Bored with your look? A makeover is fun – and fine – but we always liked the advice from veteran make-up artist Rex only to choose one new make-up shade each season.

Wear rubber gloves (we prefer latex surgeon’s gloves) when using cleaning products, as these can cause polish to peel faster.

To prolong your colour, ask your colourist about a clear glaze. It can extend the life of haircolour by at least two weeks, extending time between appointments.

Did you know that whitening toothpastes can trigger dermatitis? If you start to get small red spots around your mouth, try switching to a different toothpaste.

It's just fine to rub your body dry with a towel – it can help get rid of dead surface cells. But always pat rather than rub your face, where skin is more fragile.

To make polish look as bright and vivid as possible, use base coat and then add a single coat of white polish underneath your colour.

Falling asleep in the bath is really dangerous – especially if you've had a drink or two. If you've a tendency to nod off while bathing, set an alarm on your phone for – say - five, 10, 15 minutes, to wake you from your slumbers.

Love this, from the ever-beautiful Brooke Shields: 'When I drink too much alcohol, only have a few hours of sleep, don't eat well and don't sweat, I look five to 10 years older. But putting yourself in the position where you're not chasing youth is the best way to stay young.'

If you're booked in for an anti-cellulite massage – for instance, lymphatic drainage – don't worry if the masseur's only using the lightest of movements. As Kate Shapland of Legology explains: 'The worst thing you can do is to have it slapped, poked and pushed about by a heavy-handed masseur. Anti-cellulite massage should be so gentle that you barely feel it.'

It's best to harden lip or eye pencils before sharpening them. 10 minutes in the fridge will do the trick. If you want to use the pencil straight away, roll it between your fingertips to soften it again. (Obviously you'll need to remove any marks with a wipe or cotton pad soaked in remover.)

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.