Tuesday’s Workwear Report: Leo Blazer

251 Comments

1. ISO recommendations for beach vacation beauty. What makes the biggest difference for me for everyday makeup is brows & lashes. Most reviews for the below comment on things like being sweaty or humidity or a rainy day, not literal swimming.

   -Does lash tinting last when you get your face wet? Mostly dunks in the ocean, i.e., not chlorinated pool water.
   -If it doesn’t, waterproof mascara that stays put but doesn’t irritate eyes? I’ve tried Clinique’s in the past, since they are usually so good about ingredients, as well as Maybelline’s as I like their regular mascara, but both irritated.
   -Best waterproof tinted brow gel?

   1. I’d get a lash tint/lift and a brow tint. A brow/last tint lasts for about 5-6 weeks. It does gradually wash/wear off but it doesn’t immediately run off when your face is wet (think the longevity of hair dye, not brown gel).
      I loved the look of a tint but in my area it was very expensive and only lasted about 6 weeks vs. the promised 2-3 months.

      1. This is what my bff does, too, and it’s the only solution she’s found for actual swimming.

      2. I do my own regularly. I don’t love doing it but I prefer that to scheduling and keeping salon time and paying $$.

         1. I know people do brows at home, but are there kits for lashes now too?

   2. Yes, tint lasts when getting your face wet. I’d tint brows and lashes in this scenario (and have done so before).

   3. Seeing the early replies in favor of a tint – if anyone has a go-to in center city Philly, please let me know!

   4. I feel like I get pretty only at the end of a beach day. But Anastasia’s brow pomade doesn’t budge.

   5. Get lash extensions- you won’t need mascara or anything else. They’re literally designed for beach vacations. Unless you have naturally thick and dark lashes, a tint and lift does nothing.

      1. PS – I swim in them too on a beach vacay, they won’t last as long as usual but they’ll absolutely get you through a week. Just get them early enough to cure ahead of time.

      2. I think it’s because I have naturally light lashes that the tint has enough wow factor for me!

         1. Eh, I have light lashes too and it just does nothing. It’s like the worst mascara ever and barely there. I’ve gone to multiple places too. Just no bang for the buck.

            1. Huh. It’s a big look for me.

      3. Lash tint does nothing for me (medium brown lashes). I would definitely do lash extensions. They can manage a lot.

   6. i have no suggestions, other than i am so glad i never cared about this on a beach vacation and still do not care. seriously – who cares! just have fun

      1. Some of us care what we look like. Good for you that you don’t. But no shade to anyone who does.

      2. OP here. I didn’t either, until a combination of aging and vanity caught up with me.

      3. Same, I can’t imagine caring what your eyelashes look like while you’re swimming in the ocean!

   7. Brow tint won’t do much if you have sparse brows. You will need a waterproof pomade, gel and/or pencil.
      I have a lot of lashes but they are very straight and light. I find a tint doesn’t do much… much of the impact factor of mascara is that it holds a curl (which opens up your eye area and makes them look bigger), thickens each lash (by literally coating them) and darkens them. I would suggest trying a few different waterproof mascaras or trying lash extensions (depending on your commitment to this).

      1. This is me. Disappearing brows.

         1. Tell your doctor

            1. CVS minute clincis will prescribe Latisse that can be used on brows and lashes. That’s too much bother to me though. I prefer simply using a colored gel on my brows and doing my best to fill in if still needed (a lot of my patchiness comes from blonde hair or perhaps graying rather than no har, although the 90s definitely didn’t. help)

            2. I just needed to up my thyroid dose!

   8. Thanks all! I’m not interested in paying for lash extensions but may give a tint a try. I have long but light lashes so mascara makes a big difference.

      1. In case you check back try Silly George lash extensions that have a self adhesive strip and come in small sections. I usually get 5-7 days leaving them on for sleep, showering and exercise (including hot yoga). I also like that I don’t need additional eye makeup!

2. The time has come for me to get a nose hair trimmer. What do y’all recommend for a gadget or device or is there another way to take care of this?

   It is not just for looking better outside my nostrils- I swear I can feel long hairs inside my nose. Is that part normal?

   1. just get one at drug store or amazon. i don’t think it matters.

   2. i just got one off amazon. takes 6 seconds every few weeks.

      no complaints: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E4PMQAO?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_6&th=1

   3. My husband is happy with the Norelco from our local supermarket endcap. It was fifteen bucks or so a few years ago and seems to be trucking along just fine.

   4. I use a Tinkle razor and I am VERY VERY careful. I feel like it works a lot better than the electronic gadgets.

      1. +1

   5. If you wax other areas of your body see if they do nostrils. So weird but life changing!

3. I’m over a year postpartum and stopped breastfeeding at seven months postpartum and now I’d like to consider laser hair removal (I heard you should wait at least a year). There are various salons and medical spas in my area with good reviews and most of them offer packages. How many sessions should I be looking for? I’d be doing upper thighs and bikini line only and I’ll settle for less than perfection to keep costs down. Hair is dark with some lighter ones against pale skin. I also have a medical condition that means I shouldn’t go all-in on tons of sessions, although I have a doctor’s note to try it overall. Any advice?

   1. Ymmv but I’d try an at home device first. I’m very pale with dark hair (and lots of it, thanks PCOS!). The Braun IPL did a great job on bikini line and legs. I used it regularly for about 3 months ahead of the summer and then only needed a touch up roughly once a month.
      I completely stopped using it after that (laziness) and a year later I still have a solid 50% reduction in hair. I plan to restart using it again this March and expect it to work just as well this time around for a heck of a lot less than laser.

      1. I’m a little concerned about not being able to get good results with a device like that because it’s so hard to reach some areas. Do you have a partner helping you or can you do it yourself?

   2. I did a 6 session package and that worked pretty well (light skin, dark hair). I did get one touchup on my legs and bikini line two years later. It seems like how you will respond is VERY individual, and it was interesting to me how my underarms are virtually hair free now but my bikini line was much more stubborn. Good luck! It’s really made a difference in my summer quality of life.

   3. I opted to pay by the session instead of buying a package. It came out to be a little more expensive, but I didn’t want to risk not using all the sessions in the package.

   4. Milan Laser only does unlimited packages so you can go in for touch ups if a stray ever pops up. that being said after 7-8 session there is nothing left and really after 2-3 it was 80% gone. Its only been about a year since my last session though. friends who got those areas done 10+ years ago report probably needing to go in for touch ups. at least. TLDR: I bet you would be happy with 3-4 sessions.

