For a soft brow look, Bobbi Brown likes to use eyeshadow and a stiff, angled brush, using quick, light strokes. 'Powder is less obvious than harsh pencil lines, and it blends more easily.'

We love hair accessories as much as the next woman, but it's important to test clips for sharpness before purchasing. Run your finger along the edges. Cheap jaw clips often have unfinished seams in the plastic, while metal clips can have sharp edges that knife through your hair. Avoid elastics that have metal joints, too, which tend to catch hair and almost guarantee breakage.

Integrative medical practitioner Vicky Vlachonis says that constantly looking down at a phone or computer can cause serious neck problems, over time – even acute problems like muscle spasms. 'To  avoid this, try and get up and move more, even if it's just for a 15-minute walk. You'll also release endorphins – your body's natural anti-inflammatory chemicals – and get the blood flowing to the brain and spine, which will help you focus and make better decisions.'

Facialist Sarah Chapman recommends that to avoid creases on the neck and décolletage that form overnight by sleeping in a supine position, place a small pillow between the breasts.

After a long walk, warm your hands with a hot cuppa – but pick a herbal tea that contains a favourite spice, such as ginger or chilli, for an extra-warming kick.

It's the sniffles season. At the onset of a cold or flu, try these acupressure techniques. Press firmly under cheekbones with your index and middle fingers so that you slightly lift the fleshy part of the cheeks. Hold for a count of five; repeat five times. Also press points either side of nostrils with your forefingers. Hold for a count of five; repeat three times.

If you notice dryness throughout the day, as the internal environment gets drier, consider swapping out your mattifying foundation; it might be absorbing too much moisture and oil from the skin’s surface at a time when you could actually use it.

To ease yourself into the day, try an inversion. Before you leave the bed, lie down and stick your legs up against the wall, placing a pillow under the base of your spine for two minutes. You’ll feel calm and energised at the same time, ready to face the day ahead.

If you’re nervous about using retinol – which can tackle pores, wrinkles and even breakouts – try the ‘sandwich’ technique, as a more cautious introduction, since retinol can irritate skin. Apply your moisturiser in a thin layer, then a layer of retinol over the top, and slather more moisturiser over that. Assess the situation and look closely in the mirror to see if you like what you’re seeing…

Pack prettily-scented products in your gym kit. To get you through a workout, it really helps to have something to look forward to in the shower or locker room afterwards as an incentive to push yourself that little bit harder.

While recent research has shown that upping your water intake may increase hydration in the stratum corneum (outermost layer of the skin), a lack of science to back that up means that we can’t definitely conclude that drinking fluids is a fast track to plump, hydrated skin. But we need water for whole-body functioning – and it certainly can’t hurt.

Skip that second application of shampoo – especially if you wash your hair every day. One lather is enough if you’re using a well-made shampoo. Manufacturers write ‘Rinse, lather, repeat’ on the back of their bottles because they want you to use up more of the product. (Better still, try to wean yourself off your daily shampoo/conditioner, which will not only save you time but your hair condition will appreciate it. Oily-haired types excepted, daily hair washing isn’t necessary for most of us.

We love this quote from fellow beauty editor Sarah Jossel (of The Sunday Times Style): ‘Whatever time of day – or night – season or occasion, blush is pure joy… Blush is caffeine for the complexion, the make-up equivalent of Berocca for a hangover.’ So: when’s the best time for a new blusher? Anytime.

As we move towards winter, when skin dehydration levels peak, scale back exfoliating to once a week. Any more frequently and you can interfere with skin’s barrier function.

Feeling anxious today? Add a few drops of orange, geranium and nutmeg essential oil onto a tissue, then inhale at any moment to instil a sense of calm.

The worst reason to buy a new fragrance is because it smells great on your friend. We all have a unique odour fingerprint – a combination of many factors including heredity, complexion and even diet. Fragrance develops and lasts differently on dry skin to oily skin, for example, while eating spicy or fatty foods can alter how something smells. So your friend might smell of delicious sun-drenched citruses – while on you, that same scent is more G&T. There is never a substitute for trying a fragrance on your own skin, before buying…

The worst reason to buy a new fragrance is because it smells great on your friend. We all have a unique odour fingerprint – a combination of many factors including heredity, complexion and even diet. Fragrance develops and lasts differently on dry skin to oily skin, for example, while eating spicy or fatty foods can alter how something smells. So your friend might smell of delicious sun-drenched citruses – while on you, that same scent is more G&T. There is never a substitute for trying a fragrance on your own skin, before buying…

If you have coloured hair, avoid deep cleansing or clarifying shampoos which can lift the colour from hair faster.

It’s definitely lip balm season. But don’t just apply it to your lips; include the whole area, as it’s often the lip-line that gets the driest and most uncomfortable.

Try this smoothie to start the day – the favourite of Ella Woodward: frozen banana with spinach, oats, almond butter, almond milk and blueberries. ‘It’s the easiest breakfast ever.’