, carrying the equipment around to refresh your makeup during the day is a pain. Let’s hear it from readers who have great ideas for Dianne and the rest of us. During this time, if you wear a mask most of the time, you can focus only on makeup for your eyes and completely forget about cosmetics for the area covered by your mask.
Angelic readers
From Glenda P: “I just read your answer (a plastic flip flop) for the dreaded problem of losing a drawstring from a hoodie, sweatpants or whatever in the wash. A very simple DIY solution requires a needle and thread. Just make sure the drawstring is centered in the garment, then sew a few solid stitches at the center location on the back of the garment. Magic! He will not come out.
Paul M. writes: “A bodkin is a device for pulling strings through sockets. Dritz makes a flexible plastic bodice they call a drawstring threader (walmart.com, $ 3.68). It is approximately 23 inches long and makes it easy to rethread stray drawstrings. D’Ellen: I’ve bought more than one of these threading devices over the years, but I’ve found that the end is often too wide to fit in the tight space where the cord goes. However, attaching a safety pin to the end of the drawstring works well, but slowly, for rethreading. This does not solve the problem of the drawstring loosening again in the wash, which brings me to this suggestion:
Mary B. offers this option in place of the plastic seesaw, which she found “quite fragile”. “The next solution I found was simple and inexpensive: 1/4 inch plastic tubing can be bought inexpensively at most hardware stores and cut to size. I use small sections, pull through the cord, and tie a knot at the ends to keep them from sliding down the tube. This allows for an adjustment.
It can be difficult to find good, comfortable shoes for the job. (Dream time / TNS)
Send your questions, rants, tips, favorite finds – on style, shopping, makeup, fashion and beauty – to answerangelellen@gmail.com.