The Recommended
type: channel
link: https://www.therecommended.com
description: Your source for expert recommendations and advice.
date: 2023-09-27T11:33:09.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: The best draught excluders to keep your home warm and cut down your energy bills this winter
items: The best travel pillows for planes, trains and car travel
items: The best luggage straps to help keep your belongings safe while you travel
items: How to get rid of flies in your home: top tips, homemade traps and the best products to help
items: The most stylish outdoor cushions to bring some colour to your garden or balcony this summer
items: The best foundations, recommended by professional make-up artists: Lancôme, Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder and more
items: The best make-up brushes, recommended by beauty experts: Fenty Beauty, Real Techniques, Bobbi Brown and more
items: The best skipping ropes, recommended by jump rope experts
items: The best exercise mats for your home workouts, recommended by personal trainers
items: How to organise your kitchen: practical tips and ideas

The best draught excluders to keep your home warm and cut down your energy bills this winter
type: item
date: 2023-09-27T10:11:26.000Z
creator: Cordelia Aspinall
subject: Household
subject: Cats
subject: Heating
subject: Winter
description: There’s nothing worse than a cold chill making its way into your home, so we’ve rounded up the best draught excluders to help you insulate against the element and keep warm this winter.
encoded: It doesn't get much worse than a cold breeze making its way through the gaps, windows and doorways of your home during the winter months. A good draught excluder will sort you right out, and is an efficient way to save on energy bills by keeping the chill out and the warmth in. In a study conducted by the Energy Saving Trust, it’s estimated that the average UK home could save over £60 on their household energy bills per year by installing simple draught-proofing measures, including draught excluders on windows and doors. Here at The Recommended, we've pulled together some of the best draught excluders on the market to help you find the most effective, affordable and easy-to-install ones for your living space. From stylish, patterned designed, to personalised and child-friendly options, we've got you covered with something for everyone. Plus we've included a handy buyer's guide for all the top tips and tricks you need to know when it comes to draught-proofing your home. The best draught excluders at a glance: Best doorway draught excluder: John Lewis Diamonds Draught Excluder, £30 at John Lewis Best unique draught excluder: Personalised Draught Excluder, £41.56 at Not On The High Street Best stylish draught excluder: M&S Velvet Draught Excluder, £19.50 at Marks and Spencer Best patterned draught excluder: Scandi Floral Draught Excluder, £14 at Dunelm Best budget-friendly draught excluder: <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?id=489797&clickref=therecommended-4904&awinmid=3769&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dunelm.com%2Fproduct%2Fstormguard-rubber-foam-weather-strip-35m-white-1000218663%3FdefaultSkuId%3D30846826%26branchCode%3D0115%26ds_c%3DHome%2BDecor_Draught%2BExcluders%2Band%2BDoorstops_%255BGOO-LIA-HOMEDECOR-DOORSTOPS%255D%26gclid%3DCj0KCQjwpc-oBhCGARIsAH6ote8UyMk9a3uBFp22glr1lF7rY1whMzQ2s8wNdAXjaIKIINA2mI8vWB4aAnsdEALw_wcB%26gclsrc%3Daw.ds" target="_blank" rel="sponsored">Stormguard Rubber Foam Weather Strip, £6 at Dunelm Best draught excluder for kid’s bedrooms: The M…

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The best travel pillows for planes, trains and car travel
type: item
date: 2023-09-01T10:00:29.000Z
creator: Cordelia Aspinall
subject: Household
subject: Sleep
subject: Summer essentials
subject: Travel
description: Whether you’re flying abroad or catching a train cross-country, ensure you travel comfortably and sleep well with our guide to the best travel pillows.
encoded: Made it through the airport, boarded the plane and ready to hit the hay? If you’ve not quite made it to first class, sleeping on a plane is no easy feat. You’re hot then cold, and there are legroom issues, maybe other passenger issues, and a lack of neck support on your seat. Adding a travel pillow to your packing list should be the top of your priorities to make travelling and sleeping a little more of a breeze. A travel pillow can make all the difference to your comfort on a flight - not only will it help you sleep better, but it can help prevent neck pain and avoid awkward sleeping positions. They’re also great to use for long-haul car journeys or train journeys or when travelling cross-country on a night bus. For more useful tips on journeying in the air, check out our tips for air travel: the most common mistakes to avoid. We’ve also got you covered with the best carry-on luggage and the best luggage straps to help keep your belongings safe. So, which type of travel pillow is the best for you? To help you answer that, The Recommended scoured the internet to find the best travel pillows on the market to ensure you have a good night's sleep, regardless of how you travel. We’ve also put together a handy buyer’s guide to answer your most commonly asked questions, which you can find at the bottom of this page. The best travel pillows at a glance: Best for neck support: BCOZZY Neck Pillow, £39.97 at Amazon Best budget travel pillow: Streetwize Travel Neck Pillow, £13 at Argos Best travel pillow for side sleepers: Travelrest Ultimate Travel Pillow & Neck Pillow, £25.54 at Amazon Best compact travel pillow: Boots Deluxe Travel Pillow, £25 at Boots Best accessories: Everlasting Comfort Memory Foam Travel Pillow, £24.99 at Amazon Best portable travel pillow: SNUGL Travel Pillow, £29.95 at Amazon Best for long journeys: Go Travel 2 Memory Dreamer Pillow, £19.99 at John Lewis Best for comfort: Huzi Store Infinity Pillow, £39.99 at Amazon Best supportive travel pillow: Memo…

