Oct. 31--Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Thanks to your column and my own experience, I know that wrinkle creams don't really work. I can find no foundations that do not exaggerate wrinkles. And powders are the worst! I learned from Bobbi Brown on an Oprah show that ladies in my same boat should just use moisturizer and concealer. That works pretty well (thank you, Bobbi!), but I am always hopeful that something new has been created since that show many years ago. Any suggestions on a foundation that does not emphasize wrinkles, or maybe makes them less apparent??
-- Mary
Dear Mary: There is something new(ish) out there: BB and CC creams. Actually, they're just tinted moisturizer. They're light enough that they don't call attention to your wrinkles but heavy enough to even out skin tone, and you can find them for reasonable prices at the drugstore. I've tested many, and I'm currently using Garnier's Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream. I'm happy with the coverage but unhappy with the limited color selection. I have to mix two to get the right shade. The BBs and CCs vary widely on coverage, so you're going to need to experiment. Many drugstore chains will accept returns if you've tried them and they don't work for you.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I'm tiny, so it's hard to find anything to wear. I'm an adult but always wear teen-size clothes. But I want to get one nice real leather jacket. The problem is the arms are too long. Where can I find the perfect leather jacket for me?
-- Midori
Dear Midori: I keep coming back to certain stores that offer better choices for their petite customers. Try Banana Republic (bananarepublic.com), Anthropologie (anthropologie.com), Ann Taylor (anntaylor.com) and Nordstrom (nordstrom.com). Also Topshop (topshop.com) has petites that run small to begin with. As for your plan to find a splurge leather jacket, it's not going to be easy. Most jackets I've seen in stores and online are fake leather. The imitation leather looks so realistic that you might consider abandoning the genuine for the much-less-expensive faux. Of the stores I mentioned, Nordstrom's petites had the best selection of genuine leather options. As I cruised online I noticed that most of the women modeling petite jackets had the sleeves pushed up. That tells me that they're probably too long. I hate to say it, but you might need a tailor (who works with leather) to shorten your sleeves.
While we're on the topic of leather...
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have looked all over for shoes with leather soles and can't find any at all! Have you ever tried dancing in shoes with rubber bottoms? Impossible! I would love some pretty sandals with leather bottoms but without the 3- to 6-inch heels! Please, shoe manufacturers, give us some dancing shoes!
-- Vicki Y.
Dear Vicki: What you're looking for is out there but not easy to find in stores (as you know). With lace-up oxfords now popular for women, you will have better luck than you had in the past. I've seen some Cole Haan (colehaan.com) leather-sole oxfords heavily discounted at name-brand discount stores. Online, search for "dance shoes" and you'll have many more options. Might as well start with eBay, which has a good assortment of brand-new shoes for dancing, many with moderate heels or flats. If you're intent on hands-on shopping, European and English brands are more likely to have leather soles. Not surprisingly, they're more expensive. We're talking $200+. So you'll find them only at high-end shops. Brands to look for: Repetto (repetto.com), F-Troupe (f-troupe.com) and Dieppa Restrepo (diepparestrepo.com). And there's always dancewear specialist Capezio (capezio.com).
Angelic Readers I
Responding to M.C.'s rant about stores that treat plus sizes as an afterthought and especially don't care about short plus-size women, M.M. and June B. are big fans of Talbot's plus-size petites (talbots.com). M.B. swears by Roaman's (roamans.com), Jessica London (jessicalondon.com) and Woman Within (womanwithin.com) catalogs. And Audrey D. says, "Check out the websites for the home shopping channels -- shophq.com, hsn.com, qvc.com. Almost all the apparel they sell is available from sizes XS through 3X. There are videos from the TV presentations, descriptions of colors and fabrics, and best of all they provide actual garment measurements for each item."
Angelic Readers II
As for Carol D.'s lament that she can't find pants that fit her waist but don't bag out at the thighs, readers stepped up big time: Kathy P. recommends Victoria's Secret (victoriassecret.com) skinny jeans (midrise Siren style). Mary Anne K. likes The Limited's (thelimited.com) Cassidy fit and Express' (express.com) Editor fit. Ann Taylor's (anntaylor.com) skinny pants in "modern fit" worked for Misha G. Karen S. buys Gloria Vanderbilt's Amanda style (amazon.com). Tina swears by L.L. Bean (llbean.com).
Farewell, readers
Answer Angel Ellen is hanging up her halo. This is the last column. But I'll leave you with a few tips and truisms that I hope will make your fashion and beauty lives a little easier.
--In fashion, there are no rules. Experiment.
--Look in the mirror before you leave the house.
--If you have to ask whether it's too young or too revealing, it is.
--Showing your bra straps is a fashion statement but not a good one.
--Leggings aren't pants and they usually show way too much of what you don't want people to see. Wear them under something else (a dress, a tunic).
--Don't worry so much about what to wear to a wedding. People aren't spending a lot of time looking at you.
--You probably won't lose those five pounds, so don't buy it if it's too tight.
--You don't need to carry around all that stuff in your purse. Lighten up. (Backpacks too.)
--You gotta shop around. Just because it's expensive or has a designer label doesn't ensure that the quality is better than more frugal options.
--Lots of stores have liberal return policies. If you're not happy, they're not happy. Save your receipts and give it a try. This includes drugstore makeup (but ask before you buy).
--If you find the perfect anything (black pants, stay-put lipstick, comfortable bra, you name it) I want to hear about it at answerangelellen@gmail.com.
--And, of course, get rid of those capri pants.
