How to keep your hair in check in Hong Kong's humidity - ask The Dictator

Well Suited, Admiralty

It sounds like you love yourself, too. Well, then, love yourself to bits in one of the many "suits" we found, even if it isn't as big a trend as you think. The quotation marks are because designers sell jackets and trousers as separates. To channel that minimalist 1990s vibe, you'll need to avoid branded details such as the bold jacket buttons that so many designers, including Gucci and Louis Vuitton, are showing this season. Of the more affordable brands, Massimo Dutti has nailed the modern, clean-lined suit in various permutations with white, blue or navy one-button jackets (HK$1,690 to HK$1,990), and casual to tailored trousers (HK$890 to HK$1,090). At Theory you will find jackets and blazers in various cuts with nary a brass button in sight (HK$3,900 to HK$4,200) and trousers (HK$2,800 to HK$2,900). Although the collection is mostly black, you do also have the choice of a few prints and bright colours, such as the relaxed-fit blue ensemble (jacket, HK$3,500; trousers, HK$2,800). Your only remaining problem is how you'll drag yourself away from your gorgeous reflection in the mirror.

Roots of the Problem, Central

Wash your own hair? No, that's just crazy talk! You might have to start doing all sorts of things for yourself instead of outsourcing them. For immediate gratification, dry shampoo is, unbelievably, still available. Even then, you'll need to acquire home hair skills to spray from the correct distance, then brush and style. You'll probably want to go high-end with Show Beauty's Premiere Dry Shampoo (HK$430; Joyce Beauty), made with tapioca and rice starch powders to absorb greasiness. Rene Furterer's Naturia Dry Shampoo also gets the job done using rice and corn starch powders as well as absorbent clay and silica (HK$210; Sasa). No-nonsense hair care brand Klorane does two versions: Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk for all hair types (now on sale for HK$99 from the original price of HK$179; Mannings); and Dry Shampoo with Nettle for oily hair (HK$155; Sasa). For a cheap and cheerful version, check out Batiste Dry Shampoo, which, again, uses rice starch (HK$39; Bonjour). Ultimately, you're going to have to face the realities of living in a hot, humid climate. Ask your hairdresser for a more manageable cut, home-styling tips and, for goodness sake, wash more often.

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