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The best luggage straps to help keep your belongings safe while you travel
type: item
date: 2023-08-31T11:47:14.000Z
creator: Cordelia Aspinall
subject: Household
subject: Summer essentials
subject: Travel
description: We searched the internet to find a selection of the best luggage straps for securing your bags when flying.
encoded: Keeping your luggage safe and secure when on the move is a top priority. From luggage locks to luggage tags, adding simple and relatively inexpensive travel accessories to your belongings can make a big difference. Luggage straps are a great way to keep your bags in check - they’ll prevent your belongings from spilling out in the event of zippers breaking, and they’ll also help you to identify your luggage when at the airport carousels. There are plenty of options out there - some come with locks, others are extra long, and some are super bright! Don’t know where to start in picking the best one for your bags? Lucky for you, at The Recommended, we’ve scoured the internet and put together a super handy guide on the best luggage straps available on the market. Plus, we’ve also included some useful advice on why you should use a luggage strap, the features to look for and how to fasten them correctly to your suitcases and bags. Read on for the full rundown. The best luggage straps at a glance: Best overall luggage straps: BlueCosto Luggage Straps, £8.99 at Amazon Best secure luggage strap: GoTravel Sentry Luggage Strap, £13 at Boots Best lockable luggage straps: Santrest Travel Luggage Strap, £32.56 at Amazon Best classy strap: Nere Luggage Strap, £9.99 at Nere Best extra-long luggage straps: TRIWONDER 4 Pack Luggage Straps, £12.99 at Amazon Best colourful strap: Status Luggage Strap, £3 at Dunelm Best personalised straps: The JetRest Personalised Combination Luggage Suitcase Strap, £17.99 at Amazon Best for fastening extra bags: Vigorport Add A Bag Luggage Strap, £13.99 at Amazon The best luggage straps Best overall luggage straps: BlueCosto Luggage Straps A great all-round design These heavy-duty luggage straps have a secure buckle for fastening tightly to your bags and suitcases. These straps extend to fit suitcases between 46 and 78 inches in width or height and are 2 inches wide. They are available in a choice of six colours - black, grey, navy, green, pink and si…

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How to get rid of flies in your home: top tips, homemade traps and the best products to help
type: item
date: 2023-08-18T13:14:05.000Z
creator: Cordelia Aspinall
subject: Household
subject: Pest control
description: Say goodbye to pesky insects flying around your home with our handy guide.
encoded: Flies can be real bug bearers in the home. Whether houseflies, fruit flies or buzzing gnats, they can become a real nuisance in your personal space. Especially during hotter summer months, they have a way of infiltrating our homes and overstaying their welcome. But fear not. We have done our research and put together some useful tips to help prevent flies from entering your home, as well as effective home remedies to get them out should they make it in. We’ve also included some of the best products you can buy to deter these unwanted guests. Read on for the full low down for a fly-free home. For tips on preventing other creepy crawlies from taking over your home, check out our helpful guides, including tried and tested tips to help keep spiders away from your home and how to stop ants from coming into your home. Five tips to stop flies entering your home First things first, let's try tackling the task of keeping flies away. Follow these preventive measures to help reduce the risk of these pests entering your home: Cover food: Always keep food covered and sealed to prevent flies from being lured in. That includes bowls of fruit, plates with leftovers on, or slightly opened cereal boxes or partially filled pots in the kitchen. The smell and crumbs of food are tempting to flies. This also goes for pet food. Avoid rotting fruit: Rotting fruit is a breeding ground for houseflies. The moisture it produces is irresistible to them, and larvae can hatch within eight hours at room temperature. Ensure you regularly inspect your fruit bowl to prevent this from occurring. Overly ripe fruit should be stored in the fridge to prevent their sweet aromas from attracting flies. Maintain cleanliness: Keep surfaces in your house clean, such as your kitchen worktops - wipe down once you have finished using them to eliminate any temptation of potential food sources for flies. Remove any crumbs or food debris from your table as well as this will attract them. For tips on how to keep your h…

