oooh! I’ve been waiting for someone to ask me this question! first of all, there are two airplane dress situations that seriously perplex me: a) when I see women in bandage dresses (or anything super constrictive) and crazy platform heels. those are usually the women flying with a full-on face of makeup and false lashes too. who are those women? don’t they know that flying makes you puffy and therefore anything sausage-casing like will be intensely uncomfortable? on the other end of the perplexed spectrum is when people dress like they rolled out of bed. those girls are usually wearing a baby pink hooded sweatshirt and pajama pants or sweats too large for them. they’re carrying around a pillow, which is usually dragging on the (shudder!) airport floor. sigh. I think the happy medium is something casual and comfortable but not pajama-like. I almost always wear leggings (Lulu lemon), a Proenza t-shirt, some cozy oversized sweater, and either ballet flats or, lately, my Isabel Marant heels. I always bring a Justin-Bobby style hat and a big cashmere scarf as well, since you never know how warm or cold it’ll be on the flight. safe travels!

yes, please, to all of the above and there’s a sixth factor that you’re not mentioning that’s crucial: chemistry. “chemistry?” you’re thinking, “huh?” yes, chemistry: that undefinable and explainable “click” you have with some people, but not with others. two people could have the exact same characteristics and qualifications on paper and yet… one of them is a better fit as a candidate than the other. it’s something that can’t be forced. and if you don’t have that mutual understanding (it doesn’t have to be like the chemistry you have with your best friend, it can just be like we’re on the same page sort of feeling), it’s often better not to force that. I was once in a situation where I was placed into a department that wasn’t the best fit for me—the department head and I had, like, negative chemistry. I learned other lessons from said person, but it wasn’t the healthiest environment and that taught me a serious lesson in Chemistry 101

GASP! just kidding. I actually espouse a “whatever works for you” philosophy. my grandmother used Noxzema and Oil of Olay—that’s what it was known as in her day—for over twenty years (before she started getting luxe goodies from me ^_^) and her skin was (still is!) absolutely perfect. she’s almost 90 but looks like she could be in her late sixties. if baby lotion is working for you and not causing breakouts, stick to it! here are some other ideas though, as well: *add a serum under your moisturizer. you might want to consider a face oil *one of my favorite ultra-hydrating moisturizers is Clinique’s Moisture Surge Intense. it somehow feels light and like a dose of heavy-duty hydration at the same time *finally, moisturize from the inside out. consider adding a fish oil supplement (sounds gross but works wonders. I take 3mg a day) to your diet. your body needs healthy fats for soft, hydrated skin!

I don’t mean to be overly philosophical or “Chicken Soup for the Soul”  but there’s no one right answer to your question—it’s a matter of taste and preference. you see, in my book, buying a mascara is like buying a pair of jeans. you and your best friend might be the same weight, same height, and build but the brand of jeans that looks phenomenal on you look like rubbish on her (and vice versa). lashes are the same in that respect—what works for my lashes (fine, uber-straight, and long) might not work for yours. and the look I like (long, defined) might not work for everyone as well (I don’t do the crazy dramatic thick Kardashian look). okay, I’ll stop with the deep thoughts and serve up my (personal) favorite mascaras: Eyeko Fat (adds volume and length without clumping), Blinc (uses tubing technology to give you ultra-long lashes. be aware that when you remove it, it looks like your entire lashes are coming off. don’t panic!), CoverGirl Lash Blast Length (for long, Bambi lashes), and Clinique Power Lash (love the teeny brush. perfect for corner lashes).