The CH Blog

Caroline Hirons' expert advice, reviews and recommendations, all in one archive.

The function of the blog is to help you find what you do and don’t need in your skincare routine. From the core basics through to the spectrum of retinoid strengths and everything in between, the blog is an archive to breakdown jargon and present you with both my opinion and simple scientific facts.

Caroline Hirons, Founder and Qualified Skincare Expert

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask

The Body Shop Drops of Youth Bouncy Sleeping Mask

After yesterday's (and last week's) video, this latest product from The Body Shop's Nutriganics range was among the most-requested for a follow-up review. I thought I would do this first...

26/01/2015

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What's New this month?

Hi Everyone! Back in the land of the living albeit looking roughhhhh. It's a long one - but if you are borderline/full-on obsessive about all things beauty you may make...

25/01/2015

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FAQs - Exfoliating

How do I know if I'm over-exfoliating? Proper exfoliation leaves the skin refreshed, invigorated, smooth and soft. The aim is a radiant, glowing skin. Not blistered, red, dehydrated and sore...

24/01/2015

Migraines 2015

Migraines 2015

Me, once the worst was over... Big throbbing veins either side of forehead still evident So this week was FUN. I say 'FUN', I mean 'STAB ME IN THE HEAD...

23/01/2015

Choice Books - Business: The Glitter Plan

Choice Books - Business: The Glitter Plan

  I read as many books as possible from people who have started their own businesses - even if one of them is married to John Taylor from Duran Duran....

22/01/2015

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FAQs continued...teen years

Firstly, thank you to the teacher that tweeted me to point out hat it was FAQs, not FAQ's. Doofus alert. :) And thank you lovely readers for your response. Some...

21/01/2015

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FAQs

As the blog nears the end of it's 5th year - a lot of lovely new readers *waves* are joining the ranks and I am now regularly being asked a...

20/01/2015

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Empties January 2015

Ah relief! I can finally throw the empties I've been collecting the last couple of months in a big bin and crack on with everything else... There's some old favourites...

18/01/2015

The Body Shop Nutriganics Softening Cleansing Gel

The Body Shop Nutriganics Softening Cleansing Gel

How I missed this sitting on the shelf of The Body Shop until recently I do not know. It's right up my alley. What is it? 'Smoothing, refreshing gel-to-oil cleanser'...

17/01/2015

Jo Malone Just Because

Jo Malone Just Because

Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water your money was safe in your wallet. Nope. Jo Malone again. The new Just Because campaign/offering is...

16/01/2015

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil

Cheeky Clarins. This review was originally going to be in time for the launch in February - but this was released across Clarins counters and online on Sunday and is...

15/01/2015

Iluminage Skin Rejuvenating Pillowcase

Iluminage Skin Rejuvenating Pillowcase

  As all of you have demolished the stocks of the GingerLily pillow I talked about last week (please do let me know what you think!), I thought this may...

14/01/2015

Lush Valentine's Day

Lush Valentine's Day

I don't cover 'Valentine's Day' as such, but I know I have Lush fanatics reading this - and you have a month to go if you want to pick up...

14/01/2015

Choice Books - Food:  Elizabeth David French Provincial Cooking

Choice Books - Food: Elizabeth David French Provincial Cooking

Not ALL of my book shares will be food - I swear. This one is just too good to hold off on. I read Elizabeth David's cookbooks and connected immediately...

13/01/2015

Sunday Riley Luna - World Exclusive

Sunday Riley Luna - World Exclusive

What is it? 'Next generation retinoid oil reduces pore size, improves appearance of damaged skin, and helps fight wrinkles.' Aka a nighttime vitamin A treatment oil. Who is it for?...

12/01/2015

Best of 2014

Best of 2014

Howdy! I finally managed to film my 'Best of 2014' complete with nose itching, noisy children, scrambling for products and playing with autofocus. Should be a breeze. *eyebrow* My intention...

11/01/2015

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream

The Charlotte Tilbury line was easily the most exciting launch in recent years. I love the makeup and have written about it on numerous occasions, but what of the skincare?...

