Vlog: Moving House and a Tour of the Beauty Cabinet

dexter the cockapoo

I envy people who can remember to do a proper little picture for their “vlogs”; if I ever make a casual diary-style video I always, without fail, forget to take a decent photograph to use as the thumbnail! Hence I’m stuck with a picture of Dexter the Dog to illustrate a video that has very little to do with dogs whatsoever – it’s almost completely irrelevant! Though you do get to see a close-up of a charming wicker chair and some nice beams in the background..

This was really just a video to keep Youtube viewers in the loop as I hadn’t uploaded anything for a couple of weeks. I explain my house move (most of you will know all about that) and do a little tour of my temporary barn accommodation, which might interest some of you. I also do a little whizz through my old beauty cabinet – the glass-fronted one that has appeared in the background of many videos – because lots of people wanted a close-up view of what was inside.

All quite random and roughly-cut, but please do take a look if you fancy a bit of a nose about. You can all tut-tut at the colossal mess that is my bedroom. I’m off to finish tidying it right now – I felt very shamefaced looking back over the video…

Viewer Notes:

There’s a stair-gate because dogs aren’t allowed upstairs. It’s a holiday barn, so no, none of the furniture or bedding is mine! My IKEA cabinet is the Expedit with glass doors.

I am now 28 weeks pregnant for those who are curious! Hopefully I will be back in my house before I have the baby – EEEEK!

Colour on my lips is Dior’s Rouge Balm 448. On my nails I have “Bikini” by Kure. My shirt is from Hollister. My dog, Dexter, is a cockapoo and he’s about one and a half years’ old.

The post Vlog: Moving House and a Tour of the Beauty Cabinet appeared first on A Model Recommends.

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For The First Time In Years, I’m Taking Christmas Off: Here’s Why We All Need A Break

I’ve always been a bit of a workaholic. As a child I juggled school with Brownies and three dance lessons a week, preferring to fill my time with activities rather than sitting around getting bored; as soon I was old enough I was working double shifts and juggling restaurant responsibilities with mini bar duty, and even at Uni I had a ‘day time’ job in House of Fraser and a ‘night time’ job in what can only be described as a drinking hole. (The emphasis on hole.) When I started this blog it was as a hobby; a form of escapism and a creative outlet that filled my otherwise dull evenings between dinners with friends and a cheeky cocktail or two. For years I always had my blog to turn to when there was nothing in my diary and even less on the telly, but this became a habit that was hard to break once it became my job.

Over the last three years I’ve really struggled with achieving a balance between work and play, spending many of my evenings and weekends taking photos or catching up on emails – rather than actually enjoying my free time. It’s hard to close a metaphorical door when the work never stops, especially when you’re a one-woman-band who’s set on world domination. My blog and the tasks that surround it have become somewhat of a comfort blanket, but over the years that comfort blanket has become suffocating – to the point where I don’t know what to do with myself when it’s not there.

In the last few months I’ve made a concerted effort to put down the laptop and read a book, do some colouring, run a bath or watch something on Netflix; I’m trying to be more sociable and spend more time with friends, popping for a couple of glasses of wine or to see the latest film at the cinema, rather than ploughing through my to-do list. As Christmas gets closer and closer I’ve started to unwind and have even taken a few days off just to wrap presents, wander around town, get my hair cut or snuggle on the sofa wrapped in a blanket with a cup of tea… And it’s glorious. Having time away from what you love provides the benefit of a fresh perspective and passion channeled into a clearer vision.

Usually this time of year involves tonnes of planning and work that takes me right up to the very last moment, but I’m seriously winding down and making an effort to wrap things up with a few days to spare so I can thoroughly enjoy the festive season (and basically spend it in the pub.) Usually I’d take my laptop with me wherever I went, filling every spare moment with an opportunity to get ahead with content, but this year I’m leaving it behind so I can focus on spending time with my loved ones and actually relaxing like everyone else. Usually I’d spend those few days between Christmas and New Year prepping and planning, uploading new posts and taking advantage of the relatively quiet social media platforms to get ahead; right now I can’t imagine picking up work until the New Year, simply just because.

This is the only time of year the majority of us get the opportunity to refresh our bodies and minds, preparing for a whole new year and the challenges it brings, so I hope you’ll all take a leaf out of my book and make the most of it. Burning the candle at both ends only works until they meet in the middle (and our metaphorical fingers get burned.) My out of office is on, I’ve got nothing planned but lunches, champagne and catch-ups with my nearest and dearest until Christmas Day and I couldn’t be more pleased.
ty: thoushaltnotcovet

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The ‘Skintensive’ Hero from Comvita.

I’ve been suffering from perioral dermatitis now for a good few years. In recent months, however, I haven’t been able to remember what my skin is like without this irritating enemy taking over my face. Sure, I could go to the doctors and be prescribed yet another round of antibiotics for my skin issues, but, I’ve learnt antibiotics are only ever a very temporary cure for my acne and this annoying re-occurring itchy, bumpy rash. It always comes right back. Instead, I’ve been researching, trialing and looking into other methods for keeping the problem at bay – I know I’ve mentioned some of them before on the blog, and I promise eventually I’ll do a roundup of those that really work for me, but for now we have just one product that’s doing a stellar job.

