At the risk of sounding completely superficial (and no disrespect to the poor polar bears), one good thing about global warming is that anything goes when it comes to what we wear. Strappy shoes in autumn? Sure. Frocks in winter? Yep. Smoky eyes in spring? Easy. Berry lips in summer. Why not? Especially when Yves Saint Laurent launches its Autumn/Winter collection when it’s technically no longer winter in this country. Anyway, why let an old-fashioned beauty rule get in the way of a makeup must-have? (more…)

A dermatologist once told me that this myth comes from the days when toothpaste contained zinc. These days you’re much better off using a blemish-specific treatment, as they’re so good at what they’re formulated to do. If your pimples tend to be the smaller, congested variety, use a spot lotion that has salicylic acid in the mix, as this will have an exfoliation action to helps clear things up quickly. Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clear Blemish Gel ($32 from department stores) is very good. But if you get such breakouts regularly, you should also be using an exfoliating treatment regularly on spot-prone areas – for instance, Dermalogica MediBac Overnight Clearing Gel ($61.50, see Dermalogica for stockist details). If your spots tend to be of the nasty inflamed variety, bacteria is a contributing factor, so you need a treatment product that also works on this level. One that I love is Neutrogena Rapid Clear Spot Eliminating Gel ($13.99 from pharmacies).

Pictured: MiEssence Toothpaste, $8.50 from health stores

Name: Emma
From: Gold Coast (I don’t exactly fit in amongst the tanned blonde masses!)
Beauty Signature: Clear freckled skin and long auburn hair.
Beauty Icon: Cintia Dicker. A Brazilian model who embraces her long red hair and freckles. I think we have a similar skin tone so I can get great ideas for makeup looks.
All-Time Top Buy: Benefit Bad Gal Mascara ($36 from selected Myer stores). Sometimes this is the only makeup I apply all day. But it really opens up my eyes in the morning.
Other Beauty Essentials: I am obsessed with my night ritual. I dab Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil ($16.95 from Myer and health food stores) around my eyes and lips, smooth over Garnier Stop Anti-Agieng Night Cream ($14.95 from pharmacies), rub Pawpaw ointment on my lips and smother Crabtree & Evelyn Rosewater Hand Therapy ($22.95 from Crabtree & Evelyn) on my hands and elbows. (more…)

The Look: Ultra-cool blonde.
The Low-Down: Did you know that if you have naturally fair hair (no darker than light brown), you can go this blonde bleach-free? All that’s required is an all-over tint. Slight downside: it’s quite high-maintenance. You’ll need to visit the salon every four to six weeks to keep regrowth in check, while at home you should wash with a violet-tinted haircare to keep your blonde from going brassy.
The Lust-After: L’Oréal Professionnel Série Expert Shine Blonde, from $22.95, call 1300 651 141 for salon stockists.

The Look: Glimmering golden-brown hair.
The Low-Down: If you’re brunette and feeling a little flat, ask your colourist to weave through amber and toffee highlights for a subtly multi-faceted effect. To play up the golden tones at night, take a big powder brush and sweep a gilded shimmer over the surface of hair.
The Lust-After: i.d BareMinerals Loose Eye Glimmer in True Gold ($44 from Adore Beauty).