10/01/2015

Silk Pillowcases

Silk Pillowcases

I love the saying 'You have two lives. The first one - and the one that starts when you realise that you know nothing and can never stop learning.' I...

09/01/2015

OGX Kukui Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

OGX Kukui Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

  Ever since I talked about removing SLS from my shampoos and the almost instantaneous positive effect that doing so had on my scalp, I am always asked about my...

08/01/2015

Creme de La Mer - The Treatment Lotion

Creme de La Mer - The Treatment Lotion

Here's the thing - regular readers will be aware of original and thus far, only post on CDLM (recap). The original cream, whilst very good for my eldest son's eczema...

07/01/2015

The Body Shop Pomegranate Softening Cream Cleanser

The Body Shop Pomegranate Softening Cream Cleanser

My reddish, reactive skin (see Sunday's post) pushed me towards products I knew wouldn't cause the same thing, When I pulled this out and realised it hadn't been on the...

06/01/2015

New appearance date - Belfast!

New appearance date - Belfast!

Courtesy Sunday Riley So next Monday - 12th - I am popping over to Belfast City Centre to help launch Sunday Riley into the Donegal Square Space NK store. It's...

05/01/2015

January's pillbox

January's pillbox

I am frequently asked about what supplements I am using so thought a little update was due as I haven't talked about them in a really long time. Before I...

05/01/2015

Choice Books - Food: Nigella Lawson - How to Eat

Choice Books - Food: Nigella Lawson - How to Eat

I can't believe this book is 17 years old this year. When I was planning regular slots for the blog this year - I really wanted to keep talking about...

04/01/2015

Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser - and a rant

Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser - and a rant

Followers of my Instagram will have seen the below picture last week showing my face immediately after cleansing with the above product. I had high hopes for Grown Alchemist -...

04/01/2015

2015. The Clarification post.

2015. The Clarification post.

I'm enjoying my time off WAY too much. I thought it would be good to start a New Year by clearing out cobwebs from last year(s). I received some comments...

03/01/2015

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2014. A year in trialing products.

I don't Instagram everything I trial but I manage it more often than not. Here's a year's worth of playing with product... I'll be filming 'Best of' and 'Empties' etc...

03/01/2015

Hall of Fame - Tata Harper Replenishing Nutrient Complex

Hall of Fame - Tata Harper Replenishing Nutrient Complex

This post is written to you in the fading midst of a beauty panic. Upon doing research for this post - it became obvious that this product was not listed...

02/01/2015

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2014. The People.

My year started off badly, then went stratospherically UP. Thank you to everyone who came to an event, queued up, snapped me in a toilet (I know), wrote in for...

02/01/2015

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Clinic - Pre, During and Post Pregnancy - CLINIC IS CLOSED!

The Clinic is open. THE CLINIC IS CLOSED. Anything and everything pregnancy related this week. Please try and keep the questions short and to the point if at all possble....

02/01/2015

Beauty Myths No.10 - Detox

Beauty Myths No.10 - Detox

Detox products. Detox creams. Detox teas. Detox pads for your feet. Detox hair straighteners. Enough. If your body was 'full of toxins' you would at best, be very ill and...

01/01/2015

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Clinic - Pregnancy and all its baggage

Hi everyone! As I have a little time (work won't get fully going until next week) and it is my most-requested topic recently, I'm going to hold a clinic tomorrow...

01/01/2015

Cheat Sheet - Hungover Skin/Parched weather-worn skin/Nurses/Teachers

Cheat Sheet - Hungover Skin/Parched weather-worn skin/Nurses/Teachers

 Shop the full Skin Rocks Range Shop now  Happy New Year! 'Tis the season to be jolly. And of over-indulgence. Even those of you that don't drink alcohol may have...

01/01/2015

Day 12 - Part 2 - Stocking Fillers -  First Aid Beauty

Day 12 - Part 2 - Stocking Fillers - First Aid Beauty

My penultimate giveaway comes from the makers of my most-used acid pads this year. First Aid Beauty are offering.. The Face Cleanser.. TWO pots of Facial Radiance Pads...! Ultra Repair...

