Question I’ve noticed patches of pigmentation starting to appear on my face. Is there anything I can do at home to remove them or at least lessen their appearance? B. Wilkins, via e-mail Answer Tricia Haron, Clinique’s national education manager, says: “In the past, dark and uneven patches on the skin were blamed solely on […]

Question: I always have split ends. Could straightening my hair with a straightening iron be the cause? How can I stop them and get my hair back into good condition? Ilsa, Newcastle, NSW Answer: Julie Zavaglia, director of Glow Salon in Sydney, explains, “Some types of hair are more prone to split ends than others. […]

Jacqueline Achilles is a fitness instructor and part-time model who wants a career in fashion. “I was always told my breast size wasn’t ideal,” says part-time model Jacqueline Achilles. “And when I went shopping I felt limited about what fashionable clothes I could wear.” So Jacqueline had breast implants and now, she says, “I feel […]

Question I’m 20 and already have spider veins on my legs. What’s the best treatment for them? Answer According to Dr Deborah Davis, sclerotherapy (injecting the vein with a solution that irritates the vein lining, causing it to collapse) is the best way to treat spider veins. “Although some clients request the laser,” says Dr […]

Question: I can’t seem to stop my lipstick from bleeding. Any advice? Answer: It’s worth taking the time to prepare the lips. Start with a lip primer to plump up and soften lips. Make-up artist Noni Smith likes to use a colourless wax product around the lips to seal and fill in little cracks. She […]

Question My nails always grow to a certain length and then break. What can I do to help them grow? Yessar, via e-mail Answer Manicurist Christina Fitzgerald says that it is possible to grow your nails past their regular breaking point with a little tender love and care. Here are her tips for healthy nails: […]

Question: I’m starting a job that requires I wear make-up, but my skin is really sensitive — I get puffy eyes from eyeshadow and itchy lips from lipstick. Can you suggest make-up I can use? Suzanne, Ryde, NSW Answer: Mineral make-up would be ideal for your skin. It’s made from pure minerals such as mica, […]

Question: My hair is very oily and I have a flaky scalp. How can I stop this? Liliana, Auburn, NSW Answer: This sounds like a classic case of dandruff and, although you can’t completely cure it, you can keep it under control. Researchers now think dandruff may be caused by a yeast-like fungus called malassezia. […]

Question What is the solution to minimising large pores? Clover, via email. Answer Pores are passageways for oil to be released into the skin,” explains dermatologist Dr David Orentreich. “They may be barely visible on people prone to drier skin, whereas people with oily or thicker skin tend to have larger, more noticeable pores. They […]

Question How do vitamin supplements help maintain the quality of your skin through the ageing process? Is there any need to take them? L. Watson, via email. Answer In his book, The Murad Method, dermatologist Dr Howard Murad says the amount of vitamins you get from foods depends on how fresh they are, how they’ve […]