Work trip S&B efforts going very wrong. I have a shopping opportunity today - what can save me?!

[UncleBunclesHouse]

I’m on my first long haul work trip for a long tome

my usual work uniform post Covid is some combo of white/cream/black blouse, t shirt or shirt, jeans, wide leg trousers or ankle grazers, blazer, white pumps (always fit flop rally to be specific as I get plantar fasciitis). I have a pair of patent chunky loafers for the rare occasions this footwear won’t work.

I generally think this works well, is comfy and looks pretty good - I’m tall and slim and like the scandi-simple look. Fairly minimal make up. Hair in loose bun.

Not working at all on this trip! I will list my woes and sorry it’s long but it will be cathartic!

• my hair is a frizz bomb and is fuzzing out all around my head
• my newish black trousers have leaked dye on my le pilage bag, my beige-ish linen blazer and my white blouse - I have packed a very ‘capsule’ wardrobe in a carry on only so now will have to get it all laundered at the hotel at an insane expense or I’ll run out of clothes
• ditto dye on my nude polished nails
• my skin has gone blotchy and sporty and generally sensitive and angry looking, if I try to cover up with make up it starts peeling and looks worse
• my eyes (and everywhere) looks puffy
• everyone looks much more dressed up here and expensive and I feel very frumpy and unpolished !!

so…I have a few hours free shortly to go shopping in a big city (U.S) and to a beauty counter etc - what do I do?!? What is going to save the situation?

If you’re input is to tell me people will only care about me doing a good job etc etc you’re in the wrong place and please scroll on, I’m not asking about my professional performance 😊

*blotchy and spotty

Buy a dress or two - long or midi, Jersey knit fabric, dark colour
If you are in the UK I'd go John Lewis or M&S and look there. Or even H&M. Dresses look smart with minimal effort ime

Get yourself to Sephora for a calming and hydrating serum for your fair.

And some "Color Wow" Dreamcoat for your hair. It leaves it sleek and amazing even with high humidity. And a hair oil incase you need a bit extra boom.

Face creams again that are hydrating and lush, sounds like your skin has not enjoyed the flight?

Loads and loads of water, and some magnesium capsules, to help aid any water retention and energy boost.

Clothes wise...er find a Macy's?

And a caffeine eye cream for the eyes! Chill if possible, dab on and then tap into your skin in an "out and up" motion!

Oh poor you - at least there are shops near. I once ended up on a work trip in Salzburg, heavily pregnant, with too tight trousers and heavy jacket in a heatwave - with no shops!!!

I can only advise trying to get La Roche Posay or similar, Toleraine moisturiser. It will calm the skin. You might not get it in the US - REN ‘evercalm’ is also very good and I think it’s a US brand.

Clothes wise Banana Republic is your best bet. Or if you have more money, either JCrew or Theory. All US brands that have a Scandi vibe as opposed to a US politician’s wife vibe!

What a nightmare OP. Can you get a professional blow dry to sort out hair - I find hair makes such a difference to how well put together you feel. A small bottle of surgical spirit from a pharmacy might just take the dye out of your bag and maybe your clothes. And maybe a simple well cut dress as an instant outfit? Not so easy to find under pressure though, I fully appreciate.

For work clothes in the US Ann Taylor is your best bet without extortionate prices.

Is it worth visiting a pharmacy for anti histamines? If you need gentle non irritating skin care all the stuff by Vanicream is extremely gentle. For hair, I'd see if there's a blow dry bar somewhere that can fit you in.

Can you go to a beauty salon for a facial?

You are tall and slim, you are 80% there.
A waft of fabulous perfume, stand tall and own it.

Re the hotel laundry this’ll be claimable on expenses so it wouldn’t worry me. As it’s usa though lots of chain hotels have laundry rooms with washing machines where you can run a load yourself for a couple of dollars. I’ve certainly done this in many hyatts. As American workwear can be quite frumpy and OTT by uk standards I’d stick with my own style and try and replace the trousers to avoid further dye incidents. There is Cos on the east coast and Zara in a lot of places which would probably yield something that fits in with your normal style.
Id go to Kiehls for skin. Buy one or two things that you know you’ll use at home and acquire a load of samples of richer stuff for the remainder of the trip. Take anti histamines and drink more water for puffiness. Hair I just have to go severe and slicked into a tight bun to avoid frizz but that sounds as if it would work with your style.

Blow dry bar for a blow dry.

Sephora or similar:

• ColourWow Extra Strength Dream Coat or Living Proof No Frizz Vanishing Oil
• Silk bonnet or pillowcase for night
• First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration - barrier repair cream
• Peace Out Under Eye Puffy Patches
• Eye roller / face roller to go in the fridge

Drugstore:

• antihistamines in case skin is an allergy

Is there a dry cleaner who can do the stain removal / laundry for you more cost effectively than the hotel?

Clothes - I would try and find a midi length navy / black dress.

Is there a Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack? I got a couple of great shirt dresses that were Nordstrom branded

Sephora for skin/hair as PP said. And Uniqlo or Gap (v good for white shirts). Anthropologie too if there’s one nearby.

I'd second getting a blow dry and also getting g your nails done - manicures are usually fairly affordable in the States. If your hair and nails look good I think they will make everything else seem more polished

Thanks so much for these tips! Am looking up closest Sephora

And blow dry bar

Ooh it looks like I’m near a Nordstrom with a blow dry bar - that’s a good shop I believe?

Yes I like Nordstrom, reminds me of John Lewis

The US city you are in is going to impact what you should buy a bit. NYC is much dressier than Chicago say.
Nordstrom is a decent shout and if you're near there there should be other good shops around it.

I agree that work west is a little old fashioned in the US so wouldn't buy things that you won't wear again

Also second drinking lots of water.

It is the former!

Seems a lot dressier than London…

I did wonder, NYC is dressier I think than anywhere else in the USA and London.
But it has great shops.

There are European brands like Mango and Uniqlo has decent basics.

I know it has been having a heat surge recently. Good luck from a much scruffier Chicago.
If you have an English accent that will make up for pretty much any clothing mishap.

Oh god yes NYC is crazy. I have a colleague who is the most put together person I know. Went on a work trip with her to NY and she was complaining about feeling underdressed. I never feel like I’ve got the tone quite right.

But it does mean you’ve got access to great shops and options.

The Nordstrom Rack on 6th/W 31st is great for deals and actually really well organised. There is also the huge Macy’s on 34th Street.

At the Washington Sq end of 5th Ave there's a stretch with Ckub. Monaco, J Crew and Zara. As you're talk I'd go for something like a long, sleek dress or skirt/top combo, go monochrome, charcoal or navy, you'll look really elegant