Dear Answer Angel: I am standing firm on my decision to color my hair although many of my friends have “gone gray” and stopped this expensive (and time-consuming) practice. I think they look 10 years older, but that’s none of my business.

It is not always easy for me to find the time to get to my stylist for a roots touch-up, so I’m tempted to use mascara as an “emergency” solution when the gray starts showing — especially around my face where they are really obvious.

Do you advise against it?

--Cara T.

Dear Cara: Give it a try! There’s nothing wrong with using mascara for an instant, emergency fix for those grays. But I’d advise you to use waterproof mascara since getting caught in the rain or sweating on a hot day can prove to be a disaster. (If you doubt me, just search the internet for “Rudy Giuliani and hair dye.”)

For a more traditional solution, I recommend Root Touch-Up Powder by Style Edit (styleedit.com, amazon.com, $39; beautysalon.com, on sale, $24.99 and up). Style Edit and other makers also sell touch-ups in stick and spray, but the powder works best for me and is highly packable.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I cannot find a lightweight, cute cotton robe and, believe me, I’ve looked all over the place. So far, the only ones I have found are too heavy. Or too ugly. I’ve checked the stores and website where I have found what I needed before. But neither of those options has turned up anything close to what I’m searching for.

Is it time for me to give up and go with something more basic and boring? I am looking for something with an interesting pattern or flavor or … I don’t know, just something cheerful. But not basic stripes, pastels, or — ack — dancing animals or “clever” sayings. Something a grown-up with style would wear.

-- Matilda M.

Dear Matilda: I think have found just what you are looking for. A search on etsy.com for “cotton print robes” turns up an amazing selection of one-size lightweight kimono-style cotton robes with ample pockets priced as low as $19. My sister bought a similar one (made in India) at a shop in London and paid nearly twice as much for it.

My Etsy search also turned up some adorable PJs in similarly colorful, sophisticated florals, animal and classic prints, and loosely fitted dresses perfect as a swim cover-up or for casual summer daytime — again at prices that start in the low $20s. Thanks to you, I ordered a robe for myself (which I don’t need but found too tempting to pass up). Let me know what you think.

Angelic Readers

Gail B. raves, “I have used all sizes of compression cubes to pack all kinds of clothes for many years. The trick is to stack each item carefully folded with wrinkles smoothed out. To avoid fold lines, I sometimes fold several items together to soften the folded edges. Then, pack the cube tight. If things are loose inside, they slip and bunch down with gravity and that’s where the wrinkles occur. My clothes arrive without having shifted at all and look just like I had packed them. Can’t live without these!”

From Tom S.: “I travel a lot. I wouldn't go without my cubes. If wrinkles are a problem, pack some Downy Wrinkle Releaser (target.com, travel size, $1.99). But tees and polos rolled are almost wrinkle-free after unpacking. Cloth shirts and pants carefully folded and in a large cube come out as if closet-hung. With six more trips next year, my cubes will see the world!"

Reader Rant

T.N. writes, “I cannot stand buying new clothes only to get home and find that they smell like bad hygiene! Also, people could be more considerate and not try on clothing after a long day or a workout or not having showered recently. This is a routine occurrence experienced when buying clothes from any store, high-end or mainstream. Stores could offer disposable stick-on underarm pads affixed to garments when customers try them. Or a least a sniff-test before store employees put tried-on garments back on the sales floor!"

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