Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Is there any end in sight for two hideous fads: Long cascading hair (extensions?) draped down the front of the torso like a dead animal—a look favored by television news personalities and many others. Second, the extreme length of fake nails resembling Scissorhands. I don’t even want to think of the bacteria underneath them. I was stabbed in the hand by a cashier returning change who had to use the sides of her fingers to operate the register.

Please say they are going away soon.

Dear Eileen: Soon? Nope! The waterfall-of-shiny-hair trend is here to stay. Since the beginning of time—or soon thereafter—those of us who can’t grow our own luxurious long hair have envied women (Princess Kate!) to whom it comes naturally. Extensions are costly, upkeep is expensive and time consuming. But, oh well. What price beauty.

As for those preposterous long, impractical false nails? They’re an extravagance and an indulgence—also impractical—that will one day be considered passé. False nails are here to stay but the crazy long ones eventually will be out of fashion. And those of us who need to wash dishes, change diapers, type at a computer or make change at a cash register will eventually trade in their talons for nails that don’t impinge on a normal lifestyle.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: My husband and I will be hosting a large party. We sent out invitations a few weeks ago, requesting a response by a certain date before the event. So far we’ve heard from about half of the invitees. Regarding the rest, we were wondering: If we haven’t heard from them by the deadline, should we contact them personally? Send out a reminder email? Assume they’re not coming? We’d appreciate a quick answer because the party is coming up soon and our food purchase will depend on the number of people coming.

Dear Pamela: Your question reminded me that I didn’t RSVP to an upcoming party. Thank you! Even the most organized people sometimes let things slip. A phone call or a personal (not to the group) email in a pleasant, not judgy tone is your best bet.

If you don’t get through on the phone, leave a voicemail. Here’s a script: “We’d love to see you at the party (wedding, anniversary celebration) but the date is nearing and we need to come up with a head count for (the caterer, the party venue, our grocery shopping). If we don’t hear back by XX date we will assume you can’t make it. We’ll miss you!” With that, you’ve done all you can.

But if you REALLY want them to be there and you figure the invite and the follow up aren’t doing the job, give them one final chance to RSVP, repeating the above steps. Then, when they show up anyhow without responding, you just welcome them with a big (phony) smile. Then think hard if you want to put them on the “do not invite” list for your next big event.

From Janice C. “ If your reader Regina J.’s husband can’t quite see himself wearing a ‘murse’ (man purse), I suggest visiting a sporting goods store or outdoor outfitter and looking at fishing vests or jackets with large cargo pockets. Other possibilities that hold a lot but do not carry the connotation of a purse are messenger bags and camera bags. The latter would be especially appropriate when traveling because a camera would be a natural thing to carry but these bags do not have to carry either messages or cameras. A well-designed passport wallet may also be helpful to Regina J.’s husband.”

Jeanine J. gripes: “I am a 60-something woman who wants to look stylish. The current, popular, oversize boxy look does not flatter me; the last thing I need is to look wider. The same goes for the new high-waisted jeans; any pair that I can zip all the way up is far too boxy/baggy in the butt and legs. I thought mom jeans had gone the way of T-Rex. Now I see them promoted in women’s departments. This is a step backward for all womankind!”

Gail H. writes, “ Please enlighten manufacturers to put a decent size pull tab on foil tops on products like food, condiments, medicines and such. Often, there is not enough room to grab the foil top and remove it.”

©2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC