You may not be able to fight Father Time but you can fight your own poor habits.

Looking younger doesn’t have to bust your budget or require surgery - there are probably plenty of things you do that make you look older.

We’ve picked a few mistakes that are commonly seen on even the most stylish women. And while there’s nothing wrong with growing old - and showing it - we should all do so as gracefully as we can.

Check yourself against the following to immediately ditch any habits that are bringing you down, or, add a few to your repertoire for a fresher-looking you:

Stand straight - Hunching over not only adds pounds to your frame and eventually encourages permanent back problems - the stooped effect can also make you appear older. If you sit at a desk and your chair is contributing to the urge to slouch, make some adjustments. Try adding a cushion to your seat, to help your back rest more comfortably. Or, place a brightly coloured Post-it with the words ’Don’t Slouch!’ where you can see it often. Enlisting the help of a friend also doesn’t hurt, have someone pull you up every time they see you dipping towards the floor.

Rock some heels - A nice pair of heels with decent height - as little as two inches - can perk up a sagging behind and force you stand properly.

Wear the right eye make-up - Sporting garish eye make up can be as bad as wearing none at all. If you have lines and folds around the eye, avoid overly matte and overly frosty shades of eye shadow. The former accentuates sagging and the latter can gather in creases, making them more obvious, as well just making you look beat up. Go instead for soft satin formulas with a slight shimmer in natural colours and avoid heavy, black eyeliner. Try out deep plums and browns instead.

Curl your eyelashes - This simple trick can make you appear better-rested and give a noticeable lift to eyes. A good curler is one that is wide enough to grab all lashes without pinching.

Easy on the packed powder - A mask of powder doesn’t look good on anyone and in some cases, it can age you. If you already wear foundation, try switching your compact powder for a loose version. It’s okay to keep pressed powder in your handbag for touch-ups, but caking it on after applying foundation can drain the luminosity from your skin and the formula can also settle into and accentuate lines on the face.

Wear the right eyebrows - There is no hard and fast rule where brows are concerned and each face requires a unique shape - but don’t wear a brow shape that seems trendy but is not you. Too-thin styles or heavily pencilled brows look severe on most faces and can make you look a little ’hard’. If you need to, have a professional help you shape and groom them, as well recommend the best shape for your face. Sometimes, a thicker brow can bring back a more youthful countenance.

Don’t be afraid to moisturise - And don’t skimp on it either. This is one area that deserves proper investments of time and yes, money. No, you don’t have to spend a ’grand’ every month - there are many excellent drugstore brands available for your budget. You must have a good nighttime cream, and eye cream and a day cream.

Hydrated skin is instantly fresher, plumper and younger-looking.

Kissable lips - First off, you should be caring for your lips. Yes, your lips. Keeping them moist, with a balm or just some petroleum jelly and exfoliating with a washcloth results in smackers that more closely resemble the rose-bud mouth of your youth. For today, picking the right colour is as important as wearing it the right way. If you must wear colours like orange, try it as a stain with a hint of gloss instead of a thick slick. Dark colours are tricky. Black lipstick? Probably doesn’t do much for anyone. If you like dark colours, also try them as a stain and avoid dark lipliner. In general, rosy colours that are about two shades darker or lighter than the skin, in creamy formulas, are a safe bet.

Hair’s how - Dull, lifeless hair in a dull, lifeless shape just screams ’frumpy’. Keep hair clean and in a cut that flatters your face. It is often touted that the older a women gets, the shorter her hair should be. Disregard these ancient rules and do what’s right for you. And there need not be high-maintainence issues and a need for tons of products. A versatile, layered bob in a shape that suits your face can subtract years - and the right length also adds bounce. Bangs - another style associated with youth - are a great way to highlight the eyes, hide flaws on the forehead and enhance bone structure.