On style, she rules

2-MIN READ2-MIN

Published: 12:00am, 18 Jul 2004

I am a big fan of Peter Thomas Roth's skin lightener for my brown spots and don't really want to change brands, because it works! Can I buy it in Hong Kong?

Pale And Interested, Kowloon Bay

The Dictator rules: For such a big fan you don't seem to know much. Peter Thomas Roth makes a few skin-lightening products, including Potent Skin Lightening Gel Complex, Potent Skin Lightening Lotion Complex and Ultra-Gentle Skin Lightening Gel Complex. The brand also makes a few brighteners: Aha/Kojic Under Eye Brightener, Potent Botanical Skin Brightening Gel Complex, Potent Botanical Skin Brightening Lotion Complex, Power K Eye Rescue and Ultra-gentle Botanical Skin Brightening Gel Complex. I suggest you consult an aesthetician at Frederique Spa (4/F, Wilson House, 19 Wyndham Street, Central, tel: 2522 3054), which carries part of the line, including the Potent Skin Lightening Gel Complex ($560). The lighteners have hydroquinone, a topical agent that decreases melanin production, and comes with a long list of warnings. They include some scary stuff about avoiding sunlight and not knowing its effects on unborn children.

I would love one of those ultra-thin hair straighteners but I haven't been able to find one. Please tell me where I can get one.

In A Tizz, Sheung Wan

The Dictator: I don't know in which century you bought your last hair straightener but there are a few 'thin' ones around. Negative ions are a popular way to straighten hair, often using ceramic instead of metal plates. The Vidal Sassoon Ceramic Slim with ceramic plates and a heat-control dial sounds ideal for you ($299; Sogo, 555 Hennessey Road, Causeway Bay, tel: 2833 8338). The Panasonic Ionic Straightener works based on the same principle but is slightly larger ($278; Wing On, Cityplaza, 18 Taikoo Shing Road, tel: 2885 7588). It's a revolutionary idea but you could visit one of the many Fortress shops (for locations visit www.fortress.com.hk or call the customer service hotline: 2555 5788). You will find some that use steam - the Braun Independent Steam and Straight ($348); the Vidal Sasson Steam Straightener ($188) - and a teeny-bopper version in sparkly purple, the Conair Print & Crimp ($149). A word of advice: skip the crimping.