Ask the Editor: Vol. III, No. Twelve

Mar 2, 2022

This week, on Ask the Editor, we’re tackling the tough questions.  Okay, not really.  Let’s talk about fashion and beauty and home and stuff.  (Yep, stuff.)

Hello!

Do you have a recommendation for a chic desk lamp? Or perhaps somewhere to look for one?

Thank you! BN

Wayfair always has a lot of choices for home decor.  This all white desk lamp has a modern look.  This brass one also caught my eye. Target has this unique globe lamp (so cool) and this wooden base mini lamp.  And don’t forget about Etsy, this origami table lamp and this very unique Heng Balance Lamp.

Abra,

I can’t find a decent no-show sock.  The three brands I’ve tried are all cheap and wear out quickly.  Can you help me find a sock to keep my feet dry that don’t fray to get holes after two wears?

Good luck on the bar! Ellen

I buy these Wernies no-show socks to wear with moccasins.  They don’t wear out quickly, but they’re not as sturdy as I would like.  But I’m told by another blogger who I trust that these thicker, cushion socks hold up better.

Hi Abra,

Longtime reader here! You completely saved me from freezing on the metro and looking like an Ann Taylor mannequin when I moved from San Diego to DC for work.I’m hoping you can work your magic for an upcoming work trip I have.

I have to go to Hawaii and the end of May and I need to look professional but weather and locale appropriate. My job allowed me to move back to SD and work remotely so the only work clothes I have are still ones from DC which will not work. I will be there for a week and I’m trying to look “business casual,” but still polished. Any advice is greatly appreciated (petites greatly appreciated)!

Thank you, Kirina

I have never been to Hawai’i, but I understand it’s hot and humid most of the time.  Thus, I would skip pants and go for dresses made with natural materials.

Boden has both misses and petites sizes.  This floral maxi is a great choice.  This cut-work shirt dress comes in two colors.  This lemon print dress is also fab.

Banana is another great place to shop for petites.  This poplin shirt dress is sleek and business casual.

Not petite?  Faherty Brand has this white cotton voile maxi dress and this floral print cotton dress are both gorgeous.

Hi Abra,

Can you help me find a face wipe that works for sensitive skin?  Burt’s Bees and all of the micellar water wipes did not work for me.  I tried the Makeup Eraser but I don’t do laundry enough to make it workable.

Stella

For me, the only makeup removing wipe I use is the Honey Pot wipe for sensitive skin (also at Target).  Honey Pot is a Black-owned brand that makes really fantastic feminine care products.

If you liked the Makeup Wipes, or if readers are looking for a waste-free makeup removal solution, try the 7-piece set.  No need to worry that you’re not washing it enough when you have a new one every day.

Hello, 

Sephora discontinued my favorite eyeliner.  Do you have a suggestion for a liquid liner that is easy to apply and really black?  

DK

My favorite splurge-priced liner is this Charlotte Tilbury Feline Flick Liner (also in dark brown).  For a drugstore product, this Wet-n-Wild liner is a great option.

{this post contains affiliate links may generate commission for the author}

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  1. Eleni says:

    Stance makes a great pair of no show socks. I have the Bombas no show as well but they are almost too thin for me. For face wipes, I always go back to the Ursa Major face wipes. I find them hydrating and soothing.

  2. Sarah says:

    Re Hawaii. I went for vacation last summer, not work, but I did learn when prepping that business casual is CASUAL. For men, business wear is a Hawaiian shirt. It’s one of those weird places I may worry about being overdressed versus under. And I usually err on overdressing.

  3. Elizabeth says:

    Smartwool makes amazing no show socks. They don’t slip down and they’re very comfortable. I’ve worn them exclusively for years, and I can usually find them on sale at REI.

    • Anne says:

      Second this. They’re relatively thin, not hot at all, and I have a pair that’s over 3 years old and you’d never know it.

  4. Michelle says:

    For the desk lamp searcher- I use wayfair to find style furniture and things I like, then search for that item elsewhere and 99.5% of the time find the exact same item much cheaper. Normally at amazon, walmart or target.

    For the Hawai’i work visitor- If you are going to Honolulu city proper, I still saw people dressed in pretty DC normal business casual dress during the work week, along with some men in khakis and aloha shirts. So I’d suggest pack a pencil skirt and comfortable blouse or normal business casual dress just in case you get there and you are underdressed. My other suggestion is to just bring your brighter colors and prints.

    Outside of the city of Honolulu, I didn’t see anyone walking around in a pencil skirt or typical work dress in O’ahu. Can’t speak to any of the other islands though.

  5. Jules says:

    I’ve been living and working in Hawaii for ten years, and we are definitely on the very causal end of business casual!

    I like Abra’s picks, but you will be overdressed and also very sweaty 🙂

    When I meet with vendors who come to Hawaii from the mainland, the women are usually wearing dark pants with some sort of a blouse. That would be considered appropriate in almost any industry including finance. We don’t do suits or fancy clothes, esp since COVID.

    Shoe-wise, as long as they aren’t flip flops they will be considered fancy.

    If you need a visual, you can image search things like “Hawaii networking event” and other conventions. You can google some images
    I don’t work with these organizations, but the photos of how the women are dressed are fairly typical of what you’d see : https://hihfma.org/
    https://mobile.twitter.com/prsahawaii
    This link is old but I promise you they way ppl dress has not changed https://www.midweek.com/bank-hawaii-young-professionals-mixer/
    https://www.midweek.com/chamber-commerce-young-professionals-mixer/

  6. Anne says:

    I bought a makeup eraser recently to see what the fuss was about. Dumbfounded to discover it was just a little square of Minky fabric, which goes for $13 a yard! If you like what it does, buy a yard, and you can cut it up into dozens of washcloths with no worries about doing laundry more than every two weeks. No sewing involved, as it doesn’t ravel. https://www.fabric.com/apparel-fashion-fabric-minky-fabric.aspx

  7. Amanda says:

    The ELF felt-tip liner is really great. It’s $3 and comes in black and dark brown (which I prefer– it’s a bit less harsh on me).

    https://www.target.com/p/e-l-f-eyeliner-pen-0-05-fl-oz/-/A-51168122?preselect=14653404#lnk=sametab

  8. Lauren says:

    I’ve been eyeing this dress and think it would be perfect for a Hawaii business trip!

    https://www.jmclaughlin.com/winifred-cap-sleeve-dress-solid-light-blue.html

  9. Chloe says:

    I love my Kat Von D tattoo eye liner!

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