   5. I have very dark hair and very pale skin. I’ve been getting laser hair removal since before the pandemic. Best thing I’ve done. If you have medical concerns I’d only go to a dermatologist though. There are some potential side effects as the laser targets pigment and it can burn if done wrong.

   6. You may have better luck with a chain. I’ve used Laser Away and were happy with them.

   7. i had my lower legs and under arms done 20 years ago, and my bikini line done in the past 5 years – get the full six sessions and plan to go back for at least another session a year later.

      upper thighs – everyone is different but i barely have hair there anymore and i never ever shave because everything else is lasered. you might want to save the money. but if it bugs you, do it.

   8. I had pretty good results with 6 sessions. They typically sell packages about that size.

4. We talk a lot about investment clothing here, and I could use some advice on where to start. Not for myself, but my almost 29 year old daughter is interested in starting to build her own wardrobe, and with an upcoming birthday I want to help her with purchasing an investment piece. She is interested in pants to start with, which seems like a solid choice. So, where do I start? Brands that are known for quality? Fabric? What is this likely to cost (assuming we purchase new, rather than find it second hand)? In my head, I’m thinking wool, black, and straight leg…but would love to hear from others. Thank you!

   1. Theory pants are nice. I have a non-wool pair that are really comfy.

   2. I would invest in blazers and blouses vs pants. Other investment items to consider are bags (classic work tote, cross body, etc), scarves and shoes. Pant sizes fluctuate a lot, tops less so. Also: if you are talking investment pieces to last 5-10 years and she is late 20’s and considering having children in her 30s, her sizes may fluctuate a lot over that time period.

      1. Same, pants sizes change a lot as you start working and go out of style fast. Blazers and coats have a lot more longevity and forgive ability.

   3. Pants are not an investment!!! You’re just buying a luxury good. Which is a totally fine birthday gift

   4. Clothing is not an investment. With very few exceptions, virtually all of which are accessories (watches, jewelry, some bags), you’re lucky if you get 5-10 years out of it before it’s worth nothing. Buy her some nice wool pants and hope they hold up than cheaper ones (and still fit after a few years), but don’t think of it as an investment in anything but your relationship.

      1. I agree with this, but would caveat that a nice blazer can really make a look. It’s just not going to last like a Cartier so spend $500 not $5000 on it.

      2. I guess I read investment as in something more pricey that you will use for many years, not investment as in something producing financial gains.

   5. If she hasn’t figured out a good color palette yet, I would recommend getting her a session to help figure out her colors and style first rather than just throwing money at individual items. I feel so much more put together when I buy pieces to a plan rather than just buying expensive one-off items that didn’t really go with my closet.

      1. I agree that learning your best colors and shapes helps SO much with figuring out your personal style and learning to say no to items that you think are beautiful and look great on someone else who looks different from you, or in this case, the OP’s daughter.

   6. My black Burberry trenchcoat has been my investment piece over the last decade. It’s a classic for a reason. I bought it a little oversize knowing I’d probably gain a little over the years…

      1. Mine was a hand-me-down from my mom and is in the khaki color, but cosign the Burberry trench–this would be a great choice.

   7. 20 years ago my mom took me to a department store and bought me a pair of black work pants that the store hemmed for me—cost was $160. I wore them to death and was very grateful.

      1. I think is exactl what OP is asking for. I think a large, traditional department store is a good choice because she can try on different brands.

   8. tbh I find outerwear to be the best place to start. It’s more forgiving of shape fluctuations and less variable than pants styles. I’m still wearing the Burberry trench I bought 15 years ago.

      for pants, I like Vince for a pear shape at a step up from mall brands in style and quality, but for the most part JCrew, Banana, etc. play just fine with more upscale sweaters, blouses, jackets, etc. When you’re sitting in a meeting, no one can see your pants anyway.

      1. +1 for a nice, classic coat. I remember how fancy and adult I felt when I purchased my first wool coat.

   9. If she needs pants, get pants. But, everyone has already pointed out that they are not really investments. If you want to buy her investment clothing, I’d buy her a few good cashmere sweaters that are in basic cuts and colors (black, taupe/brown, winter white, etc.) for winter. No real answer on where to buy as cashmere is more of a you feel it thing to get – department stores really excel on this front.

   10. Buy secondhand. There are no quality clothes being made in the current market, for a variety of factors.

   11. I used the same leather Coach laptop friendly tote for decades. Burberry coats last forever. A great set of modern pearl earrings would go with everything. Pants wear out really quickly and I would just go with whatever brand fits her best off the rack for basic trousers. I think cashmere is a massive waste of money until you get to the Lafayette 148 price point. Those are indestructible. Akris cashmere is heart breaking it is so nice and soft and pills massively.

   12. Try going to Nordstrom and getting a personal shopper there. They’re free (the expectation is you’ll buy something, but there’s no demand) and you might be able to try on stuff that you wouldn’t already know about. And if she hits something that just makes her feel great, then wonderful!

5. I recently had a CT scan to check for cancer. The chances are low, my doctor is just being thorough, but now I’m on edge waiting for the results. It could be a week to hear anything. I’m obsessively checking the website for the results. Help me get through this!

   1. Hugs and thinking of you! Hope you get the results quickly.

   2. Btdt, and no advice except that this too will pass. Good luck!

   3. Sorry!!! I have routine colon screenings due to family history, and the waiting period is ALWAYS hard. The only thing that works is disconnected distraction. Go see a movie and turn your phone all the way off. Go hiking and turn data off. Help a friend move house. Rip out that garden bed that seems overgrown. Repaint your bathroom. Basically, whatever you can do that keeps your hands busy and you away from screens will help!

      1. Oh echo this, and I will include that you might want a bias for permanent projects that improve your life – this isn’t the time to do weekly chores, but maybe touch up that scratched-up wall with the paint, plant perennials, and do other things that make you feel like your life is really moving forward. This has been really helpful for me in similar situations.

   4. Sending good vibes!

   5. When I am in this situation, I find that it is most helpful to have one friend or family member that I confide in. It helps the anxiety.

