Answer Angel: Scary hair trends

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: For a few years I’ve been dyeing my mousy brown hair a pretty blond color but I’m sick of the time and expense and am thinking of letting the blond grow out. But, I dread the problem of noticeable brown roots. Is there a solution to my dilemma?

— Nicole A.

Dear Nicole: If you want to make a fashion statement — I don’t recommend this in real life — follow Kim Kardashian’s lead and just let it grow out. Period. Model of the Moment Gigi Hadid is doing the same thing. The trend even has a name: reverse skunk streak. These high-profile women can get away with anything. Kardashian and her dark roots in platinum hair has cashed in (something she is so very good at), appearing in full-page magazine ads for Dolce & Gabbana with 2 inches of dark hair and the rest Marilyn Monroe platinum from a bleach job many months ago. A more traditional solution is gradual darkening by your hairstylist or at home, using streaks, rinses or just a full-head dye job.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: After much uncertainty, I finally found the perfect blue tile for my shower redo and I love it. Now comes the unexpectedly difficult part: finding the right blue towels to go with it. I’ve found turquoise, baby blue and an array of other shades shopping at a bunch of “nice” department stores like Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Dillard’s, etc., but not the right blue. The color I am looking for is a medium brightish teal. What am I doing wrong? This shouldn’t be that difficult!

— Joan W.

Dear Joan: Anyone who has ever thought of painting a room blue and walked into a paint store finds out there is an insanely large option of blues (also, greens, purples and most other colors), and it is so easy to go horribly wrong. I’ve found that looking online isn’t much help since colors there for towels, among other things, can turn out to be way different than the photos.

In my experience, when looking for an offbeat shade of towel or other accessories, your best bet is checking out stores that are less expensive and appeal to a wider demographic. Discounters like Marshalls are great for some things but often only have a few of anything. A wider selection of shades often is more easily located at stores like Walmart, Target, Meijer and Kohl’s. And if there’s only one or two of the item on the shelf, unlike discounters like Marshalls, Ross Dress for Less, T. J. Maxx, etc., you can order more in the same color on their websites.

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Meg A. writes: “A smart shopper I know says don’t give up if you try on clothes, even shoes, that are close, but don’t quite fit, either too small or too big. Try on another of the same item, same size. Sometimes the fit is better. There is often variety in the cut in the same garment in the same size. My friend’s husband is in fabric manufacturing, so she knows that different shifts and different days can alter products’ sizes. It doesn’t always work, but she finds it has worked for her about 40% of the time.”

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Many readers share Lyndsay H.’s lament about uncomfortable high-rise jeans and offered suggestions. Lori S.: Maurices Everflex Flare Mid Rise Jean (maurices.com). Jan W. recommends L.L. Bean (llbean.com) Women’s True Shape Jeans: “Fit terrific and not outrageously expensive.” Sybil S.: “Had the same problem and learned to buy jeans by Lee and look for ‘mid-rise label.’” Christine R. loves those Lee jeans too. Carol M. likes the fit of Gloria Vanderbilt jeans she buys at Kohl’s (kohls.com). Patricia H. is a Vanderbilt fan and sometimes finds them at Costco. Chris G: “Duluth Trading Co. (duluthtrading.com) Duluth Flex Daily Denim are attractive, well-made, reasonably priced and come in a wide range of sizes.” Becky L. says, “I LOVE NYDJ jeans (nydj.com). I have five pairs now!”

From Georgette C.: “The reader that doesn’t like high-waist pants should focus instead on the measurement of the rise. The rise is the distance from the top of the waistband to the bottom of the crotch seam. Lyndsay needs to measure the rise of the jeans she already wears and likes. Apply the measuring tape to the rise of your favorite pair, then take a measuring tape shopping or look for the rise measurement in online jeans descriptions.”

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