Answer Angel: Real benefits of faux fur

Ellen Warren, Tribune News Service on Feb 25, 2025

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Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I am really liking the faux furs I am seeing at the stores. I hope they catch on even more next year. I bought one at Target for $48 bucks and it is so cute. I wear mine with jeans and short boots for a casual look. Love the look plus it is super warm!

My question: Are the faux furs suitable for more dressy or formal occasions like a party or a dinner date?

--Pam I.

Dear Pam: Why not? As you point out, faux furs — or to use a more blunt description, fake furs -- are getting better and are reasonably priced. Depending on the model, they can be as warm or even warmer than the real thing. And the faux fur that used to scream “cheap, shiny, polyester” has improved to the point that it’s sometimes hard to distinguish between faux fur and the genuine animal fur.

Meanwhile, there’s been an uptick in the sale of genuine pre-owned furs, which some wearers feel is OK because the “used” fur already existed so the wearers can argue that they weren’t responsible for the animal’s demise. So, this thinking goes, they can wear grandma’s coat (or mom’s, or some unknown fur fan’s from years past) guilt-free and stigma-free.

The anti-fur movement has had great success over the past few decades in persuading big-name fashion brands and trendsetters to abandon genuine furs. Furriers across the country have shut down for lack of business. Which is why once-costly fur pieces can be had at bargain prices at resale, consignment, vintage and even thrift stores — as well as from your auntie’s closet.

My friend Derek wore his grandma’s fox stole to a costume party, proudly showing off her name — Arlene — professionally stitched into the lining. And Rihanna was much photographed a few months ago wearing a vintage designer mink. We’ll see if genuine fur clothing roars back to stigma-free status. My bet is that the fake stuff will continue to prevail and multiply as more and more former wearers learn they can be warm and stylish without the real thing.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Help!! I have inherited my mother's eye bags. Not huge or droopy, but annoying. I have tried several products with no success. There is difficulty using moisturizer or other concealer products because they and/or my oil free foundation erode my efforts to conceal them. Additionally, I often get a rough gritty or white area when trying to conceal the bags.

--Terry M.

Dear Terry: This isn’t what you want to hear, but I have never found a product that flawlessly — or even adequately — covers dark under eye circles or their tougher-to-hide sister: eye bags!

The closest I’ve come to a concealer that hides my worst flaws is Glo Oil Free Camouflage (gloskinbeauty.com, $35). The New York Times Wirecutter site tested 41 concealers (significantly more than in my personal one-woman test) and recommended Dior Backstage Flash Perfector (sephora.com, $32). Their testers concluded: “Its under-eye and dark-spot coverage is excellent.” Check out Wirecutter’s recommendations for lots more options (many are behind a paywall or by subscription).

My other recommendation, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser (drugstores, under $15), was, “a let down” and “a pain to use” in the Wirecutter test. I still like it.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: My kindergartner soon will need to wear an eye patch to strengthen his “lazy eye.” I fear that his classmates will hurt his feelings no matter how his kind, sensitive teacher handles it. Are there any tips to make it “cool”?

--Benedict P.

Dear Benedict: Two of my brothers wore eye patches for this common problem and they would have loved the fabulous options now available on the internet. I was stunned and heartened to see a huge number of designs that any kid, boy or girl, would love starting at $2.28 for a 4-pack of disposables (amazon.com). A weird alligator eye, candy, flowers and butterflies, baseball and race car themes, dinosaurs, space ships, tiaras and rainbows. Totally cool!

Reader Rant

From Joan C.: “I needed a sports bra and I wandered into a nearby Victoria’s Secret, not expecting they carried them. But surprisingly they had a nice selection and I headed to the dressing room to try on four or five different styles. Several felt like what I was looking for but, and this is a huge but, the romantic 'boudoir lighting' in the dressing room made it impossible to see anything. They must use 25-watt bulbs or something. When I emerged, the nice sales woman asked me how it went and I told her, 'I’m sorry I couldn’t see well enough to make a decision.' They lost a sale. Put in a dimmer to enable shoppers to crank the lighting up, for Pete’s sake!”