6. WWYD? A family member is asking me for help in their job hunt. The issue is that they’re applying for VP, Director and Sr. Director experience at Fortune 500 companies (or smaller companies with a stated $250k+ salary) but they don’t have the experience that would help them land those kind of roles. They were an entrepreneur/solo founder of a startup for 10+ years and currently work as a Sr. Manager equivalent at a large multinational firm. Do I (a) gently explain what recruiters are looking for with those job bands/titles? (b) critique the resume as asked and say nothing else (c) none of the above? (I know that it would be possible for some solo founders to move into those kind of positions but I just don’t see this person excelling in the kind of role they’re trying to move into–they are very *anti corporate* and I just don’t think they’d enjoy a role that’s heavy in red tape and politics). This person will probably also react badly to a reality check about the current job market and what recruiters will look for in a candidate.

   1. B!

   2. Depends on which family member it is for me. Regardless, you have said they won’t react well to your comments, so I vote-let the universe deliver this message rather than you. (Option b). I believe that the recruiters will let him/her know whether they are a viable candidate. You being the one to give the feedback will just end badly for you.

      1. I do really like this person and get along well with them. I also feel for them because the motivation to try and get these roles is to alleviate some financial pressure they’re experiencing.

   3. Critique the resume only. The job market will do the rest. It’s impossible for well-qualified people to get through the screening layers these days; your relative won’t ever get a chance.

      1. Yeah when they were talking to me about how they want a position that’s the “next step up” I gently suggested that they’d be competing against people who have been doing these roles for 10+ years and that blew their mind.

      2. Yeah in one conversation when they were talking about applying for a “stretch” or a “step up” I mentioned that they’d be competing against candidates who had been dong that role for 10+ years and it totally blew their mind; they’d never even thought about the people who would be applying for the positions as a lateral or a step down.

   4. Def B. Help based on what’s requested and say no more.

   5. Contrary option – I am also applying for jobs and I would really value advice like yours – down to the “some companies are posting similar job title with what looks to me like similar requirements at 250k salary and some are 100k – what gives? what am I missing?”.

      If I asked a friend to look at my resume, and they offered some advice on what my resume would translate to at their company, that would be golden. Of course, you know this person, and if you think they would react badly, I assume you have good reason to think that – but on it’s own “hey, you would be a competitive senior manager candidate here for XYZ reasons, but not likely at the Director level” doesn’t sound like overstepping to me.

   6. I’m surprised by the number of people saying B. I would very gently do A. Not get into it too much, but like you said state what recruiters expect for that level. Not “you don’t have the creds”, more “these are the needed creds”

   7. B. Plus, I think it’s perfectly reasonable to apply for director roles if you’re a Senior Manager. It’s the next step and a very normal career progression, right?

      1. I think, yes, there could be someone who ran a startup for 10 years and then had a couple years as an IC in corporate could becoming a director from blind applying, but I just don’t see it happening in this case. They don’t really have experience managing people (startup was a solo venture) and I don’t see a lot of IC Director positions (SMEs really) in this field (most have been whittled away by layoffs).

   8. C. If this person is liable to react badly to feedback, they’re liable to blame you if their resume doesn’t work the way they want it to.

7. First time home buyer here. I’ll have time to kill in the house for 3-4 hours during the inspection. What should I do while I have access? Things like noting which window treatments we need to add or replace, taking pictures of areas that weren’t in the listing photos, etc. We’d like to start thinking about the tasks we should do before move-in and identify some of the miscellaneous improvements/fixes we should plan for.

   1. measure measure measure!

      1. Came here to say the same thing. Take measurements of each room so you can play around with furniture placement.

      2. Yes, and take notes – I sketch out all the rooms and note the measurements and do rough sketches of where furniture will go. You’d be shocked how often you need an anew couch and dining table.

   2. Watch the inspector, especially if there is a basement. Maybe 80% your issues arise there. Rotting beam? Water? Critters? And talk to him about what he is seeing.

      1. Agreed, this is not the time to be measuring for curtains, its the time to follow the inspector and see what they see and ask questions! We actually had to fire our first inspector because he did such a cursory job. He was dressed business casual, did not go into the crawlspace or the attic, and generally seemed unskilled for the job he had. We hired a second person instead who was very down and dirty, explained what he was looking for an what he found, pointed things out to us that we needed to see but would not necessarily go into the inspection, and answered a million questions that we had because we knew nothing about owing a home. Learn from your inspector! Measure curtains later.

   3. Things like refinishing floors, painting, and even replacing gas appliances with electric are all easier to do before you live there.

   4. IME the inspector will point things out to you as they go/tell you where it will appear in the report. Take notes so that you remember what the inspector said. Good luck!

      1. Yes, agreed. Most inspectors will point out helpful info like “this is where to find the shut off valve” or “this furnace is X years old and the model generally lasts for Y years.” You won’t have 3 hours to kill.

   5. Follow them around and ask questions about what they’re writing down. And yes, measure!

   6. I appreciate the find out what they’re seeing advice, but be warned that they can’t see inside walls and that’s where expensive problems live. Like electrical and dry rot. It’s worth looking around the windows for signs of water intrusion and finding out if the electrical has ever been upgraded. Regardless of what the inspection finds, save about 50k for repairs and my advice is don’t wait to do a kitchen or a bathroom if that’s on your list – finding problems usually comes up during a renovation and sometimes that’s great because you find a problem sooner.

   7. Take notes for every room. Measure everything. Be on the lookout for any concerns/issues that might have been hidden during showings….for example, If there are hardwood floors covered up by rugs, look under the rugs for signs of floor damage. Open all the doors, drawers, etc. to make sure they are all working smoothly and nothing is off track. Stick your head in all the appliances. Will the inspector show you how to operate the HVAC, any other mechanicals? Also…don’t necessarily rely on the inspector to see every issue. They have a checklist, but they might miss things. As a seller, we had an inspector fully miss a leaky kitchen pipe (with a bucket clearly visible in the undersink cabinet) that arose the morning of a showing. As a buyer, we found a gorgeous leaded glass pocket door that the seller never featured. Moral of the story is…..poke around.

   8. Take photos and measurements – or, follow the inspector around and ask them to explain all the systems in the house to you. I wish I did this. I moved in and had no idea what type of boiler/hot water heater we had (complicated combo system), how the radiant floor heating worked, how many and where the HVAC systems were located, where the electric panels are, where the main water shut off is, etc…

   9. Ask where the furnace filters are, where the electrical boxes are, and where the water cut-off is.

   10. do the floors before you move in! that’s the biggest one. any window replacements or things like that. if the kitchen or bathrooms need an upgrade, think about whether you can do those before you move in.

       if you want to do any full-house wiring additions like for wifi or security then you might want to do that before you move in, too.

