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, […]

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: 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. […]

Question: Could you please tell me what makes a lipstick long-wearing? I’m so confused by matt/demi-matt/cream/gloss formulations. Please explain! Sonia Schwartz, via email. Answer: “The longest lasting lipsticks are matte,” says Poppy King, colour designer for Prescriptives and former lipstick creator. “They have a high level of pigment and no shine. Pigments come in a […]

Question: Why does my hair colour fade so quickly in summer and what can I do to prevent it? P. Burke, Fitzroy, Vic. Answer: While long, hot summers and lazy days at the beach are some of the best things about living in Australia, a less desirable side effect is overexposure to the sun and […]

Question: How do I keep my eyeliner from smudging? I wear good foundation and concealer, but my eyes look like they have been out all night, while the rest of my face is glowing! Anna Cosic, via e-mail. Answer: “To start, you need to determine if it’s actually your eyeliner or your mascara that’s smudging,” […]

Question: I have reddish-brown hair and would like to dye it blonde, without having to spend a fortune at the hairdressers. How can I use home products? Tracey, via e-mail. Answer: It can be tricky dying brown hair with red undertones blonde without going “brassy”. When trying this yourself, the Schwarzkopf Advice Line suggests starting […]

If exercise can firm up your body, it stands to reason that it can also firm up your face. Try this workout to delay signs of ageing. Facial exercises need not take long, just 10 minutes daily will show results, improving circulation and skin tone. Use a small amount of a good moisturiser or a […]