No one’s perfect. But a few easy tips and tricks will help you look polished and avoid seeing yourself as a “Don’t” in a magazine.
I’ve got “winter prickle.” It’s easy to forget to shave your legs in the winter, but keeping track of your razor days is smart. It lets you be ready to slip on a skirt whenever. It helps you feel ready to cuddle on the couch after the kids go to bed or head out with friends. And it helps you avoid embarrassment should you partner up for sit-ups at the gym. Just pick the days of the week when you have the most time in the morning, and stick to shaving on them each week. Remember that lower temperatures mean drier skin, so be sure to use shaving cream or gel and a razor with a moisture strip (try Venus Embrace). And don’t forget to lotion up after stepping out of the shower.
I’m wearing deodorant…on my shirt. Rushing around and getting dressed for work can easily result in a deodorant mishap (think white streaks across your little black blouse). To prevent these marks, apply deodorant a few minutes prior to getting dressed. Do your hair and makeup while you let your underarms dry. To be extrasafe, look for deodorant that dries clear.
“You’ve got a little something in your teeth.” Make a point of checking your teeth after each meal with a quick trip to the bathroom. Carry a small pack of dental floss just in case, and you’ll start a habit that will make your dentist smile. If you don’t have floss, you can fold a firm paper towel and use the edge to help dislodge food gently.
Sudden stains strike. If you bobble a coffee in the car, drop a mustard glob at work, or topple a red wine glass at a restaurant, even the simplest spill can turn into a clothes-ruining moment. That’s why carrying a stain-removing stick is essential. New designs fit into your purse or pocket like a pen would, so there’s no excuse not to bring it with you everywhere. If you don’t have a stain remover, stick with cool water—hot will set the stain.
Gorgeous lip color—but not on my coffee mug. Superbright pouts are in (à la Mad Men and Old Hollywood), but letting the color cling to drinking glasses is not. Lick your lips discreetly before taking a sip. And to make your color smudge resistant in general, blot your lips with a tissue, reapply, and blot again. This helps absorb the oil in the lipstick while leaving the pigment and matte waxes.
My shoes look great—but smell bad. Stinky shoe can plague even the most hygienic of people—your feet sweat and certain shoe materials just seem to hold odor. The easiest way to prevent shoe stink is to alternate the pairs you wear daily. To remove stink from already-smelly shoes, stick a sheet of fabric softener inside the shoes overnight or use a sprinkling of baking soda.
Panty Hose in the Freezer?
A runner in panty hose is another problem you might face on the go. You can carry clear nail polish or hair spray to help stop the run once it’s there. But many women swear by storing panty hose in a plastic bag in the freezer. The untested theory: The cold keeps the nylon from degrading.
Decadent (yet smart!) desserts
