Are temporary tattoos in fashion? If so, where can I get some that don’t look too cheap?
Missing the Mark, Sai Kung
The Dictator rules: It’s been a while since I had to ask this, but how old are you? I don’t know if they were ever really in fashion. Actually, I do know. They were in Fashion, with a capital F, when Chanel made the limited-edition Les Trompe L’Oeil de Chanel Temporary Skin Art set of 55 tattoos, but that was in 2010. Or are you thinking of Dior’s Grand Bal 24-carat gold line from 2012? Don’t worry. I have a feeling you’re a teenybopper who has probably walked straight past them as you made a beeline for the cosmetics counter to plaster yourself in make-up unbeknown to your mother. Anyway, Topshop (59 Queen’s Road Central, tel: 2118 5353) offers a few types. It stocks packs of black finger tattoos with motif themes such as Peace and Love (HK$59 to HK$99 per set). Or you might like the bigger packets with coloured tattoos titled Heart and Dagger, Bright Fish and Horse (HK$79). Looking for a little bling? Try the Glitter Face Tattoo series in silver, blue swirl, purple swirl or butterfly (HK$99 each). Online, your world opens up. Tattly.com is an excellent source of countless designs under categories such as animals, bikes, kids, food, summertime, typographic and, alarmingly, weddings (HK$39 for two tattoos). They use vegetable-based dyes that are all FDA-approved. If the skin-jewellery thing appeals, then check out designers such as J Maskrey (HK$234 to HK$975 each;
www.jmaskrey.com); and Ines de Castilho (HK$296 to HK$486 each;
www.ines-decastilho.com).
I was inspired by the make-up I saw on New Zealand singer Lorde, particularly the dark, dark lips. I did attempt to do this without your help, but what I came home with was a much lighter berry colour than hers. Help?
Praise the Lorde, Central
The Dictator: Never, I repeat, never buy lipstick before you’ve tested it. There’s no one hue, by the way, as I’ve seen Lorde photographed in various shades of berry to almost-black purple. Here comes the good news! MAC is launching a Lorde-inspired collection called Pure Heroine. Until then, MAC’s vast array of lipsticks should be more than enough to get you started (HK$145 to HK$155; Lab Concept, Queensway Plaza, Admiralty, tel: 3106 0478). Make Up For Ever has a few potentials in its Rouge Artiste Intense line, including Pearly Dark Violet and Satin Blueberry (HK$220 and up; Lab Concept, tel: 2118 3599). You could also try Dior’s Rouge Diorific in 001 Velvet Tattoo (HK$290; Sogo, 555 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, tel: 2833 8338). While you’re at any of the above counters, pick up a lip pencil in a complementary colour. Apply it all over the lips first, then put the lipstick on top of that for longerlasting colour. Oh, and please keep the rest of your make-up relatively natural and low-key.
No ghostly, gothic white faces or overdone eyes, please.
