Heather's top DIY tips and tricks, part 1:fashion and beauty

Over the years, I've been asked about all manner of things ranging from 'What's the best at-home facial?" to the best ways to spruce up a dinner salad, and everything in between.

Here are some of our most popular tips and tricks that are worth sharing. I have also enlisted the help of a few people I know to share some of their own little secrets that make what they do so much easier.

Fashion

Kitten heels were introduced long before Michelle Obama came on to the world stage. Now, it's fair to say that every girl should invest in a classy pair of kitten heels that works for day or night. If you don't have one, wear a heel no higher than three inches that will work throughout the day. Tuck a pair of dressy earrings and a light clutch in your bag and wear your favourite appropriate LBD with a light jacket or sweater. When it's time to party, simply dump the cover-up in exchange for your favourite pair of flirty earrings and add your clutch to accessorise. I would also suggest you switch up the colour of your lips from light to dark.

Made to fit: Who knew that the percentage of lycra in your basic tee makes a difference in how it fits? For the perfect fit, make sure your tee is made from at least 95 per cent cotton and five per cent lycra spandex. Worried about your jeans holding its shape? When you check the label, make sure it has at least two per cent lycra.

Accessorise: Spruce up a boring jeans-and-tee look by donning a classy silk scarf around your neck. Make sure the knot is loose and casual. Go from drab to fab in three seconds.

Wear what works: If you are petite and shapely, avoid maxis and go for shorter looks. Save your hemline and the extra bill at the dry cleaners. No need to drag your dress through the mud.

Tip from fashion expert and designer of Attitude Clothing Line - Ashley Martin: "When wearing form-fitting dresses, gowns or silk pants, NEVER wear underwear. If you do, you risk showing off unsightly VPLs (visible panty lines) that will likely ruin that flawless look you are going for."

Beauty

Eyes: Reduce puffy eyes by splashing them with cold water or applying a cold compress (ice cubes in a washcloth). Try for 15 seconds on and 15 seconds off.

Face: For the best colour match, test foundation and powder on your neck and not on your face or wrist. Your face may change its natural tone as a result of creams and your facial regimen, and your wrist is too pale to give you an accurate match. Using your neck will ensure that your powder matches the rest of your body naturally.

Lips: Your professional make-up artist knows this, but for my everyday fashionistas, to make lipstick last longer, allow it to set for a few minutes. After applying, blot lips with tissue and dust them with powder, then apply another coat.

Hands: It is a fact that your hands age with you and, although you can do many changes to your body for a more youthful appearance, your hands tell the whole truth. What works for your face also works for your hands. Remove age spots from your hands by using facial brightening cream and the same anti-ageing products you love for your face.

Legs: Wait until after your shower to shave. The steam softens the hairs, which results in a smoother shave.

Feet: The next time you are tempted to throw out your pineapple skins, think again. Your feet will love you for it. Use fresh pineapple skin, which contains bromelain, to exfoliate heels. Rub the fleshy part over heels for five minutes, then rinse, dry, and moisturise.

Tired and swollen feet relief trick: I live in New York City and, half of the year, it's easier to walk 10 blocks between meetings than take a crowded subway or hail a cab. The problem is, I am usually walking in four-inch heels. I use this trick at least three times a month and I swear by its powers. Relieve swollen feet by soaking them alternately in hot water (for about three to four minutes), wait a few seconds to cool off, then soak them in cold water (for one to two minutes), for a total of 15 minutes.

Skin: Microwave your lotion for five seconds, to soothe dry, chapped skin.

Bonus beauty tip: This is certainly one of my faves. To make your perfume last longer, try dabbing petroleum jelly on to pulse points before spraying on fragrance. (Perfume evaporates faster from dry skin.) And don't forget to spritz ankles and behind your knees - where the scent rises.

Tip from make-up artist, Sue Gregg: "I use this trick with my clients to give the illusion of more plush, fuller lips. Grab a colourless lip balm with shimmer and apply it to the skin just above your Cupid's bow - the area below your nose and between the peaks of your top lip. Adding light to that area creates the illusion of larger lips. Then, apply a moisturising lipstick. Hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, bind pout-plumping water to your mouth. Use a high-shine finish; matte versions don't reflect light. Finish with a swipe of the shimmery balm on the centre of your bottom lip".