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 […]

Question I am 14 and I really want to decorate my room. The only thing I don’t know what to do with is my wardrobe. Should I organise it in sections, colours or what goes with what? Jess, via e-mail. Answer We suggest breaking it up into sections. Try these sections which you can then […]

Question: I have dry skin but working in an air-conditioned office is making it even worse! I apply moisturiser every day and drink water through the day — what else can I do? Alison Slyns Answer: The best advice I can give you is to give yourself a moisturising mask once a week and a […]

Question I’m starting to get crow’s-feet. I know there are lots of great creams on the market, but why do we get wrinkles and how else can I avoid them besides using these creams? Ingrid, Caloundra, Qld. Answer Tom Mammone, director of Clinique Biological Research and Development, says, “Sunlight causes approximately 90 percent of what […]

Question: I never wear eyeshadow because I don’t know where to apply it, what colours to use or how many. Can you tell me what to use for the best effect? I have light-blue eyes. Vanessa, via e-mail. Answer: Richard Dean of Max Factor suggests some very simple rules to follow for foolproof, flattering eye […]

Question: My hair is broken from root to tip — how can I repair it? Sondra, via e-mail. Answer: “Just stop whatever you’re doing right now,” says Robert Maiolo of Maiolo Copeland Salon in Sydney’s Darlinghurst. “A few things could be causing the hair to break. One of the biggest offenders is the straightening iron. […]

Question: Could you tell me what make-up blotting paper is and where I can get it? K Answer: Blotting paper is very thin pieces of tissue paper with a dusting of translucent powder. You gently press them onto any shiny bits of your face to soak up excess oil. The Body Shop has a brand […]

Question My nails have become weak and flaky. I have recently started swimming and was wondering if it’s related to chlorine or other chemicals in the pool? Is there any way I can protect my nails so they will once again grow long and strong? Jacci, via email. Answer Nails are normally highly flexible and […]

Question How can I get rid of blackheads and stop my pores filling up with what causes them to form? Jane Markby, Glen Waverley, VIC. Answer “Blackheads are composed mainly of a mixture of sebum [the skin’s natural oil] and dead skin cells, which have oxidised at the surface of a follicle,” Emma Hobson, from […]

Question: I suddenly have a whole head of grey hair! What’s the best way to look after it? Sangetta, via email. Answer: Grey hair happens when the hair follicles stop producing melanin, the substance that gives colour to our hair. As we age, melanin production decreases, hence the increase in the appearance of grey hairs. […]