Beauty wisdom from Cheryl Cole: ‘I read cosmetics labels. I take a long time over that, because the instructions are there for a reason and help you get the best out of whatever product you’re using. A lot of my friends just whack on whatever, without looking at it – but I don’t think that’s productive.’
For shiniest-ever hair and to control frizziness, our friend Philip B. insists: ‘It’s important to blow with the grain of the hair, downward towards the ends. It makes the cuticle lie flat, and styles keep their shape longer.’
Love this globetrotting tip from Porter Travel Director Catherine Fairweather: ‘I don’t wear a watch when I travel. This makes it easier to get into the new time zone straight away, as you forget about what you would be doing if you were at home.’
Rather than fiddling around with highlighters and other luminising make-up, make-up artist Wendy Rowe recommends dotting a rich night cream on the tops of the cheekbones and along the brow-bones, for a natural-looking sheen.
When drying skin after you’ve washed your face, never rub: simply blot the face with a soft, clean towel to avoid skin appearing blotchy.
If you’re polishing toes, start polishing on your left foot, from little to big toe – and on the right foot, from big toe to little toe. If you’re left-handed, work from right to left to avoid smudging.
Feel stressed before big events? Breathe deep. Most adults don’t know how to breathe fully; we breathe in a shallow way with the chest muscles when we’re feeling angst-y. A deep diaphragmatic breath sends an impulse to the brain that tells the body to relax.
After tweezing, spritz brows with water: it'll show up any stray hairs that might have escaped your tweezing – especially 'baby' hairs.
Make-up artist Dick Page suggests applying blusher straight after foundation, and assessing the effect. 'Often, you'll be surprised how much it can brighten your face and you won't need anything else.'
We tried this tip for streaky self-tanner during our recent slather-a-thon for YOU Magazine: squeeze fresh lemon juice onto a loofah and scrub at dark areas in a warm shower. Following with an application of 'everyday' gradual tanner then helps to even the tan out.
No time to line eyes? You can define them by making sure your mascara wand reaches right to the root of the lashes; wiggle it there and you'll create a subtle lash-line.
You can clip bits of annoying cuticle skin sticking out around the nail – but be sure not to pick or peel them, as you'll invariably remove healthy skin and leave the area inflamed and painful. Wash your hands with antibacterial soap; using sterile nippers (which you've cleaned with alcohol before use), nip at the base of the skin. Then follow with a slathering of antibacterial ointment.
If you want to smell incredible all day, spritz your fragrance onto your ironing board before ironing your clothes and the heat will release the scent and ‘lock’ it into the fabric.
Waking up with puffy eyes with all this socialising? Make ice cubes out of chamomile tea. Drink half of it before bedtime the night before (it’ll aid sleep) and freeze the rest. In the morning, hold a cube under each eye for 10 seconds. The intense cold and anti-inflammatory properties will de-puff and brighten.
Become a skincare mixologist, advises Marie Helvin. ‘I am a great believer in doctoring beauty products,’ she says. ‘I add serums, oils and vitamins such as A and E.’
Really do always wash your hands before applying make-up. Did you know that the salt from the potato crisp you just snacked on can affect the chemistry of your make-up…?
You may be able to keep nail polish for longer than you think. Some can last for up to five years, although the one-coat polishes go much more quickly. Store away from direct light and occasionally give them a shake, and you may be surprised at their lifespan. (You can always try bringing back to life with a few drops of nail polish thinner, such as Seche Restore.)
Oily scalp? Try this DIY exfoliating recipe. Take an egg and beat till foamy, and then add 6 tablespoons of natural yoghurt. Apply the mixture to the scalp by parting the hair and placing it at the roots. After 15 minutes, rinse out and condition.
Ward off colds and flu with sprouts! Like all other fibrous veg (including broccoli and cabbage), they contain a micronutrient that helps maintain immunity in the gut, where 70% of the body’s immune cells reside. (Can’t stand the taste? You may not need them, then. Research shows that people who find them unbearably bitter are more able to ward off the bacteria that cause chest infections.)
There’s no need to rub while you’re removing polish. Soak the cotton pads in remover, hold onto the nail for a few seconds and you’ll find it much easier to swipe polish away.