Wouldn't it be great to borrow the Fairy Godmother's magic wand from time to time? Then, with a quick twinkle and flick of our wrist we could transform our drab, dull looks.

Sadly, the Fairy Godmother's waiting-list go

es into the next millennium, so we've decided to show you five quick tricks to revamp your look in a flash

Stand up straight

At risk of sounding like your mother, if you want to improve your look stand up straight. Your posture is hugely important to the way you look. Even the world's prettiest woman would look less attractive if she stooped and slouched through life. Not only will maintaining a good posture make you appear more confident you will also look slimmer. Patrice Winter, a spokeswoman for the American Physical Therapy Association, says that standing tall can make you look 3kg slimmer.

Instructions: Having good posture doesn't mean standing polka straight. You need to stand naturally, allowing your spine to curve in an S shape. Align your hips and ears. Also, if you sit at a desk, use your legs to distribute your weight and help relieve some of the pressure on your tailbone.

Dye preloved items

Changing your look doesn't mean you have to take out a second morgage. It can be as cheap as you want it to be. If you feel like your wardrobe needs updating, take a look at what you already own. If you have a pair of trousers or skirt that fits well but is looking a little old, pop it into the washing machine and add in some fabric dye (see below for instructions). To create an entire outfit, you could also pop a few accessories into the washing machine too, such as a fabric brooch or fabric bag. Then you have an instantly colour co-ordinated outfit.

Instructions: Fabric dye is a simple way to revamp your wardrobe, but check the dye you use for instructions. Generally you will simply need to put in the dye from the box into your washing machine and add salt. Then turn on your machine and wash the clothes in a hot wash until the cycle is complete.

Eyes and lips

Your eyes and lips are your chance to have fun and, if you want to give yourself a makeover using makeup, start with these areas. Find an eyeliner pen or pencil that matches your natural eye colour. Then play around with designs. You could add flicks to the corners of your eyes to make them appear bigger, or add dashes on your lower lash line.

For bright eyes, choose a neutral lip shade, and vice-versa. For bright lips that pop, try using two shades of lipstick to your lips. If you use a lighter shade around the outer edge of your lips they will appear plumper.

Instructions: When applying your eyeliner keep checking what it looks like when your eyes are open so that you get the finished look you were after. To keep your lipstick on for longer first apply a lip liner and use a lip brush to apply your lipstick. This will also give you more control during application.

Eyebrows

We all know that your eyebrows can dramatically change your face. To give yourself a quick and almost instant revamp you should change your brows. The right brows can frame your favourite features. If you have a long face and would like to make it look shorter choose a flat brow shape. If you have a round face then choose a brow shape with a high arch. If you have a heart-shaped face, choose brows that balance your face by creating a soft curved arch. Some people benefit from darkening their brows. You could get an eyebrow tint or use an eyebrow pencil to achieve this look.

Instructions: Although a DIY job can work wonders, sometimes getting professional guidance goes a long way. If you want to change your brow shape book an appointment at a brow bar or with a beauty therapist. Once you've had them reshaped you could maintain your look at home with tweezers.

The statement piece

Sometimes a total revamp or makeover isn't necessary. All you need is one statement piece that ties together your outfit. To find that magical piece of clothing, scour the shops and the internet. Try on different items and explore new styles, cuts and colours. Ideally, your statement piece will have a wow factor so that it can turn an ordinary outfit into one that will turn heads.

Look for bold, unusual colours, but not multi-coloured, unless lots of your other clothes are plain. This is because you want to be able to wear your statement piece with a lot of outfits, so choose items in bold, block colours.

Instructions: Your statement piece should be a little out-there and should definitely reflect you and your personality. Take time to find this special item and you'll soon reap the rewards.