Monthly favourites are here again – the weeks are just hurtling by, aren’t they? Before we know it, it’ll be the C-word! (Christmas.) It’s quite a sharp and to-the-point beauty edit, this month, partly because for half of it I was testing out the Genifique serum and therefore slightly restricted, skincare-wise; but mostly because I’ve been incredibly lazy with my makeup routine. I’ve been “off-duty” in terms of appearance; stuck indoors ploughing through mountains of work, wearing tracksuits with various food stains on them and looking distinctly unglamorous. But I am fully intending to get back into the swing of things next week, so expect a barrage of foundation reviews and eyeshadow pictures and lipstick swatches…

This Month’s Faves:

Dior Yacht Nail Polish: http://tidd.ly/ec9b57cb

Roger & Gallet Bois d’Orange Body Lotion: http://tidd.ly/e8c2f614

Avon SPF 50: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2014/…

Smashbox Blemish Primer: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2014/…

Redermic Skincare: http://tidd.ly/b7d8b85c

NUXE clarifying Clay Mask: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2014/…

Max Factor Lipfinity in Always Delicate: http://tidd.ly/2f9eea73

Chanel AW14 Eyeshadows Quad in Poesie: http://tidd.ly/4e248779

The post August Skincare and Makeup Favourites appeared first on A Model Recommends.

A mixed bag of favourites, this month (last month, rather – so sorry it’s late!) but there are a few real beauty crackers for you. I have been testing out eye makeup removers recently, and I will do a bigger post on my findings, but I couldn’t wait to tell you about the two budget versions that have come up trumps. The Camomile Waterproof Makeup Remover from The Body Shop is excellent; feels gentle, doesn’t make my eyes red, doesn’t fill them with oil so that I’m rendered blind for the next two and a half hours. It’s eight quid, which I think is a really great price. (Find it here.) The All Bright Soothing Makeup Remover, however, is just £3.99! Again, does a great job and feels gentle. This removed everything from stubborn mascara to Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil, which usually needs a blowtorch to remove. You can find it at Boots.com here.

The other beauty star that’s new in my life is the Age Support Radiance Mask from Emma Hardie. I loved the effect of this; nice and soft and plumping. I have to say that my skin did drink it up quite fast, so if you were going to follow the instructions and leave it on for 5-10 minutes, you’d need more of a layer than I applied. I did a thinnish application and after three or four minutes my skin was plumptious and radiant and I went straight in over the top with foundation. Lovely for dry or dull skin, for a bit of a pep up if you don’t want to do the full works with a hardcore exfoliating mask. You can find Emma’s mask here at Cult Beauty, it’s £36.

Right: on with the show. You’ll see that Sali Hughes’ excellent new book makes another appearance – if you want more detail on that then you can read the full post here. You’ll also see my new Warehouse Cricket Jumper and a neon orange bra. Enjoy!

Sali Hughes Pretty Honest: http://goo.gl/iIxBni

My Warehouse Jumper: http://rstyle.me/n/q536ut6a6
This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray: http://tidd.ly/62918ea4 (code for 15% off, Friday only, PAYDAY15)

Boots Botanics Eye Makeup Remover: http://tidd.ly/13dec002
Body Shop Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover: http://goo.gl/PN7e6P

Emma Hardie Face Mask: http://goo.gl/Wdr2B4

Nail Polishes from The Body Shop: http://goo.gl/YCsT92

The post Favourite Beauty Products: September appeared first on A Model Recommends.

Is it me, or does the last beauty favourites video only seem as though it went up about a week ago? I feel as though I’ve been sucked into some kind of space/time vortex! Oh well. Some nice new discoveries, this month, including the excellent exfoliating facial pads from First Aid Beauty (thanks for that tip-off, Caroline Hirons!) and a great mattifying moisturiser from Una Brennan’s Superfacialist brand at Boots. There are quite a few different things that I really rate from Superfacialist  – you can read more of my reviews here. I’ve also had a bit of a re discovery this month, falling in love all over again with the Ultrabland cleanser from Lush. I used to use this thick, balmy cleanser years and years ago when I first started modelling but had totally forgotten about it until recently. It’s simple, gentle and gets off every scrap of makeup. A pot costs £7.25, which I don’t think is bad at all!

