Ask Betsy

Dear Betsy,
What can I do for my puffy, swollen eyes? I just look like I haven’t slept for weeks.
Shelagh, Saar

Dear Shelagh,
Puffy eyes could be a result of an allergy, or fluid retention and in some cases a medical condition, so if in doubt check with your doctor.
 Drink lots of water, sleep with the head of your bed slightly raised, or use two pillows, and take care with the type of eye make-up and skin care products you use. 
Many cosmetic companies have eye-gels which are designed to help puffiness, but home remedies can be very effective. Thinly sliced cucumber, cold used tea-bags, (keep them in the fridge) or grated potato in muslin, can be placed on the eyes for 10-15 minutes.
For the fastest fix of all, this is my favourite “emergency” treatment; Keep two teaspoons in the fridge at all times! 
Pat the back of the spoons firmly but gently around the eye area for a few minutes. 
Next, put ice cold milk on cotton wool eye pads and place on your eyes for 5 minutes. The milk proteins will have an immediate effect on this area.

Dear Betsy,
I’ve tried lots of different mascaras, but I always end up with thick ‘clumpy’ eyelashes. How do I apply mascara correctly?
Eman,  Jidhafs

Dear Eman,
First of all, wipe your mascara wand on a tissue so that you’ve almost wiped all of the mascara off it. 
Then apply the mascara to your lashes in a clean sweep from the roots to the ends.  Let this dry for a few moments then re-apply using the same wand-cleansing technique. 
This ensures you do not overload the wand and you easily avoid the ‘clumpy look!   You can also use an eyelash ‘comb’ immediately before and after applying your first coat of mascara. 
This will help to separate the lashes and give you a wide-eyed look.  But, a word of caution, NEVER do this after the mascara has dried or you will end up losing lots of eyelashes.
If your mascara starts to thicken then throw it away.  This means air has entered the tube and trying to soften it with water will not work. Air enters the tube when you repeatedly ‘pump’ the wand in and out of the tube and also when excess mascara at the end of the tube is not wiped away.
This dries out and means the tube is no longer airtight when you close it, allowing air to enter and thicken your mascara.  Ideally, wipe the end of your tube after each use and wipe the wand before putting it back in to the tube. 
This prolongs the life of your mascara.
Remember never to share your mascara with anyone and throw it away if you develop any type of eye problem such as conjunctivitis.  
There is no need to keep mascara in the fridge, but our climate means that it’s best to renew your mascara every three months.

Dear Betsy,
I have just moved into an apartment and the people living above us play really loud music every night until the small hours. 
I have to get up early for work and the sleepless nights are taking their toll.  I am not a confrontational person, how can I resolve this?
John,  Seef

Dear John
Oops, sorry about that John, I will turn my volume down! Seriously though, this can drive you crazy so do something about it now.  Your neighbours may not be aware that their music is too loud, so just letting them know this could solve the problem instantly.  If you want to remain anonymous, then I suggest writing a polite note and pushing it under their door, asking them to please keep their music volume down, and simply sign it as “your neighbour”. If this doesn’t work then ask your Apartment Manager or Caretaker to handle it in a more official way.

Dear Betsy,
Why can’t I get my nail varnish to stay on for longer than a day or two? I have even invested in a professional manicure but found it only lasted three days and then peeled off in strips. Help!
Mariam  Gudaibiya.

Dear Mariam
 There are many tips I can offer to prolong the life of your nail colour but the most valuable is ‘correct preparation’. Your nail bed must be free of all oils, lotions and creams or the colour will not adhere properly.
 Always use a cotton pad with nail enamel remover on it just before you begin your colour application, even if you are not wearing any nail colour, as this will ensure the nail is free from oils or creams that can prevent the enamel from adhering to your nail bed. 
However, before you get to the colour you should first apply a base coat. 
This helps to prevent discolouration of the nail, smoothes the surface and helps the colour to adhere better. 
Follow this with up to two, thin, coats of colour allowing a few minutes for them to dry in between. 
Finally, apply a thin coat of top coat.  This will add extra sheen and act as a protective shell to the colour helping to prolong its life.
You can re-apply the top coat every day or so. Do not flap your arms about or blow on your nails to help them dry (despite what you see in the  movies!) This will force dry the surface layer only, not permitting each layer to dry naturally in turn. This can result in the colour chipping and peeling within a short time.  The same thing can happen if you sit in front of an air conditioner or fan.
Nail enamel that peels off in strips has probably been applied to an oily nail bed and may also be the result of thickened enamel. 
The worst thing you can do is to add nail enamel remover as this will ruin the formulation.  The only commercially available nail enamel thinner that I know of is made by Mavala and is designed to do just that, “thin” a thickened nail enamel.  
Shaking a bottle of enamel before applying will not help to reduce thickening, it will result in air bubbles being forced into the product, another sure way to shorten its life. 
Instead of shaking, turn the bottle upside down and gently roll it between your fingers for a few minutes. 
Just like a mascara tube, the neck of the enamel bottle should be wiped after each use otherwise excess enamel will dry out and break the seal at the neck of the bottle allowing air to enter and thicken the enamel. 
Once nail colour begins to chip or peel you must remove it immediately. Apart from looking unsightly, as it chips away, it will take a fine layer of your natural nail with it.

Dear Betsy,
Can you help me find a foolproof way to melt chocolate without it going all hard and lumpy?
Sinita, Manama

Dear Sinita
You need a little bit of patience.  First of all break the chocolate into small pieces and put it into a pyrex bowl.  Put a pot with a little water in the bottom of it and try placing the bowl on top of the pot. The water should NOT touch the bowl. Next, put the pot on the heat and as the water warms, it will gently melt the chocolate, whilst you stir it with a wooden or plastic spoon. Always make sure the heat is low and the hot water does not bubble up and touch the bowl. 
Some brave souls can achieve perfect melted chocolate in the microwave, but I usually end up with a dried-out lumpy mess with this method and once that happens you can’t save it, it has to be binned.  Happy melting!

Dear Betsy,
I want a pet and my husband says they are too much responsibility. I long for a dog as I was brought up in a family where we always had pets but my husband never experienced this, so doesn’t understand how I feel. How can I convince him?
Sharon,  Adliya

Dear Sharon,
Try taking him for a visit to the BSPCA where they have some really lovable dogs just waiting for a good home.  Dogs have a way of “choosing” us rather than the other way round, so maybe your husband will have his heart strings tugged by a captivating canine!
If he is totally averse to such a visit then you could always try “dog sitting” for a friend but make sure you choose a VERY well behaved dog or this could backfire very badly!
If neither of these are possible, then start off with something less demanding than a dog, such as  a goldfish, or two, and maybe you can build up to a dog.