I love those cotton scarves the cool kids are wearing, especially the skinny versions. Where can I find one for not too much money? Keep in mind I'm not talking about pashminas for old ladies.
Slashed Pash without Cash, Happy Valley
The Dictator rules: As if. We weren't exactly about to direct you to the nearest cashmere store for a shawl. Because this is a trend followed by teenagers (hint), you'll find the items you want at casual brand stores such as Esprit and its lower-priced outlets (about HK$120 and up; Citygate Mall, Tung Chung MTR station, 20 Tat Tung Road, Tung Chung, tel: 2109 3221). Pull & Bear has tons of printed and plain ones to choose from (HK$129; Times Square, Causeway Bay, tel: 2506 3033). At Bershka, they cost only about HK$49 and up (Times Square, tel: 2506 0666). Uniqlo has them, too, although it calls them 'stoles' (HK$99; Lee Theatre Plaza, 99 Percival Street, Causeway Bay, tel: 2577 5811). For a touch of luxe, take a look at the cotton and cashmere versions at Calvin Klein Jeans (HK$1,290; The Landmark, Central, tel: 2530 3632). Easy. Next?
We have a friend who could do with some regular eyebrow plucking. Since her birthday's coming up, we thought it would be a good time to give her a hint by giving her an eyebrow grooming kit thing. Where can we get one?
Plucking Up Courage, Stanley
The Dictator: What a good friend you are. So will you be asking where to buy Spanx when your chubby friend's birthday rolls around? If you think your friend's life would be improved by a makeover, then be straight about it. If you insist on the passive-aggressive gift idea, then order online from Anastasia Beverly Hills (
www.anastasia.net), probably the world's most famous brow specialist. It sells kits with various tools such as stencils, tweezers, brushes, etc, and also brow make-up (US$45 and up). Locally, you could buy the La Tweez kit, which includes tweezers with LED lights and an eyebrow brush (HK$280; Harvey Nichols, The Landmark, tel: 3695 3388). If your friend's still speaking to you and asks for guidance, then take her to an expert such as Browhaus (1/F, 17 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, tel: 2845 0886). These brow specialists will do everything from shaping and grooming untamed brows to shading for the less, uh, well-endowed arches (about HK$130 to HK$310). Beauty counters have been offering in-store brow services for years, including the Benefit Brow Bar (New Town Plaza Phase 3, Sha Tin, tel: 2604 3603; visit
www.benefitcosmetics.hk for more locations). They do a brow arch service for HK$150, or HK$750 for a package of five with an extra one free. While you're there, you might want to pick up a Smokin' Eyes eye and brow makeover kit (HK$360).