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The most stylish outdoor cushions to bring some colour to your garden or balcony this summer
type: item
date: 2023-08-16T14:09:19.000Z
creator: Cordelia Aspinall
subject: Household
subject: Furniture
subject: Garden
subject: Summer essentials
description: We've scoured the internet to find the best outdoor cushions to inject some colour into your outdoor living space, as well as share some top tips for helping them last year after year.
encoded: Whether you’re revamping an inner-city balcony or adding the finishing touches to a landscaped garden in the countryside, when it comes to creating your dream garden living space, a set of outdoor cushions is a simple way of adding some colour and personality to your outdoor space. With an endless variety of designs and artwork to choose from, as well as cushions specifically designed to fit rattan garden furniture, sun loungers and outdoor dining sets, there’s a set of garden cushions out there to suit every home. To help you find the cushions that best match your style, The Recommended scoured the internet to find a collection of the best outdoor cushions to buy online. We’ve also included a handy buyer's guide, sharing some tips including how to keep your outdoor cushions clean and how to store them safely to ensure you can continue using them year after year. The best outdoor cushions at a glance: Best stylish cushion: furn. Capri Cushion, £17 at Next Best set of cushions: M&S Collection Set of 2 Outdoor Cushions, £19.50 at M&S Best waterproof cushions: MIULEE Waterproof Outdoor Cushion, £10.99 at Amazon Best affordable cushion: John Lewis New Country Stripe Outdoor Cushion, £15 at John Lewis Best reversible cushion: Squiggle Print Reversible Outdoor Cushion, £7 at George at ASDA Best outdoor floor cushion: Lazy Bag Giant Bean Bag Chair XXL, £89.90 at Amazon Best patterned cushion: Coast Blue Water Resistant Outdoor Cushion, £20 at Dunelm Best premium cushions: Izabela Peters Luxury Designer Garden Outdoor Cushions, £18.99 at Amazon The best outdoor cushions Best stylish cushion: furn. Capri Cushion Contemporary design Transport yourself to the Italian island of Capri! This cushion is bright and boldly coloured in blues and pinks, with a radiant yellow sun decorating it and the slogan ‘Capri’. Rest against your favourite chairs, benches or hammocks and add watch the colours pop out in your garden. Made from 100% polyester and wipe clean only to maintain its cond…

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The best foundations, recommended by professional make-up artists: Lancôme, Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder and more
type: item
date: 2023-08-15T13:51:30.000Z
creator: Cordelia Aspinall
subject: Cosmetics
subject: Beauty
subject: Make Up
description: We spoke to some of the beauty industry’s leading experts to get their take on what to look for (and avoid) when choosing the best foundation for you.
encoded: Success starts with a strong foundation, especially when it comes to make-up. Whether you’re creating a statement look or opting for a simple base and mascara combo, finding the best foundation for you is pivotal. Knowing your skin type and undertones are a key first step in finding the best foundation for you. Once you’ve figured out the basics, it's time to choose your perfect foundation match, but with so many options on the market, it can be hard to know where to start. The Recommended spoke to three leading beauty experts to get their take on what makes for a great foundation and what to steer clear of when picking your product. With these expert tips and recommendations in mind, we’ve listed our top picks of the best foundations for every skin type and concern. From dry skin saviours to oil-free options, we’ve got all bases covered (see what we did there?). We've also included a comprehensive buyer's guide to answer some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to foundation. Read on for the full 411. Ready to apply your foundation? Check out our guide on the best make-up brushes to get you started. The best foundations at a glance Best affordable foundation: L'Oreal Paris True Match Liquid Foundation, £7.69 at Look Fantastic Best long-wearing foundation: Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation, £5 at Boots Best waterproof foundation: L'Oreal Paris Infallible Freshware Foundation, £11.99 at Boots Best oil-free foundation: e.l.f Flawless Finish Foundation, £7.50 at Boots Best matte foundation: Revlon Colour Stay Liquid Foundation, £6.50 at Look Fantastic Best powder foundation: BareMinerals Original Foundation, £36.50 at Cult Beauty Best CC cream: Erborian CC Cream, £41 at Look Fantastic Best dewy foundation: NYX Born To Glow Radiant Foundation, £10 at Cult Beauty Best full coverage foundation: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Makeup, £36.60 at Look Fantastic Best foundation for oily skin: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation, £17.5…

