Warm a treatment oil or hair mask in the microwave for a few seconds before use, and it’ll penetrate more effectively. (Just a one-dose amount, though; you don’t want to microwave the tub or tube itself repeatedly.)

If a splinter is too tiny or too deep to remove with tweezers, avoid the agony of digging it out with a needle. Instead, cover the splinter with adhesive plaster. Leave for about three days, then remove the tape – and the splinter should come out painlessly.

If you’re still using cotton wool for cleansing, quit NOW: all it does is remove surface grime, advices superfacialist Sarah Chapman, who shares her absolute bottom-line advice on cleansing, here: ‘You need to massage an oil-based cleanser into the pores so it can mix with the natural sebum and grime and soften any blockages. Really use your fingertips and knuckles in brisk kneading and pinching motions. Once you’ve done that, splash with water, which liquefies the oil and lifts the excess out of the pores so it can be washed away.’

When blending cream shadows into the eyelid, use the third (ring) finger of the hand, which enables you to exert the least pressure without tugging on the skin of this very delicate zone.

If you’re unsteady of hand, don’t try using coloured polishes at home. You’re better off with clear or pale polish, where mistakes won’t be so obvious – brightly-coloured polish really needs to look even and perfect.

The type of mascara you choose really does make a difference to how lashes look. If you have short lashes, avoid thickening mascaras as they’ll make lashes appear stubby – and intead, choose a lengthening formula, which will add density and length.

Always give hair a deep treatment a couple of days before having your hair coloured; it evens out porosity, helps the colour to deposit evenly, and minimises potential damage.

Freshen up combs and hairbrushes by soaking them in a solution of 600 ml warm water and two teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda. Swirl them around in the water to loosen up all the debris caught between the teeth, then let them soak for about half an hour. Rinse well and dry flat on a towel before using.

The kindest thing you can do during an at-home manicure or pedicure is to apply cuticle cream to nails or feet first, then soak them in water for five minutes before pushing back cuticles with a rubber hoof stick. This creates the perfect ‘frame’ for your brushwork.

During these cold months, chest rub can come into its own, but here’s an alternative use: use it to soothe aching feet. Try applying a thick coat of chest rub and covering feet with a pair of socks before going to bed at night. When you wake up, sore tired feet will be both moisturised and rejuvenated.

We love this quote from our old friend Eve Lom: ‘True beauty comes from feeding your mind, as well as your skin.’

If you fry your fringe with styling tongs or a straighteners, warm olive oil and honey in a saucepan and apply from root to ends. Leave on for 30 minutes, then rinse with warm water, shampoo and condition as normal. (It’s a great all-over treatment, actually.) Ideally, get your stylist to trim the damage, perhaps blending the fringe into the rest of your hair. The key with straightening irons is to keep them constantly moving; glide down each section in a continuous motion – and don’t stop, or you risk singeing.

From our ESPA founder friend Susan Harmsworth, eternal wisdom: ‘Remember: beauty isn’t just how you look – it’s how you feel. Devote time to de-stressing and relaxation, or stress will add years to your face. The fastest way to take years off is to smile and stand straighter.’

If you’re having trouble getting through your eight glasses of water a day, try adding a peppermint tea bag or a few sprigs of mint to a tall glass of water (or a jug), Peppermint is great if you’re stressed; the smell helps to calm instantly. (And it’s also great for soothing an upset stomach.)

If you're a fan of body brushing, switch to a more delicate, softer facial brush for the décolletage and neck. Just 10 seconds of gentle, northward strokes will rid the neck of any dry, flaky skin.

If you're someone who meditates but you know you have a tricky week ahead – a packed schedule, travelling for work and/or staying in a hotel with noisy neighbours – pre-plan for failure. Happiness expert Gretchen Rubin recmmends that you anticipate as many challenges as you can and specifically think about what you'll do and say to overcome them. (For instance, a walking meditation in a nearby park, rather than trying to zone out the person in the neighbouring hotel room who's got breakfast TV on too loud...)

For a soothing soak, try Himalayan salts, which contain the same trace minerals as the body. 'As you bathe, they enter the body to replace lost minerals and diminish toxins,' says Anita Kaushal, co-founder of Mauli Rituals. She recommends adding to a warm bath and bathing for 20 minutes once a week. If dry, itchy or irritated skin is your problem, meanwhile, try Dead Sea salts, said to improve skin's barrier function and also improve its texture.

Did you know that crunching ice with your teeth is as bad as using them as scissors (for opening packets, etc.)? According to the American Dental Association, it can lead to enamel wear, with the potential for tooth sensitivity and toogh decay.

We absolutely love this, from writer India Knight (dating back some years, but as valid as ever): ‘Sometimes women… do mad stuff to our faces. We wander about with enormous lips and started faces and no laughter lines, refusing to admit our age. This is supposed to indicate that we are 100% chilled about the ageing process. Um, no. Wear your life proudly, disasters and all.’

Trying out a new hair colour? Play with different Instagram filters until you find one you like best, and ask yourself: does your hair look more flattering when it’s slightly lighter or darker? (Remember: you don’t necessarily have to post the results!)

The best way to lose weight, advises ‘I Quit Sugar’ author Sarah Wilson, is to ‘Stop thinking about weight. You are aiming for a state of food freedom, a place where you eat to nourish yourself, and that won’t happen if you’re worrying about the scales. Focus on noticing the other benefits of eating well. For instance, the first people see on the [I Quit Sugar] plans is how good their skin starts to look. The next thing that changes is their energy level. At this point they start to feel more positive and they actually stop talking about their weight. That, to me, is where we should aim to be.’

Had a dodgy haircut? Voice your dissatisfaction to the salon manager that day. Ask for a different stylist, who can help reshape the cut. Most managers will be more than happy to oblige. (And console yourself: it’s just a haircut – not a tattoo.)

When tweezing, stand close to a mirror and remove just a few hairs at a time – then step back to check your progress.

A new use for the button bag that came with your new coat/jacket: decant your daily supplements into the small Ziploc-topped bag – perfect for a day’s dose of vits, on-the-go.

To take away the redness of a blemish (one without a ‘head’ on it), soak a cotton wool bud in eye drops and place in the freezer for 30 minutes. Hold onto the blemish for a minute to take away the red discolouration and swelling. Allow to dry and you can then apply concealer over the top.

For sheer safety, never drive in high heels. Keep flatties or folding shoes in your car to help you stay in control.

Eyebrow guru Eliza Petrescu recommends using clear brow gel to extend the time between brow-waxing or tweezing treatments, as it’s often the untamed ‘strays’ which have us booking our next appointment. (We love Benefit’s option.)

Beige and pale pink polishes are the least likely to show flaws as a manicure wears – but add a second coat of clear lacquer with a touch of shimmer, for a longer-wear manicure (and a slightly ‘fresher’ look, as spring approaches).

Feeling mentally sluggish? Rosemary is one of the few garden herbs you can turn to year-round. Strip several sprigs of fresh rosemary – or use a teaspoon of the dried herb – and infuse in 500ml of hot water. Leave to cool and drink a small cup, three times a day to help reduce fatigue.

To de-stress, take your time. We mean it literally. If you don’t, someone else will claim it or you’ll give it away – so claim it for yourself. Devote at least 20 minutes a day to an activity you enjoy, like gardening, playing with a pet, having a bath, talking to someone you love, exercising, reading, whatever. (And no, time on Facebook and Instagram doesn’t count.)