From smudged foundation to shoe blisters and tangled jewellery, looking good shouldn't mean battling annoying fashion faux pas. These smart, real-world solutions from fashion editors, columnists, and beauty experts will keep your routine sleek, your suitcase tidy, and your style frustration-free.
👕 The Foundation Dilemma: How to Avoid Makeup Stains on Clothes
You've perfected your makeup, but now comes the true challenge: pulling a pale top over your head without smudging foundation all over the neckline. Jess Cartner-Morley, NY Times fashion editor, has a genius workaround:
Put your top on backwards first.
Slide it over your head so that the back goes across your face, then twist it around into place before slipping your arms through. If you leave any trace of makeup at all, it’ll be on the nape of your neck — much less noticeable than under your chin.
🧺 Laundry Tangles: Contain Those Cords
Tired of hoodie strings coming out or knotting up in the wash? Morwenna Ferrier, NY Times fashion & lifestyle editor, says to:
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Tie cords in a bow at the neckline,
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Place hoodies or corded garments into a tote bag,
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Tie the bag closed and toss it in the washer.
Bonus: this trick prevents tangling in the drum and keeps your cords exactly where they belong.
🎒 Crumple-Free Packing: The Pastry-Roll Method
Instead of folding, roll. Much like prepping a batch of pinwheel pastries, this trick saves space and stops creases:
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Stack similar garments flat (e.g. T-shirts on top of each other),
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Cross sleeves diagonally over the chest area,
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Roll tightly from top to bottom like a Swiss roll.
Stuff socks, PJs, and denim shorts around the edges of your suitcase to pad things out. It takes more time upfront, but you’ll look freshly pressed on arrival. (Credit again to JCM.)
🧦 The Odd Sock Epidemic: One Bold Solution
Columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett got sick of the mismatched sock struggle and did something radical:
She threw all her socks out and replaced them with identical black pairs.
Sure, they fade unevenly and stretch at different rates — but they still look uniform. You’ll never lose a match again.
👠 Shoes That Betray You
New leather shoes that seemed fine at first can rub you raw by midday. Before you give up on them:
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Dampen the inside with a cloth,
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Blast the tight area with a hairdryer for 30 seconds to soften the leather,
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Slip on thick socks, wear the shoes, and walk around the house.
Warning: This only works on real leather — never try this on plastic or faux leather, as it could melt. Thanks again to JCM for the tip.
🧦 Tights Thieves in the House? Label Your Legwear
If more than one person wears tights in your household, they mysteriously vanish or get “borrowed.” Zoe Williams recommends adopting a strict brand loyalty policy — e.g. all of yours are from M&S. That way, you can always spot (and reclaim) what’s yours.
👁️ Mascara Mishaps: Fixing the Splodge
Don’t panic if your mascara wand hits your cheek or eyelid. Instead of wiping it immediately and smearing your foundation:
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Wait a minute or two for it to dry,
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Use a clean spoolie or eyebrow brush to gently flick it off.
This trick saves your look without needing to redo your base.
💅 Nail Polish Residue Hack
Running low on remover or tired of wasting cotton pads? Francesca Fortunato suggests:
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Cut up old nylon tights into squares,
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Use them as polish removers — the slight abrasiveness helps lift polish faster than cotton balls.
🧼 Skip the Iron, Shake the Load
Professional organiser Abi Macdonald avoids ironing at all costs. Instead:
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Shake clothes vigorously straight out of the machine,
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Hang or fold neatly while damp.
Her rule? If something must be ironed, she just won’t buy it.
📿 Tangled Necklaces, No More
Want to layer your chains without turning into a walking knot? Chloe Mac Donnell recommends using a magnetic multi-necklace clasp. It keeps each strand in place and makes putting them on/off a breeze.
👃 Stinky Foam Slippers? Freeze First, Wash Later
If your foam slippers smell ripe:
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Pop them in the freezer overnight (kills bacteria),
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Then wash on a gentle cycle and air dry thoroughly.
Tip from Lee Setili in Georgia, USA.
👗 Bobbly Tights Rescue
Combat pilling on tights by wrapping parcel tape around your hand (sticky side out) and pressing it along the fabric like a lint roller. A trick shared by Aggie MacKenzie.
💁 Frizz-Free Hair While You Sleep
Michelle Druy, a hairdresser from Surrey, swears by two items for smoother strands:
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A satin pillowcase to lock in moisture and reduce sweat,
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A microfibre towel to gently dry your hair and reduce damage to the cuticle.
👛 Small Shifts, Big Style Wins
Whether you're dodging mascara splodges or stopping laundry mayhem, these real-world tips are all about preventing the little annoyances that chip away at your confidence. With a little prep (and the right fabric softener), your clothes, shoes, and makeup can work for you, not against you.
