Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Nail polish is making my nails brittle and thin and kind of yellowish. The polish remover is an added problem — too harsh, and it can’t be that healthy to be putting those chemicals on my hands. On the other hand (so to speak), I like the way my nails look when polished. Do I have any options?
— No Nail Biter
Dear N.N.B: I’ve heard good things about a line of nail products, Dr.’s Remedy, created by podiatrists. It is intended to remedy precisely the problems you’ve had with other polish and remover. The polish comes in plenty of colors (more than 30), and although it’s not cheap, at $17 it’s still $10 less than Chanel. The line includes no-acetone remover and other nontoxic (no formaldehyde or toluene nail products and is sold in some podiatrists’ offices as well as online at www.remedynails.com, amazon.com and elsewhere. Some reviewers on amazon.com rave about how it cleared up fungal nails, but the products aren’t sold as anti-fungal.
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And a (sort of) related question …
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I’ve developed a lot of skin allergies or sensitivities and am looking for creams that won’t aggravate my skin. Have you found any good ones?
— Jenny H.
Dear Jenny: I stumbled onto some all-natural honeybee products that I’ve been testing lately, and they could be what you’re looking for. Red Headed Honey salves, balms and creams are found at farmers markets and online (www.redheadedhoney.com) and are made from bee byproducts from hives in southern (Camden) Michigan. I’ve been using the Healing Salve ($14) on spots of super dry and cracked skin and have seen improvement. The scent takes some getting used to, but now I like it. Another one of the products I’m using is Royal Jelly Overnight Eye Cream, which is really rich (and it should be for $25 for a small, 0.25-ounce pot, but a tiny bit goes a long way). Because I too have developed skin allergies, I’ve tried all kinds of products that claim to be nonirritating, and many of them irritate like crazy. So, regrettably when it comes to skin care for those of us with sensitivities, we take our chances. As for honeybees, they do good work, so I’m willing to give them a try.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Years ago, I had a blouse with a bottom panel that snapped under the crotch, so the blouse would stay tucked in. I loved it but have not been able to find anything like it, so I never wear blouses anymore! Help! Does anyone make these style blouses anymore!
— Mary B.
Dear Mary: What you’re looking for is a bodysuit blouse, and you’re right, they are not easy to find. The ones I’ve seen are either sexy lingerie type items or leotard-y. American Apparel (www.store.americanapparel.net) has some that are more like adult onesie T-shirts with long sleeves and a snap closure ($34). I once had exactly what you’re looking for but never wore it, because it was so uncomfortable. Maybe others also found them hard to wear, and that’s why they are almost impossible to find unless they show up gently worn on ebay.com.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I took a job where I need to dress more professionally for work, which has meant more clothing that is dry clean only. My practice has been to dry clean each garment after each wearing. This is expensive, but I find that if I wear the garment a second time without a dry cleaning, the garment can smell stale from normal body odor. Have other women figured out a solution to this? It isn’t possible to wear a T-shirt under most dresses (as men do with dress shirts.)
— EKN
Dear EKN: The solution is simple, efficient and not too expensive ($14 and under). Buy dress shields (also known as garment shields or underarm shields). They come in a wide array of styles and methods of attachment (adhesive, pins, snaps), and many styles are machine washable. The best selection is at www.kleinerts.com, which has styles for short-sleeve and cap-sleeve dresses and tops.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I liked your answer to the fall sweater question when you said the best is a cashmere cardigan about an inch below the waist. I have never owned a cashmere sweater but would like to buy one now. Could you please tell me if I should hang on a hanger or fold it on a shelf?
— Mary Jane M.
Dear Mary Jane: It’s never a good idea to hang a sweater. I know they do that in stores, but that’s just for display. At home, fold them to avoid stretching. And, a reminder: Wash in baby shampoo, blot out excess water on a towel (don’t wring) and dry flat. No dry cleaning, please, which takes away softness.
Angelic readers 1
We all would like to have reader Bonnie A.’s problem of having lipstick (Revlon Colorstay) that she couldn’t get off at bedtime. I recommended eye makeup remover, but readers Char C. and Peggy C. say Vaseline is a cheaper solution. Peggy also recommends lip balm left on for a minute then tissued off.
Angelic readers 2
Mary writes: “In response to Kathy wanting decent pockets in her pants, I totally agree. Maybe you could suggest golf pants. As a golfer, all my skorts and pants have great pockets, usually with zippers, to accommodate balls, tees, markers and such. And golf apparel is finally getting fashionable enough to wear on the street.”
Carrie N. had the same thought about golf pants pockets:
“They can hold your phone, lipstick, shades plus Kleenex — all of the essentials. Nobody needs to know you don’t play golf!
“Probably can get good deals on golf clothes now too, and some are pretty cute.”
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