You’ll also find details about my upcoming London meetup in this video – 6-8pm on Friday, November 7th at the new Bobbi Brown Studio in Covent Garden. I hope that lots of you will be able to make it; I specifically chose a time when people would have finished work or college and it will be a really nice way to end the week. Makeup, chatting and some lovely little surprise treats and goodies for attendees. If you want to come along then the full details are below the video pane – please be so kind as to email the lovely ladies at Bobbi Brown who are co-ordinating the event!

Details and Links from Video

I Love Makeup Video: http://youtu.be/xBsdizx4OvI

Makeup Meet-Up Details: 7th November at Bobbi Brown Studio, 4 East Piazza,
Royal Opera House Colonnade, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 8HD
Please email onlineteam@bobbi-brown.co.uk to secure a place.
Lush Ultra Bland Cleanser: https://www.lush.co.uk/products/ultra…

First Aid Exfoliating Pads: ON SALE at the moment! http://tidd.ly/cc265b4

Una Brennan Tea Flower Mattifying Moisturiser: http://tidd.ly/9d763d61

TimeBomb Powerball Moisturiser: http://tidd.ly/1db187bb

YSL Black Opium: http://tidd.ly/a4b98872

CoLab Dry Shampoo: http://tidd.ly/cf450843

CoLab Giveaway (UK only, so sorry!): http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2014/…

CoLab product demo on Telegraph: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/beauty…

The post October Skincare and Beauty Favourites appeared first on A Model Recommends.

I thought I’d just slip in a quick favourites video before I start on the Christmas Gift Guides; this month I’ve focused on skincare because my skin has been so up and down! Flaky red patches, a few mammoth spots that could only be described accurately as boils and a weird oiliness on my nose that has been more of a “waxy sheen” than the usual mild grease. So, a whole plethora of skin complaints to test my products on and I’ve been keeping a keen eye out for the results. In the video you can see my roundup of the products that impressed – and a couple that didn’t. It wasn’t that I had any particular gripes with the ones that failed to impress, they just didn’t blow my socks off.

Special mention must go to the Copaiba & Zinc Perfect Balance Blemish Serum from Pai Skincare: lots of you have asked me to try it out and report back and I can confirm that it’s a good one. Very gentle, but surprisingly effective, it really helps to balance blemish-prone skin without any kind of aggressiveness whatsoever. It actually feels more like applying a soothing lotion for very sensitive skin; there’s no tea-tree tingle or astringent face-tightening and skin is left slightly matte with no stickiness or weird residue. Obviously the intention is that you follow the serum with some kind of hydrator, but it’s actually comfortable enough to wear without, which is a lovely indication of just how gentle the Copaiba & Zinc serum is. It won’t be the first option for teens, at £42, but for those who can afford to invest a little it’s a great solution for angsty, angry skin that needs to be treated with kid gloves. Find it online here.

More products for blemish-prone skin…

Take a look at the Skincare Favourites video to see what else I’ve been impressed with, including an antioxidant serum and a very quick and to-the-point spot-reducer. You can find links to all of the products below the video pane – you’ll notice that I’ve reverted to the traditional video post format as the “new fangled” way that I tested out was a big old failure for those reading via email.

MV Organic Skincare Rose Moisturiser: (if you’re thinking of getting this then maybe wait until Weds, there’s a big Cult Beauty goody bag offer on.) http://goo.gl/RToFHo

Pai Anti-Blemish Serum: http://tidd.ly/612a3f7d

Effaclar AI Targeted Blemish Treatment: http://tidd.ly/cc52c88c

Aroma Actives Cleanser: Sainsbury

REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Balm: http://tidd.ly/482d1ac

REN Flash Facial: http://tidd.ly/c006156e

Caudlalie Polyphenol C15 Range: http://tidd.ly/d3a2254c

I did my hair waves with the Mark Hill Wicked Waver: http://tidd.ly/8c04fa1b

Makeup: By Terry Densiliss Foundation in shade 7, Clarins face palette (2012!), Sunday Riley shadow in Godiva, Givenchy Noir Couture Mascara.

Shirt is from Topshop: http://tidd.ly/5af5ba55

The post November Skincare Favourites appeared first on A Model Recommends.

Here we are with the December Dog and Beauty Favourites. I’m being silly with the dog part, of course; I only have one dog and so of course he is always the favourite. But as many of you will know, he was very ill throughout December and having him fit and well again for Christmas was just the best present ever. So he’s in my favourites along with hairbrushes and dry shampoo and whatnot.

