Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Decide how to wear your shirt. Add another top. Choose your shoes. Wear patterned socks. Decorate your clothing. Have your uniform custom fit.

Answer: You may not have much choice on what shirt to wear, but there are a few decisions you can make:  If your school allows it, leaving your shirt untucked can be more comfortable and casual. If your school requires tucked shirts, pulling it up to leave a little loose fabric can stand out. (This trick is usually used for boys' uniforms.) Try cuffing your sleeves to stand out a little. Consider undoing the top buttons of a polo shirt. Check the dress code first; many schools have strict regulations for girls. Most schools allow a dress shirt or camisole underneath your school uniform. This adds class and may allow you to undo the top buttons of your uniform for style and comfort. If you prefer a more covered look, buy a uniform sweater (cardigan) instead. If your school doesn't have uniform sweaters, check the dress code to see what tops you can wear. If you only need to stick to a color scheme, you can find a sweater with flashy buttons, macrame, lace, or other decorations. Shoes are often the least regulated item, but check your school's dress code before you shop. Even if you are required to wear black or white shoes, there are many different styles to choose from. Pick something that suits your style:  Flats look classy. Calf-high boots are exciting. Athletic shoes are comfortable and handy to have on gym days. High heels may be too impractical for school. Socks are another loophole in many dress codes. You still might get called out if you go too over-the-top, but a neutral pattern or dark shade can add some variety. You'll usually have to be subtle about altering the clothes themselves. If any of these are allowed at your school, though, they can supply fantastic customization:  Replacing buttons with new buttons the same color, but a different shape Iron-on patches  Embroidered designs If you're working with a very strict dress code, this may be one of your only options. Take the uniform to a tailor and pay to have it altered. Here are a few ideas:  Bring in the waist or sleeves. If you are proud of your waist or your muscular arms, have the garment narrowed slightly in those areas. Loosen the shirt or skirt. This is most helpful if the uniform is uncomfortably tight, but it can be a fashion statement as well.  Hem the skirt. Take care not to bring the skirt higher than the dress code allows. Just fold it over a little bit to create a neater edge.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Know what shampoo and conditioner is good for curly hair. Avoid using products that contain silicones, sulfates, and parabens. Avoid using styling products with alcohol in them. Don't wash your hair every day. Apply shampoo to the roots and work your way down. Apply conditioner to the ends and work your way up. Try to let you hair air dry, and avoid using a towel. Try using a diffuser or hooded dryer  to dry your hair.

Answer: Try to get products that are made specifically for curly hair. They will contain extra nutrients that curly hair needs to look smooth, soft, and healthy. Here are some other things you should look for:  Moisturizing or hydrating shampoos/conditioners add moisture back into your hair, making it look less frizzy and dry. Oils and butters, such as avocado oil and shea butter, also add moisture back into your. This will help make it feel soft and smooth. Protein will help make your hair healthy, shiny, and strong. This will help reduce frizz. Silicones are plastics that are found in many styling products. They can only be removed by sulfates, which are harsh cleaning agents. Sulfates can make curly hair dry and frizzy. Parabens are preservatives, and may be linked to cancer; it is best to avoid them altogether. Alcohol can make curly hair feel dry, and dry hair tends to look frizzy. Hairsprays, gels, and mousses all tend to contain alcohol. Read the ingredient label before purchasing any of these types of products. If something you cannot find anything without alcohol, try to find something where alcohol is towards the end of the ingredient list. Curly hair does not produce as many natural oils as other types of hair, so tends to get dry and frizzy easily. Washing your hair every day will remove all of those helpful oils. Instead, try to wash your hair two to three times a week. If you have very dry hair, you may want to reduce that to once a week. There should be hardly any shampoo on the ends of your hair. Shampoo can by drying, and the ends of your hair are the most fragile. There should be hardly any conditioner on the roots of your hair. Conditioner weighs your hair down. It may also make the roots more greasy. Let the conditioner sit for two to three minutes, or longer if the label says to. Heat can made curly hair frizzy, and the coarse texture of most towels can snag and tear the delicate hairs. Instead, allow your hair to air dry. If you must towel dry it, try blotting it with a microfiber cloth instead. A microfiber cloth is soft, so it won't snag your hair. It is also absorbent, so it will soak up the excess moisture. Heat can damage curly hair and make it frizzy. If you have to blow dry your hair, try attaching a diffuser to your hair dryer. You will disperse the heat and make it less intense. This will prevent tangles and frizz. You can also use a hooded dryer; this works great for kinky or textured hair. Be sure to spray your hair down with a heat protection spray before using a diffuser.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Don’t pretend you understand. Keep your advice to yourself. Swallow your empty clichés. Question how spiritual consolation will be received by your friend.

Answer:
Recognize that different people react to life situations differently. Even if you have been through a similar situation as your friend, avoid saying something like “Oh, it won’t feel so bad after a while. When I went through this, I ___” Your friend wants her feelings acknowledged not minimized.  Show empathy instead. Empathy involves acknowledging the other person’s painful feelings by trying to put yourself in her shoes. Even if you think you know what it’s like, refrain from generalizing what the experience is like To your friend, this is new, raw, and painful. To offer support and empathy, say “I can see that you are hurting. I wish there was something I could do.” When we see people we love hurting, a common reaction is to rush to find a solution. However, in some cases, the only factors that can lessen the pain are time or hope. Yes, you may feel powerless about not being able to offer some practical help to your friend, but she will appreciate your presence much more than your advice. During hard times, people resort to unhelpful platitudes that offer no comfort, but only make the circumstances worst. Avoid these unsupportive, straight-from-greeting-cards comments:  Everything happens for a reason Time heals all wounds It was meant to be It could be worse What’s done is done The more things change, the more they stay the same Offering to pray for your friend or telling her to pray, may seem like a harmless gesture. However, if your friend is an atheist or agnostic, she may not be soothed by religious practices. Try to meet your friend where she is and offer your presence and comfort in a way that is comfortable to her.