Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I was happy when you called out men for the use of overpowering colognes and aftershave.

But what about the — some would say sickening — use of similarly overpowering scent used in many public places such as restrooms and lobbies of office, condo and apartment buildings? And don’t get me started on those smelly, overwhelming “deodorizing” hang tags in taxis and Ubers. I think these reek of lame attempts to cover up the fact that these places are not as thoroughly cleaned as they should be.

And then, of course there are the private homes that are over-scented (some say to a sickening extent) with sprays, candles, diffusers, plug-in air fresheners and incense burners. Your thoughts on this epidemic?

--Clarissa C.

Dear Clarissa: Too much of a good thing, that’s my conclusion. It’s a thin line between a gentle breeze scent and a hurricane of smells reminiscent of those classic pink (cherry?) urinal cakes (yes, ick, they’re called cakes) that are a special favorite of bars.

As a birthday gift I received a scented candle that I love. It’s subtle and relaxing. It’s the opposite of a urinal cake or a nasty "free-with-carwash" hangtag. Our sense of smell is finicky and what you or I find borderline nauseating wafting down an apartment building hallway, others embrace as a home décor bonus. If it is a public—or quasi pubic--location you can, of course, complain to management.

At a store or other business or building you could try the old standby of claiming an allergy. High-end brands like Jo Malone (diffuser: $112) and Diptyque (candle: $76-$125) are considered cherished hostess gifts in some circles. However, cheap, annoying dupes are popular and, alas, will continue to be.

Dear Answer Angel: Lately I've been seeing ladies on TV with dark roots, some that are quite long, others short. Can you help me out in understanding if this is intentional, a new style or just laziness in getting a touch-up? I know Madonna had this look but I see it expanded on now. This is very different and sloppier looking.

Please tell me this, too, will pass!!

--Di B.

Dear Di: Letting the dark roots grow in for all to see has been a come-and-go trend for some time (as you note with your Madonna example). And, for us commoners, it can be a welcome celebrity endorsement of what is an otherwise irksome, lengthy project of letting our darker natural hair color grow out on its own without any concealing efforts.

Hair coloring trends are quirky, almost by definition. A first-grader I know told his mom he wanted to dye his brown hair green and she found a washout product to do the job. But he has already moved on to baseball and soccer season and the green hair idea seems to be dropped.

This just illustrates the here today-gone tomorrow of hair coloring trends. Yes, the “dark roots growing in” is just another passing fancy but it can look careless and a bit odd.

Angelic Readers

Many readers wanted to help Anne M. who was looking for a problem-free, no-rub-off cover-up for her varicose veins. Some of these recommendations are unexpected… and worth a try

From Jackie J.: “I worked in a quirky little makeup shop for a few years that catered to theater, dance and drag queens. The drag queens use a makeup by Ben Nye to cover facial hair before applying their makeup. It was Ben Nye Creme Foundation. I use it on bruises or discolorations then set it with a loose powder, and it covers everything. I guarantee she'll be very happy with it.” (Ben Nye Cream Foundation, many shades, $12 stagemakeuponline.com; thecostumer.com; embellishfx.com; camerareadycosmetics.com.) A man writes that he has used Ben Nye too though he prefers Mehron Makeup (mehron.com, cake makeup, $7.95-$13.95; CreamBlend Stick Makeup, $14.95; Mehron StarBlend Cake, amazon.com, $16.95.)

Veronica W. recommends talking to your doctor about sclerotherapy. She was happy with the three treatments on her hand veins. This process involves a professional injecting an irritant into a vein to reduce its size and appearance. Rosanne C. also found sclerotherapy was the answer. Marilyn T. says Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs (amazon.com, $9.24 and up) stays on four to five days in her ballroom dance competitions. It washes off with soap and water, she writes. Jackie S. says Westmore Beauty Body Coverage Perfector works well for her and, if you follow directions carefully, “it won’t transfer to clothing” and lasts for “a few days” (westmorebeauty.com, amazon.com, $49).

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