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The best make-up brushes, recommended by beauty experts: Fenty Beauty, Real Techniques, Bobbi Brown and more
type: item
date: 2023-08-15T11:00:16.000Z
creator: Cordelia Aspinall
subject: Cosmetics
subject: Beauty
subject: Make Up
description: We spoke to leading beauty experts to hear their thoughts on what makes the perfect make-up brush. We got their take on what to look out for and avoid when shopping for make-up brushes, plus answer your top questions with a handy buyer's guide.
encoded: We all know that a good craftsman never blames his tools, but that saying pretty much goes out of the window when it comes to make-up brushes. It’s true that great make-up artists create incredible looks with skill and talent, but they’d be the first to tell you that it's pretty much impossible to paint a make-up masterpiece with a low-quality brush and sub-par cosmetics. Even if you’ve found the perfect foundation for a flawless base and the ideal mascara for your classic smokey eye, that’s only half the battle. With more makeup brushes on the market than there are shades of MAC lipstick, how do you know where to start? Well, that’s where we come in. Here at The Recommended, we've rounded up some of the top make-up brushes out there for all eventualities and compiled a handy buyer's guide for all the tips you need to know. We also spoke to leading beauty experts to get their professional advice, from what to look out for, to things to avoid when shopping for your perfect make-up-brush-match. Read on for the full lowdown. The best make-up brushes at a glance Best affordable brush set: Real Techniques Everyday Essentials, £16.79 at Look Fantastic Best vegan make-up brushes: EcoTools Start The Day Beautifully make-up Brush Set, £13.99 at Look Fantastic Best eyeshadow brush set: Real Techniques Enhanced Eye Set, £20 at Boots Best angled brow brush: Docolor Duo Eyebrow Brush, £2.99 at Amazon Best contour brush: e.l.f Contouring Brush, £7 at Feel Unique Best blush brush: EcoTools Precision Blush Brush, £6 at Boots Best powder brush: Sigma Large Powder Brush, £25.20 at Look Fantastic Best foundation brush: Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush, £32.85 at Look Fantastic Best highlighter brush: Fenty Beauty Cheek-Hugging Highlighter Brush, £25 at Boots Best premium brush set: Spectrum x Katie Janes Hughes 25-piece brush set, £169.99 at John Lewis The best make-up brushes Best affordable brush set: Real Techniques Everyday Essentials For an everyday masterpiece This everyday …

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The best skipping ropes, recommended by jump rope experts
type: item
date: 2023-08-14T13:29:46.000Z
creator: Cordelia Aspinall
subject: Fitness
subject: Exercise
description: Skipping ropes are a handy, all-in-one fitness accessory that you can take with you on the go for a quick cardio workout. But with a range of ropes on offer, which style should you choose? The Recommended spoke to jump rope experts to find out.
encoded: A staple of the playground and the boxing ring, skipping - or jump rope, if you prefer the American term - is a straightforward but rewarding exercise that can be used for everything from a quick warm-up, an intense fitness session, or simply performing tricks and having fun. But before you head out and buy a skipping rope for yourself, there are certain things you should look out for to ensure you pick a rope that’s suitable to your skill level and that helps you develop good technique. Not only will this enable you to reap the rewards of more efficient cardio sessions and avoid injury, but it will help you to incorporate new tricks into your routine as you become more confident. To help you master everything from basic jumps to side swings, crossovers and double unders, The Recommended spoke to three skipping experts to find out what you should look out for (and avoid) when shopping for a skipping rope. You can read their expert advice in full at the bottom of this page, and we've included a helpful buyer's guide, answering some of your burning questions. For the ultimate guide on why skipping should be your new favourite workout, check out our comprehensive guide on skipping tips and benefits for physical and mental health. The best skipping ropes at a glance: Best jump rope for beginners: Dope Ropes Signature Beaded Jump Rope, £19.99 at Dope Ropes Best skipping rope for cardio: The Dope Rope 2.0 - Cardio Fitness Jump Rope, £19.99 at Dope Ropes Best intermediate jump rope: TORQ Ropes Current, £22 at TORQ Best skipping rope for families: MoKo Jump Rope Soft Beaded Skipping Rope (2 Pack), £11.99 at Amazon Best minimal skipping rope: Alfya Skipping Rope Adult, £4.75 at Amazon Best skipping rope for fancy footwork: EliteSRS Boxer Jump Rope 3.0, £27.29 at Amazon Best jump rope for speed: Beast Gear Speed Skipping Rope Adult for Women and Men, £19.99 at Amazon Best budget skipping rope: Gritin Skipping Rope, £5.99 at Amazon Best for multiple jumpers: MoKo 16ft Jump Rop…