I’ve been using the Comvita Medihoney Natural Skintensive Cream (£8.99) now for a couple of weeks and I really feel like it’s helped keep the inflammation down during a time of stress and a poor skincare routine thanks to moving house. Perioral Dermatitis is particularly ugly thanks to the little red bumps and constant flaking of the skin, I can’t use any of my normal spot treatments as it’s not acne, and I can’t use nourishing oils as they would exacerbate the situation even more, so a lightweight yet super hydrating cream is just what the doctor ordered.

The Comvita Skintensive Cream is PH balanced, completely fragrance-free and doesn’t use any phenoxyethanol (which is a preservative I’ve since learnt sends my PD crazy). Comvita use medical grade ‘Medihoney’ Manuka honey which is clinically proven to support wound healing, soothe skin and helps retain moisture. The cream itself is very lightweight and has a thin, almost runny texture that spreads easily over skin and feels immediately hydrating and soothing. Despite the texture, the cream’s first five ingredients are water, honey, coconut oil, olive oil and cupuacu butter, so it is still rich and soothing for dry, scaly skin.

This cream is specifically created to soothe very dry skin, so I only use it to spot treat the areas of dermatitis and don’t apply it all over my face as it would likely be far too rich for my oily, acne prone skin. I tell ya, having more than one skin issue in a small area is no walk in the park. I avoid using coconut oil on the rest of my face at all costs, but in the areas of PD it works a treat which is so weird?!
I have also been using the cream on any other dry patches I may have; elbows, knees and feet especially. It works a treat slathered generously over your feet with some socks on – hello super soft sandal ready toes! … it’s actually a little late for sandal weather, but who says you can’t have soft feet under your winter boots?

For under a tenner this cream is a total bargain, and now with the weather turning colder it’s a good one to have around for emergency situations!

What do you think? have you tried anything from Comvita before?

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Tell Us Your #LinerCrimes!

We’ve all been there. Sometimes lining your eyes can be the worst thing ever. You’ve got your brush and messy pot of liner, or your dull pencil, or your disaster-waiting-to-happen liquid liner—and you just know things are going south, fast. Your wings are uneven, your line is further away from your lashes than earth is to the moon, or by the end of the day it’s completely slipping down your face. ARGH!

Well listen up, we’re here to help your solve all of those issues! Our NEW they’re real! push-up liner makes lining your eyes SO easy, it should be a crime. BUT! Before we treat you to this life-changing liner, we want to hear ALL about your funny & frustrating liner stories.

Like….

http---makeagif.com--media-5-13-2014-uvjkdr“I end up wearing an inappropriately sexy smokey eye to work ’cause my pencil liner smudges & I don’t have time to correct it. #LinerCrimes”

http---makeagif.com--media-5-15-2014-Sno3zy

“My lines are so thick, I might as well be applying with a king-size Sharpie Magnum. #LinerCrimes”

http---makeagif.com--media-5-15-2014-NcQET6

“I look like that ’80s ‘Walk Like An Egyptian’ song—one wing goes up, the other goes down. It’s a hot mess. #linercrimes”

Now we want to hear your #LinerCrimes for a chance to WIN a sample of the not-yet-released they’re real! push-up liner!

How to Enter: 

  • – Tweet your liner disaster to @BenefitBeauty with #LinerCrimes. Ex. That moment when you look in the mirror after a long day and your liner is hugging your brows, not your lashes. #linercrimes @BenefitBeauty
  • – Enter once a day, and we’ll select 5 winners every day from 5/14-5/25. It’s criminally easy to win, ladies!

What You’ll Win: 

We’ll hook you up with a sample of they’re real! liner (PSST… You’ll be getting it before you can even purchase it in store)! But that’s not all.. we’ll also send along a full-size they’re real! mascara, because no look is complete without beyondbelief lashes.

P.S. The more creative & funny the stories are, the better. We won’t be accepting “the dog ate your homework” kind of answers. Get creative, gorgeous! 🙂

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Icy Cut Crease Makeup Tutorial

products used:
-smashbox photofinish primer
-marc jacobs foundation
-nars radiant creamy concealer
-laura mercier translucent powder
-maybelinner super stay powder
-benefit hoola bronzer
-smashbox LA lights blush and highlight palette
-becca champagne pop highlighter
-sanias brow bar mechanical brow pencil
-benefit give me brow
-ABH clear brow gel
-makeup geek- creme brulee,mango tango, bitten eyeshadows
-tarte in the bloom palette
-toofaced glitter glue
-alexa persico concealer
-furless depraved loose pigment
-lancome liquid art liner
-backstage lashes chelsea lashes
-makeup forever 2C lipliner
-nars raquel lipstick