We’ve lately become converts to giving nails a rest between manicures, with great results. It allows us to treat nails with rich oils, which they love – and buffing with a four-surface buffer makes nails shine beautifully, for a day or two between polishes.
Love this, from Georgia Witkin, author of The Female Stress Syndrome. ‘Lots of women feel guilty “wasting time” on their looks. I hereby give them permission to do so, and here’s the logic: the mirror is like a biofeedback machine. Even if a woman feels great, if she sees a frazzled or drab reflection in the mirror, her mood takes a dip. But if she thinks she looks good – despite being exhausted or stressed – her entire outlook improves.’
New party shoes? If they’re slightly too tight, shake some talc inside on the pressure points to help stop them pinching.
Planning a long car journey this Christmas? Tuck a little vial of peppermint oil in the coffee-cup holder, and add a few drops to a hankie when you stop for refreshments or to fill up. Inhale deeply – and you're good to go again. (Or suck on Obbekjaers Oil of Peppermint tablets, which have a similar effect.)
From New York hair legend Garren: ‘Women often book a trim too early, complaining that the cut has grown out. But one of the reasons their hair looked better at the salon is that we have better tools. He orders his clients the same equipment he uses during their appointment – and you could ask your stylist to do the same.
As we reach Peak Frazzle, just before Christmas, take out some of the anxiety with the brilliant Calm app – we’re crazy about the Winnie the Pooh series (one of our all-time favourite philosophers). Find it in 'Guided Meditations'.
Experts advise against having a hot bath, drinking hot drinks or exercising prior to waxing. If blood is close to the surface (which happens when you're hot), waxing can hurt more.
At this time of year (and whenever we have a lot to power through in a short time), we swear by Siberian ginseng, which boosts circulation and energy and helps the body to stress. Our go-to? Sibergin, which we find at victoriahealth.com.
Stand back from the mirror a few feet, when applying blusher. You can always add more – but removing it is harder.
Don’t play ‘join the dots’ with your foundation, applying a dot here and a dot there and then connecting them when you blend. Focus on applying to one area, and then move on – starting with the area where you feel you need the greatest coverage, and moving on to ‘less important’ zones. (We swear by Cailyn O! Wow Brush for streak-free application.)
Hair looking a little too smooth for your liking? Smoosh a dab of hand cream between your palms and skim through hair to add non-greasy texture to short hair.
Step and breathe. Send energy levels soaring by walking at a steady pace and breathing for two paces. Hold, and then exhale for two breaths. Build up from there to deeper and longer breaths, but keep the in and out breaths the same length.
At this stressed-out time of year, one of the best tactics is simply to visualise yourself relaxed, calm and in control. The more you do it, the better you become at it. Take a minute to envision yourself as sailing smoothly through the upcoming season, and that headless-chicken feeling should reduce drastically.
If you go to the gym AND you drink coffee, try having a cup of coffee half an hour before your workout. It can help to power you through... (If you don't drink coffee, NB, this is not a good enough reason to take it up!)
Wisdom from Marie Helvin that seems particularly appropriate right now... 'The year I turned 60 I decided to give up alcohol as I felt it had no place in my life. I didn't enjoy it any longer and it was not how I wanted to spend my free time. I like to do more physical, adventurous things – things where I need to be alert and focused, such as diving. I wish I'd know that just by stopping drinking my skin colour and tone would improve, my eyes would be brighter, sleep would no longer be a problem, and my energy levels would soar.
If you feel you've a bony chest (as quite a few women we know do), that's no reason to avoid low-cut dresses. Simply use a mattifying moisturiser rather than a glimmering product, for a flattering effect.
In this peak cold-and-flu season, boost your natural defences by mixing two parts Biofirce Echinacea tincture with one part Bioforce Thyme. Add the prescribed number of drops and take daily in water, to up your immunity.
Contemplating a department store makeover in the run-up to Christmas? Keep track of looks you'd never wear, and communicate that to the make-up artist. If you hate blue eyeshadow, you probably always will. It's more important to know what you don't like than what you do – the dislikes are what make you unhappy.
If you can afford it, this is the time of year to splash out on the pure perfume concentration of your favourite perfume. It seems like you don't get much, but it's a much more concentrated version of the fragrance – and you'll still be able to smell it on your skin next day. In terms of longevity, it's actually the best value!
To get the most out of your workout, stop reading on that exercise bike. Studies by experts at Manchester's Metropolitan University found that the more you focus on the muscle you're working on, the more intensive the workout. And you can't do that while you're staring wide-eyed at the latest pictures of the Kardashians...