Here's all the advice you need for the most gorgeous hair, skin and make-up this summer!

The best make-up, hair and skin tips for the start of a new year.

Lay off the bottle (and brush and tube)
When the weather warms up, cut back on cosmetics. A study in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology found that reports of sensitive skin rise during the summer months, especially in women. So it’s time to simplify your regimen. “Seek out products with a short ingredient list,” says study author Dr Laurent Misery. “The fewer ingredients a product has, the less likely it is to irritate the skin.”

Wear it Short
Been thinking about getting cropped Katie Holmes style? Go under the scissors now. Hair grows faster when the weather is warm, so if you don’t like the results, you won’t be stuck with a less-than-desirable ’do for long.

Let the Waxing Wane
Yes, it gets rid of that annoying fuzz, but waxing also removes a thin layer of skin – enough to make you a lot more vulnerable to the sun. If you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors, consider shaving, depilatories or bleaching instead.

Save Your Soles
The more your feet are exposed, the more likely your soles are to crack and look ashy (in case you didn’t know, microbes can enter through those little fissures). So each night before bed, coat them with a rich cream, like Oh So Heavenly Foot Spa Treat Your Feet Foot Butter (R21 for 125ml, exclusive to Clicks), to keep them soft, pretty and safe from infection.

Switch to the Dark Side
The more intense your nail polish colour, the better your pedicure will look, says Mantis Wellness and Spa manager Peta-Lynn O’Brien. That’s because brighter shades hide the yellowing effect the sun has on pigments.

Go Faux
The rate of skin cancer in women under 40 is rising, and we don’t want you to be one of them. Satisfy your baking needs by hitting the bottle. Apply self tanner about two hours before bed so it has enough time to absorb (otherwise: orange sheets). In the morning, fix any streaks that may have developed.

Try Acid
Salicylic acid, that is. Sweat trapped against your skin can clog pores and cause acne-producing bacteria to grow. Prevent backne and buttne with a quick mist of a salicylic acid spray, like Dermalogica Clean Start All Over Clean (R190 for 120ml), to keep pores clear and kill bacteria.

Take it Easy
Don’t be so hard on your nails. “People are drawn to water when the weather gets hot, and that’s where bacteria and yeast can breed,” says O’Brien. Your cuticles act as a natural barrier, preventing the bad stuff from entering the nail bed, so make sure your manicurist doesn’t cut your cuticles and isn’t otherwise overly aggressive when she works her magic on your hands.