Ruth Crilly is not just a pretty face. Sure, she’s a successful international fashion model, but she’s also a well-known writer and beauty-tester. Not to mention an academic, who started out studying Law before getting a degree with first-class honours in Literature and an MA in Creative Writing. Throughout her modelling career, which naturally relied on her looking her best at all times, Ruth developed a genuine interest in skincare and beauty. And so she’s also become known for her website, A Model Recommends, where she posts unbiased reviews of products and tips for her readers. This is what has led her to recently team up with Feelunique, the giant online premium beauty retailer, to launch two new boxes, both of which are packed with useful pamper products that are perfect for busy and stressed-out mamas (she’s got two kids herself). As Team Mama certainly fits that bill, we were obviously keen to find out more…

What made you choose to work with Feelunique initially?

I’m actually a Feelunique ambassador, so it was a natural progression in a way, but I love that Feelunique stocks such a huge variety of brands. It has all of the mainstream, well-known beauty giants, but also loads of niche brands to discover, as well as great imports that are usually hard to get hold of.

How did you decide which products to use in each of the Ruth Crilly x Feelunique boxes?

It took so long. I had a good idea, because I wanted it to be my favourites – things I know work well – but I had dozens of favourites, so those had to be whittled down. It was a bit like putting a band together in The X Factor; I just had loads of products in front of me and had to keep arranging them into groups of things that would work together.

What kind of mum would love one of these new boxes?

Any mum would love these! But the Rescue Box is especially great for new mums who haven’t a clue where to start with their skincare, but know that their routine needs an overhaul. It’s got quick, easy, effective products that will work for any skin type. The Indulgence Box is amazing for stressed-out mums who have no time at all to chill out – it’s an excuse to make that time! And everything you need for a sort of mini spa break is there inside the box… In short, both are brilliant for anyone, but tired mums especially!

What makes a beauty product great?

It has to make a difference – whether it’s a pink nail polish that brightens up your day, a bath oil that instantly relaxes you, or a face cream that soothes stressed skin. You need to be able to notice the effects. Some take longer to work than others, but I do like an immediate beauty miracle.

How do you find juggling the responsibilities of a busy work schedule and being a mama?

It’s intense. I won’t lie. Sometimes it gets too much and I just want to hide in a cave, but I’m lucky in that I love what I do so it never feels like a chore. If anything, I’m usually frustrated that there’s so much I want to do, work-wise, but not enough time to do it. I’m not willing to sacrifice time with the babies at the moment, so I try to jam everything into the two nanny days we have a week.

Have you got any work-life balance tips?

Get one of the many apps that you can install to turn off social media on your phone/laptop when you’re working. Then you can concentrate on the job at hand without being distracted by other peoples’ lives. And answering emails on the loo only is quite a good rule, too! [Laughs.]

The products you’ll find inside the Ruth Crilly x Feelunique boxes

Rescue Beauty Box, £30

• L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Cicacrem Anti-Wrinkle Cream (40ml)
• Balance Me Restore and Replenish Cream Cleanser (125ml)
• Lanolips 101 Ointment Fruities – Strawberry (10g)
• NIP+FAB Exfoliate Glycolic Fix Gentle Pads, Sensitive (80ml)
• Color Wow One Minute Transformation Styling Cream (30ml)
• Magnitone London WipeOut! The Amazing MicroFibre Cleansing Cloth

Indulgence Beauty Box, £45

• Aromatherapy Associates Essentials – Relax, De-Stress, Revive (7.5ml x 3)
• NUXE Crème Fraîche de Beauté 48-hour Moisture SOS Rescue Mask (50ml)
• Darphin Rose Aromatic Care (4ml)
• Aquis Hair Lisse Luxe Hair Turban
• Neom Tranquillity Scented Candle (75g)

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