If December is all about being devilish, it’s time to repay your body for the fun times with some angelic beauty behaviour in January.

Cast your mind back and if you committed at least seven deadly sins over the festive period, counteract them with our seven ways to achieve beauty nirvana. After all, some dedicated pampering is a resolution that’s far easier to keep than diets and deprivation.

Call it a ‘beautox’ and try out the industry’s most delightful detox tricks.

Detox your… face

January blues reflected in your skin tone? At this time of year, skin can look dull and grey.

For a more radiant complexion, Catherine de Groot, co-founder of Trilogy recommends removing dead skin cells with a gentle exfoliant.

“The key to detoxifying the skin is to gently rehydrate, removing the toxins without stripping the skin of its natural oils,” she advises.

“Use a weekly beauty treatment, like a purifying masque, to restore, cleanse and rehydrate the skin”.

Detox your… body

Limbs, heavy. Thighs, puffy. Belly, bulging. If your body is screaming for a mini-cleanse or you’ve already fallen off the wagon, a bath can be a surprisingly effective purifier, according to Josephine Collins, mind, body and spirit author.

“Taking a bath with sea salt encourages the elimination of toxins through the skin.

“Add a handful of sea salt, and three drops each of lemon, grapefruit and lavender essential oils, to a warm bath. Take time to relax your muscles and soak for at least 20 minutes.”

Detox your… make-up bag

The start of a New Year provides the perfect opportunity for a cosmetic bag clear-out. Out-of-date make-up can be a breeding ground for bacteria that causes spots and even infections.

“Throwing away half-used products may hurt, but detoxing your make-up is the perfect excuse to discover some new favourites,” says make-up artist Jemma Kidd.

“Chuck any dried-up products, or any that smell or taste bad. Wax-based cosmetics are less likely to harbour bacteria than liquid or oil-based products.”

Detox your… insides

While those turkey curry seconds are now a distant memory, your bloated waistline tells a different story.

Make-up artist Bobbi Brown may have made a business out of creating beautiful bases and blushers but she believes that great skin is 70% what you put in your mouth and 30% what you put on your face.

“Make sure you enjoy plenty of fruit, vegetables and whole grains,” Brown advises.

“Hydrate from the inside out. Try to drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day to help flush out toxins and keep skin clear – carry a reusable water bottle to make it easier.”

Detox your… cellulite

If those orange peel dimples look even more pronounced on your thighs than the ones in your fruit bowl, sweep away the telltale signs before bikini season looms.

“I swear by daily dry body brushing before bathing,” reveals skincare expert Liz Earle.

“Sweep a body brush across your limbs and torso, directing strokes towards your heart to improve circulation and leave skin soft and smooth.”

A daily boost of body brushing can help skin shed waste and toxins more easily, while our bodies benefit from a boost to the circulation and lymphatic system, improving skin tone and smoothness.

Detox your… hair

Don’t see in the New Year with a hair horror story. All that party blow-drying, backcombing and hairspray, topped off with a side order of central heating, can result in lacklustre tresses. Leave your hair to dry naturally whenever you can.

“Over-styling your hair is the norm for many women during the party season, but just like your waistline, your scalp and hair suffers from festive excesses too,” reveals Peter Lux, creative beauty director at head&shoulders.

“Hair is left dry, damaged and limp as it’s over indulged in the styling department. To soothe your scalp and restore your hair back to its healthy looking best, use a gentle, cleansing detox shampoo and conditioner.”

Detox your… skin

Practice those kneading, rubbing and stroking techniques. Massage can be a powerful tool for transforming your skin during a detox.

Like exercise, it ‘moves’ the body allowing it to throw off toxins and improve oxygenation. And it’s a good excuse to invest in fragrant ‘feel-good’ products too, according to Emma Hardie, skincare expert and Amazing Face founder.

“Self-massage helps to promote the removal of excess toxins, encouraging a firm, toned appearance and thoroughly moisturised, softened skin,” she says.

Tried & tested

Cheat a detoxified glow with BB cream (short for blemish balm). As this cosmetic/skincare hybrid of moisturiser, sun block, primer and foundation takes the beauty world by storm, our testers dabble with three BB wonders…

• 17 BB Blemish Balm All In One Magic Make-up SPF25, £6.99 (Boots)

4/5

• Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Daily All-In-One B.B. Blemish Balm Cream, £9.99 (nationwide).

5/5

• Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF30, £25 (www.clinique.co.uk)

3/5

Buy it now

Jazz up your nails with Max Factor’s 18 new Max Colour Effect Mini Nail Polishes. Inspired by the S/S12 catwalks, the latest shades are split into four colour families inspired by the Fashion Week capitals – Brooklyn (New York), Dalston (London), Via Tortona (Milan) and Marais (Paris); £3.99 each, available at Boots.

Beauty bulletin

• Express beauty

• Recessionista alert