With the Bookworm's Literary Festival in full swing, we give the the lowdown on geek chic.

When it comes to multi-brand high-end retailers in Beijing, the list has been exclusive indeed – only I.T, Lane Crawford and The Swank. Now Mr.Ms has joined the club.

Ladies and gents, if you’ve ever wanted to smell like tomato, vinyl or even dirt, Demeter Fragrance Library will realize your craziest aroma fantasy. Founded in 1993 in New York, Demeter specializes in fragrances based on familiar, everyday scents.

Hair. It’s more than a controversial musical. It’s a way of life. How else do you explain the plethora of hairdressers in Beijing? If they aren’t cutting hair, then what could they possibly be doing? No matter. What’s clear is that a bit of mousse and expert tousling can swing you over the fine line between fool and cool.

Remember when you went to school? Your sneakers could be the cause of much upset if you didn’t have the “right” pair. Thing is, things don’t really change. People are still going to notice and comment on your choice of footwear. On the upside, Beijing is not gangland, so there’s no risk that those shoes your mum picked out could get you shot.

Winter is looming and with it Beijing's dry air, making moisturizers essential. Most consumers assume that the prices of beauty products are directly proportional to their quality. But what’s the real difference between a 500-kuai facial cream and a 20-kuai product? Certainly, products from the high-end European cosmetic giants may have additional features, such as anti-aging, whitening, etc, since they spend more money on research and development. On the other hand, they also spend a ton on advertising, marketing, luxury packaging, etc. If you’re on a budget and simply want a basic, effective moisturizer, here’s a list of reliable options.

After the visual stimulation of wandering a gallery or museum, you want the tactile pleasure of taking those cutting-edge artworks into your very own hands. These stores oblige by selling affordable art-inspired items.

Though most nearsighted people have long since abandoned traditional eyewear for contact lenses, a pair of well-chosen eyeglasses can actually enhance one’s look. Any accessory which frames the face should be considered with the same care that one would give to selecting jewelry. Here are some of the season’s hottest frame styles.

There is a Chinese saying: “A woman’s closet is always short one item of clothing.” For many ladies, trying to mix and match a decent outfit for work every morning from their overcrowded closets is like a disaster – so they keep buying the “final” piece to complete their wardrobe. I am no exception. Recently, my quest was made easier with the help of Closetcouture.com, an online community that plays with the idea of shopping in your own closet.

If you love good design, you’ll never want to leave the HKTDC Design Gallery, with its variety of jewelry, handbags, watches, diningware and many other knickknacks.