By Ellen Warren - Tribune News Service

What do you do when your favorite makeup products are discontinued? Answer Angel Ellen Warren has the answers.

What do you do when your favorite makeup products are discontinued? Answer Angel Ellen Warren has the answers. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Here is just a sample of the many frustrated readers who’ve been on maddening and unsuccessful searches for their favorite discontinued cosmetics…

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have been searching for an Estée Lauder eyeliner, in the color “Forest Writer 07” for a while. I contacted Esteé Lauder and they no longer make it. Do you know of any company who will make eyeliner to order? I only have a small piece left. No one makes one close to this color. I have searched makeup counters with no luck.

Dear Adrienne: I found a company that can help you! Giella Poblocki from giella.com tells me her company can custom-make you an eyeliner pencil to match your preferred color. All the other custom cosmetic websites I found, sadly, don’t make eyeliner, though they do make just about any other makeup basic. And a rep from threecustom.com told me they can make eyeshadow in your color that can be used with a brush as eyeliner.

Dear Answer Angel: For some years now I have used Estée Lauder Perfectionist Serum Compact Makeup. It’s been a nice, quick way to cover up without the hassle of liquid makeup. Of course, since I really like it, Lauder has discontinued it. Prior to this, I used a similar Mary Kay product; also discontinued! I have tried Lauder and Clinique pressed powder products but I don’t feel like I get the same coverage and smooth appearance. Any suggestions?

Dear Cathy: Depending on the shade of Perfectionist Serum Compact Makeup you need, you can find some at amazon.com ($76.99!) or the Australian site beautycrew.com.au ($80!!). For the same reason you liked your discontinued compact makeup, I use Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation, (drugstores, neutrogena.com, $10.99 and up). The coverage isn’t great, but it’s sort of OK. Overstock.com has many compact makeup options but, unfortunately, not yours.

Here are online sites to check for your discontinued cosmetics or substitutes but beware. It will cost you:

• Ebay.com (sign up for alerts if a seller lists your exact makeup)

• Overstockcosmetics.com (discontinued and hard-to-find makeup; I’ve never found what I was looking for here)

• Threecustom.com (custom to match your sample: lipsticks, blush, eye shadow, loose powder, pressed powder, concealer/foundation, $70 and up)

Duplicates (products similar to the one you want)

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: In the warmer months I was wearing joggers with cuffs at the ankles with sandals or gym shoes. Now with the sloppy weather coming, if I want to wear my joggers out and about, are boots going to look weird with them? Could I only wear my joggers with low-cut shoe boots or can I tuck them into higher boots? Or maybe I just wear them in the house during the winter months? I only see them styled with gym shoes, sandals or house slippers.

Dear Karyn: YES! Wear boots — short or tall — with those joggers. You’ll be in good company. Sarah Jessica Parker does it. So do Katie Holmes, Pharrell Williams, Paris Hilton, Victoria Beckham — and just about every celebrity photographed cruising through an airport or out for a $5 cup of coffee. You will be totally on trend. Incidentally, Beyoncé wears winter boots with a wee mini skirt. Just sayin’.

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: My circle of friends is making up for lost pandemic time and I’ve been to four weddings in the past few months. In one of them the bride’s Kelly green sneakers were peeking from the hem of her wedding gown. When the dancing started, she changed to sparkly sneakers. Many of the guests, men and women, changed to sneakers too. Is this OK now?

Dear Beth: Now more than ever, casual dress turns up at what used to be dressy occasions. The man sitting next to me at a memorial service for a deceased friend was wearing blue jeans (no holes). Comfort is a crucial consideration now that we’re back in offices and socializing more. Working from home in our sweats spoiled us. Mostly this is fine and a trend that isn’t going away soon.

Send your questions and rants - on style, shopping, fashion, makeup and beauty - to answerangelellen@gmail.com.

Send your questions and rants - on style, shopping, fashion, makeup and beauty - to answerangelellen@gmail.com.

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