More on the dry shampoo very shortly – my High Street Spies tell me that they have seen it in Superdrug, so I’ll do a full post asap. It’s the new addition to the Colab range; a dry shampoo that targets root volume to banish flatness and that lank, bleugh kind of look that tends to creep in when hair hasn’t been washed for a day or so. Watch this space – I’ll tell you more just as soon as I’ve had confirmation that it’s on the shelves!

Other December favourites of note include the Chanel Velvet foundation, which I have used more than anything else for the past few months, and the Wet Brush hairbrush for detangling wet hair, which is just the best thing since sliced bread. I’m also very partial to the new Lips and Boys lipsticks from Tom Ford, despite them costing about five and a half billion pounds each, but I’ll be doing a more in-depth post on those later this week. You can find the links to everything mentioned in the video at the bottom of this page.

Right: on with the show. I must get back to watching Elementary (see the Sunday Tittle Tattle post) – we’re on the ninth episode of the day and there’s still time for two more before bed…

The post December Dog and Beauty Favourites appeared first on A Model Recommends.

This came around quickly, didn’t it? I’m still recovering from cooking the Christmas dinner! January Beauty Favourites; we have some hair stuff, some nice morsels of makeup and the results of my sponsored Olay skincare trial*. I also have another giveaway for you (UK only, this time) so keep on reading to find out how to claim a free serum.

If you missed the last couple of Olay posts then you can catch up with them here – basically I’ve been testing out the new Regenerist Luminous serum and SPF20 and have refrained from using all other skincare products for the past month. Five or six weeks, actually, if you want to be pedantic, but for the first week or so I was a bit ill (first trimester pregnancy woes!) and hardly got out of bed to wash my face, let alone apply serum. But anyway, to cut out the waffle, I have definitely given the serum a proper, full, month-long trial and am very happy with the results. I mentioned in one of the last posts that I was very pleased that Olay had added a serum to the line-up – easy to slip into any skincare routine, simple and quick to apply, but with targeted results. (Regenerist Luminous concentrates on helping to even out skintone and generally brighten the skin.)

I was particularly pleased to be testing the serum during pregnancy, because one of my skincare worries pre-conception was that my melanin production would go all wonky and I’d be left with dark patches; using the serum felt like a bit of a skin “insurance”. The key ingredients, niacinamide and Sepiwhite (see here for the science bit), not only help with excess melanin production but help to diminish existing signs such as dark spots and patches of pigmentation, so it felt like a good fit for me! I didn’t have any dark spots, but the serum definitely kept my skin on an even keel, I think, and it looked brighter and slightly more luminescent after the trial was up.

You can hear more about the serum and SPF20 in the video, but if you’d like to try the Skin Tone Perfecting Serum for free then the first 50 UK readers to email their name and address through to Olay will be sent one. olayblog@sykes.com

There are some nice makeup treats in this month’s favourites; a pretty Chanel blusher, a great lip gloss and the new Roller Lash mascara (pictured above) from Benefit. It doesn’t launch until March, but I’ll make sure that I review it properly before then – it’s very good. Right, take a look at the video – the product links are below. Enjoy, comment, share…

More Monthly Favourite posts…

Products Shown in Video:

Benefit Roller Lash: launches March

Olay Regenerist Luminous Serum and SPF20: http://goo.gl/jsMCNz

Chanel Jardin de Chanel Blush: http://tidd.ly/6f0d6211

Amazing Concealer: http://goo.gl/aADSkJ

Zelens Lip Glaze in Rose: http://goo.gl/y895ps

Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Scalp Shampoo: http://rstyle.me/n/waweyt6a6

Sachajuan Hair Repair: http://goo.gl/c54iSJ

 *my skincare trial and related posts and videos have been sponsored by Olay

The post January Beauty Favourites appeared first on A Model Recommends.

Watch the video below to witness a full-on disintegration of my mental faculties. It happens at around three or four o’clock every day and apparently this isn’t a temporary pregnancy thing: it stays after the baby has been born! Please someone tell me that their brain went back to normal? It takes me about twenty seconds to find the word I need and by then I’ve forgotten the entire sentence!

