Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I was at a fancy, dressy event recently and I was wowed by the gorgeous outfit of a woman I didn’t know. But when she turned around I could see that the tag of her dress was showing at the back of her neck. I wanted to alert her but didn’t because she was a complete stranger. Should I have told her about the tag?

— Clare A.

Dear Clare: Ask yourself if you would welcome a stranger’s advice if your tag were showing. For me, the answer is usually yes. This is because there is something she can do quickly and easily.

I wouldn’t tell someone about a problem she couldn’t correct promptly unless it were something hideously embarrassing, like a rip in a seam showing her underpants. And even then I would think twice. You didn’t bring this up, but don’t just go ahead and tuck in the tag for her unless you ask first. That’s a little too intimate touching on a total stranger without an OK. (See more clothing tag information below.)

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: After many decades of trying to blow-dry my curly hair, I finally have decided to embrace my curls. I have tried numerous brands of shampoo, conditioner, curl cream, gel, mousse, sprays, etc. Do you have a recommendation? I see many ads for curly hair products. Most are fairly expensive. I already have a shelf full of products I have tried. I am a little reluctant to just keep buying more.

— Sue B.

Dear Sue: I’ve spent a lifetime of dealing with my curly hair, often unsuccessfully. As you probably know, products your curly girlfriends swear by can be an utter flop for you. The best advice I can offer is keep trying new products, preferably those that provide a money-back guarantee and pay the return postage. Some drugstores (and other stores) will accept opened hair and cosmetic product returns if you don’t like them. Check before you buy.

As for what I use: DevaCurl No-Poo Original shampoo and DevaCurl One Condition Original leave-in conditioner, which are expensive but work best for me after many, many experiments with other products. Of my three Curly Girl relatives, one loves these products and the other two say they don’t work for them at all. Every curly head is different.

Angelic readers 1

Many of you want to help Joan K., who yearned for tops that would cover her upper arms. Connie S. finds them online with a search for “elbow-length sleeve tops” or variations such as “elbow sleeve top,” which turn up options at Kohl’s (kohls.com), amazon.com, Duluth Trading Co. (duluthtrading.com), Macy’s (macys.com), Walmart (walmart.com) and many others. Theresa R. and Marcia D. like L.L.Bean (llbean.com) and Lands’ End (landsend.com). Michelle S. is a fan of the Simply Vera Vera Wang Modern T and Croft & Barrow models, both from Kohl’s. Cheryl G. buys elbow-length shirts from QVC (qvc.com).

Angelic readers 2

For Devora E., who ranted about itchy tags printed on the clothing, Mary H. uses wintergreen oil to soften the writing: “I then scrape off the residue with an old credit card or a dinner knife.” But don’t use it on white clothing, she says, because it stained hers. (From Ellen: Test it on a seam or hem no matter the color.)

Reader rant

Deb L. is unhappy about “neck tags that aren’t anchored that constantly flip out and will not stay flat and inside the clothing!” Unlike Devora E., who hates itchy tags printed on clothes, Deb writes, “My favorite tags are the ones that are imprinted (and don’t wear off) including the size and washing directions.”

Send your questions, rants, tips, favorite finds — on style, shopping, makeup, fashion and beauty — to answerangelellen@gmail.com.