Are you spending too long on your looks?

Of course, it's important to take time and effort over your looks. But it's also very easy to spend too long over certain tasks - which means you end up running late or wasting precious minutes that could be spent on something more important. Sound familiar?

Beauty expert and stylist Hayley Sparkes offers these time-saving tips: 'There's no need to wash your hair every day unless you have a particularly oily scalp. The longer, thicker, curlier and more processed your hair, the longer it can go between washes. Another trick when you're running late is to just wash your fringe to give the illusion of freshness, and apply dry shampoo to the roots. This will absorb any grease, make your hair smell lovely and add volume to your roots.'

And to spend less time on your make-up? 'If your complexion's looking good, don't bother with foundation every day,' says Hayley. 'A quick blend of concealer and a light dusting of powder to avoid shine is all you need. And if you apply lipstick with a lip brush, you can often get away without liner. Multi-tasking products can also save you time. Peach and pink creamy lipsticks can double as blushers; eyebrow powders can work as eye shadows; and clear mascara is great for keeping brows in shape.'

Finally, don't waste time deciding what to wear 20 minutes before you're due to leave the house. Hayley's advice? 'It's a good idea to plan outfits in advance. Once a week, experiment by putting outfits together from your wardrobe, and seeing what looks good. Hang everything together, including the accessories, so it saves time during the week. But if you do end up going out wearing mismatched undies, don't worry: Victoria Beckham admits to doing the same!'

You might also like...
10 new beauty innovations
10 embarrassing beauty secrets
Slow steps to a more beautiful you

Well done! You've generally got the balance right when it comes to ensuring you look your best but don't end up running late. However, there's always room for improvement - which is why we think you'll appreciate these time-saving tips.

Tempted to wash your hair every day? 'Don't be,' says award-winning hairdresser Ken Picton. 'Washing every day can strip out the natural oils. Curly hair in particular looks better on day two - or even day three - after washing because the curls become more defined as the natural oil is allowed to work down the shaft. Besides, hair treatments don't have to go on wet hair these days - so you can deep-condition overnight. Oils are another brilliant time-saver as they tame frizz, add shine and condition hair all in one go. Apply on mid-lengths and ends to get the benefits without making roots greasy.'

And to save time on your make-up? 'Multi-tasking products are key,' says beauty expert and stylist Hayley Sparkes (www.hayleysparkes.co.uk). 'Peach and pink creamy lipsticks can double as blushers; eyebrow powders can work as eye shadows; and clear mascara is great for keeping brows in shape. BB creams are great time-savers, too. They provide a good base for make-up like a primer, even out the complexion like a tinted moisturiser, cover imperfections and redness like a concealer and hydrate your skin like a day cream.'

Finally, don't waste time deciding what to wear 20 minutes before you're due to leave the house. Hayley's advice? 'It's a good idea to plan outfits in advance. Once a week, experiment by putting outfits together from your wardrobe, and seeing what looks good. Hang everything together, including the accessories, so it saves time during the week.'

You might also like...
10 new beauty innovations
10 embarrassing beauty secrets
Slow steps to a more beautiful you

You pride yourself on being able to get ready and out of the house in super-quick time. But there's a good chance you're compromising your fashion and beauty routine in order to do so - and that means you're not looking as good as you possibly could. So how can you take more pride in your appearance without being late for work?

Rule number one: don't just grab the first outfit that comes to hand each morning. 'The trick is to plan in advance,' says beauty expert and stylist Hayley Sparkes. 'Once a week, experiment by putting outfits together from your wardrobe, and seeing what looks good. Hang everything on one hanger, including the accessories, so it saves time during the week.'

Think you don't have time to apply make-up properly? Think again! 'If your complexion's looking good, you don't need to bother with foundation every day,' says Hayley. 'A quick blend of concealer and a light dusting of powder to avoid shine is all you need. And if you apply lipstick with a lip brush, you can get away without liner. Multi-tasking products can save you time, too. Peach and pink creamy lipsticks can double as blushers; eyebrow powders can work as shadows; and clear mascara is great for keeping brows in shape.'

And if you're too time-pushed to wash your hair when it really needs it, why not try an overnight treatment? 'These days, they don't have to go on wet hair - so you can deep-condition your hair while you sleep,' says award-winning hairdresser Ken Picton (www.kenpicton.com). 'Oils are another brilliant time-saver as they tame frizz, add shine and condition hair all in one go. Apply on mid-lengths and ends to get the benefits without making roots greasy.'

You might also like...
10 new beauty innovations
10 embarrassing beauty secrets
Slow steps to a more beautiful you