Hair gel won’t leave hands sticky

The last thing any woman wants on her hair during the icky, sticky dog days of August is an icky, sticky styling product. L’Oreal says its new Studio Line Aqua Gel is nothing like that.

The holding gel liquefies in the hand as it’s being applied to the hair. The formula uses a holding resin with silicones grafted to it that leaves hair free of residue and keeps hands from getting sticky, according to the company.

Oribe, consulting stylist to L’Oreal, suggests these styling tips, which are appropriate for men and women:

For a soft, natural look, squeeze gel into palm, rub hands together and use fingers to style hair.

For a sleek look, apply gel using palms.

For more body and volume, apply gel with fingertips from roots to end of hair.

Grouping clothes helps organize closet

Few people have more to fit in their closets than Jill Fairchild, founder of the “Where to Wear” shopping guides, fashion designer Heidi Weisel and decorator David Kleinberg.

But, somehow, they make all their stuff fit, keep it organized and even make the space attractive. They share their tips in the September issue of House Beautiful magazine.

“I like to have everything out in the open,” says Fairchild. “Cubbyholes are great because I can see their contents without having to open a box or pull out a drawer.”

Weisel groups clothes and accessories by color and leaves ample space between hanging garments.

Other tips:

Unless used for pillows and towels, deep drawers are impractical and will only require deep rummaging.

If your wardrobe is mostly black, organize it by season and fabric.

Carpeting a floor cuts down on dust.

Make sure hangers are properly sized for your clothes. Hangers that are too large will poke through the fabric, cause bumps and might ruin the overall shape.

Store off-season clothes in zippered muslin bags and keep off-season shoes in their original boxes with a photo of what’s inside taped to the front.

Latest linen clothes show softer, playful side

Linen can be a sneaky little fabric. It’s long been the material of choice for those who want to keep cool and look cool when the weather heats up. But step outside in traditionally styled linens, and crisp and clean would quickly turn into wrinkled and stained.

These days, designers have loosened linen up. It’s no longer the starched, stiff fabric that looks ruined when it invariably rumples. The latest linen clothes are playful, embellished with bright details and embroidery.

“We’ve definitely incorporated it into some fun styles,” said Kiersten Geiger, marketing coordinator for The Limited stores. The stores are showing linen skirts adorned with brown or brightly hued ribbon stripes, and plaid-printed linens in breezy drawstring pants and wrap-around tops.

This summer’s linens are comfortable; some garments hang loose or are cut slightly oversized to give the garment a little swing. This season’s linens often have sleeves that look made for rolling or cropped pants that are perfect for setting off a new summer sandal.

And best of all, the latest linens are supposed to look a little lived-in. This means a wrinkle or two or when it comes to linen, more is a perfectly acceptable part of the look.

“Linen is the quintessential summer fabric,” said Tara McCollum, a spokeswoman for Banana Republic. That’s why the store rooted its summer collection in linen and lightweight cottons this year.

“We’re encouraging that rumpled, casual feel,” she said.