More monthly beauty videos…

Anyway, a nice little mixture of beauty favourites this month, though I fear things are a little predictable on the skincare front: MV Organic Skincare Rose Moisturiser again. Can’t get enough of it. It’s not my favourite texture of cream in the world, but it’s very soothing and light and it seems to simply “reset” my skin again and again, returning it to its hydrated, non-spotty self if I ever go OTT with my beauty product testing. (Which is a lot. I should lay off, really, but I can’t help myself. Always so many exciting new things to try…)

So moisturiser, some body oils, some makeup, some cotton wool mega-pads….enjoy. And if you’re thinking of grabbing a rose moisturiser, then please wait until tomorrow. You’ll see why!

February Beauty Favourites:

 My Pregnancy Blog: http://www.theuphill.com

Glow Video: http://youtu.be/Mjm5rm1hr2E

Paris Vlog: http://youtu.be/x9ytrtmvlxs

Burt’s Bees Mama Body Oil: http://tidd.ly/bc614ed1

Balance Me Super Moisturising Body Oil: http://tidd.ly/40a2454

Lancome La Base Pro Hydra Glow Primer: http://tidd.ly/36a25f1a

Phillips Sonicare Pink Toothbrush: £112 at Amazon http://goo.gl/VV25vv or at Boots.com: http://tidd.ly/f34683a1

Clinique Brush-On Liner in Black Honey: http://tidd.ly/eff00a0b

Bobbi Brown Calypso Blush Palette: http://tidd.ly/99848aa7

Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss in Sensible: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2015/02/18/gloss-can-love-chanel-rouge-allure/

Chanel Les Beiges in Shade 10: http://tidd.ly/aec26e78

MV Organic Skincare Rose Balancing Moisturiser: http://goo.gl/BHuADu (Spoiler Alert: there is a goody bag running on Cult Beauty from March 1st so maybe wait if you’re thinking of getting this!)

The post February Beauty Favourites appeared first on A Model Recommends.

Just as an FYI: this video with Caroline Hirons started off being twenty-nine minutes long. Trying to get it down to anything below twenty took an effort of epic proportions, and finishing off with something that was seventeen? Well. I deserve some kind of Youtube editing medal. You’ll be pleased to know that I left in my rendition of Hakuna Matata from Disney’s The Lion King, and pretty much all of Caroline’s various eyebrow raises and looks of disgust and/or incredulity. So, y’know, there’s plenty to distract yourself with if you hate listening to people bang on about beauty products.

Though if you do hate listening to people bang on about beauty products, I fear you may be in the wrong place..

I’m not going to go into massive detail here about any of the products mentioned: safe to say that we cover them quite extensively in the video itself. A special mention must go to the Clinique Clarifying Lotion in “Mild”: I had no idea this existed and it has changed my view (slightly) on the whole “3 Step” idea. Also worth a quick explanation, because I had to cut out around four minutes of Caroline and I going on about Argan Oil and Goat Poo: when I talk about the Neal’s Yard Remedy Argan Oil being top quality and brilliant, I mean it. It’s very well-sourced and produced – you can read more about it in last year’s post here. The long and short of it is that some Argan is collected via Goat Poo, which is easier but often necessitates a little…deodorising…of the final product. If you’re after a pure Argan, with none of the sh*t (HA!) then do read my post.

Right, onwards beauty soldiers: brace yourself for the long-haul. I’d suggest: cup of tea or glass of wine or both, perhaps a biscuit, some olives (with the wine) or some lovely mature cheddar on crackers to nibble away on. The drinks trolley won’t be passing until the show’s over, so make sure you have everything you need…

The post March Beauty Favourites with Caroline Hirons appeared first on A Model Recommends.

There are two beauty favourites videos, this month – one on skincare and one on makeup – and I filmed them nice and early. I’m trying to do everything nice and early, just in case I get a sudden late-pregnancy energy deficit – or, scarier thought – I go into labour before forty weeks. (I’m begging Baby AMR to stay in until forty weeks or thereabouts, because much as I can’t wait to meet him/her, we are going to have a seriously stressful house-move situation! Also, I have loads of work to do. Also, I have some really nice maternity stuff that I’d like to waddle about in, it would seem a shame not to show it off. How shallow. Also, I need as long as possible to get my head around the idea of a) childbirth and b) the fact that I’m going to have a baby. You’d have thought I’d be well au fait with these ideas by now, but…no. Do give my pregnancy blog a read if you’d like a small glimpse into my antenatal mind.)

