Answer Angel: Getting ears re-pierced
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have quite a lot of nice earrings for pierced ears, but I stopped wearing earrings during COVID and the earlobe holes closed up.
I would like to start wearing my earrings again after this pause, but where to get my ears re-pierced?
--Sarina E.
Dear Sarina: Many years ago, in high school, lots of my girlfriends came to me to pierce their ears after I told them I had pierced my own ears. Based on my hands-on experience, do NOT let your girlfriend pierce your ears.
Don't DIY either. I actually did a pretty good job but it is definitely best to go to a piercing specialist. Many tattoo shops have experienced pros who pierce ears (not just the lobes) and other body parts too. Prices vary. It is always best to make an appointment wherever you choose to go.
If there's a Claire's jewelry and accessories shop anywhere near you, they have trained personnel to do the job. For $29.99 you can get ear piercing with stainless steel studs there, plus an after-care kit. If you prefer gold, the cost is $55 (and up) for the 14-karat studs, piercing and the kit. (Many Claire's stores have closed down but there are still quite a few still in business.) Check the internet for these and other options including freestanding piercing businesses.
Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Over the years my hair has turned white/grey, and I like it that way. My only problem with it is that my hair tends to take on a yellow tinge. Do you or any of your readers have recommendations for products to take the yellow out?
--Kate K.
Dear Kate: I've known my friend Lucy N. since she was in kindergarten and she now has the most gorgeous white/gray hair. So, I asked her how she kept it so strikingly beautiful.
Here's what Lucy told me: "Almost everyone thinks their gray or white hair is ugly but admire others! My theory is the yellow tinge is caused by both product build up and the sun. ‘Purple shampoo' can help but not all are created equal. I like Bio Keratin Color Enhancing Purple Shampoo. (I can sometimes find it at TJ Maxx.)" (From Ellen: It is not always easy to find! It is showing up on resale sites like ebay.com and mercari.com; also, try walmart.com, $24.95; amazon.com, $26.96; beallsflorida.com,$ 10.99.)
Lucy says, "I like to apply the purple shampoo to my dry hair while I'm getting ready to shower. I leave it on for about five minutes or so, then shampoo as usual. I alternate with a clear shampoo called Vanicream Free & Clear Shampoo which helps reduce buildup of product (cvs.com, $14.79; walgreens.com, $12.99; target.com, $14.99).
One more tip from Lucy: "I am also careful about colors I wear. I like jewel tones and black. I don't think white, gray, yellow or neutrals look great. Too washed out. And never a white background in photos!" (From Ellen: Readers tell me your favorite products to tame the yellow tinge.)
Angelic Readers
Gail T. writes: "Regarding you recent column where your reader was disappointed when she didn't hear from friends she had sent valentines to. I do agree with her expectations. I send valentines to friends who are widowed and get lovely emails or a phone call when they arrive, so the love goes both ways. It doesn't take long to acknowledge a friend's thoughtfulness. And on Mother's Day, I send a ‘thinking of you' email to the friends who have buried a child. They need all the comfort we can give."
Reader Rant
From Ed N.: "I dine often at a white tablecloth, classy restaurant. The food and service are lovely. But it bothers me every time I eat there to see cheesy, obviously fake flowers - cheap, ugly, unrealistic ones - used as decorations, jammed carelessly into dirt in big containers that actually are unsightly." (From Ellen: Why not point it out nicely to the owner, chef, manager, etc. or make your opinion known on the restaurant's website or restaurant review sites?)
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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 6:13 AM.