23/12/2014

Day 12 - Kate Somerville

Day 12 - Kate Somerville

It's the time of giving, so I won't start a rant about Kate Somerville, one of my favourite brands, not being readily available in the UK. That would be rude....

23/12/2014

Day 11 - Stocking Fillers - Dr. Lipp

Day 11 - Stocking Fillers - Dr. Lipp

Getting closer to the big day! Day 11's Stocking Filler comes from Dr. Lipp, the infamous nipple balm for the lips - or - well - anywhere really.. This Stocking...

22/12/2014

DAY 10 - Stocking Fillers - Glenogle & Bell Book Company

DAY 10 - Stocking Fillers - Glenogle & Bell Book Company

Glenogle & Bell Book Company are an ingenious subscription service that will deliver a surprise book choice to you - or even better - a loved one - every month....

21/12/2014

Day 9 - Stocking Fillers - Jordan Samuel Skin

Day 9 - Stocking Fillers - Jordan Samuel Skin

Jordan Samuel Skin is a small independent brand based in Seattle, Washington and he's one of my husbands. Totally blackmailing my mates for you now people. Up for grabs is...

20/12/2014

Day 8 - Tata Harper

Day 8 - Tata Harper

One of my favourite discoveries this year, Tata Harper continues Day 8 with her beautiful Regenerating Cleanser and... ...her amazing Concentrated Brightening Serum. These are just two of those 'must-have'...

19/12/2014

Day 7 - Sunday Riley

Day 7 - Sunday Riley

So Day 7 starts off with Sunday Riley. And now we're really kicking it in to gear... This amazing giveaway consists of some brilliant hero products such as... The infamous...

18/12/2014

Day 4 - Aromatherapy Associates

Day 4 - Aromatherapy Associates

Today's Giveaway is Aromatherapy Associates Ultimate Bath Jewels Gift Box. It contains the following amazing oils perfect for this time of year...: Deep Relax Bath & Shower Oil, 7.5ml Light...

15/12/2014

Day 3 - Philip B

Day 3 - Philip B

Day 3 is brought to you by Philip B and his beautiful haircare. The Holiday Set Forever Shine contains: Oud Royal Forever Shine Shampoo (7.4 fl oz), Forever Shine Conditioner...

14/12/2014

Day 2 - Urban Retreat

Day 2 - Urban Retreat

Urban Retreat, the UK's most luxurious online beauty store, are kindly offering the gorgeous goodies below.... GHD White Eclipse (LUSHNESS) and... Laura Mercier Into the Wild Look Book Collection Thank...

13/12/2014

Day 1 - Aurelia Probiotic Skincare

Day 1 - Aurelia Probiotic Skincare

Aurelia's multi-award winning range is available as a Limited Complete Collection. Included are; Eye Revitalising Duo (full size) Miracle Cleanser (15ml) Refine & Polish Miracle Balm (15ml) Revitalise & Glow...

12/12/2014

Soap & Glory Online Exclusive 'The Big One' available Friday

Soap & Glory Online Exclusive 'The Big One' available Friday

Every year is the same. Ava and I wait patiently for Soap & Glory's big Christmas Limited Edition to hit Boots. This year, there are two. Both designed by fashion...

09/12/2014

The Backups.

The Backups.

A few weeks ago I posted this picture on Instagram of my revitalised and tidied cleanser stash. Some people noticed that I had more than one of some items and...

08/12/2014

Serozinc launches in the UK.

Serozinc launches in the UK.

  Good news beauty peeps. Ever since I made this video with Pixiwoo over a year and a half ago...   ...we've been trying to get La Roche Posay to...

08/12/2014

November Favourites

November Favourites

Hi Everyone! My November Favourites video is now live. Included are: Aveda Smooth Infusion Naturally Straight - great if you have hair that assumes your chosen look is 'windswept frizz...

06/12/2014