6 ways to look (and smell) your best

Few of us want to spend hours in front of the mirror primping, or spend hundreds of dollars at a salon. So here are some easy grooming tips that will help you look polished, refined and youthful without investing a lot of money or time.

1. Keep track of the amount of time you spend "grooming," and stop at 45 minutes. That's the most it should ever take to shower, take care of your skin, apply make-up and style your hair. Any longer, and you need to get an easier haircut, use less make-up and cut down to one skincare product.

2. If you're prone to ingrown hairs, lather with shaving cream or gel for five minutes to soften the hairs. Then shave in the direction of the hair growth with a new blade. Follow with a gentle moisturizer.

3. Shave slowly, with short strokes, and rinse the blade often in hot water. Your skin is not flat, so long strokes increase your chances of cuts or scrapes. Try not to press down with the blade, especially around sensitive areas

.4. Apply your shaving cream with a shaving brush for an extra-lustrous shaving session (whether on your legs or your face). It will create tons of lather, which will make the hairs softer and easier to remove.

5. If you have no time for a shower but need to be at your freshest, fill your sink with water and add four tablespoons of baking soda. Then dip a sponge or washcloth in the sink and rub yourself down.

6. Ward off smelly feet with odour-absorbing insoles. Foot odour is a very common problem. Keep your feet smelling fresh by scrubbing them daily and drying them completely when you get out of the shower. Then insert odour-absorbing insoles into your shoes.