The Dictator: on style, she rules

The Dictator rules: Wait a second. Just what kind of music teacher are you? Dangerously short hemlines, hot pants, cleavage and cartoonish styling don’t exactly inspire confidence. I’m not sure dressing like Katy Perry is going to impress the parents but appropriate pieces in a music print could be amusing. Anyway, I’m sure you don’t have the budget or the desire for a gown from Valentino Haute Couture, which is what Perry wore to the 2014 Grammy Awards. Well, that top-end collection doesn’t include the kind of daywear you need. Instead, whistle your way (allegro) over to Miu Miu (The Landmark, Central, tel: 2523 7833). The dresses are sold out but you’ll still find pretty black and white music-print pieces, such as a short-sleeved crepe top (HK$7,550) and silk, flared mini skirt (HK$11,050). For only HK$970, there’s the fab In the Key of Chic dress in a white and black sheet music print at modcloth.com. The vintageinspired clothing website has other whimsical music-inspired prints you might like, such as retro record patterns on skirts (HK$620) and dresses (HK$930). If all you want is a cool T-shirt, then visit threadless.com. The catalogue includes lots of cool music-related designs (about HK$155 each), from reimagined music manuscripts to astronauts rocking in outer space.

The Dictator: Here’s a clue: any products that have the word “long” in them will probably last for, um, a long time. MAC, for example, makes Pro Longwear Lipcreme, which promises to last for up to 12 hours and comes in a wide spectrum of colours (HK$175; Facesss Lab Concept, Queensway Plaza, Admiralty, tel: 3106 0478). Similarly, Clinique’s Long Last Lipstick (HK$150; Harvey Nichols, Pacific Place, Admiralty, tel: 3968 2552) is also formulated to stay for hours without feathering or drying out. Lola’s SOS Liquid Lipsticks (HK$195; Facesss Lab Concept, tel: 3974 5293) are described as “extended wear with luminous colour and shine” and, based on just one test, we approve. Like a glossier effect? Try Rouge Pur Couture a Levres Glossy Stain by Yves Saint Laurent (HK$295; Pacific Place, tel: 2151 9022). And, of course, Revlon still does the affordable Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm (HK$78 to HK$98; Sasa, see www.sasa.com for locations). If you’ve already found your perfect lip colour, make it last with a lip primer such as MAC’s Prep + Prime (HK$180). To maximise any lipstick’s staying power, apply once, press lips on an oil-blotting sheet or tissue, then apply a second time.