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Have You Had a Stylist Answer the Phone During Your Service?
Last week, I had a quick manicure. A little filing, a small lecture about the state of my cuticles, some tea tree oil advice, and a clear coat of polish gave my haggard hands a lovely pick-me-up. But in between all of the beautifying, the manicurist took several nonurgent phone calls on her Bluetooth headset.
Is Filing Your Nails in Public a Do or a Don't?
The other day on the bus, I noticed a lady focusing all (and I mean all) of her attention to her nails. She filed them for what seemed like the entire twenty-minute ride, and I have to admit — it kind of grossed me out as the nail dust floated all around. Last year I asked you what you thought about putting on makeup in public, and most of you thought that a little touchup is OK, but doing a full-blown routine is tacky.
Is It Rude To Apply Lipstick at the Table?
Just as men aren't supposed to wear hats at the table, women aren't supposed to "powder their noses" or apply lipstick either. Most of you think that applying makeup in public isn't so cool, but I've consulted Emily Post's (queen of all etiquette) website for the official word on manners. As it turns out, there's no one right answer:
- Why it's a yes — "In general, personal grooming should be done in private for the simple reason that it can be annoying and it’s tacky," Post explains.
Is There a Sweet Smell of Success?
With unemployment hitting a four-year high last month, there's a good chance some of you are in the market for a new job. You're probably already familiar with hair and makeup tips for job seekers, but have you ever thought your fragrance may sway the outcome of a big interview?
A friend who works in human resources at a very well-known independent film studio recently told me a story about a qualified male candidate coming in smelling as if he had bathed in Abercrombie cologne.
What Would You Do?
Here's a situation for you. In this weekend's New York Times, a reader seeks advice:
My assistant doesn’t do anything for her appearance — no make-up, hair pulled back (and looking greasy) and dumpy clothes. I try to set a good example by being put together.
Spa Etiquette: What to Wear for a Massage
Last week, I had the pleasure of being pounded and stoned. (Wait, that doesn't sound right.) I'm talking about a massage, and the one I had at San Francisco's Nob Hill Spa was as therapeutic as it was luxurious. But before the treatment, I watched a spa newbie try to figure out what, exactly, to do with her robe.
How Do You Use Testers?
Every beauty boutique worth its salt has product testers that you can dip into. Some people touch the containers of lip gloss and blush with their fingers, others use Q-tips to apply products to their faces, and others refuse to touch them at all. Even though I've never heard of anyone getting sick from a less-than-hygienic tester, I use Q-tips to apply samples only on the backs of my hand.
Are You a Good Tipper?
Paying for a beauty treatment is only part of the expense you'll incur at a spa or salon. Along with paying for the service, you'll have to add gratuity. But when it comes to tipping, are you overly generous or are you tight-fisted?
How Often Do You Touch Up Your Makeup Throughout the Day?
The other night I went out for dinner and a movie with some friends. To my surprise, one of the girls whipped out her powder compact twice during the meal to touch up her T-zone, and she reapplied her lip gloss at least a half dozen times throughout the evening. She paid no mind to her display of applying makeup in public, considering that she put on gloss while standing on a crowded line to buy popcorn!
The Skinny on Spa Upgrades
There's nothing quite as relaxing as settling in for a spa treatment. That is, until your esthetician introduces the upsell. "Your facial would be so much more effective if you added on this mud mask," she might say.
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