Don’t be tempted to peel off old nail polish. It takes a very fine surface layer of the nail with it, affecting both the texture and strength of the nail, over time.

Thoughts on 'professional' use of make-up from our friend Lisa Eldridge: 'If someone is wearing too much make-up, it can affect the way people talk to them, particularly in the workplace. Bad make-up looks terrible and can be a hindrance; poorly-applied and matched foundation or false eyelashes worn to the office, for example, is too much of a distraction. However, if you are clever with your make-up, you can make yourself look polished and more pulled together, and so encourage people to take you seriously.'    

When it comes to de-cluttering, don't ignore the fridge. As we approach Christmas, look upon this as an opportunity to deep clean and de-junk here. Empty out the refrigerator and (ideally) compost anything that is expired, old or spoiled. (Though don't put meat or fish on the compost heap; they can atrract rodents.) If you can't compost at home, try to find a compost drop-off location and recycle, reuse or upcycle the glass and plastic containers. A feng shui expert once told us that spoiled and expired food symbolises neglect of overall health.

Don't kid yourself that alcohol is a sleep aid. Alcohol doesn't put you to sleep; it merely sedates the cortex of the brain, which isn't natural, healthy sleep. Instead it fragments sleep so that you wake up briefly many times through the night. It also suppresses REM (or dream) sleep, which is essential for proper rest. So: skip the nightcap.

Suffer from a red nose when you've been outside? Outdoors in cold weather, blood vessels actually reduce circulation to your nose. Then when you come indoors, those blood vessels dilate very quickly, causing a rush of blood to the area - hence the 'Red Nose Day' effect. The solution is to apply a warm – not hot – compress to skin after coming inside, and the redness will subside. (You can always touch up your foundation later, but this will avoid over-application to tone down the redness.)

You just washed your hair. Why would you dry it on a towel that's been in the bathroom for a few days...? Just sayin'. (Ideally, use a fluffy towel fresh from the airing cupboard, each time.)

Beware of beverages that stain your teeth. If it's hard to get off your kitchen counter, it's hard to get off your teeth... (Think: cranberry juice, beetroot juice, turmeric...)

How to find the perfect shade of blusher? Make-up artist Neil Young advises: 'Pinch your cheeks and try to mimic the colour you see, or go one shade deeper – in your chosen blusher texture.'

Wellbeing, to us, means living a less cluttered life – it helps with clear thinking, we find. Often, the most cluttered area of our lives is the wardrobe – so if yours is overwhelming you, follow these simple rules. First, advises 'wardrobe wellness' coach Annemarie O'Conner, make sure it contains only clothes that you wear now. Anything that represents the past (or perhaps the future) should be stored elsewhere. Ask which items represent 'optimism'. Don't save those for 'best' days; be aware of the clothes that make you feel good when you put them on and make sure you wear them regularly. And don't hang on to 'keepsakes' for the sake of it, cluttering your wardrobe space. A wedding dress or family heirloom might hold great personal value, but would a photo bring back the memories sufficiently, in some cases...?

Don't be tempted by harsh cleansers featuring retinols, glycolic acids, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic and fruit acids. Listen, instead, to the wisdom of superfacialist Alexandra Soveral. 'There are consumers who feel that if they're not using something quite harsh, they're not doing the job properly. The initial result might be smooth, shiny skin – but you pay the price when it simply becomes thinner.' She recommends using a gentle milky or creamy cleanser daily, and two or three times a week, opting for a balm or cleansing oil for a deeper cleanse.

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.