Ask Pussybow!

artwork by kailey

Q: Dear Pussybow, how do I stay cute with my clothes while it’s so fucking cold outside? I’m talking frostbite weather!

A: You came to the right place, cuz not only am I familiar with frostbite weather, I know how to look cute in it as well! FYI: I am not one willing to forego miniskirts for warm legs or big hair for hats. I like to do nothing other than throw on a coat. Sound familiar? Make sure you take lotsa Vitamin C to boost your immune system!

I’m sorta kidding. Didn’t anyone ever tell you that layers are your friend? I always, always wear another jacket under my winter coat, and it helps a lot. You can also layer up on tights, or even wear leggings over tights. I used to do this when I had to brave frosty NYC mornings when I was working at my thankless ex-job. The second I got to work, I ripped those leggings off and heated up some tea and I was good to go!

Socks are pretty necessary - I like to wear ankle socks in the same color of my tights so they just kinda blend together. Over the knee socks look cute over tights too, but it’s not a look I am a fan of on myself.

Scarves, gloves, hats, I mean, if that’s your thing, just be smart about it. If you’re in your twenties and wearing a hat that’s a wolf head, DON’T. Why not just get something that matches your coat? I like to keep that stuff as simple as possible. My coat is black, so I have a black knit cap and black gloves. I got a faux fur scarf from H&M that I popped a KITTENCREAMERY MELTING SKULL on, so not only am I warm, I get to show off my personality a little bit too!

You can always just do your hair and makeup to look cute, duh! Sometimes, when I have to run errands or I’m just going to my boyfriend’s, I wear crummy leggings and a tee. No one can see my outfit under my coat, but my hair and makeup are always flawless, so I look cute. When I get really cold, my eyes tear up, so I like to use waterproof eyeliner.

Just toughen up, SUFFER FOR FASHION- you probably only have a few more months of cold anyway!

Q: Dear Pussybow, I am too poor/lazy to get my bangs trimmed by a hairstylist as often as I need to, so I wanted to start doing it at home. I was wondering if you do any at-home hair care, and if you have any tips for me so I don’t ruin it? Thanks!

A: Pussybow’s Home Hair Care How To:

1. Become very emotional over something pointless at 4 am

2. Suddenly realize how irritated you are with the length of your bangs

3. Just start cutting

4. Keep cutting and wait for the uneven parts to even out

5. Panic when you realize you have cut everything too short and your bangs are crooked in more than one place

6. Cry and maybe cut some more of your hair

7. Realize you can wear your hair in a gross high school scene kid combover fashion for the next month

8. Wait for your bangs to grow out so you can repeat the process

Basically, I AM NERVOUS FOR YOU. Are you sure you wanna do this? First, I would look into how much bang trimmings cost. This is something I have never done, but always meant to. Or maybe you could ask a friend to help you out. Not doubting your skills, just… warning you to proceed with caution. As Moz once said, “If your hair is wrong, your entire life is wrong.”

If I’ve learned anything, it’s not to cut while your hair’s wet. When it dries, your hair kinda bounces up a little, making your bangs look even shorter. Dry your bangs and have them as you usually would before you attempt to cut! As far as the actual process goes… just start off slow, with as little as possible. Sounds dumb but, you can always trim more.. you can’t put anything back.

I really hope it works out for you, but if it doesn’t, it WILL grow back, and you probably WILL try it again. At present, the left side of my bangs are shorter and more jagged than the right, and I’ve also cut off a little piece of hair that my stylist urged me to let grow out…. next question!

Q: Dear Pussybow, I seem to of made the mistake of only having a couple of close friends in the same state. Two boys specifically, they have changed (as I’m sure I have too) so much these past couple of years. We’re such different people, and I guess it’s hard because as they’ve changed they still sway towards the same interests as each other. Only one of them even makes an effort to keep our friendship in tact. Bottom line is it’s tough, and lonely. To top it all of I’m very shy. Any advice?

A: Dear tough and lonely: suck it up! You’re on the Internet, which helped me through my loneliest times. Sorry, but I barely have any real life friends… and I’m kind of in a place where I don’t really want that many. Maybe it’s because I’m hella broke and can’t afford to do anything but be boring and complain about not being able to find a job, or maybe it’s because I’m pathetic… but I love having long distance Internet friendships with people!

Naw, I think the real reason I’m so bitter towards IRL friendships is because I’ve been in your position before. However, I gotta ask you to ask yourself: How much effort are you putting in to keep the friendships in tact? If you’re not giving it your all, maybe your friends think YOU’RE the disinterested one, and therefore less motivated to put in effort to keep things copasetic.

I’ve been in situations like this before, and there were times when I was putting in way more effort. It became apparent that my friends were no longer interested in any relationship with me, so I stopped trying, and let the friendship die. I did confront them first, however, and I would advise you to do the same… you might clear up an understanding, or you might realize you’re wasting your time. In which case, you gotta move on!

Just remember, it’s not a reflection on you or your personality (unless they tell you otherwise) and that people change and drift. It’s all really normal, and more likely to happen as people get older and more secure in their interests and lifestyles. The best advice I can really give you is that no matter what, don’t beat yourself up!

have you got some burning question that needs answering pronto? drop a line in our ask box with the header ‘dear pussybow’!

-Jennifer