   11. If you’re planning a whole house repaint, bring the paint chips you’re considering with you. You will have a head start on selecting your color that way, although you’ll ultimately still probably want to put a patch on the wall to see how it dries before going forward. But this will help you get down to 2-3 candidates so you can pick up the pots before closing and get the patches on the walls the day you get the keys.

   12. You’re supposed to be with the inspector, following them around.

   13. You’re paying for an inspection- it’s worth following the inspector around, ask questions about what they’re seeing and whether it’s a common or unusual or costly problem.

       You’ll get their unfiltered opinions which are worth so much compared to a report- if they wince or start documenting a region, pay attention. For example, major structural problems or needing to completely rewire could be reasons to back out of a sale, and the sooner you know that they’re problems the more time you have to say, get quotes or decide to pull your offer.

       You’ll also immediately know where the main water shutoff is, where the HVAC system is and how old it is, where the electrical panel is and what sort of shape it’s in and other key house things.

       1. Follow the inspector, spend the time asking them questions, get their opinion, pick their brain, point out issues that you notice.

          Those few hours go fast.

8. toiletry packing tips from seasoned travelers – I fly probably 5-9 times per year. mostly for family trips, but sometimes just grown up trips. i don’t travel for work. every time i need to pack for a trip, I get very overwhelmed by packing makeup/toiletries. i feel like i dont travel enough to have duplicates of everything (won’t the makeup, vitamin c, etc. all go bad before I use it), but even with a check list, i seem to always forget something and be rushing the morning of. something also always leaks – whether it is the kids’ detangler or my leave in conditioner or whatever. tips from the more seasoned travelers to make this smoother and feel like less work?

   1. Are you generally an organized person and for some reason just haven’t figured out travel? Or are you generally disorganized, travel included? If it’s the former, Organized People tactics will work well for you. If it’s the latter, then you’ll need to work out what DOES work for you, that suits the way you think and live.

      On a practical level, I travel about the same amount you do, and I absolutely have a duplicate toiletry bag packed and ready to go, with the basics I always use (I’m not a complicated beauty-routine person). Nothing leaks — it’s always in small leak-proof bottles, not the full-size ones. And I wrap the one small spray bottle that’s iffy into a ziploc bag so if it’s leaks, the damage is minimal.

      1. i am generally an organized person. i don’t use a lot of products, but alastin eye product, revision vitamin C, bobby brown powder, a concealer, a sunscreen/moisturizer – a bunch of those are pricey and i feel like the duplicates would go and before i use them, sometimes the trips are 3 days, but sometimes they are 2+ weeks.

         1. Would you use up the duplicates before they go bad if you cycle them – ie. when you use up your “at-home” bottle, the travel bottle becomes the new at-home bottle?

            Or alternate idea: Duplicate bag packed with everything that doesn’t expire quickly/isn’t expensive (toothpaste, deodorant, kid shampoo) and an index card checklist of the expensive stuff to add. Then at least you have fewer things to pack.

         2. You need to separate the two. For one, I have a toiletry bag packed with things like toothbrush, shampoo, band aids, etc. This never gets unpacked. I generally don’t get so attached to my face wash and moisturizer so use travel size samples from Sephora for that. For the other, I always keep my make up in a small makeup bag so I don’t need duplicates of that, it just comes with me. It works. Nothing spills.

   2. I keep my toiletries in travel bottles, and when I’m really on my A-game I make sure everything is topped up when I get home from a trip, so I don’t have to think about it next time, and can just grab the bag. I keep a travel size toothpaste and deodorant in there, plus a duplicate of my razor and toothbrush, decanted small bottles of face wash, makeup remover, moisturizer and sunscreen. I always keep my makeup in a pencil case, so I just grab that as well.

      I think the key is to avoid having to gather your toiletries every time. The flat pouch bottles from kitsch are my favorite and have never leaked: https://www.mykitsch.com/products/ultimate-travel-11pc-set-black-ivory

      1. This, down to the packaging I use. I fly a similar number of times (usually twice a year international), and I keep a separate bag of the “essentials” always packed. I don’t keep duplicates of literally everything, so I’m usually throwing an eyeliner and mascara in the bag before I go, but literally everything else is always packed.

         This is also helpful for overnights or weekend trips that don’t involve flying, but where I don’t want to drag full size skincare, etc.

   3. I have drugstore versions of my makeup and/or hoard samples of the good stuff for travel.

   4. I buy drugstore versions of my regulars and/or hoard samples of the good stuff.

   5. First off I never try to decant shampoo or whatever into those little travel bottles. They leak, they make a mess, it’s so stupid. I buy travel sizes of everything. Sephora has travel sizes for tons of hair/skincare/makeup products.

   6. Do travel-size bottles of everything but just fill them from your normal stash immediately when you get home. Then they’re ready to go. They won’t go bad in a month or two before your next trip. I use saran wrap under the screw tops of liquids to prevent leaks.

      For makeup, I pack anything special ahead of time (like ‘event’ products) and otherwise just fill the bag as I do my makeup the morning of travel.

   7. I really like the cadence capsules (and haven’t had leaks) but that won’t help with spray bottles. For spray stuff (which I try to avoid when traveling) I will buy travel sizes. I also hoard the gift with purchase versions of my skincare. If it’s a family trip I take drugstore versions of my makeup, for work (or if I have an event I’m going to) I’ll take the regular versions of makeup but keep them in my carry on bag.
      Otherwise my best tip is to ‘pack’ your toiletries on your counter/dresser a full day or two before you leave. Having my stuff out when I brush my teeth at night helps me realize ‘oh! I forgot toothpaste’ or ‘oh, I forgot to pack my night guard/eye drops/eyebrow pencil’. I also remind myself that there is always a CVS or sephora at my destination in case I forget something urgently needed.

   8. For as often as you travel, I’d do what I do – I keep a bag always packed with travel size things I use like shampoo, face cream, toothpaste, hair styling products, etc. I order the small sizes along with the larger ones so I always have them on hand and when I travel, I use the hotel stationery to note what was running low and slip it into the bag for next time. It lives with my travel supplies and is always ready to go. Saves hours of time. Makeup is different- I just use one bag every day and grab it for travel.

