It's easy to play it safe with a tried-and-tested beauty routine, but what if a subtle shake-up could solve a niggling issue, or save time? Sometimes, something as simple as switching a product or tweaking your technique can turn around your beautifying for the better.

This isn't about dramatics - like going for the chop or swapping your nude lipstick for bold red - it's introducing some 'why-didn't-I-do-that-sooner?' improvements to your everyday regime. Genius.

Read on to discover the seven no-nos that might change your approach forever...

APPLYING HEAVY CONCEALER TO CAMOUFLAGE

When it comes to dark circles and imperfections, it's an obvious move to reach for the thickest concealer you can find to mask the problem, right? Wrong. Think light and layers.

"Swap that thick concealer for a concealer light in texture, that you can apply in buildable layers," advises Justine Jenkins, celebrity make-up artist. "When it comes to dark circles, the skin under the eyes is thin, so aim to achieve good covera ge with as little product as possible."

:: SWITCH IT: Delilah Farewell Cream Concealer, £24 (spacenk.com). Creamy but lightweight, and available in six shades, dab a little product under the eye and blend by patting with your ring finger.

GOING OTT WITH PERFUMED SHOWER GELS

Lathering up with heavily perfumed products can be like an extra layer of fragrance. But when it comes to washing 'down there', you could be disturbing the natural pH balance (cue potential discomfort).

"The skin on our arms, legs and rest of our bodies has a normal pH between 5.4 and 5.9, but the intimate skin is much lower, less than 4.5," explains Dr Ian Currie, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. "Using water alone is fine, but strongly perfumed products can upset your natural pH level."

:: SWITCH IT: Femfresh Daily Intimate Wash, £2.99 (Boots.com). Ideal for everyday use in the shower, with aloe vera to soothe and a soap-free formulation to maintain a healthy pH balance.

USING SPF CREAM OVER MAKE-UP

We need SPF coverage even on cold, cloudy days, but adding a layer of SPF over your make-up can result in a meltdown, not to mention a zinc-y white residue.

"Liquid sunscreen should be applied under make-up, but ensure you allow a few minutes for it to bind to the skin cells," recommends Dr Mervyn Patterson, dermatologist at Woodford Medical. "Once fully absorbed, apply make-up over the top."

:: SWITCH IT: Colorescience Sunforgettable SPF30, £38 (beauty-product-online.co.uk). For SPF top-ups over make-up, this mineral powder offers UVA and UVB protection in the stroke of a brush.

SPRAYING PERFUME BEHIND THE EARS

It's the go-to zone where many of us spritz our fragrance, but wearing scent behind your ears is actually a common mistake, especially if you want others to get a fragrant waft.

"The spot above the collar bone is better," explains Lorna McKay, co-founder of The Perfume Society. "Spritz anywhere the blood is nearer to the skin - wrists, backs of knees and throat are all definite fragrance 'hotspots'. Overall longevity depends on the concentration of the scent itself."

:: SWITCH IT: Jo Malone Incense and Cedrat Cologne, £105 (www.jomalone.co.uk). It has a much deeper intensity than your average scent, so you need less of it to make an impact.

SPRITZING STRONG HOLD HAIRSPRAY

If you're wearing an up-do with not a hair out of place, go wild with the hairspray, but if you want movement - and a hairbrush - to be part of the equation, consider your hold level.

"A common beauty mistake is to force a brush through hair coated in strong-hold hairspray," says trichologist Philip Kingsley. "This can cause quite substantial breakage, so use a flexible hold hairspray to prevent any damage."

:: SWITCH IT: Philip Kingsley Finishing Touch hairspray, £8 (philipkingsley.co.uk). Enables easy detangling with a non-stiff, flexible hold that disappears gradually throughout the day.

REMOVING TEXTURED NAIL POLISH

Glitter nail lacquers are the closest thing to cement when it comes to removal. Picking off stuck-solid particles, or wrenching it off with acetone-heavy removers can damage and weaken your nail plate.

"Glitter can really 'stick' to the nail due to the elements being non-porous, so it can't absorb any remover," says Bryony McMillan, OPI nail care expert. "The pieces of glitter usually lie flat almost completely against the nail, so a good base coat is essential."

:: SWITCH IT: OPI Glitter-Off Peelable Base Coat, £12.50 (opiuk.com). Once you get bored of your textured mani, satisfyingly peel off the entire lacquer for polish-free fingers in seconds.

CURLING LASHES AFTER MASCARA

When it comes to beauty tools, eyelash curlers are a real eye opener - but ensure you clamp pre-mascara, to avoid lashes sticking to the curler plate.

"A lot of women use eyelash curlers after applying their mascara, which can cause your eyelashes to break," warns Kirstin Piggott, Rimmel London global make-up artist.

:: SWITCH IT: Rimmel 24HR Supercurler Volume & Curl Mascara, £6.99 (available late September; Boots.com). Negates the need for lash curlers, with a curl-enhancing wand and lift-and-hold formula.

TRIED & TESTED

:: Lisa Haynes surveys if one diminutive device can reduce unwanted hairs and wrinkles...

"As a beauty writer, I'm always trying to stay one step ahead of industry trends, but dermaplaning, aka shaving your face - think I'll pass, thanks. I am willing to try the less daunting No!No! Pro 3, however, in the quest for a smoother complexion free of those peach-fuzzy hairs ( and occasional bristly looking suspects). This latest model in the hair removal device range has upped its game, with the addition of an LED attachment which promises to diminish wrinkles as well as hair.

"The handheld device uses pulsed 'Thermicon technology' (gentle heat) to zap away hairs, so there's no painful tugging or plucking involved. The trade-off is a faint odour of singed hair, but thankfully, it's just gentle heat, so not scary. The effects weren't immediate though. It took almost a month of using the device two to three times a week before I noticed less regrowth, and much finer hair if it did make a reappearance.

"Using the LED attachment easily converts the No!No! into an anti-ageing tool too. It's quick to use (less than seconds) and relaxing (I did it in front of the TV). While I haven't been as religious about using the LED, I have noticed my age spot imperfections have faded, so it's a Yes!Yes! to both uses. Just don't expect instant fuzz and line-free skin."

:: The No!No! Pro 3 is available with free LED Beauty Tip attachment (normally worth £49.99) for £210 at Boots until end of 2015 (boots.com).

BUY IT NOW

How to get an entire season ahead of beauty trends? Invest in MAC's SS16 Trend Forecast Palettes. Fresh from Fashion Week backstages, these are the colours we'll all be wearing come spring 2016. Bag the Lip or Eye palette, each featuring six standout shades, £35 each (www.maccosmetics.co.uk).

BEAUTY BULLETIN

:: HAIR APPRECIATION CLUB

You've heard of the selfie, now meet the #Helfie. According to a survey by JOICO haircare, 40% of women believe the optimum time to take a selfie is when their hair is looking good. The 'helfie' is the buzzword hashtag being used to tag a good hair day on social media (13,000 and counting on Instagram). When it comes to picture taking, 66% confessed that good hair was more important than a stylish outfit.

:: STEAL OF THE WEEK

See in the new season with a fresh face and Dermalogica's double act. Buy the Limited Edition Special Cleansing Gel for £28, and get a free mini Dermalogica Skin Prep Scrub while stocks last (harveynichols.com).