Anyway, April beauty favourites. The first video is skincare, the second is makeup. I’ve listed all of the products below, for those who can’t abide watching me ramble away. But actually, do watch the makeup video if only for the brilliant brow transformation that I spoke about in my recent Gimme Brow post. It’s subtle, but strangely pleasing and it makes so much difference to my face. It’s right at the end of the makeup vid, if you want to just get to that part…

Skincare Favourites:

The post April Beauty Favourites appeared first on A Model Recommends.

There are some real product raves in this month’s video roundup, but if you’re an avid reader here on A Model Recommends I’m afraid you’ll have already heard me bang on about quite a lot of them. Gems such as the Goddess Skin mask from Charlotte Tilbury (here), the Complexion Rescue from BareMinerals (here) and certain items from Chanel’s Summer Makeup Collection..

But there are some new entries into the beauty charts, too, so do have a watch. Even if it’s just to see my makeup, which I was pretty pleased with. (All explained in the video.) And there’s a rather exemplary face mask from Michael Todd, an American skincare brand, that I have accidentally stowed away back in my storage locker but could have really done with keeping by my side! Great for dry skin that needs a bit of a glow boost – I’ll post about it here on the website, too, when I get a moment.

So please click play, enjoy, share, comment, do what it is you like to do! I’m on unofficial maternity leave now (she says, typing at a million miles an hour whilst simultaneously paying bills and reading about breastfeeding) so do excuse me if your lovely comments go unanswered for the time being. Rest assured that I do read them all, it’s just another matter entirely sitting down to reply!

The post May Beauty Favourites appeared first on A Model Recommends.

I managed to film a video! That’s something of a milestone for me, because although it has only been six weeks since Baby AMR arrived, I’ve felt a bit like my previous life was completely lost to me and I’d never again have the time to do anything other than sleep, change nappies and take washing in and out of the washing machine. But with a bit of organisation and some very hurried, haphazard makeup application, I managed to get my July Beauty Favourites down on film.

As I explain in the vid, my beauty “stash” is now down to the bare minimum – I’ve been without a fixed abode since the very start of March and my belongings have been whittled down to the absolute essentials. Which is quite good, in a way, because it means that this month’s favourites are really really really favourite, seeing as though they are the core products that I chose to bring with me to my Mum’s. (Obviously I’ve been supplementing them with all of the stuff I’ve nicked from my Mum’s well-stocked cabinet, but don’t tell her that. Ha!)

Have a watch – spoiler in the photograph above (sorry) and in the links below the video pane, if you can’t be arsed to watch me waffle on. Though I do sing a little ditty in the intro, so…

Products Mentioned:
Balance Me Cleanser: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2015/…
La Roche Posay Micellar Cleanser: http://tidd.ly/6ce5d985
Simple Micellar Cleanser: http://tidd.ly/f9743edc
Zelens Serum: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2015/…
Colab Dry Shampoo: http://tidd.ly/27df512a
Guerlain My Terracotta Special Edition Bronzer: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2015/…
Charlotte Tilbury x Norman Parkinson: http://www.charlottetilbury.com/uk/

Makeup I’m Wearing:
Lancome Miracle Cushion
Too Faced Bronzer (Beach Bunny)
Benefit They’re Real Mascara
Charlotte Tilbury Cream Eyeshadow

Late with this. Sorry. I honestly thought that we had another couple of weeks left in August – I’m appear to be stuck in a kind of time-warp at the moment! This month’s favourite products seem to be following a kind of “perfect skin” theme – completely unintentional – with a gorgeous glow serum (see full review here) as well as a skin-blurring pre-foundation fluid and a very good full-coverage base. Have a look – I filmed this with very minimal daylight and no extra lighting at all, so you can really see how the products get to work with creating the ultimate skin glow. Of particular note is the NIOD Photography Fluid, which just creates the most amazingly flawless base – I’ll be reviewing it properly soon, but you can find it online here if you want to read more.

Read more Monthly Favourites posts…

Yesterday I brought you “September Empties”: today, September Favourites. Never say that I lack imagination. Tomorrow is October (I think?) so maybe there’ll be a change of theme. Ha!

