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On style, she rules

Quite a few French girls I know have been looking hot in checked shirts with jeans but all I can find are big baggy ones for guys. Not sexy. Where can I get great ones for girls?

Check Checkin', Kowloon

The Dictator rules: What's this thing you have for French women? Actually, we'd rather not know.

Tommy Hilfiger has a great selection of checked items now, from slim button-downs to more blousy cuts with drawstring drop waists, as well as ruffled dresses (HK$790 to HK$1,690; Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2735 7622). Polo Jeans has a similar range but in that sort of pre-worn, slightly wrinkled style (HK$850 to HK$1,290; The Gateway, Harbour City, tel: 2175 4388). The more casual Paul by Paul Smith line also has some (HK$2,590; Ocean Terminal, tel: 2730 7622). For something a little more fashion conscious, check out the latest collection by Marc by Marc Jacobs (The Gateway, tel: 2956 0886), which has a silk shirt that ties at the neck (HK$4,090), as well as checked patterns on cardigans, dresses and separates.

Note: steady; that's not licence to wear checks head to toe. Other brands to consider include Dsquared2 and a.p.c.

I have scaly skin on my upper arms - diagnosed by a dermatologist as keratosis pilaris. I've tried the expensive potions he prescribed but there's been no improvement. I saw a motorised skin brush by Sephora that looked like it might do the trick but when I went into a Sephora in Singapore they claimed to have no knowledge of it. Please help.

Spotty in Sai Kung

The Dictator: What are you thinking? You've decided to go against the advice of a qualified professional and ask me for advice instead? You do realise I have zero medical training, right? Please, save us both a lot of trouble and stick with whatever your doctor tells you. Out of curiosity, we sourced the product anyway. The top sonic skin brush on the market is by Clarisonic and it's sold at Joyce Beauty (HK$2,100; 16 Queen's Road Central, tel: 2869 5816). It uses a technology similar to the popular sonic toothbrushes, which were developed by the same researchers, apparently, and is supposed to cleanse deeply without the need for harsh chemicals. It's also got a built-in one-minute timer to stop you overdoing it. So, although we're no expert, it does sound pretty good. Other brands to look for online include Nutra Sonic and the more affordable Pretika (www.amazon. com). Cheaper versions are just that, cheaper, and usually just electric rather than sonic but you could give them a try, too. The Power Perfect Pore looks fun, is only HK$150 and comes with four interchangeable heads and a mist function (Sasa, tel: 2505 5023; www.sasa.com).

Are pointy shoes back in? I've seen lots with high heels but I only wear flats and can't find any in the shape I'm after. Something inside me still thinks the pointiness looks wrong but I'm willing to give it a go.

Pointed Question, Mid-Levels

The Dictator: Let me get this straight, you'll buy and wear something just because you think it's 'in' regardless of your personal style? Ah, maybe you don't have any. Aren't you a marketer's dream!

Manolo Blahnik would probably laugh, since he's never stopped making pointy shoes and currently has a variety of them in flats (HK$6,250 and up; The Landmark, Central, tel: 2845 1575). Speaking of the big boys, both Jimmy Choo (HK$3,590; The Landmark, tel: 2525 6068) and Christian Louboutin (7 On Lan Street, Central, tel: 2118 0016) have made them for autumn, too. The current Marc Jacobs collection is also full of them, including his signature Mouse ballet flats (HK$4,290 to HK$5,490; The Landmark, tel: 2523 3324). InNiu, as always, has reasonably priced yet unusual takes on the mini trend (about HK$1,790; The Landmark, tel: 2536 0588 ); as does Nine West (HK$745 to HK$945; IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2234 7336).

You'll see more and more of these as the season wears on.

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