Question: I had a disastrous perm and it’s left my hair incredibly dry and frizzy. What can I do? Anon, via e-mail. Answer: Next time you decide to have a perm, ensure your hair is in top condition, as dry, porous hair can become coarse and brittle. However, to rescue a bad perm I suggest […]

By Annette Campbell Tracie Fielding never used to like what she saw in the mirror. The now 17-year-old from the western suburbs of Brisbane, QLD, remembers running to her room and crying after being called “hippo” by her brother, when she weighed 57kg at the age of 10. As a young teen she was painfully […]

Question: I want to know how to apply my foundation so I get a polished clear skin. I always find that after applying it I end up looking older and more lined. Sue, via email. Answer: Apply your foundation with a damp, flat synthetic sponge starting down the centre of the face and blending outwards. […]

Question: I have a five-year-old cat and a boyfriend who is allergic to cats. He itches, has trouble breathing and can’t stay over because I share my bed with my cat. Please help – giving up either is not an option. Frustrated, Waramanga ACT Answer: If you want your man to stay over, you will […]

Through my eyes, my sister Lisa had it all. She was beautiful, with a perfect figure, shiny blonde hair and an amazing, committed boyfriend, Harry. I’d always been jealous of Lisa while growing up, always wondering why I had not been blessed in the way she was. Compared to her, I was ordinary. I had […]

Question: Be positive! Try not to use your dog’s name in a negative way – such as when you’re reprimanding or warning your dog. Answer: You want your dog to feel it’s a good thing when you call his or her name – not a cause to be frightened or hesitant. Jeff, via email.

Clare-Louise Brumley is a picture of fitness and health — a good thing, considering she’s Australia’s cross-country skiing champion. But seven years ago it was a different story for the young occupational therapist. Clare-Louise, 26, was constantly tired, her body ached and her throat was always sore. She was so unwell she stopped training to […]

Kim Goodwin was just 11 when her nightmare started. It began with the periods from hell – severe cramping and bleeding keeping her in bed for days every month and needing to use up to 60 sanitary pads a day. “I regularly missed school and later took sickies from work,” says Kim, now 36. “My […]

Tiny Jessica Lopez lies on a blanket on the floor of her parents’ Sydney home. While she looks like one of the most fragile creatures on Earth, her appearance belies the strength that saw her survive when her mother Philippa contracted listeria while pregnant. “Babies of mums who catch it are usually stillborn,” explains Philippa, […]

Soaking romper suits and sodden cot sheets created a watery mystery for Perth mum Barbara Christie – until she discovered the peculiar leak was coming from her baby daughter’s hands and feet. The sweat dripping from Katherine – then eight months old – was enough to make puddles under her highchair. And her tiny hands […]