Question: I am not a person who can spend an hour doing my make-up. Is there a quick routine you can tell me about? Michelle, Croydon, NSW. Answer: According to make-up artist Napoleon Perdis, your daily routine can be fast and simple. Follow his “five steps in five minutes” advice. Step 1: Skin. Start with […]

Question: What is the best treatment to keep my wavy hair straight without doing any damage and making it frizz too much? Kelly Cook, Wangaratta, VIC. Answer: Anthony Nader of RAW salon in Darlinghurst, Sydney, suggests taming wavy hair by using products that contain lanolin for moisture, such as Schwarzkopf ExtraCare ZeroFrizz Finishing Polish, $5, […]

Melissa Doyle always knew it would be the children who’d touch her heart. Earlier this month, the devoted mother of two made a six-day dash away from her job as co-host of the Seven Network’s Sunrise program, to the icy steppes of Mongolia where — as World Vision’s Guardian Angel — she distributed handmade Aussie […]

Exclusive extract from Sparkles (Headline/Review) by Louise Bagshawe. ‘So,’ the lady said. ‘You have come at last.’ ‘Just so, madame,’ said Sophie, nervously. Her mother in law shook her head and made a little moue of annoyance with her thin lips. ‘Speak English, girl, for heaven’s sake,’ she snapped. ‘You were never any good at […]

1. Go on a reading course. Nobody wants to hear this, everybody ignores it. It’s not sexy advice. But it matters. To write in a given style you must steep yourself in that style. Say you want to write a chick lit book. Before you start, pop down to your bookstore. Get the Shopaholic books, […]

Exclusive extract from The Stone Angel (Macmillan) by Katherine Scloles. Stella’s hand looked large and pale in the undersea light. Strands of hair drifted in front of her mask. She held onto a rock as a swell came through, swirling the weeds. When the sea became still again she pulled her knife from the sheath […]

Question I’m 14 and am attending my auntie’s non-traditional wedding soon. I’m wearing a simple short white dress with silver heels. I was wondering, what jewellery would look best with it? Meg, via email. Answer I would suggest to follow the direction of your shoe choice and keep all your accessories silver. Try to keep […]

Question I work as an executive assistant to the MD in a large corporation and need to look businesslike and corporate but find this extremely difficult in the hot and steamy weather. Do you have any suggestions on what I can wear that is both cool and businesslike? I am also a plus size. Karen, […]

Question Does the mother of the bride have to wear a hat? My daughter is getting married on Sydney Harbour later this month and I do not suit hats and I hate having ‘hat hair’, particularly if I need to take it off for dancing later. Dorothy, via e-mail. Answer These days dress codes are […]

Question I’m attending a black tie function and I’m after a simple plain black clutch bag. I’ll be wearing a floor length black satin dress. Kim, via e-mail. Answer Try the following bag companies. You can call them to find out your closest stockist. Olga Berg, Ph: 03 9419 6711 Reidels, Ph: 03 9383 6644 […]