- The Observer, Sunday June 10 2007
Winning question: I am a single parent and my 19-year-old-daughter has recently started uni. Since she was 13 she has had trouble with spots, mainly the face and in particular around the nose and mouth. She has seen her GP on several occasions and has had peroxide-type washes, antibiotics, Dianette, all with very limited success. I would appreciate your opinion on what to do, where in London she could go for an informed assessment and hopefully a commercially unbiased suggestion of a skin product regime. I have a real sense of failure as her dad because I have no idea what to do. To me she is beyond beautiful of course, and I can't see the problem in her terms.
Concerned dad
Well she may not be lucky with her spots but she is very lucky with her dad. You have done all the right things and I'm sad that the results have not been rewarding. To be honest one of the things I find with teenagers, even ones as old as 19, is that they don't wash very thoroughly (I promise you I have firsthand experience here). Just standing in the shower and rubbing a bit with shower gel isn't good enough. They also tend to touch their faces a lot and don't look after their diet (very late nights, not enough water, junk food; dare I even mention drugs and smoking?).
She needs to have a proper routine, a good cleanser and exfoliator and it's a good idea to take her for a facial because a professional beautician can help her enjoy looking after her skin and talk to her about diet and products to try. I have heard of very good results from taking a herbal remedy called Tejaswini (in capsule form from www.victoriahealth.com). And treat her to a facial with Sophie Thorpe, who is very successful with acne patients and very kind. Sophie Thorpe (020 7589 5899, approx £70).
I've recently become a self-employed landscape gardener. At 33, I have good skin and want to ensure that I do not age prematurely because of increased exposure to the elements on a daily basis. Can you recommend a good moisturiser/tinted moisturiser that contains an SPF? I have fair skin, burn easily - and my disposable income is now drastically reduced for the time being!
Karen Harley
I'm all for your determination to be a glamorous gardener but you are right to be worried by outdoor exposure. Your first investment should be a hat, gloves and a thin long-sleeved T-shirt. Your hands will suffer just as much as your face from the UV exposure. My choice would be the La Roche Posay Anthelios XL SPF50+ sunblock and their very good tinted moisturiser (www.laroche-posay.com). Sadly you cannot get this in England although it is in almost every small pharmacy in France and Ireland and not too expensive at around £12 for the lotion (mail order from Hickey's pharmacy in Dublin, 00 35 3 16790467). More expensive (sorry) but very practical is Shiseido Sun Protection Compact Foundation with SPF15 (£23.40, stockists 020 7313 4774 or at Selfridges). You can keep it in your pocket to retouch throughout the day.
When it comes to make-up, I wouldn't use waterproof mascara all the time - it's too tough on the lashes for every day, all year. What about having your lashes permed and tinted for daytime and then you could use mascara in the evening? You will also need a lip balm (perhaps tinted?) with SPF, Kiehl's have one that comes in clear and two shades - plum and berry (£10, stockists 020 7240 2411) and perhaps a blusher that doubles as an eyeshadow - try Cream Colour Base from MAC (£12, www.maccosmetics.co.uk) that could go on both cheeks and eyelids in a tawny blush colour.
Do perfume manufacturers put a stronger, more lasting version in their tester bottles? And why do more established old-fashioned scents linger longer and cause more comment than newer, cheaper ones?
Luciana Brett
It would contravene the Trades Description Act to put stronger versions in testing bottles so it's unlikely. But your nose, for the truth of the matter, is completely accurate. Roja Dove, whose Haute Parfumerie at Harrods (0207 893 8797) aims to stock the best from the finest fragrance houses (including many that are in danger of being lost), is the expert to answer your question. He says that 'most modern fragrances are made with large amounts of chemicals and synthetics that mostly do not last. The famous classical fragrances, in contrast, often took years to create, using complex bases, costly natural ingredients and fixatives which allow the fragrance to 'open' and last longer both on your skin and in your memory.' In other words quality will out.
A few years ago, I bought some hair mascara that gave great coloured streaks that could be washed out. I can't remember who manufactured it but now I can't find it anywhere. Is this sort of thing still made? I just want to put purple streaks in my hair but I don't want to dye my hair. Hope you can help.
Margaret Hung
You can get something called Aqua Hair Mascara (£4.95 from Charles Fox. They have a theatrical shop at 22 Tavistock Street, Covent Garden, London WC2, 0870 200 0369), and they assured me that purple was in stock.
Kathy's hot product of the month
Glowing Report
I can't resist the word 'fluorescent' especially in a summer season of neon-bright colours. This Chanel lipgloss (£15) glows in disco light thanks to pigments that absorb ultra-violet light and re-diffuse it. It's pretty in the daytime, too.
· Kathy Phillips is beauty director of Condé Nast Asia. Author of four books, she has her own critically acclaimed aromatherapy range, This Works. If you have a beauty question, send an email to observer.woman@observer.co.uk. The best one will receive a product from This Works, Kathy Phillips's range (www.thisworks.com)
