If a round brush makes your fringe too curly, try switching to an oval brush (like a Mason Pearson).

Notwithstanding the fact that The Beauty Bible Awards have just been announced, our advice is not to go crazy and introduce too many new products at once. According to dermatologist Doris J. Day, 'Be methodical about it – which means trying only one product every two weeks. This gives you the opportunity to see if this new cream is working for you. Otherwise, you'll never really know where the results are coming from.'

Time at the hairdresser is better spent watching and learning than leafing through Hello or catching up on your novel reading. Observe how your stylist blow-dries, sets or otherwise finishes your look – even ask him/hre to let you practice these techniques right there and then, offering any tips or products to help you recreate the look at home.

You don't need a face full of make-up to wake up tired-looking skin. Patting a creamy concealer at the inner and outer corners of eyes and long the cheekbones will instantly brighten the face, says make-up artist Gucci Westman.

For a good night's sleep, the temperature in your bedroom should be between 18˚and 21˚C degrees (64˚ and 70˚F degrees). 

Home haircolouring hint: do not ever think you are more intelligent than the person who wrote the instructions on the packet, which should always be followed to the letter.

If you have flaking nails, clip them rather than buff away the flakes – which simply things the nail further. Remember: flaking nails are like laddered tights – the more you fiddle, the worse they get.

For an afternoon slump, sprinkle two drops of basil and rosemary oils onto a tissue, and inhale deeply. Much better for you (and even faster-acting) than caffeine.  

Starting to feel sluggish with the change of the seasons? March on the spot, lifting your legs high – it rebalances your brain and stimulates spinal fluid.  

Your grandmother knew a thing or two about looking after long hair at night. Braiding hair into a loose plait prevents 'pillow-burn', which can lead to splitting and breaking.  

If your mascara smudges, it might just be your eye make-up remover – not the mascara itself. Some formulations leave a film on the lashes so that anything that goes on top runs. Micellar waters, we find, are great for removing eye make-up without 'coating' lashes. Alternatively, sweep a cotton pad soaked in plain water over the lash area, after using your remover.  

Looking at the new gold products for the face...? It bears repeating: save shimmer for highlighting: the brows, inner corner of the eyes, centre of the lids – and a touch on the centre of the bottom lip. Anything more and you risk looking like an Oscar statuette.  

Run out of cleanser? Coconut oil works a treat - even on waterproof mascara. Simply massage into skin (and lashes) and remove with a hot washcloth. Coconut oil us one of the all-time great multi-taskers, actually – it can be used as a moisturiser, lip balm, hair mask and more.  

Colour always follows cut, when it comes to a new hair look. If you're planning to change both, sort out your hairstyle first.  

How long a semi-permanent haircolour lasts before fading depends entirely on how often you wash your hair. If you're a two-shower-a-week babe, the colour could disappear down the plughole in as little as a week. If you wash your hair a couple of times a week, expect to retain colour for at least a month.  

Beer and cider vinegar are both fantastic for improving hair condition and shine. Simply mix one pint of bitter and ¹/₄ pint of cider vinegar and pour over your head after shampooing. (Keep the faith: you truly won't smell like an old pub once hair dries.)  

Did you know there are seven different 'lash types'? To fatten up sparse lashes, skip mascaras with round, fat wands; a skinny brush with space between bristles latches on better to the hairs you do have – even the teeny ones near the inner corner of the eye – and coats each evenly.  

Lessen lipstick clutter: slice the tops off your favourite lipsticks and smooth them into the slots of a one-week pillbox.  

Lessen underarm irritation when shaving by using a star pattern – work diagonally up and down and also side to side, to shave. Hair grows in all directions, and this should help you de-stubble with fewer strokes.  

Decléor's Fiona Brackenbury recommends incorporating this 60-second massage into your daily routine to banish under-eye puffiness. Use your ring fingers to gently press and roll under the inner corners of your eyes, moving along the bony ridge of the socket and out to your temples. (Roll outwards.) Do this for 50 seconds, then massage down the sides of your face and neck for 10 seconds, to shift fluid down to the lymph nodes where it can be drained away.