   9. Consider streamlining your toiletries for travel. Missing a few days of Vitamin C or other face serum likely won’t make any difference.

   10. For skin care, I bring a cleanser and moisturizer. La Mer normally has a sample palooza gift with purchase on Black Friday and I raid from that for travel for the year. Same for Sephora for mascara, etc. For hair, I will just buy the travel size from Sephora and leave those in my kit. For anything unexpected, I’ve normally been able to snag samples from either the local Sephora or beauty department at a high end department store. (Forever grateful to the nice lady at the New Orleans Saks that gave me all the samples when my three day work trip turned into 10 days.)

   11. I have a refillable toiletry kit that comes in its own plastic case. I prefer to decant my own products instead of buying whatever mini version they happen to sell. The kit lives in a big ziploc bag along with a razor, mini toothpaste, floss, and a few makeup removing wipes. I double bag it upside down in a second ziploc bag- it’s nearly impossible to leak this way.

       Pack your makeup bag the evening before your trip then do your nighttime and morning routine at home from your bag. It will be obvious if you forgot something. Don’t bother with a second set of travel sized makeup. You won’t use it often enough before some products go bad, and it’s harder to remember that you have a travel pressed powder but need to pack mascara.

   12. I have a perpetual packing list on my notes app. It has the regular stuff, and sections for business travel and international travel. You could add a kids section for yours. The first few times I added items to the list that I ended up forgetting or almost forgetting (pyjamas, husband taking a suit but not grabbing his dress shoes), now we basically live by the list each time we pack.

   13. I pack toiletries during my morning routine the day of travel so I don’t forget anything. Brush teeth –> pack travel toothpaste. Wash face –> pack travel face wash. Style hair –> pack hairdryer and styling products. Etc.

       I keep travel sizes upright in a bin in my bathroom since they leak and get nasty when shoved into a travel bag. Non-consumables that won’t get icky (e.g., comb, battery-powered electric toothbrush, Q-tips) live in my travel kit.

   14. I keep a small plastic toiletry bag for liquids stocked at all times, I refill when I get home. For weekend trips:
       – travel size toothpaste
       – decanted shampoo – Muji containers are good
       – decanted unscented soap
       – decanted miscellar water
       – decanted hair styling product
       – travel size concealer

       This bag also always has tweezers, mini toothbrush, nail file, safety pins, antihistamines, floss and hair bands.

       I only add my current mascara, foundation and moisturizer/spf when packing.

       Stick deodorant in the suitcase. Travel hairbrush, emergency solid shampoo, cotton rounds and razers live permanently in my suitcase

       For makeup I keep a small travel bag with extra brushes, eye liner, rouge and shadows, and only add my current setting powder when packing.

       Lippie in my regular bag, but I keep a travel size one as well.

9. My high schooler needs to record a 60-90 second glimpse video to send to colleges. She has been sick and has nothing left in the tank and would like advice or suggestions. Can anyone provide any tips on topic – whether to talk about 1 thing or a bunch of things, whether to make it interesting or just talk to the camera or any other advice?

   1. Suck it up, sometimes it doesn’t matter how you feel you need to perform anyway.

      1. Do you need a scarf or a sweater? Cause this is ice cold. She is 17 for goodness sake.

         1. 17 and going to college is precisely when this advice is necessary.

            1. She is sucking it up and doing it – in no way is the post insinuating she is not. She’s just asking for suggestions on how best to do the thing.

               So not only are you being unnecessarily mean, but you’re also unresponsive to the question. It’s free to scroll past.

      2. I took this advice when I was young and passed out cold. In retrospect, it’s stupid advice.

      3. Yeah, I don’t think making a short form video (wtf) for college admissions is really one of those times. But more fundamentally, it sounds like she IS sucking it up and is just trying to pick a topic. So this was both mean and unhelpful!

         1. It feels like there is one or maybe a handful of posters here who feel the need to chime in for any question with some variation of “why would you care/what’s wrong with you/you’re a terrible person who deserves whatever you posted about getting help with.”

      4. Uh, she is sucking it up? She’s asking for advice on *how,* not *whether.* Some of you need to stop finding excuses to satisfy your disciplinary fetish.

   2. It was pretty bad graduating in 2009 but I’d take that over the hoops kids have to jump thru now, good lord. Who’s even going to watch 1000s of 90-second videos?

      1. Agree. Sorry your kid has to do this. No suggestions, but hopefully she just won’t overthink it and can just be herself.

      2. Seriously. Is this just to weed out kids who don’t want to do various tasks for 10+ colleges and there t increase their yield? In which case, done > perfect and it’s just box ticking.

      3. I don’t think this is a standard thing. If she’s an athlete it might be an intro to coaches? But I have a niece who applied last year to a mix of Ivies, SLACs and State Us and didn’t have to do this ever.

      4. It’s optional and only at a handful of colleges (for now).

         1. The ones who want to confirm “fit”?

            1. Right??? How is this compatible with fair admissions criteria?

            2. ew

            3. As far as I can tell, the complexity or difficulty of a form, process, or portal doesn’t matter at all in the college admissions sphere. I guess the brilliant minds of the academy have determined that there is no equity issue related to difficulty of actually completing the applications.

            4. U Chicago is one of the ones I know who does it and they’ve always prided themselves on having a quirky and non-traditional application process – that was true in the 90s when I was looking at colleges. The video is optional and I don’t think most applicants do it.

   3. I would have her script something (or help her write it) with a quick intro (my name is, rising senior in X locale, interested in subject A, sport B, and extracurricular C). From there she can add in relevant background – I’m interested in subject A because, I’ve played sport at these levels since grade, and I enjoy extracurricular C because…). Coach her to smile (or have a pleasant neutral expression), not fidget, and look directly at the camera. If notecards help her those wouldn’t be a negative to me and sometimes having something to hold makes people more relaxed.

   4. Tell her to think of this as a TikTok that will make her interesting to the college.

      1. What a dystopian concept, ugh. Please name and shame the colleges so we can make sure we aren’t donating to them if we’re alumnae!

         1. Srsly please

            I have a kid in the spectrum and this just feels wrong, like they only want a certain type of kid who makes it into the view book.

