Well Dearies,

Thank you, I’m overwhelmed by your lovely response to my suggestions. My cheeks are absolutely blushing. And yes, I have made a lot of money. I’m not lacking, thank you very much, though gifts are always gratefully received. I want to add a thought or two to my last columns. This is in reply particularly to Brad who wrote little me about the war industry’s support for African diamond mines. Yes, I’m in favour of the mines and the armament business. These are sources of vast riches for us. War and luxury: two of the great levers of industry in human history. The support has cut both ways, don’t you agree? The more fighting there is, the more need for weapons. The more demand for weapons, the greater the demand for money, which is what the diamond trade is all about. We have a neat little algorithm here, don’t we Brad? If I had a hundred thousand that wasn’t already pumped into the weapons trade, I’d put it there right now.

All this talk about diamonds and war has made me thirsty, don’t ask me why. I’ve poured myself a lovely red wine and – mmmmmm, yes! – I want to talk about what’s really on our minds. I mean beauty and desire. How do people arouse desire? Beauty. We crave to be the centre of attention, and beauty is one mighty way to get it. There are ways to enhance the gifts nature has given us and the easy methods are cosmetic and surgical. They cost money, but they’re worth every penny. Whatever you think about these products, everyone wants to look beautiful. And the companies that provide us with eternal youth are worth a close look when it comes to smart investment. Beauty is necessary. Men or women, young and old, we all dream about it. We yearn for it. Beauty products are everywhere. There are wrinkle removers, moisturizers, lipsticks and gloss and outliner, mascaras and blush; everything you could want for your skin. And more dramatically, there’s breast enlargement and shaping, tummy tucks, nose sculpture, cheekbone enhancers, waistline alteration, and enlargement of other lovely parts of our bodies. Beauty products and cosmetic surgery, that’s a growth industry if I ever saw one. And there’s still plenty of time to get in on the ground floor as the boomers age and struggle against father time.

Reflect a little. We’ve talked about war and luxury and beauty. What are these but aspects of power. Power is the oldest commodity in the world, even before you-know-what. War gathers power into new hands or cements it in the old. Luxury is the result of power. And beauty is an alternative route to it, a different but time-honoured means of getting it. We can create a little check list if you like. When you’re considering an investment, ask yourself if the industry increases people’s power. Because if it does, you’ll likely make a bundle from it.

Enough serious talk. The wine is gorgeous, and I’m going to sip it while taking a lovely hot bath with the steam rising all around. Good for the skin.