Some corkers in this video, though, including the brilliant new mascara discovery from Diego Della Palma. It’s honestly one of the best mascaras I’ve used in ages – and it’s not bank-breakingly expensive, either. Very refreshing. There’s also a little preview demo of my new Luxe Shine hair fragrance spray from Colab. As always, products and links are below the video – you know the drill. Grab a cup of tea, etc etc…

Marc Jacobs Decadence: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2015/…

Colab Luxe Shine Hair Fragrance Spray – coming this week to Superdrug and FeelUnique

Diego Della Palma Mascara: http://tidd.ly/fa4d3f35

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet: http://tidd.ly/676cab59

Deborah Lippmann Shifting Sands nail polish: http://tidd.ly/7c4d78e
Nail post: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2015/…

Philip Kingsley Body Building Shampoo and Conditioner: http://tidd.ly/34f1bb6a

Adidas Chiffon Tracksuit Bottoms: http://tidd.ly/1701e5cd

This month’s beauty favourites – and a book. You already know about the book – Career of Evil – because I wrote about it on Sunday, but it was worth an extra mention because I’m now 60% of the way through and it’s brilliant. Very dark and disturbing, but a proper page-turner.

A lovely mix of beauty bits, this month – I’m particularly enamoured with Bobbi Brown’s new full coverage makeup brush and the Estee Lauder Serum and Concealer from the Perfectionist range.. There are quite a few products in this month’s video that I’ll be doing dedicated reviews and posts for, so keep a look out for those. I didn’t try any of the makeup on during the video, but I do have before-and-after pictures for the Chanel mascara and the Estee Lauder eye duo – both of which have rocketed their way into the hallowed depths of my permanent makeup bag.

Liz Earle Eyebright: http://goo.gl/f9gSPG

Estee Lauder Perfectionist Serum + Concealer in Light Medium: http://tidd.ly/ed363a59

Chanel Ultra-Volume Kohl Mascara: http://tidd.ly/edad80b5

Clarins Lip Oil: http://tidd.ly/e26082fa

Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush: http://goo.gl/QDfDlo

New CID Cosmetics iGlow in Scirocco: http://goo.gl/38qXLf

Colab Luxe Shine Hair Fragrance: http://tidd.ly/73eecebd
http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2015/…

NEOM Tranquility Bath Oil: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2015/…

Bioskin Junior Bath Milk: http://goo.gl/PYwpN4

Pure Rest Wellness Oil: http://goo.gl/lI6AWW

Career of Evil book: http://goo.gl/YYtuCg

November Beauty Favourites – early, for the very first time! I have to get cracking on the Christmas Gift Guides so I thought I’d do my favourites before they got forgotten. There’s a nice little skincare mix, a couple of great makeup products and a really creepy book recommendation. I ploughed through this particular novel at night when I was doing my numerous breastfeeding sessions and it really did send chills up my spine. I was so freaked out by one of the narrative voices (you’ll know which one when you read it) that I couldn’t stick my feet out from under the duvet, even though I was sweltering hot. (I’ve never been able to stick my feet out if I’m scared, it’s a ridiculous superstition that started when I was little and I’ve never managed to shake it.)

I digress. Get comfy, press play – products are listed below the video screen. If you want to browse previous monthly favourites videos then please click here.

Oh – lots of people asking me to do a tutorial on this eye look. It’s actually a bit wonky because I was just playing about with some Chanel products and not really concentrating that hard, but if I get a chance I’ll re-do it and film. It’s the AW palette, blended into a smokey eye, with black kohl smudged around the lashline and inside the waterline and two coats of Ultra Noir mascara to finish it off.

Liz Earle Eyebright: http://goo.gl/TRHHiy

Pai Echium Eye Cream: http://tidd.ly/fe322ed0

Bioderma Sensibio Eye Contour Gel: http://tidd.ly/8719454b

L’Oreal Rebalancing Oil: http://goo.gl/uV6KPt

Lanolips 101 Ointment: http://tidd.ly/9311baf8

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Mask: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2015/…

Chanel Ultra Noir Mascara: http://tidd.ly/2ae58c0f

Hourglass Ambient Light Palette: http://goo.gl/S6ST2l

Video with Hourglass Palette: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2015/…

BOOK! Disclaimer by Renee Knight: http://goo.gl/wkkAuT

The last favourites video of the year. I’m actually thinking of changing things up a bit for 2016 and introducing a new video to replace the favourites, but wanted to get your opinion first. Do you like monthly favourites posts? I sometimes think that they just end up being a round-up of the things I’ve posted about here on the website – or, even worse, a random bunch of stuff that is only “favourite” because it happens to be better than anything else that I’ve tested!