            1. Yep. This is beyond gross unless it’s for a specific scholarship or program and the topic is why you’d be a good fit.

         2. OP here. The colleges who want this video include Duke, Vanderbilt, and UChicago. Brown wants an even longer video (1 min. 30 second to 2 minutes long), and Brown has required a video for a long time. They basically serve as interview-substitutes.

   5. Tell a story. Narrative is a powerful rhetorical tool.

   6. I oversee video at my company. Best advice I would give is to be well lit from the front. Do several tries. Even if it’s good the first time, you will usually think of different things as you go and feel more comfortable. You’ll also usually be less blinky. Some folks get more nervous as they go, but at least there will be a variety of takes to choose from. Don’t try to script everything. Instead, have bullet points in mind. It’s OK to practice the bullet points, but you want to still come across as natural. Try to work in at least one statistic with an achievement if possible. Pretend you are talking to someone–it’s like any other conversation. Don’t be shy about using your hands if you are a natural hand talker–it will come across as more dynamic. If you lose your train of thoght, pause and restart. Looking off camera can look shifty. If you are able t edit, then pausing and restarting will be less noticeable. Try to wear something colorful in a solid color. Remember that pretty much everyone else has no experience doing this and almost everyone hates the way they look or sound on camera. So pushing through and experimenting, you’ll find you are doing way better than you realize. Pretend you are talking to one of your favorite teachers, and you’ll naturally relax a bit. (Also, do a quick check–no stuff in pockets, no flyaway hairs, etc. just beforehand)

   7. Get her best friend to come over to help. Having someone of the same age to make her giggle and engage and feel comfortable would go a long way.

      (Also what in the dystopia is a college admissions glimpse video?)

   8. sigh

   9. Yeah I mean, this needs to come from her. She at least needs to be the one to do the Google search “ideas for college admissions videos.”

      1. OP – she Google searched and also used ChatGPT, but there’s no consensus. Some people say you should cover your favorite activity/extracurricular and others say that you should talk about something not mentioned at all. Some say pick one topic and go with it and others recommend the opposite. It is totally maddening.

   10. What an awful application requirement. There is no way to do it right and there are ten thousand ways to do it wrong.

       My kid is a sophomore and never heard of this type of requirement. She did have to send in screening videos of herself performing, but she’s a music major.

       1. My kid did an arts supplement that required a video and all I could think about was the line, “I even hired a Coppola to direct my admissions video!” from Legally Blonde.

          1. That was my first thought when I saw the original post. Did your daughter’s video have to be some fancy produced and edited thing? For music it *can’t* be edited–it has to be the whole piece in a single take with nothing extra except for a title screen.

             1. It wasn’t fancy – just putting a couple of dance solos and duets into a single video with title cards and adding an arrow in one of them. Of course, some schools wanted each type of dance as a separate video, some wanted them as a single video, because Goddess forbid it be the same format for every school. Kid isn’t interested in majoring but it is one of her big/interesting activities.

             2. No it doesn’t have to be fancy, and as someone who has worked in admissions (though not at a school with this requirement) my guess is they generally favor the videos that seem less produced and edited.

   11. I’m so sorry your child has been asked to do this. It really shouldn’t be necessary.

       My thought would be to frame it as the interview question ’Tell me about yourself’ and answer it accordingly.

       I agree with the person who said this is not fair on neurodivergent teens or those who come from less wealthy backgrounds. It’s just a horrible idea that is lazy on the part of the admissions team. This is what interviews are for.

       1. OP here – thanks for the sympathy. I think this is basically intended to be an interview substitute. Colleges are getting too many applicants these days so they can’t give everyone an interview, so they add on this optional thing. However, with “demonstrated interest” in the school being important, kids are being told they need to do everything that’s optional. It’s a relatively new thing (last couple of years) for most colleges; Brown has had one for several years.

          1. I worked in admissions at my Ivy alma mater although before this was a thing. If it’s an optional thing like an interview, it’s probably the case that it can only help and can’t hurt. It’s extraordinarily rare for an interview to tank an applicant unless the kid talks about doing something criminal or sociopathic. So the same interview advice probably applies – just be yourself and don’t overthink it. If the college hasn’t given you a specific topic or prompt, it’s open-ended and whatever your child wants to talk about is fine.

   12. 60 seconds is not much time so she should talk about one thing, perhaps “what makes me different than other applicants.” If she looks sick, I would even focus on that. I want to come to your school so much that…. Whatever she chooses, she should write out her script word for word and read it out loud a few times. Wording often sounds better in our heads than spoken out.

       1. “I want to go there so much I’ll do this even when I’m ill” is not a good idea.

          My advice (as someone who has worked at a college for 20 years, though not in admissions): don’t repeat what can be found on the application, and don’t list a bunch of things. Pick one thing and talk about it authentically and passionately (ironically, that takes some rehearsal). A key thing they care about, a moment that really clarified an intellectual or personal interest, a way of understanding the world that comes from something genuine.

          1. This is good advice although it’s not a disaster to repeat something on the application, it just won’t be as helpful as new information.
             -someone who did work in admissions, although a while ago now

10. Reposting this for traffic.

    Question about easy style… I’m just emerging from a very rocky 5 years which was preceded by 15 years in an abusive marriage. My confidence is slowly increasing, and things that I used to do as a young adult are starting to be within reach again, like stilling my hair and wearing make up. However, life looks different now as I have young children, and am between jobs (doing freelance tutoring during my kids school hours and after they’re in bed) so money is tight.

    My kids have a decent basic wardrobe each, but my own clothes are very worn out with no style really (think Costco basics from years ago, been through the dryer quite a bit, bobbly sweaters etc). I’m likely to end up working remotely as a consultant (I’ve sent out letters to local businesses and have ordered business cards, and will follow up with phone calls) so nothing fancy, but I’d like to look put together as it will help with confidence and self esteem.

    Any pointers?

    PS I know this is an old fashioned approach to consulting. It’s intentional as I live in a part of the country where things are still very relationship driven, and I’m new to the area. There aren’t any major corporations here, which would be a great fit as my experience is in corporate finance/business partnering for large corporations. My only fairly strong connection is with the local church, so I’m doing the letter/website/business card approach.

    If you read this far, thank you and please be kind.

