Five minutes a day of sucking your thumb promises to be a veritable face saver

Five In 5 US$4.99 Rating 8/10

Years ago I reviewed a book of facial exercises by the queen of natural facelifts, Eva Fraser. It was hard work and my face was still in pretty good shape, so I quickly lost interest. But now I am interested. Remarkably, while Fraser is still in business (and looking younger than ever), her business has yet to come up with an app.

A little research gave me two contenders - Facial Fitness at US$1.99 and Five In 5 at US$4.99. Of course I downloaded Facial Fitness first, but quickly put it aside. The 12 exercises were not very well explained in the short training videos and the full fast-paced 4 1/2-minute video seemed too much for a beginner like myself.

The other app, by comparison, is to the point - five exercises plus a 'bonus' exercise, clearly demonstrated through short training videos, to be done in a guided, daily five-minute routine. It is better for a beginner. According to the app: 'Depending on the age and condition of your skin, you may see results immediately after performing the exercises for the first time ... You should definitely see results in the first five days.'

I did have reservations about the promise of instant results, so I took my own before photograph and set about the programme with enthusiasm and in privacy. You really do look strange as you tilt your head back, extending your neck and sucking hard on your thumb for 10 reps, which are counted out by the anonymous video instructor. Strangely, this is incredibly intense and leaves the cheeks and jowl area throbbing with exhaustion.

According to the app instructions, regular practise yields the best results. The programme is something that you can do as part of your morning routine, or in a lift, or while waiting for the kettle to boil.