I think that “favourites” should be just that – things that have really wowed or that are particularly groundbreaking or interesting. And some months, there just…aren’t that many things. Or the few things that are really brilliant end up on every. Single. Favourites. Video. In. The. World.

You can watch ALL of my Monthly Favourites videos here…

So let me know what you think. I could change things up a bit so that my favourites included homeware, fashion, books and food, if you fancy that? Sort of a “Ruth’s Top Things” video? What do you reckon? Or I could completely replace the favourites video with my new beauty idea. Which I can’t tell you about yet because I haven’t thought it through properly.

I suppose what I’m trying to say, through my crazy Mint-Choc-Magnum-induced sugar-rush-fug, is: are you bored of Monthly Favourites or dearly attached to them? Answers on a postcard please. (Comments section.)

Anyway, here are my December picks. Enjoy. Products are listed below the video screen!

December Faves:

Kindle Paperwhite: http://amzn.to/1NBHi8g

Dior Lipstick Mat in Magique: http://tidd.ly/593752df

Mustela Baby Shampoo: http://tidd.ly/5712632d

Omorovicza Hydra Cleanser: http://goo.gl/VaZcJZ

Liquid Laser Concentrate: http://goo.gl/96jGb4

Busy Bee hairbands: www.busybeecompany.co.uk

Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation: http://tidd.ly/5e08ed0a

Bobbi Brown Foundation Brush: http://goo.gl/Zbdb7D

Bobbi Brown Highlighters: http://goo.gl/0IsmKz

Tony Moly at Cult Beauty: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2015/…

Paul & Joe Owl Eyeshadow: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2015/…

Thanks so much for your feedback on the monthly favourites videos; I have mixed things up a bit, and there will now be a mish-mash of different things included, not just beauty. You can probably expect to see at least one book included per month, and maybe a restaurant or place I’ve visited, food stuff, a bit of fashion…

Watch more Monthly Favourites videos…

I hope that you enjoy the first effort; I have to be honest and tell you that I was in a bit of a befuddle because I was first of all trying to film before Mr AMR returned with the baby (never try to make a video under pressure!) but also I had been completely disorganised and not lined up my favourites underneath camera, which is what I usually do so that I can go through them one by one and remember what the hell I’m supposed to be talking about. I felt like that kooky-lady lawyer with the bright red hair in The Good Wife. What’s her name? Elspeth Tascioni!

I’ll do better next time.

Lumiere Noir by Francis Kurkdjian – mentioned here: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2014/…, but find it here: http://bit.ly/20bdR8m

Adidas Stan Smiths: http://tidd.ly/92d7a112

A Place Called Winter: http://goo.gl/F6Kp6b

OGX Argan Shampoo + Conditioner: http://goo.gl/ZzSIf3

Colab Luxe Shine: http://tidd.ly/b0c743e2

Max Factor Creme Puff Blush: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2016/…

Effaclar BB Blur: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2016/…

James Corden Carpool Karaoke with Adele:

Caroline Barnes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinebar…

Dior Souffle Nude Lipstick: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2016/…

The post January Favourites 2016 appeared first on A Model Recommends.

I begin this month’s favourites with my most-hated things – slightly unorthodox, but I found it rather cathartic. So much so that I may even do a whole video of hated things. I could make it a regular feature!

But on to the positive items; two “man” things, two fashiony things, two vitamin-c-packed-skincare things, two beauty items that are rediscoveries and two that have yet to be launched. It’s like the Noah’s Ark of favourites. You’ll have to watch the video to find out what they are, but if you desperately want to cheat then everything is listed further down the page. Those looking for an excellent budget blush will be delighted by one of the beauty rediscoveries and anyone wanting a brilliant nude-look nail treatment with great longevity might be very interested in the last item I show…

Dior Ambre Nuit: at Dior Boutiques

Bottega Veneta Pour Homme: http://tidd.ly/b3ec9681

Whistles Lace Shirt Dress: http://rstyle.me/n/bjkxk2t6a6

Karen Millen Skirt: http://bit.ly/1oPh7FK

Bourjois Cream Blush in 01: http://goo.gl/R6XEsv

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua: http://tidd.ly/4f6f49c

Kiehl’s Powerful Line Reducing Concentrate: http://goo.gl/kA2X97

Indeed Labs Vitamin C24: this hasn’t launched yet – I’ll try and get my proper review out before it does!

