If there’s one thing that holds true, it’s that we’re leading busier and busier lives these days. With demanding careers, caring responsibilities, trying to fit in exercise and some kind of social life, things can feel very hectic. Our fast-paced, always on culture means that we place more and more expectations on ourselves, and that can leave us feeling burnt-out. Stress and environmental pollution plus a diet full of processed foods can leave us looking far from our best. Self-care is one thing which always seems to fall to the bottom of the agenda when we’re busy – combine that with a stressful life and the result in that you’re left looking less than fresh. And yet we all want to look like the best version of ourselves.

So how do you hit refresh on your look? Well, it turns out that with a few simple steps and a little attention to detail, you can make a big difference. And improving your look doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment – it really is a case of a few minutes here and there. Small actions can make a huge difference to the way that you look and feel. Pick one or two to start with and build some positive momentum, and before you know it you’ll be looking like a brand new you.

Get A Brow Makeover

It may seem like a minor detail – who really notices that you last plucked your eyebrows when Britney was in the charts, right? In fact though, well-groomed arches can have an absolutely transformative effect on your whole face. The right brow shape can act like a mini face lift, opening up your features and making you look more awake and beautifully sculpted. And having beautiful brows instantly makes you look more groomed, meaning it can be a time saver in the morning as you look put together even without make-up. Best of all, booking a brow shaping appointment at your local salon is very quick – you can easily fit it in your lunch break. A professional will be able to assess which brow shape suits your face and brings out your features. Your arches can be shaped with wax or threading, which gives a very clean look as it completely eliminates even the tiniest hairs. If you have fair hair, you can also opt for them to be tinted to give more structure to your look and help to disguise any sparse areas. At home, maintenance is simple – pluck any hairs which grow outside of the shape that was created for you, run through a little brow pencil or pomade to shape, and if you have unruly brows, a little clear mascara and you’ll instantly look more groomed and wide awake.

Up Your Skincare Regime

Most of us underestimate the power of a good skincare regime in making us look fresh and ready for anything. Skin is the largest organ in our bodies and it’s one of the first to show signs of stress. Our hectic lives, poor diets and polluted atmospheres can soon lead to dullness, congestion, stress related breakouts, fine lines, pigmentation, crepey texture and a lot of other skin concerns. Taking proper care of your skin is simple and really does pay you back several times over. It starts with lifestyle. Not getting enough rest, eating a diet without enough fresh vegetables and fruit and too much sugary, processed food, dehydration and city living all take their toll. Getting the basics right is what will make the biggest difference – shutting off that Netflix binge in favor of more rest at night, purchasing a reusable metal water bottle and taking it around with you to ensure you drink enough, and limiting the amount of processed carbs and sugar you consume is not only a really positive step for your overall health, but will make your skin look far better. And if you’re a very basic person when it comes to grooming, there are a few things you really need to add on. A high quality cleanser and moisturizer are an essential investment in yourself and will help to clear away debris and re-hydrate a tired, stressed skin. Look for a facial moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid – this magic molecule helps to lock in the skins water content and give a re-plumped appearance. You also need to ensure that you are protecting your skin daily with a high-factor, broad spectrum sunscreen – even during winter, when it’s cloudy or if you’re going to be in the office all day – UVA rays can still get to your skin in these conditions. Sun damage is the biggest cause of skin aging after genetics and lifestyle factors and it’s entirely preventable. There are lots of light formulations out there that provide protection against both ageing UVA rays and UVB which burns and can lead to skin cancer – you can even purchase all in one creams which combine your foundation with skincare goodies and sun protection, for glowing skin in a single step. At night, opt for a cream with retinol in, which has been proven to slow the signs of aging like fine lines and age spots, and if you can find one which also contains an antioxidant like Vitamin C, all the better, as this combats damage from free radical pollutants in the air, helping skin to repair itself while you sleep and restoring your glow. Making simple changes at home can make a drastic difference to the quality and appearance of your skin, and prevention is definitely better than cure, but if you already have significant skin issues, book in to a local skin clinic for a more intensive treatment. From laser resurfacing and micro-dermabrasion to erase hyper-pigmentation or old acne scarring to wrinkle relaxers, there is a wide range of treatments which can transform the appearance of your skin.

Wake Up Your Makeup

It could be time to reassess your makeup routine as well – this doesn’t have to mean more – in fact, cutting down on products can often make you look better. Keep it simple when it comes to your look – with your new sculpted brows and glowing skin, you don’t need to go overboard. A little highlighting concealer can chase away any dark circles and light up your face. If you feel you need more coverage, you can add a light base, like a mineral foundation which allows your skin to breathe. You may want to add a touch of Mascara and a sweep of illuminating bronzer to define your cheeks. These simple touches can make you look a lot more polished and well rested without adding too much extra time to your morning routine.