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The best exercise mats for your home workouts, recommended by personal trainers
type: item
date: 2023-08-14T10:27:40.000Z
creator: Cordelia Aspinall
subject: Fitness
subject: Exercise
description: When it comes to exercise mats, we’re spoilt for choice. We spoke to fitness experts to eliminate the guesswork and get their take on what to look out for and what to avoid when finding the best exercise mat for you. We've also answered some of your other most commonly asked questions.
encoded: In recent years, home workouts have revolutionised the way the world approaches fitness. More and more of us are passing on the aggressive music and awkward interactions of the gym and are instead opting to get a sweat on in the comfort of our own bedrooms and living rooms. At-home workouts require at-home equipment, from dumbbells to resistance bands and exercise mats, the right kit can help you progress and keep your exercise routine varied. When looking to buy an exercise mat, there’s a lot to think about. The right exercise mat will reduce pressure on joints, aid balance and be tailored to your needs to support you in reaching your fitness goals. If you’re in the market for an exercise mat (and I mean, why else would you be here?), you’ll know you’re pretty spoilt for choice. Well, at The Recommended, we’ve done our homework. We spoke to two leading fitness experts to get their take on what to look out for and what to avoid when looking for the best exercise mat for you. You can read their expert advice in full at the bottom of this page. We've also put together a handy buyer's guide, answering some of the most commonly asked questions, to help you find the very best mat for you and your needs. And once you've snapped up your brand new exercise mat, check out our guide on full-body workouts to do at home to get into action and put it to the test. The best exercise mats at a glance: Best overall exercise mat: Lululemon The Workout Mat 6mm, £88 at Lululemon Best multipurpose exercise mat: Maximo Exercise Mat, from £10.99 at Amazon Best sturdy exercise mat: John Lewis 10mm Exercise Mat, £25 at John Lewis Best thick exercise mat: XN8 Padded Exercise Mat, £19.99 at Amazon Best exercise mat for travel: Navaris Exercise Mat, £17.99 at Amazon Best non-slip exercise mat: KK Exercise Mat, £19.95 at Amazon Best sweat-proof exercise mat: Pro Fitness 10mm Exercise Mat, £30 at Argos Best exercise mat for kids: Yogi-me Mat, £29.99 at Amazon Best large exercise mat: Karma Fitne…

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How to organise your kitchen: practical tips and ideas
type: item
date: 2023-08-11T09:46:59.000Z
creator: Cordelia Aspinall
subject: Household
subject: Burda
subject: Cleaning
subject: Home organisation
description: Get your kitchen in tip-top shipshape with our handy guide, packed with practical tips and organisational ideas.
encoded: Is your kitchen in a state of chaos? Let us help you reinstate some order! Creating a well-organised kitchen will take the stress out of your days - from finding utensils, crockery and ingredients quicker to having enough space on your worktops to prepare your Michelin-style meals. With the help of a few organising systems, including designated shelves and useful labels, and simple rules, including which foods to store where, you’ll be onto a clutter-free, tidy and well-ordered kitchen space in no time. We’ve put together some practical tips and tricks to start you off, so you can quickly rearrange and tidy up your drawers, countertops, and fridge, ready for action. Why should you organise your kitchen? First things first - why does your kitchen need to be organised? Well, a disorganised, messy, topsy-turvy kitchen can quickly become a problem. When everything is in disarray, it can be challenging to find anything. Loose lids cluttering the cupboards, spices haphazardly scattered in drawers, knives, forks, and spoons all jumbled up? It’s time to organise your kitchen! With a good organisational system in place, everything will have its rightful place and will be easily accessible. Find the perfect lid for its pot, locate the paprika or coriander in seconds, and prevent food from rotting away and being forgotten in a corner. With better visibility, you'll buy less, saving money and reducing food waste. Six top tips for a more organised kitchen Follow these six simple tips to clear your space, bring order into your kitchen, and keep it that way. 1. Declutter and sort Start by clearing everything out. This includes emptying your cupboards, drawers, and even the fridge and clearing your countertops and surfaces. This allows you to have a clear canvas to work with and also gives you the opportunity to deep clean every corner of your kitchen before putting things back. Take your time to declutter, sorting through your items and eliminating things you no longer need. Consi…

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