How Not to be a Supermodel: Photos

How Not to be a Supermodel: Photos

Here are the photographs included in the ebook and physical versions of my book, How Not to be a Supermodel. If you have downloaded the audiobook and for some reason cannot access the PDF then you can view the photos below. If you have arrived at this page and have...

How Not To Be A Supermodel: Exclusive Extract

How Not To Be A Supermodel: Exclusive Extract

Here’s an extract from my book, How Not to be a Supermodel. It’s taken from a chapter about model castings and the physical/sporting skills I lied about having in order to try and bag some work. Could I play the drums, for example? Sure: Was I a pro-level ice-skater?...

Mid-Length Hair: Is It Ever Perfect?

Mid-Length Hair: Is It Ever Perfect?

Is there anyone - anyone in the world - who procrastinates more than somebody who has mid-length hair but can’t decide whether to cut it or grow it? Jeepers creepers. It’s like a curse! Catch me with my hair at any length that ends between jawline and shoulder and I...

RUTH CRILLY

Writer, content creator, veteran model and avid tester of beauty products. I’ve been blogging since 2010, giving honest recommendations and writing unbiased reviews about everything from luxury holidays to the best budget foundations. I’m in my forties, have two children and often tell funny stories about my life. You can read more about me on the aptly-named “About Me” page.

You Won’t Believe How Much I Love These…

You Won’t Believe How Much I Love These…

It's favourites time, but this time they're supercharged. The first favourite thing has changed my life and I'm not being dramatic and clickbait-y about it, either; the second favourite is a book that had me audibly cheering as I read it (in just two sittings) in bed...

How (Not) To Do Boxing

How (Not) To Do Boxing

I woke up unable to move and with my arm muscles screaming: what evil atrocity had happened to my person overnight? I did (what they call in the meditation sessions I never get around to doing) a body scan; starting at the toes, moving up to the knees and then the...

I Updated My Makeup Routine: 5 Favourite Changes

I Updated My Makeup Routine: 5 Favourite Changes

I've made some little tweaks to my makeup routine and committed them to video: one of the changes involves my eyebrows, and you might already know about that one, but the other four are relatively new and snazzy. I know that the suspense will be killing you, so let's...

Frost is Better than Snow: Discuss

Frost is Better than Snow: Discuss

I fully realise this isn't the sort of debate that will change the world but it's a question I've been pondering for the last week or so, since the weather has been sub-zero again, and it is this: which is better, frost or snow? People go crazy for snow, don't they?...

How (Not) To De-Fuzz Your Face

How (Not) To De-Fuzz Your Face

My Mum was horrified when I showed her my newly acquired Finishing Touch Facial Hair Remover. "You can't shave your face!" she cried. "Why can't you just use nail scissors like everyone else?" Pause for effect. Can we please get a show of hands from anyone - anyone at...

My Makeup Routine: January 2023

My Makeup Routine: January 2023

First post of 2023 and it's straight in with my current makeup routine and some incredible new makeup discoveries. I don't use the word incredible lightly, either: some of these products have completely changed my makeup routine and had my husband asking questions...

Christmas Gifting SOS with Beauty Pie | AD

Christmas Gifting SOS with Beauty Pie | AD

Yes, it has reached that point again: the time when we wonder where the hell December has disappeared to and why we can't be like those other people who plan their Christmas gift list in August and have it all bought and wrapped by mid-October. But if you're like me...

These New Haircare Discoveries are Brilliant

These New Haircare Discoveries are Brilliant

Haircare is the category that's most likely to let me down, beauty-wise. It tends to give me heated tools that I can't manage to operate, "moisturising" shampoos that leave my hair feeling like wire, styling foams and mists and mousses that need to be blow-dried in by...

My Ultimate Easy Christmas Gift: 2022

My Ultimate Easy Christmas Gift: 2022

Yes, it's what you've all been waiting for: this year's edition of Books and Chocolate, also known as The Ultimate Easy Christmas Gift. If you're on a tight budget, if you've left everything until the last minute, if you're struggling to think of present ideas but...

The Babyliss Cordless Hot Brush: Any Good?

The Babyliss Cordless Hot Brush: Any Good?

Well, here's something I was expecting to hate but ended up loving: the Babyliss Cordless Hot Brush. I realised, through a bit of self-therapising (basically just me staring at the window for a while, pondering stuff) that the reason I took instant dislike to the...

5 Favourite Budget Cleansers

5 Favourite Budget Cleansers

If you're trying to save money on your skincare but don't want to compromise on the quality of your routine then I have some good news for you: I've rounded up some of the best budget cleansers and they're all products I happily use (and repurchase) on a regular...

The Glass-Penised Gnome: How (Not) To Use A Pipette

The Glass-Penised Gnome: How (Not) To Use A Pipette

This trend for the dribbling of skincare products directly onto the face really bemuses me. Ditto foundation dribbling. Pipettes are enough of a faff to use when you drop the product into the palm of your hand, why on earth would you ever attempt to pipe the product...