I hear clogs are back in. How can I get some that will look current and flattering? I plan to go shopping at lunchtime, so I'd prefer somewhere near the office, please.
Clog Hopping, Edinburgh Tower
The Dictator rules: Are you trying to get us into trouble? Let's just say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and leave out our personal disdain for the high-heeled clog trend. Oops, we said it. For spring-summer, fashion editors seem to have assigned the term 'clog' to almost any shoe with a wooden platform and heel. Miu Miu has some of the most referenced 'clogs' this season, available in a mule form with various upper parts, from hippy florals to solid colours (about HK$4,150; The Landmark, Central, tel: 2523 7833). For a fraction of the cost, you could buy a similar style in light or dark brown leather from Max & Co (HK$1,580; The Landmark, tel: 2526 2801). Louis Vuitton has taken the clog to new heights, literally, in sandals and suede or sequinned ankle boots on wooden platforms (HK$8,850 to HK$11,100; The Landmark, tel: 8100 1182). Dior's 'clogs' look more Olivia Newton-John than Dutch milkmaid, but you might want to try them, too (HK$5,100; The Landmark, tel: 2524 8277). While out, you might as well visit: Tod's, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo, Gucci and Chanel.
I used to use Nars' purifying soap but the brand has discontinued it. Can you recommend another variety to use on problem skin (blackheads, brown spots, etc)?
Bar None, Kowloon
The Dictator: Didn't anyone ever tell you not to judge a book by its cover? Likewise, you should never judge a beauty product by its form alone. Countless other cleansing creams, foams, wipes and even oils would effectively address your skin problems. Not convinced? Oh, forget it. Here are the facial soaps we recommend. Try Clinique's classic facial soap, which comes in extra mild, mild or oily skin formulas (HK$120; Faces, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 3101 9317), or its cleansing bar for face and body (HK$160) from the Anti-Blemish Solutions range. Take the natural route with the moisture soap by Do Organic from Japan, which promises to thoroughly but gently cleanse (HK$250; Beyond Organic, The Gateway, Harbour City, tel: 3116 6818). Sisley Paris makes a soapless facial cleansing bar for combination to oily skin with a non-alkaline formula to purify without stripping away the skin's natural oils (HK$390; Elements, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, tel: 2157 9898). By the way, there are still a few bars of the Nars purifying soap available in Hong Kong, at its boutique in Central, (HK$210; The Landmark, tel: 2523 3805) and the product will still be available online for some time.