    1. Pointers:
       1. Think in outfits, not items. Start by buying one complete entry-level “consultant” outfit. Picture yourself walking into one of the businesses you’ve contacted, to meet with the owner. What type of outfit will you need that will make you feel confident? Buy that. Be sure that you have shoes, socks/tights (or whatever you wear in chilly weather), shirt/blouse, blazer/jacket, appropriate coat, and bag. The whole look. Once you have that outfit, buy a second blouse/shirt for it.
       2. Then repeat the same process with one complete casual outfit that makes you feel confident and stylish.
       3. Even if you’re buying from a clearance rack at JC Penny, be picky about cut, color, and fit. Reject “it’ll do” unless you absolutely have to have an item on a deadline.

       1. This is basically what I’ve been doing. I don’t need full suits, just something formal. Being picky about only getting things I love has helped. I got some good stuff from Marshalls near me – I think because it was more helpful to be able to try a lot of brands vs just walking in to J Crew.

          I like work dresses because its a full outfit. I have a neutral colored dress so I can wear different blazers on it too.

          And then I did what you mentioned about having a pant + third piece and buying multiple shirts that go with that.

    2. I think one thing that could be useful is to reach out to business contacts of yours. Is there someone you used to work with? Might be worthwhile to reach out! Is there someone from church (or elsewhere) who does something related to what you want to do, see if you can catch up/have coffee/do an informational interview. You don’t directly have to ask them for a job (and might be best if you don’t), but it is an opportunity to showcase your skills/interests and you can ask them if there’s anyone else they would recommend you talk to. This should be good for network building.

    3. first of all, huge kudos to you for getting out and rebuilding a life for you and your kids. do you live near an organization like Dress for Success as you’d be able to get a week’s worth of free clothing

       1. It would probably be a good idea to do this, but I’m too embarrassed to ask for help. I had a fairly senior management role during the early part of my marriage, and with the dented confidence then becoming a mother, I was unable to continue in role and am struggling to be able to hold down any paid work, hence the tutoring.

          It’s a great suggestion though, and if I was much younger or fresh out of college I’d definitely go there.

11. Happy election day to my fellow NYC-ers. The number of people I know casually who believe the allegations against Andrew Cuomo but are voting for him anyway depresses me. When does this become disqualifying?

    1. Why are these your candidates? In a city of millions, this is depressing. I’d vote for whomever won’t make Jessica Tisch quit — this is who NYC really needs.

       1. I mean all three candidates said they would keep her on so the only person making her quit is Jessica Tisch?

          1. I would like to keep the guy who put her in role. He was terrible until he wasn’t as bad as the alternatives.

    2. I would vote for Cuomo if I lived there. I can’t stand the guy, but it’s a lesser of two evils thing for me. Same way my dad who’s a lifelong Clinton-hater held his nose and voted for Hillary.

       1. +1 except I do live here. Really worried about education with kids in public school in nyc. Plus lack of experience.

       2. Wow, so you’d rather vote for a sex offender than a brown guy?

          1. That’s not it, sorry love.

          2. I posted above. It is not about race or religion for me. It is that he has so little experience. I work in city govt and it’s a mess. I wish I could have voted for Kathryn Garcia but here we are. Also many proposals are not possible. The mayor does not control the MTA. Sure he or she can appoint board members but it is state controlled. (Re the free buses).

          3. This is such a funny throwback comment. Like, it’s such an obviously dumb and tired take that I can’t believe someone seriously typed it out.

          4. No, of course not, but I would (and did) vote for an accused harasser with governing experience rather than a socialist raised in privilege who has barely ever had a real job and whose policies I believe are likely to seriously damage our city and hurt our children. It’s about policy and experience, and making sure the city is a safe place for people who can’t afford to insulate themselves from crime and disorder, not race or religion or ethnicity.

             1. This such a soft take on Cuomo and his own work history and track record.

             2. +1 million.

          5. It’s not about him being brown, it’s about his policies.

             I also think Dems are seriously underestimating what a disaster this is going to be for the national party. You can’t win presidential elections without winning some Midwest and Rust Belt states and people there hate socialism and ultra progressive policies. Having this guy as the mayor of NYC will make it much harder for all the red and purple state Dems in 2026 and those people are much more important to the survival of our country than Mamdani.

             1. Midwest and Rust Belt states are also not fond of condescending establishment centrists so there was no winning.

             2. I agree that a candidate like Cuomo would not be electable in much of the Midwest, but it’s much easier for Midwestern centrist Dems to distinguish themselves from him as a person than from the movement that Mamdani represents. The word “socialism” will follow every Democratic candidate in 2026 and 2028 and probably cause huge problems in much of the country. That wouldn’t be an issue with Cuomo who could be dismissed as one of those coastal elite guys.

       3. Same here. There’s a zero percent chance I’d vote for a socialist and antisemite like Mandami.

          1. Being against a genocide is not antisemitism.

             1. Sure, Jan.

             2. Thank you! Am I the only one more offended by Americans worshipping n@zis than Americans criticizing Israel’s government?

             3. +1 and those who flippantly say otherwise seem willfully oblivious that they have tipped their hand about their own character.

             4. but defending one is racism

       4. I don’t like Mamdani, but surely Cuomo is the more evil candidate on an evilometer.

          1. I do hope he wins though. But at least the people voting for Sliwa aren’t bowing to MAGA like the Cuomo voters.

             1. In the crazy small world of things, one of Sliwa’s ex-wives went on to marry former NY governor David Patterson.

    3. When he gets arrested. That’s when it becomes *almost* disqualifying. When he gets convicted by a jury of his peers is when it’s real. You might not like innocent until proven guilty, but I prefer it.

       1. You might not expect to hold elected officials to a higher standard, but I do. If I was checking references for a job candidate and harrasssment allegations came up I would not hire them. Sorry to hear that you would.

       2. In my world there is a lot of behavior that’s not illegal that’s still disqualifying.

          1. Yes, good grief! Are you saying that even if somebody won a civil suit against somebody, that still wouldn’t be enough for you? I think that’s nuts. There is a huge gap between “I don’t want somebody to go to prison on this evidence” and “this is plenty of evidence for me to not want this guy to be my mayor/governor/president.”

       3. “You might not like innocent until proven guilty, but I prefer it.”

          You seem confused. No one is advocating for putting him in jail. Hope that helps!

          1. “Hope that helps” is satisfying to type but always reads as obnoxious.