Lanolips redesign: http://www.lanolips.com/product/the-o…

Butter London Nail Wisdom Tinted Moisturiser – not out yet in the UK, but here online: http://bit.ly/1WRq8sx

I am wearing: Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, Bourjois Blush and Max Factor Voluptuous False Lash Effect Mascara: http://tidd.ly/327597b3

The post February Favourites appeared first on A Model Recommends.

I think I lost the plot a bit in this video: I start talking about the love I have for my tumble dryer. More specifically, the love I have for emptying out the water drawer (it’s a condenser dryer) and removing the fluff from the fluff-catcher. I get a sort of calm satisfaction from doing it, but at the same time a small thrill. Is that weird?

Browse all the monthly favourite videos…

Anyway, there’s plenty of beauty going on for those who don’t get turned on by electrical appliances and there’s some non-beauty too, including an incredibly cute baby anorak from H&M with all-over bird print and a sporty mesh lining. If they did it in an adult size I’d be wearing it every day. As it stands, they don’t, so I’m living vicariously through my baby, who has also been wearing little gold shoes that I’d love to own (they have rabbit ears on them) and some rather nice knitted grey hoodies.

Here we go – try not to get distracted by my HUGE false lashes:

Ardell Press-On Lashes: http://www.amodelrecommends.com/2016/…

My Tumble Dryer is a Bosch

Kerastase Elixir Ultime Conditioner: http://tidd.ly/11cb3074

Phyto 9 Hair Cream: http://tidd.ly/45b42231

Tom Ford Santal Blush: http://tidd.ly/be2814e9

H&M Baby: http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/kids/shop-by…

NARS Tinted Moisturiser: http://goo.gl/A5hnxN

L’Oreal Color Riche A L’Huile: http://tidd.ly/3d34b5e8

Lanolips Relaunch: http://www.lanolips.com/uk/

Chanel Eye Makeup Remover: http://tidd.ly/d63690b0

Disclaimer: this post is not sponsored. Links may be affiliate links. Products are press samples unless otherwise stated in video or description.

The post March Favourites appeared first on A Model Recommends.

There are perhaps a couple of familiar things in this month’s favourites video; the l’Oreal Revitalift SPF25 is a new discovery and the review very recent, so probably still fresh in your minds, and the Hylamide Glow, a liquid face serum that imparts the most gradual of gradual tans, was a firm favourite at the end of summer last year. I posted about it here, but it has made a spectacular return to my everyday beauty arsenal.

Toleriane Fluid from La Roche-Posay is another skincare staple that has returned to the fold – so light and fluid but intensely hydrating, it’s perfect for troublesome oily-and-dehydrated skin.  (You can find it online here.) Sticking to the lightweight theme, Murad’s almost entirely weightless Invisiblur Perfecting Shield is a broad spectrum sun protection that leaves  a sort of perfecting veil over the skin. It does have some of the dry, velvety-touch finish of a silicone-heavy primer, but not enough to set your teeth on edge.

Watch the video for the rest of this month’s favourites, including a mirror that can see into your soul (kind of) and the best nursing bra for breastfeeding women. I realise how niche that is, but I have bought four of these now and they are brilliant. Off you go, viewing goggles on…

Boden Sweater: http://bit.ly/1r4oKsP
Heidi Klum Nursing Bra, bought from:  http://bit.ly/1NFsqWw
SimpleHuman Mirror, bought from: http://amzn.to/214iJZw
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Fluid: http://tidd.ly/21fb7ad7
YSL Rouge Volupté Oil-in-Stick Shade 44: http://tidd.ly/dbf872
Hylamide Glow: http://tidd.ly/a35ffcfc
Murad Invisiblur SPF30: http://tidd.ly/cf8bc812
L’Oreal Revitalift Laser x3 SPF25: http://amzn.to/214izkV
Dale Pinnock Medicinal Chef, bought from: http://amzn.to/214iEow

The post April Favourites appeared first on A Model Recommends.