Ah, new year's resolutions. Just as we swore we wouldn't leave the Christmas wrapping until the last minute (and run out paper, again) or be up until the early hours assembling scooters/dolls houses or decorating the cake (if we managed to make one), the most honourable of intentions have a habit of flying out of the window in the run of normal family life (whatever that is!) More often than not, our resolve comes unstuck because the goal in question - to perform perfect, pretzel-like Pilates positions from week one/lose the mummy tummy overnight - wasn't totally realistic in the first place. Amazing, positive changes can be made when we're both super-motivated about achieving them and have a realistic plan of action that fits in with our everyday lives, making it less likely that we'll crash and burn by mid-January.

With this in mind, here are six simple beauty strategies you can squeeze into your daily routine that will truly make a difference to the way you look and feel. Superficial as they seem, it's the smallest changes that can make the biggest difference in lifting your mood and making you feel more pulled-together and pretty. Each one meets the Mum Knows Best beauty criteria: minimum effort, maximum, gorgeous-new-you impact!

Glowing reports: once or twice a week (tops), use a facial exfoliator to encourage clear, glowing skin. Virtually effortless - it just takes a couple of minutes, at most - making this part of your skincare routine can make an amazing difference in how radiant your complexion looks and how soft it feels. Formulas vary from gentle buffing pastes to more textured scrubs, so choose one targeted at your skin type and specific needs. Great glow-getters include Soap & Glory's The Greatest Scrub of All (£7.99, at Boots), Origins' marmalade-coloured, fruit enzyme-based Never A Dull Moment (£21.53) and Gatineau's new Activ Eclat Enzymatic Exfoliator (£19, at www.thebeautyroom.com). It's also worth mentioning that The Body Shop's Blue Corn 3 in 1 Deep Cleansing Scrub Mask (£7.50) works brilliantly as an overnight spot-blitzer - apply a blob on the offending blemish, leave it on (ignoring funny looks from family members) and by morning it should have dried up and become less beacon-like.

Go high brow: another small tweak which can make an enormous difference, don't underestimate the eye-opening, all-over flattering effect of artfully shaped eyebrows. As anyone who has squinted into a shaving mirror, tweezers in shaky hand, wondering where to start knows, DIY sculpting is easier said than done. Instead, treat yourself to a professional brow shape at a reputable or, better still, recommended beauty salon and aim to maintain the shape yourself thereafter. As hairs grow back at different rates, you'll need to stay on top of this with a pair of good tweezers, working in a good light, but the results will be worth it. It's amazing how maintaining a graceful arch and keeping stragglers at bay can achieve a more youthful and rested look. A favourite with the pros, Tweezerman Slant Tweezers (£20) come in a fabulous range of funky designs, from Animal print to coloured enamel, at www.hqhair.com. Check out the handbag-ready Polka Dot Mini Slant Tweezer (£12), too.

A cut above: along with an easy-to-maintain style which works with your hair's natural texture, regular trims will keep your style looking sharp. Besides keeping split ends in check, it will also help to ensure natural waves and curls look lively rather than lifeless. If you have your hair professionally coloured, too - and who can deny the instantly flattering effects of a half-head of highlights? - keep maintenance and costs to a minimum by booking alternate slots for cut and colour, rather thank splurging on both at once. Consider having a wet cut, too, to save on time and money at the salon.

Best foot forward: resolve to keep feet soft and bare-able, all year round, by spending a few seconds before each shower buffing them with a foot file. Done regularly, a quick once-over is all you need to do to maintain pedicure-smooth skin. The cheapest foot files will do the job, or you could splash out on the Diamencel Tough Buffer (£39, at www.blisslondon.co.uk), designed to make light work of the toughest tootsies. Follow with a dollop of foot cream before you apply tights or socks - Botanics' Foot Butter (£4.49, at Boots) is brilliantly effective.

Smooth moves: keep skin stubble-free and silky-soft by using a shower oil to lubricate skin before shaving. As well as smelling delicious, L'Occitane's non-greasy Shower Oil (£14.50) is ideal for the task, encouraging a faster, smoother job and leaving skin nourished and supple. The result? Always-smooth pins in next to no time.

Go for gold: a little self-tanner goes a long way in creating a fresh, healthy-looking complexion and disguising the telltale signs of sleep-interrupted nights. In addition, as with naturally sunkissed skin, you'll need less make-up to get glowing in the morning. The colour will fade over a day or two, so you will probably only need to apply it every other day or less often to maintain a natural-looking hint of colour. Try Bobbi Brown's excellent All Over Bronzing Gel SPF 15 (£18.60, at selected department stores or at www.bobbibrown.co.uk), or Soltan's Beautiful Bronze Self Tan Tinted Gel (£8.31, at Boots).