Feb. 16--Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I decided to start wearing eye makeup, something I had never bothered with until now. It really has made a positive difference -- eyeliner, mascara and a little taupe eye shadow. But there's been a surprising (at least to me) side effect. My contact lenses are really bothering me, something that never happened before. It feels like there is a tiny grain of sand in my eye. I figure it must be the makeup, right? I put the lenses in before I apply the makeup. I'm wondering if any of your readers have had the same problem. Does this mean I have to choose between makeup and contact lenses? By the way, they're daily soft lenses and I have been wearing the same brand for years.
-- Cyndy K.
Dear Cyndy: It would be a logical conclusion that the makeup is causing your problem. An optometrist I consulted suggested putting the lenses in after you've applied the makeup. That way, your eyes can blink away any stray makeup before you insert the lenses. If that doesn't work, another way to find the culprit is to stop using the makeup for a week or two and then, over time, add one of the three products you're using -- one at a time. If you find that the contact problem persists only when you're using, say, the mascara you will know that's the makeup you have to stop using. But don't give up the product entirely. Perhaps you're having an adverse reaction to one of the components of that particular brand but another brand might be fine. You can do the trial and error method of testing a different makeup brand. (Many stores will refund your money if you have the receipt so this plan doesn't have to cost you a fortune.) Dr. Nadia Kazim, an ophthalmologist I talked to, said another possibility is that you're suffering from dry eyes and that that problem came up merely by coincidence around the time you started using the makeup. Artificial tears from the drug store (in individual vials with no preservatives) could be the cure you're looking for. Also, she suggests not sleeping with a ceiling fan which can dry out your eyes and to use a sleep mask to cover your eyes when you sleep. If none of this works, I suggest a trip to the eye doctor who might be able to recommend changing your contact lens brand. Some soft contacts have more liquid content than others and work better for dry eyes.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: This might not sound like a beauty question but, really, it is. We are redoing a bathroom and my husband is insisting on one of those rain showerheads, the kind mounted on the ceiling that spray water directly downward. I have never tried one and I admit they look better and sleeker than the usual wall mounted kind. But, I worry about the effects on my hair since I don't want a daily drenching.
-- Edwina M.
Dear Edwina: I'm on your side. If you give in and agree to install the rain showerhead (and vow to always wear a shower cap to preserve your blow dry or your perfect curls) your hair is going to get wet. I have yet to find a shower cap that really, truly keeps hair dry (although an Internet search has turned up a few that are better than others). Another downside of those now-fashionable showerheads is that they do a lousy job of rinsing the soap off your entire body. In fact, because of the way the water flows, you have to step out from under to even adequately lather your hair or your body. I am not sure how they became popular but I suggest if he insists, then ask for a compromise and install both types of showerheads with an on/off mechanism to let him pick the rain shower and you the regular wall mount flow. There's also the hand-held option, but I've never been able to juggle one of those and get anything else done in the shower.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I am trying to find casual pants for my husband with elastic waists, much like there are for women. Jeans etc., all have belt loops. Any help there?
-- Carol B.
Dear Carol: You're right. Most men's elastic waist pants I tracked down do indeed have belt loops. I suppose that's to conceal the elastic under a belt, which strikes me as a good idea. But I know that's not what you're looking for. Blair.com has several styles and fabrics to choose from without belt loops. Also check out comfortclothing.com which carries both pants and shorts like you describe in an assortment of neutral colors.
Angelic Readers
My whining about sunscreen with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that turns your face pasty white turned up some tinted reader suggestions to avoid the Bozo look:
Diane B: MD SolarSciences Mineral Tinted Creme (mdsolarsciences.com), Colore Science's Sunforgettable (colorescience.com)
Jeanne S: Elta MD Skin Care UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 (eltamd.com)
Reader Rant 1
Women are routinely charged more for goods and services (hair cuts, blue jeans, shirt laundering) than men. It's not just the "tampon tax" that we've been reading about lately. Complain to the manufacturer and your state consumer affairs department or state attorney general!
-- Sue P.
Reader Rant 2
It seems that in general the quality of clothes is low. I am so tired of buying cheap clothes thinking they are a bargain and then throwing out the clothes after a wash or two because they are "done." It seems that the clothing industry thinks that since the economy is bad they must answer with cheap (low-priced) clothes. I strongly disagree. When my money is tight I do NOT want to buy crappy clothes that will not hold up. That is a waste of my precious money!
-- Chris
Now it's your turn
Send your questions, rants, tips, favorite finds -- on style, shopping, makeup, fashion and beauty -- to answerangelellen@gmail.com.
