Girlfriend jeans: The Dictator gives the skinny
There was a time when jeans were just jeans. I never got the appeal of those dreadful low-hanging skinny numbers and now I'm completely confused by "girlfriend jeans". Please explain.
Dumped Not Dumpy, Central
Nail-polish remover has always struck me as pretty noxious stuff, even the supposedly gentle or "sensitive" kind. I've seen the natural nail lacquers, but are there any natural or eco removers?
Harsh Words, Mid-Levels
The Dictator: Who are you kidding? Colouring your nails isn't exactly natural. Of course you need industrial strength remover, which will not only soak into your digits but also create hazardous fumes. Or so I thought. Acetone was maligned as a carcinogen for years, but the Environmental Working Group now says otherwise. Just check its Skin Deep database (www.ewg.org/skindeep), which lists acetone as a potential irritant, but only ranks it a moderate concern. Acquarella scores highly with its natural, water-based, acetone-free nail polish remover (HK$46.50; www.amazon.com). However, the company only recommends it for removing its own nail polishes. SpaRitual Fluent Lacquer Remover with Extra-Strength Conditioning is vegan and uses sugar-derived solvents with Italian mandarin essential oil to take off the colour without drying nails (HK$140; www.abeautybar.com.hk). Priti NYC Nail Polish Remover is organic soy-based and biodegradable (HK$147; www.amazon.com). You might not even need a remover if you start with a health-conscious, "three-free" nail polish. That is, one without toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate. Suncoat (HK$55; www.iherb.com), for example, can be peeled right off.
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