J. writes:

Hi! You kindly answered questions for me before about my hair care, and the advice was great! The Bumble & bumble Thickening Spray you recommended is a miracle product, I’m convinced. It was worth the splurge, especially considering the rest of the products you recommended weren’t expensive. So, I’m hoping I can get away with asking another question of you… I live in Florida, too, and have fair, freckly skin. I’d love to find a high SPF sunblock that goes on well under makeup and isn’t greasy. I will break out if it’s too oily or if it aggravates my somewhat sensitive skin (Coppertone and I are mortal enemies). I’m willing to invest somewhat if I have to, although drug store price is preferable, but this is my face, after all… Thanks!!!

Hi J!  Sensitive, oily skin and sunscreen may seem like mortal enemies, but in fact, there are several options (yes, even at the drugstore!) that will keep you damage-free without clogging all your pores, becoming mask-like and turning your face into an oil-slick.  One of the best drugstore brands across the board is Neutrogena, and depending on how much protection you’re looking for you could either choose the Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 30 (great for beach days and ski vacations) orNeutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 (good for everyday). I’m a huge fan of both, because they work (read: no freckles or sunburn!) without causing breakouts.  Hope that helps!

T. writes: 

Hi Nadine!  As a fellow beauty junkie, maybe you can help me out. You know lip glosses that come in wand form, such as Chanel Glossimer (or any of the other five thousand out there)?  What do you do when there’s still about a quarter left in there and you just… can’t… reach it… because the wand’s too short?  It seems like such a waste to toss it out, especially since the gloss at hand is my obsession: the discontinued Mary Kay “Pink Starshine” gloss, the exact color of a discontinued Chanel gloss.  Help!

Hi T.!Whatever you do, don’t throw out your not-quite-done lip gloss!  To reach the last little bits of your favorite color, all you need is a lip brush (you’ll find tons at Sephora - make sure it’s long and thin enough to get through the tube opening), or even a long-stemmed Q-tip, to reach the bottom of the tube.  If you’re taking the gloss in your purse, I’d recommend a lip brush with a cap to cover the top, so you can apply gloss on-the-go without getting dirt and dust (and whatever else might be floating around in your purse to stick to the open lip brush!) on your lips.  By the way, if you’d like exact replicas made of discontinued shades, go to Three Custom Color, which will mimic the shade to a T.  Enjoy!

J. says:

I also have a question regarding mascara, I purchased your fave Lancome Definicils. I like the formula, but am having a problem with the application (the brush?). It seems there is too much product on the brush and it goes on clumpy. Any tips?  Thank you. I love your site and advice, please keep up the good work!

J., if you find there’s too much product on the brush, an easy fix is to take a square of tissue or toilet paper, wrap around the brush and then gently squeeze.  This will remove excess mascara, while still leaving on enough to coat and define your lashes.  Another good trick: run the tube of mascara under hot water for a few minutes, which will help to thin out the formula and make it less likely to clump.  Finally, if you have an old tube of mascara, clean off the wand so there’s no product on it, let it dry out, and then use it as a lash comb to de-flake after applying coats.  I know that your problem is with a new tube of Definicils, and it’s important to remember that mascara is a personal thing: what one person loves, another person might despise.  (I, for example, cannot stand Maybelline Great Lash, which often tops makeup artists lists as being wonderful and fabulous and earth-shattering.  I don’t know what they’re smoking.)  In general, however, the older the tube of mascara—anything that’s been open for more than three months would qualify as old–the more likely it is to clump and flake.  I hope that helps!

Nails in bright, beguiling jeweled tones of burgundy, blood, and licorice are oh-so-appealing, but maddening to remove from the nail once you decide you’re suddenly having a pale pink moment.  (I am usually left with red-tinged hands that make me look like I’d spend the afternoon murdering somebody.)  I’ve used lemon juice in the past to get rid of the nasty tinge, but Glamour has another answer: use whitening toothpaste.  “‘Just buff them, brush it on and rinse to lighten,’ says celebrity manicurist Jin Soon Choi.”  And, of course, help prevent stains from starting by always using a base coat under polish.

K. writes:

I’ve been reading your blog for a while now - it’s addictive!  After reading your great responses to questions readers sent in, I thought I’d send in one of my own.  I’ve had this problem of rough, dry (sometimes even cracked) heels for a while now.  I have tried many different products and various tools, but nothing is transforming my feet into the soft, touchable perfection I crave.  Maybe I’m asking too much but I just wish I could find something to make my feet somewhat soft and at least presentable.  Seriously, my husband’s feet are softer than mine!  I live in Arizona and spend much of the year in flip-flops and sandals, so it’s not like I can just hide them…got any ideas on something I can try? 

