At this time of year and in this inconceivably cold weather you could be forgiven for wanting to wrap yourself in as many pairs of tights and layers of cashmere as you can get your hands on. I’m doing exactly that and it’s just as well because underneath all those layers is a very pale, very dry body that looks like it last saw the sun in 1993. Now I know summer is still a way away, but it’s never too soon to start body-prepping, so last night I decided to do something about it. Cue a three-pronged attack staged in my bathroom at about 10pm, which consisted of the following:

A pre-shower all-over rub with Ole Henriksen’s Rub N’Buff, £45, in my opinion one of the best there is. When my skin feels as scaly as it does this time of year I need a hardcore exfoliator – I’m talking zingy scent and coarse crystals that almost sting my skin.

A post-shower application or three (I’m desperate) of Lancome’s Flash Bronzer Self-tanning Body Gel, £21.50. When I need a little pick-me-up nothing works quite as well as being imbibed in a golden hue (I don’t care that it’s January, who’s to know I haven’t been on a winter-sun break?). This never streaks, always looks natural and evens out every body blip brilliantly.

A vow to wear my new Inuk boots by FitFlop, £199, all day everyday for as long as this freezing weather lasts. Not only are they cosy and snug, they also promise to tone every muscle in my legs and glutes, which is the best news I’ve had so far in 2010!