I admire beautiful well-groomed women and probably feel a little envious. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to wander around all day in matching silk bra and knickers, a pencil slim skirt, high heeled shoes and red lipstick. I wonder because walking 15 minutes to my children’s school and back twice a day makes it impractical and what the point? I work at home there is no one to see me. I wonder if I would achieve more if I was slickly dressed and beautifully made up?

I do enjoy dressing up for an occasion though, putting on my high heels and make up and standing tall. My mother was always intoxicated by her beauty and stylishly turned out, and so in rebellion, I went through my teens with wild unruly hair and filthy fingernails. I think there remains within me a residue of not wanting to appear to try too hard, that a stylish woman somehow doesn’t need to.

However now I’m in my forties, I need a certain amount of upkeep and a little bit of Laura Mercier foundation to feel really confident. Sometimes I think if I had the time and money, I could benefit from daily maintenance: eyebrow shape, pedicure, manicure, hair colour, cut, waxing, massage, but quite honestly wouldn’t life be a little shallow if treatments became a daily routine? It’s definitely true that a good nights sleep really is the best way to ensure inner and outer beauty.

These days I like a holistic approach to beauty. I try to use products that are made with natural ingredients and are not tested on animals. I do yoga, and have given up smoking as part of campaign to maintain my health and my looks. I don’t stay up too late, unless there is something really special to do. I would have found this sensible approach to life rather dull in my twenties and thirties but it is essential now and surprisingly rather enjoyable.