Dear Sars,

I think you have touched on this subject before but I couldn’t find it through Google.If you can’t help me, I know your wonderful readers can.

I am getting married in a year and through all the planning I keep crying.I am a big crier, and I lost my father when I was sixteen so the big day will be somewhat bittersweet.My sweetie is fantastic, by the way, and is fully prepared to be tissue-man.

Anyway, I need eye makeup that can stand up to the torrent of tears that are bound to besiege them.Actually I need a makeup plan in general.I’m a pretty minimal makeup user, some eyeliner and mascara and I’m out the door.

Should I get my makeup done and risk looking like a Glamor Shots girl, or should I invest in pricey makeup that I can do myself?What kind of mascara/eyeliner should I use that won’t run under the onslaught of tears?Also, lipstick that will withstand the cigarettes and drinking afterward?I never wear any because it’s a pain to keep applying.

Thanks,
Weep McTearCry

Dear Weep,

I would get it done; you can do a test run a week before with your chosen makeup artist, to make sure you don’t end up looking like a drag queen, and instruct him/her on which aspects you care about and which you don’t.

If you do plan on doing it yourself, I’d recommend Almay liquid eyeliner, Maybelline mascara in the pink and green bottle (many professionals swear by it), and regular lipstick followed by a coat of lipstick sealant (you can find it in the drugstore; just paint it on and it bonds your lipstick tight for hours).Aveda lip tint is also really long-lasting and reasonably subtle.

Readers, have at it.No application tips, please; just brand recommendations.Email subject line: “makeup.”

Hi Sarah,

Finally I have a problem that you and your readership might be able to help
me with.

I’m about to move into my first apartment. Being an Australian I’m used to
space and light in abundance but the Washington DC housing market doesn’t
really provide this on my budget so I’m moving into a teeny-tiny efficiency
(about 260 square feet). It does have a large window but neighbouring
buildings filter a lot of the light.

Being from New York I would imagine it’s a decorating/furnishing problem
that you or your friends have probably encountered over the years, so I was
wondering if you had any specific tips on how to make the place brighter
beyond the usual light-coloured everything plus lots of lamps?

There was a young woman who lived in a shoe(box)

Dear Shoe,

I have to say, I think that’s a myth, that light-colors thing.I painted one of my walls a medium green, and the room looks bigger now, not smaller.It’s not the light, really — it’s the illusion of space, so while you do want to avoid too much heavy, dark-colored furniture, I really don’t think white paint helps.It just looks boring.

Lots of lamps, yes — floor/desk lamps, not overhead fixtures.Use colored or patterned shades; too many white lampshades looks like a hotel.

Mirrors help, too; a nice big portrait mirror hung across from the window can open the room out a little and give you some reflected daylight to work with.

Hit it, readers.Email subject line: “lighting.”

So I’ve been running as exercise for about 7-8 years or so.Most of
the year when it’s cool or cold I stick to leggings/capris but in the
hot weather the only thing that’s worked for me are a pair of men’s
nylon Umbro soccer shorts I’ve had since 1991.They’re holding up okay
(I originally had two pairs, one died) but could stand to be replaced.
But when I looked for some online (after striking out in all the
sports merch stores), I learned that they’re not sold in the U.S.
anymore.

If your readers can recommend their favorite running or exercise
shorts, I’d love ideas.A few years back I tried some of those
newfangled microfiber shorts (Moving Comfort?), but the fabric really
held onto the stench (in a one-bedroom apartment, that’s not kosher)
and they were so short that I got moderate thigh friction.Which is
worse with bike shorts.The Umbros are so comfy, wear and wash well,
air out well, and don’t irritate my skin.And on top of that, they
don’t have the annoying inner-panty-thing — I have looked and looked
and can’t find a pair of ladies’ shorts without this gear, which I
don’t need because I’m happy with my Jockeys.

Sorry about the TMI and for being fairly picky.But if your readers
can suggest warm-weather bottoms for gals that they’re happy with,
that’d be awesome.At this point I’m even willing to spend a
bit…or try to find a reputable place to order Umbros from
overseas. (But I’m a little squeamish about buying without trying
on.)Any help you and the gang can provide would be most wonderful.

Running On Empty

Dear Running,

Umbros were the short of choice in high-school gym class; I had mine for a decade.

Failing the discovery of an Umbro black market, you might try Athleta or Title Nine.I can’t help you with a specific brand, because I wouldn’t run if I were being chased, but I’m sure the readers will have something to add.

Readers, we need running shorts with no inner panty that aren’t too short or too stank.Email subject line: “shorts.”

[9/8/06]

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