The Dictator: On style, she rules

How lazy can you get? Do you seriously find it too laboursome to open a bottle cap and dab a bit of acetone on a cotton pad? Wow. That's a new low. I'm reluctant to tell you now that, yes, the item you seek is indeed available in Hong Kong. New York nail care brand Barielle makes Love Your Nails Remover Wipes, which are on sale at HK$72, from HK$145, for 40 towelettes, at Bonjour (6 Kai Chiu Road, Causeway Bay, tel: 2856 2533). These days most women want to avoid scary chemicals, which is why the product is free from acetone, formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl-phthalate. Swiss brand Mavala does a similar round container of Nail Polish Remover Pads (HK$34 for 30; Fanda, World Wide House, 19 Des Voeux Road, Central, tel: 2526 6623), which are also acetone-free. Topshop has remover pads made with moisturising pro-vitamin B5 (HK$29 for 20; 59 Queen's Road Central, tel: 2118 5353). For travel-friendly, individually packaged wipes, there's the Eco-Beauty Nail Polish Remover Acetone-Free Pads by La Fresh. They cost HK$20 for 10 wipes and are, rather oddly, sold from the distributor's office in Sheung Wan (Hosey Trading Company, 1/F, 15 Queen's Road West, Sheung Wan, tel: 2544 0818).

I can't quite decide if you're being kind or overly critical. Also, I'm sure she'd appreciate an upgrade more than a new bag. Just saying. OK, so red carry-on bags are easy to find. It all depends on taste, budget and storage requirements. Tumi's feminine Voyageur collection comes in a very pretty red labelled "Lipstick", in lightweight nylon, with matching leather straps and trimming (see www.tumi.com or visit the boutique in Pacific Place, Admiralty, tel: 2918 4688). Your safest bet would be the Q-Tote, which features outer pockets on the front and back, an interior pocket and a zip closure (HK$2,080). Another smart choice would be one of Longchamp's nylon and leather bags from its Le Pliage line (8 Queen's Road Central, tel: 2167 8899). It comes in a beautiful deep red and the medium (HK$800) or large sizes (HK$900) would be perfect for travel. Something in Mischa's hexagonal print, such as its Overnighter, in burgundy and brown (HK$1,650; order or find stores at www.mischadesigns. com), would also be fabulous.