Ask Belle Roundup Vol. 13
Jul 18, 2011
Dear Belle,
My boyfriend and I recently moved in together, and we’re splitting up the chores as best we can. He does the yard work, I do the laundry. I didn’t realize that boy laundry is not the same as girl laundry.
Any tips on how to get those ugly, yellow underarm stains out of his shirts? And what do you do about grass stains?
Lord, bless Heloise for her housekeeping and stain removal tips. In fact, I love her advice so much that I keep her stain removal calendar taped to my fridge.
For grass stains, Heloise recommends a pre-treater like Shout. I also add an in wash booster like OxyClean or Tide Boost. You should let the pre-soak sit for at least 20 minutes before you wash.
As for the underarm stains, sadly, those are not limited just to the boys. The yellowing is caused by a reaction between the salt in your sweat and the aluminum in most deodorants and anti-perspirants.
To remove these stains, I like to add white vinegar to my wash. If that doesn’t do it for you (sometimes the stains are just too strong), mix a solution of one part water, one part peroxide and one part baking soda. Apply this to the stain and give it a light scrub before you wash.
Dear Belle,
I have a blind date this Friday with a friend’s co-worker but I have no idea what to wear. We’re going to Rustico for dinner and then drinks with our mutual friend and her husband. I know they’ll all be dressed in post-casual Friday attire, so I don’t want to be overdressed. Any advice?
C
On a blind date, it’s important the you look good and feel comfortable in what you’re wearing. The situation is already uncomfortable enough, your wardrobe shouldn’t add to that.
That being said, I usually recommend against buying something brand new for a date unless you have time to give it a trial run first. This means wearing it once so that you know if it itches, if it’s a little too sheer or if it needs alterations. That being said, this is the kind of ensemble that I usually recommend for a first date.
Sundresses in bright colors are fun, flirty and just casual enough for a Friday night dinner date. Add a drop earring in a complimentary color to draw attention to your eyes, and a delicate bracelet in the same metal. I’ve also added a cork clutch (it’s different and unfussy) and a simple but soft flat sandal.
Belle,
I have a question for you about summer foundation. I’m spending a lot of time by the pool this summer, and as a result my skin is darker than my foundation. I really don’t want to go out and buy a foundation that is several shades darker than my regular skin tone or that may not be dark enough at the end of the summer.
Any advice of a versatile foundation that I could wear all summer long?
-Karli
The trick to versatile summertime foundation is actually quite simple if you use liquid foundation. Go to the makeup counter and buy a foundation that is the darkest you think you will get this summer. Make sure you buy the same brand and formula as your current foundation.
As the summer wears on, use a foundation brush to mix the darker shade with your normal shade. The darker you get, the more dark foundation you will mix in. This way you only have to buy one foundation that you can mix with your regular foundation to achieve the perfect tone all summer long.
I love that Oasis dress. When you look at the video of it being modeled the colors seem very different than the photos. Belle, have you ordered from here before and have insights as to whether the colors run lighter or darker than the photos?
Two more tips:
1. My mom sprays my dad's undershirts and white dress shirts with shout or something similar every time before putting them in the wash. This prevents the buildup that discolors the shirts.
2. Fantastik is amazing! Spray it on stains and the stains come out. Sometimes you have to spray it a couple of times but put it on the washer and spray it every time you walk past and within a week you're good to go. I have a wedding dress and a college sweatshirt to back me up.