Hi K.! Cracked heels might seem like an embarrassing, almost shameful problem, but rest assured that it affects all people.  (Now that it’s sliding into flip-flop season for everybody, not just us Florida and Arizona-dwellers, take a look around.  Practically nobody has pretty feet.  It’s kind of gross, actually!)  Regardless, making the skin on your heels soft is easier than you think.  Simply buy a tub of Vaseline, a tube of Aquaphor or go into your kitchen cabinet and grab a bottle of olive oil.  Slather it all over your feet every night before bed, then cover your feet with a pair of thick socks; follow up by gently exfoliating using a scrub, pumice stone or a washcloth in the shower, and make sure to moisturize with something super-emollient (read: olive oil, shea butter, Aquaphor, etc) no less than two minutes after getting out, to help your skin sop up the moisture. Inside of a week, your feet will be dramatically softer and smoother.  If this treatment is way too un-glam and low-rent for you (hey, some of us are beauty divas and that’s okay!), head to your local salon for a paraffin foot wax treatment to get the process kick-started.  (The sock treatment works miracles, though, I promise.)  Good luck to you and your husband!

B. writes:

I’m an avid reader of your blog and love it! I have a question I thought you may be able to answer.  Everytime I wear pencil eyeliner, usually black or brown, it smudges and gets into the corner of my eye and drifts down so it looks awful! I was wondering if you knew of a product that may be able to prevent this OR an eyeliner that doesn’t do this.  Thanks!

Hi B.!  Really, truly, there are few things I hate more than corner-of-the-eye liner goop. It drives me mad, especially because it has a way of appearing instantaneously (”I just looked at myself in the mirror three minutes ago!”) and, of course, only when you are having a very serious or sexy conversation. Curses.  Check out the eyeliners from Styli-Style, particularly their Line and Seal 24 offerings, which stay-put for hours and hours without smudging. Another trick I use: after applying eyeliner, take an eyeliner brush and dip it in either translucent powder or black eyeshadow, and then gently dot the brush over the line you’ve just made. This will help seal it in. Finally, just be vigilant–a quick trip to the bathroom or peek in the mirror opposite the bar never hurt anybody!

While reading New Beauty (my latest discovery—have you seen this magazine?  It’s fascinating!  It’s Lucky meets Real Simple meets Oprah’s beauty pages), I came across a feature on salicylic acid versus benzoyl peroxide for blemish busting.  Apparently, I’ve been using salicylic acid wrong all these years; according to the article, you need to use salicylic acid basically everyday for results.

Salicylic acid must be used continuously for results.  If you stop, your pores will get clogged once again and your acne will return.  Salicylic acid does not have an effect on the production of sebum (the skin’s natural oil), or P. acnes, the bacteria that cause pimples.  And Dr. Fields adds, “The biggest mistake people make is thinking they are cured when pimples clear up and stopping medication.”

Yep.  Guilty as charged.  I read this article last week and have been using MD Skincare All-Over Blemish Solution Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Geltwice a day every since.  And guess what?  No zits—not even tiny ones. 

Question: How to pack for my upcoming Europe trip

Thursday, August 30th, 2007

L. writes:I love your blog - welcome back to Los Angeles!  (I hope we don’t discourage you too much.)  Here’s a question for you - I’m going to Italy in two weeks and am at a loss as to what to pack.  I’ll be moving around a lot, so won’t have the luxury of only unpacking once.  Whatever I have is going to have to try to look pretty okay right out of the suitcase, which I accept, but palette-wise/style-wise, I’m at a loss.  Hell, I’m not even sure about quantity-wise.  Shoes are a problem, too.  Face it: I’m a mess.  (But the suitcases?  Are awesome.  Riley and Briggs expandables - I LOVE my boyfriend.)  Thanks for any help!Hi L.!Italy will seduce you with its fashion sense, but as a traveler going here and there, comfort and ease will be your primary concern!  I find that there’s nowhere in the world you can’t go with the following:-Long tank tops in black, white and one bright color like red or blue (Good for day or night, and a longer-cut will offset the inherent casualness of the item)-Polo shirts (Black is best; pack white and one or two other solid colors, too.  They can be dressed up with heels and a skirt, or dressed down with jeans, but no matter what you pair them with, will always look polished)-One cute “going-out”-type shirt that can be worn day or night (Think colorful and patterned)-One black cocktail dress-One or two thin sweaters (Tie around your neck during the day with your polo shirt or tank top; wear at night with jeans and earrings)-Dark blue jeans-One “look at me” pair of earrings and necklace-A pashmina, ideally in black or cream (Use it during chilly days as a scarf; at night, use it as a wrap whether your outfit is fancy or casual)-Black kitten heels-Leather sandals (A simple pair of black or brown leather thongs will go with nearly anything)-A black pair of sneakers (Pumas are my favorites!)Stick to a neutral palette of black, white, cream and whatever your favorite color is (since you’ll likely already have fun accessories that match).  Black, white and cream look elegant and will take you from train to museum to dinner with a simple shoe and accessories change.  And remember–you don’t only want to pack light for comfort, but also because you’ll probably be bringing LOTS of stuff home.  It is Italy, after all!  Have a blast!