When I moved to the country I swore I wasn’t going to be one of the ‘country women’ who never wore heels, or makeup or used moisturiser. To some extent I have stayed true to my pledge – I wear some make-up every day and I would never consider not using my failsafe daily moisturiser. But – truly – I haven’t worn heels in months. In fact I only wear them for christenings and weddings now. And I’ve become that woman who moans about her heels five minutes in and finishes the night in barefeet, hobbling around. I am sad about this. I used to tramp up and down the mean London streets in sky high heels and think nothing of it. But also – you know – perspective. So, I concentrate on what matters, which is looking and feeling great in the life that you live.

I have a pretty chilled out beauty regime these days, time is obviously of the essence and so I have a few failsafes that can be relied on to awaken tired eyes and fluff-up floppy hair.

Moisturise: Clarins’ daily and nightime moisturisers are excellent, very smooth and clean and fresh, and richer and more buttery at night. I have used them for years and they’ve never let me down. (Multi-Active Day and Night Creams, £42 & 44 for 100ml, Clarins)

Clean: I’ll let you into a little secret, I only wash my hair once, twice at most, a week. I simply don’t have time to wash it more than that. And it also doesn’t need it. I use dry shampoo on the day or so before washing when it inevitably starts to feel a little flat and tired, and this just wakes it up again, pops some volume back into it and buys me another 24 hours grace. (Cleanse Dry Shampoo, £7.49 for 250ml, Toni&Guy, Boots)

Soften: I don’t do a lot to my hair, I’ve been blessed with manageable curls, but there is a little frizz that needs taking care of. Argan oil is fantastic – though make sure you’re buying the pure stuff and not some substitute. Liz Earle – another great beauty brand – recently started making hair products and this nourishing oil works wonders on the drier ends of my hair. It’s great value because you genuinely only need a pea-sized amount for the whole head, and it smooths and silkens my locks. And the effects last all week. (Botanical Shine Nourishing Hair Oil, £ 17.50 per 50ml, Liz Earle)

Hydrate: Bobbi Brown’s Beach moisturiser is a wonderful option for summer, not only does it smell lovely, but it’s very fresh and rich without feeling sticky. It glides on quickly and always leave my legs feeling refreshed. ( Beach Body Lotion, £11 for 200ml, Bobbi Brown)

Scent: Strong perfumes are a no-no with a little baby. They’re so sensitive to smells that it distracts and upsets them, and if you’re breastfeeding it’s especially silly to slather on the scent. I used Jo Malone’s Orange Blossom creme religiously throughout the summer when Munchkin was born, not only is it wonderfully moisturisin,but it smells bona fide amazingly decadent and sweet. I rubbed a little bit onto my decolletage every morning and before I went out and it just made me feel fresher and more ready for my day. (Orange Blossom Body Creme, £50 for 175ml , Jo Malone, Cheltenham)

Next week: Make-up for fresh faces…