    4. I truly believe that Mamdani will win handily, and we’ll know the outcome within an hour of polls closing. I hope that there will be a reckoning at some point for those willing to vote for Cuomo despite everything, but I’m not holding my breath.

       1. What kind of reckoning are you imagining?

       2. Hoping for the best. May someone finally take down the ruling class. But realistically he will ‘fall out a window’, he’s too dangerous to the oligarchs.

          1. Hi Russian bot!

          2. Realistically he’ll probably fall in line, but it’s nice to hope for change.

          3. More likely he will simply be completely ineffectual because so much of what he is proposing is outside of the mayor’s actual control and he does not have the temperament or the experience for the kinds of compromises he would have to make to get others on board.

    5. Yikes it seems we have a few temporarily embarrassed billionaires in the mix.

       1. There has not yet been a single intelligent take in this thread.

          1. Word.

             1. It is quite shocking. And very sad.

    6. i’d vote Cuomo in a heartbeat if I lived in NYC. while i think the allegations against him are disgusting, Mamdani is an antisemite a huge hypocrite and has no experience.

       1. How is cuomo not a hypocrite for calling mandani a nepotism baby? Maybe if your dad was also the governor you take it easy on that stuff?

          1. but Mamdani comes from a very wealthy family, and all of his nonsense about how billionaires shouldn’t exist, but millionaires are ok? i dont really like either choice, but as the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, I could not vote for someone who refuses to condemn Hamas and is not in favor of its disarmament. I don’t know if I’d feel safe as a Jew living in a city with him as Mayor

             1. according to Wikipedia, he did condemn Hamas, the attacks and the groups celebrating the attacks. Where are you getting your info from?

             2. I mean yeah? I’m technically a millionaire but I’m very much still a middle class person who is extremely different than a billionaire? And mandani may be privileged but privileged people can advocate for poor folks to get social services. Thats not the same hypocrisy of being the son of a governor who also became the governor and then accusing someone else of benefiting from nepotism?

                Sorry youre scared of Muslims existing. I get it I’m scared of trump and his n@zis. Oh and cuomo is pledging allegiance to him.

             3. He did condemn Hamas. Please stop lying on the Internet.

             4. You should check out those videos where they use grains of rice to illustrate the difference between millionaires and billionaires.

       2. No experience sounds bad until you measure it up against what Cuomo has experience in. People want better.

          1. Then better should’ve run. Both are terrible. I’d probably just stay home.

             1. I think it’s worth ruining Cuomo’s day. He deserves it.

                The Democrat party has a lot of work to do though.

          2. Mamdani was raised in a privileged environment and has never really had a job.

             1. Again, he’s running against Andrew Cuomo. It cancels out.

          3. I think Democrats are the Goldilocks party. So much air time for Biden not having stepped aside in time for new voices, but Mamdani is too inexperienced, and we’ve had conversations on this board where many said, for example, Buttigieg is too inexperienced. Who is “just right?”

             1. Agree with this take. The Democrats are out here defeating themselves.

             2. Amen.

    7. It stopped being disqualifying in 2016.

       1. I didn’t vote for ZM in the primary but will today. He’s not my 1st choice but I think he will be absolutely fine. So much of the criticism you hear of him is the same as we heard with Obama. And a NY mayor can do a lot less damage than POTUS. I’m not worried.

          I also don’t know how much more he can do to try to reassure people that he isn’t antisemitic before it stops being about what he said in the past and just about what people want to believe now to justify their vote. The man took some naive positions when he was younger which wasn’t that long ago, yes, but he has done everything to shift to the center since realizing he could be mayor; why is that bad? As someone who lives in NYC it’s been so interesting to see so many young people be excited about him and to see all the 40 & above crowd just absolutely panic. Maybe we’re just getting old, guys?

          1. This almost entirely squares with my opinion as a millennial with two kids in public schools in Queens.

       2. I’m afraid you’re right. I posted above but I have been wondering because my boss went from loudly proclaiming I would never vote for Cuomo I have a daughter and went to the women’s march to voting for him ‘because he has experience’.

12. spray tan is the best beach beauty tip for me. aren’t you wearing sunglasses most of the day and can’t see lashes/brows anyway?

    1. Lash extension fan here, fwiw I love them on beach vacations because they take away the need to do anything else in the evening – they’re shower and go and look great.

    2. OP from the question – not while I’m in the water (which is a lot) or at a beach bar for lunch, etc. I think I’ll try a tint and see if I like it.

13. Happy Election Day to the NJ people too! I took care of voting (for Mikie) during early voting.

    1. I’m from another part of the ny area but I feel like I’ve met her opponent at least a million times in my life and he’s always punching down and being awful. He’s an archetype that gives me the creeps.

       1. He lost twice before so here’s hoping we get to make him a three time loser.

    2. Here’s hoping for another loss for Jack.

    3. Woo hoo! We were out early with our kids and it felt good to use our votes to reject MAGA after all the awful things happening this year.

14. Very niche question for lawyers/real estate people: do you use any type of software or AI to double check the legal description on the deeds you are preparing?

    1. No

    2. I don’t understand why AI has made people forget that technology can be used in ways that doesn’t involve a computer just making stuff up.

    3. What is AI or other software looking for? Repeated or missed words? To be clear, this is not a “how could a legal description go wrong?” question; it’s a “How would AI be helpful? question, and it’s genuine–this could be relevant to my life!

       1. OP here- I am looking for a software (or AI) that could double check a description for repeated or missed words. I manually check all of my legals and have other staff members check. However, in today’s world I am curious if there is a resource that would also be helpful.

    4. We do not.

    5. Yeah, wow, absolutely not. AI would not be trustworthy with that kind of thing at all. You do a hard double check manually (usually with multiple people).

    6. No, if I have any doubt I run it by a surveyor.

    7. Given that the source documents I’m working from are all in paper, I don’t see how AI could help. OCR doesn’t work that well on the source documents.

15. Does anyone know what the “in” beauty brands for middle schoolers are? Is Sol de Janeiro still popular?

    1. Yes, and Tree Hut seems to be popular, too.

       Bubble skincare is a more budget-friendly brand at Target that the tweens like.

       1. Thank you!

    2. I follow Carolina Charm – she has a tween daughter and shares her tween must-have wishlists to the point of overexposure IMHO but useful for you?

    3. There was a post on Wardrobe Oxygen recently about gift ideas for tweens and teenagers.

    4. Summer Fridays.

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