is just full of stuff that we don't really want to do. Dusting the knick-knacks, cleaning out the fridge, giving the dog a bath... the list goes on and on. But they are things that need to be done. Our beauty routines are the same, chock full of stuff we don't want to do because it is either a palaver, time consuming or downright painful and unpleasant!

Brow plucking
Not necessary at all but, boy oh boy, does it make a difference. A well-tended eyebrow frames the eye and really can give a sense of balance to your face. Brows can be pruned in many ways, from tweezing, to threading, to waxing. The comfort of some is higher than others, but it is something you need to experiment with yourself. You may also find some methods last longer for you, but again, this is going to be trial and error.

Coloured cosmetics
I am talking about all of the discretionary stuff here. Blusher, eyeshadows, liners, and all. Not really necessary, but if you pass on it you really are missing out on a great deal of potential fun. You can radically alter your appearance with make-up and the best thing of all is that it is not permanent. If you don't like it you can wash it off. You can change from ingénue to diva at the stroke of an eye pencil. Plus, if you wake up in the morning and look like you crawled out from under a rock - a few brushstrokes and some gloss and voilà! You will look miles better and can face the day with a confidence that belies the way you feel. If we men wake up looking like we crawled from under the same rock… tough.

Fingernails
To paint or not to paint? That is the question. The answer is personal preference. But whether you colour them or not, keeping your nails trimmed, filed, and well groomed is essential. Nothing looks more tatty than ragged nails and chipped polish. The same goes for blokes, minus the polish. When you are sitting at a meeting, or even on the train, people do look at your hands and make judgements. It is not a difficult thing to keep them groomed and clean. Push back the cuticle, find a length that looks good and that you can maintain, and keep them clean underneath. It really does make a world of difference.[quote]

Nail art
Completely unnecessary and definitely evil! Sorry, those of you who like to have your nails airbrushed with patterns and little jewels, but talons that are impossibly long and square are just plain ugly in my book. I still can't figure out how you do simple tasks like dialling a phone or blending an eye pencil without poking your eyes out! Each to their own, and I apologise if I have offended anyone, but seeing this offends me…

Replacing mascara every three months
You need to get rid of mascara after three months, whether it's finished or not. I have written about this on several occasions, but I will do it this one last time. Lashes are there to prevent bacteria and debris from falling into your eyes. As you apply your mascara, you are picking all of that up on the brush. Then you put it back in that nice, dark, warm barrel where it breeds like a pig on heat. Mascara will quickly turn itself into a biology experiment because the companies can't put too much preservative into the product, due to the sensitivity of the eye area. It has a three-month lifespan, which can be extended by about a month if you put it in the fridge, but not for any longer!

Wearing foundation
If you don't need it, don't wear it. But remember, wearing a foundation provides a physical barrier between you and the elements. Many people still think that foundation is bad for your skin: it isn't. Many think that foundation feels like a mask: it doesn't, as most of the newer foundations are made to have little, if any, physical weight on the skin. However, if you are lucky enough to have great skin, congratulations. Just make sure your moisturiser will give your skin some protection and count your lucky stars!