We're all well-versed in time-related clichés: The right place at the right time, better late than never, time heals all wounds, timing is everything ... as tired as these platitudes are, when it comes to your beauty and health routines, timing really is everything. Did you know that the time of day you rub salicylic acid on your face could be the difference between "meh" and a miracle? And when you decide to go in for your wax can be the difference between a trauma or ... well, waxing is always kinda traumatic, but less so?

Caring for your skin and hair, eating lunch, going shoe shopping -- when you do them matters almost as much as what you do. Our experts in health, skin and hair helped us unlock the secrets of time. Make these surprising tweaks to your schedule to reveal your best-looking, best-feeling self.

When: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Why: "Cortisol is a hormone that helps promote alertness and reaches peak levels in the blood first thing in the morning," says Steven Miller, Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. "These blood levels tend to drop after this -- around 9 a.m. -- and spike later in the day between noon and 1 p.m., and again at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m." Miller's research suggests that the best time to drink your (first) morning cup of coffee is in the time slot when your cortisol level first begins to drop to compensate for decreased alertness.

When: During ovulation and two to three hours after you spritz a fragrance on your body

Why: During the week of ovulation, increased hormonal activity triggers a heightened sense of smell. According to Bond No. 9 Founder and President Laurice Rahme, it's best to take advantage of this sensory spike to find your new favorite fragrance. But simply smelling a fragrance on a tester strip can be misleading. "You need to wear a fragrance for a few hours to determine if you really love it and will continue to do so after leaving the department store," Rahme advises. Why? Because fragrances develop on the skin in phases or layers, and to really know what you're buying, you need reach the bottom note.

According to Rahme, the top note is what you smell right away -- "usually the sparkling and vivacious fresh notes that invite you to smell a little bit longer." The middle note, or "heart" of the fragrance, is where the essence of the scent comes through (think warm and sensual, floral and intoxicating, aromatic and clean). The bottom note surfaces last and stays with you for hours, long after the top note has disappeared. "This base is what blends with your own skin scent to create a scent individual to you," Rahme explains.

When: At night

Why: Check your labels. If you're using a retinoid product or any product containing vitamin A, you need to shift your routine from a.m to p.m. "Products with vitamin A derivatives should be applied in the evening because sunlight can lessen their efficacy," says dermatologist Dr. Jeanine Downie, director of Image Dermatology P.C. in Montclair, N.J. For best results, Downie recommends washing your face with a gentle cleanser, applying your retinoid and following with a moisturizer before hitting the hay.

When: Two weeks before your period, or one week after it

Why: Ever notice how much more sensitive your skin is during your period? According to Downie, the drop in estrogen levels causes your skin to lose water and become drier, which makes your skin more susceptible to irritation. To avoid extra pain on top of the aches and cramps you experience during your period, she suggests scheduling all hair removal procedures two weeks before you start. Downie also notes that hair grows faster during the hormonal surges after your cycle. To get more bang for your buck, schedule your appointments for the week after your period to get rid of more hair at once.