Answer Angel: Eyebrow dye

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Do you know of any permanent eyebrow dye that's safe to use, covers the gray and lasts a long time?

I saw an eyebrow dye at Target that lasts only two weeks. I'd like to find one that lasts longer than that.

--P. G.

Dear P.G.: White/gray eyebrow hairs seem to pop up overnight! My recommendation for at-home use is borrowed from the men’s aisle at the drugstore: The aptly named Just for Men Mustache & Beard Dye (target.com, $9.99; amazon.com, $10.97). For me, it lasts longer than other at-home products and lots longer than what my hair stylist uses at the salon. But, and it is a big but, I’ve never found an eyebrow dye that lasts as long as you (or I) would like.

Also, DIY coloring is a messy process. (Pro tip. Leave the dye on 15 minutes. Then, after you’ve wiped off the gloppy excess, for remnants of the dye still on your skin, rub hard with Windex or another glass clean. Obviously keep ALL this stuff away from your eyes!)

There are many drugstore products, sort of like mascara for eyebrows, that will color the grays temporarily. Also, if you just have a few, you can pluck them but, as we age, brows often thin out and when you pluck them you’re asking for trouble. Sometimes they don’t grow back.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have very small eyes, and I have short lashes. I have tried to find an eyelash curler that isn't so wide that I pinch the skin on the sides of my eyes! If I hold the curler further away, it barely crimps the very ends of my lashes. I don't want to use false lashes. Any suggestions?

--Ellen H.

Dear Ellen: This is a new question for me but when I dug into your issue, the most often-mentioned products were Japanese brands. These are generally made to appeal to women with small, almond-shape or deep-set eyes.

I haven’t tested these myself so it is crucial to look at the reviews because many of them have significant downsides: Muji Portable Eyelash Curler (muji.usa, $6.90); Chinese Everbab Eyelash Curler EB001 (chicdecent.com, $8.99); Tweezerman Curl 38 Eyelash Curler (tweezerman.com, $20). And all of these are on amazon.com: Mukai Mini Eyelash Curler 215 ($16); Koji Curving Eyelash Curler ($16.14); Japonesque Travel Eyelash Curler ($11) and Shu Uemura S Curler ($23).

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