Sharon with the Magic Hands

Sharon with the Magic Hands

For someone who writes about beauty I have a surprisingly temperamental relationship with facials. You'd think I'd automatically love them, considering my ongoing dedication to finding the very best things for my skin. And my passion for, er, lying down with my eyes...

How Not To Be A Supermodel

How Not To Be A Supermodel

It's the moment you've all been waiting for*: my first ever book, How Not To Be A Supermodel, is available for pre-order! Here! An actual book that you will be able to hold in your hands. Or, if you prefer my dulcet tones, listen to with your ears. You've loved my...

Why I Love a Staycation (and Some Favourite Self-Catering Gems)

Why I Love a Staycation (and Some Favourite Self-Catering Gems)

After a rather lengthy foray into Disney parks and Florida road trips, we're back on home turf for a bit of "UK staycation*" action. I've been meaning to share these little self-catering gems with you for a while: my favourite finds, the houses and cottages and cabins...

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.

AD | Ten Seriously Good Space NK Beauty Products

AD | Ten Seriously Good Space NK Beauty Products

Some beauty shopping scenarios for you, tick all that apply: - you're in need of a skincare restock but don't know where to begin - you've saved up for a beauty treat but want something that truly delivers on results - you're sad that summer is coming to an end and...

5 Favourite Makeup Launches: Summer 2022

5 Favourite Makeup Launches: Summer 2022

Some lovely, melty-textured makeup bits that'll see you through the rest of summer and take you nicely into Autumn. Oh God! The A-Word! I hate myself for even using it, because the summer months are what I live for, but all good things must come to an end. Also, the...

SPF Problem: How Do I Reapply Sunscreen Over Makeup?

SPF Problem: How Do I Reapply Sunscreen Over Makeup?

This is the third SPF problem in my little mini-catalogue of sunscreen issues and it's the one that seems to frustrate people the most: how on earth do you reapply sunscreen over makeup? I have two good options below. My first thought, though, is this: if you're doing...

SPF Problem: Sunscreen Breaks Me Out

SPF Problem: Sunscreen Breaks Me Out

Problems with SPF. We're wading through a few common issues with sunscreen, while the sun is out and people feel its relevant and topical. The thing is, sunscreen should be topical all year round, if you're at all worried about the effects of the sun on your skin, but...

SPF Problem: My Sunscreen Is Stinging My Eyes

SPF Problem: My Sunscreen Is Stinging My Eyes

I think that most of us are now pretty clued up about the fact that sunscreen needs to be a mandatory part of our beauty routines. We've long known about the risk of skin cancer but sun exposure is also the leading cause of skin ageing. So if there's one singular...

Current Makeup Routine: Summer 2022

Current Makeup Routine: Summer 2022

Here's my current makeup routine, including a rediscovered foundation that's perfect for the summer months (ultra-glowy but lightweight and non-greasy) and what is possibly my all-time favourite mascara. I'm going to break it down into steps for you, but please do...

How (Not) To Be A Bee

How (Not) To Be A Bee

Did you know that bees in a hive have this thing called swarm mentality, or hive mind, which is this amazing sort of collective thought that happens when you get lots of social insects (ants, bees) together in a colony? I'm no Attenborough, but I've been Googling this...

5 Skincare Favourites: Sunscreen For Face

5 Skincare Favourites: Sunscreen For Face

I've been sunscreen testing again and these are my current five SPF favourites. I'm pretty picky when it comes to sunscreen for the face - I like a lightweight feel and a traceless finish - but thankfully formulations have improved massively over the past few years...

60 Second Beauty: Big Volume Hair Waves

60 Second Beauty: Big Volume Hair Waves

Here's a little updated video on how I style my shoulder length hair - regular readers have seen this all before, I'm not sure much has changed. The Cloud Nine curling wand is still the tool of choice (here*) - it's just the right diameter for the curls I like to make...

The Dorset Nook, Ready To Book

The Dorset Nook, Ready To Book

I'm very pleased with the poetic title for this post. I'm even more pleased with the fact I've actually finished the seaside holiday cottage renovation project I've been working on* and the romantic little Dorset Nook is now available to book! Think lazy walks down to...

Beauty Pie and the Cocktail of Youth  | AD

Beauty Pie and the Cocktail of Youth | AD

Long-term readers could, I am sure, rattle off a list of my favourite Beauty Pie skincare products by heart. Over the years they've become staples in my beauty routines - the brilliant balm cleansers, the potent retinol range, the moisturisers that seem to inject...

5 New Beauty Launches: April 2022

5 New Beauty Launches: April 2022

In an attempt to give all of my Instagram videos a safe and permanent home (ie, at a place I actually own, not a platform I have no control over) I'm slowly getting into the habit of uploading them onto Youtube before embedding them into blog posts here on the...