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

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When to cleanse.

I sent out a tweet a couple of weeks ago that became one of my most RT’d ever. It had been on my mind after the first couple of weeks...

15/10/2013

Glycolic Facial Cleanser - Anthony Logistics for Men (AND WOMEN)

Glycolic Facial Cleanser - Anthony Logistics for Men (AND WOMEN)

I'm a great believer that there are very few products made for men that women can't use also (Tena pads aside, the truth can also be found in the reverse)....

10/10/2013

Space NK Beauty Festival

Space NK Beauty Festival

Space NK is 20 years old this year (20!) - and to celebrate they are holding a series of events across their stores this week. On Wednesday night I am...

07/10/2013

Beauty Myths No.2 - Skin Purging

Beauty Myths No.2 - Skin Purging

Your skin should not ‘purge’ when using OTC products. Prescription strength products given to you by a derm for acne, for example, can cause purging. But these are drugs and...

03/10/2013

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Comments!

I'm so sorry but something has inadvertently gone wrong with some recent comments on posts - across all posts actually. I haven't purposely removed anyone's comments - I'm so sorry...

02/10/2013

Backstage at Stella McCartney SS14 for Sunday Riley

Backstage at Stella McCartney SS14 for Sunday Riley

No babies, no boobs. Fair enough. Yesterday I was in Paris working backstage prepping the models for the Stella McCartney show on behalf of Sunday Riley. It was busy, so...

01/10/2013

Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Awareness

PINKRIBBON.COM October is upon us. And I'm feeling very conflicted. On the one hand, I know of course, what the beauty industry has done for breast cancer awareness. I do,...

30/09/2013

FOUNTAIN - the Hyaluronic Molecule

FOUNTAIN - the Hyaluronic Molecule

  First dibs for you here. Hyaluronic acid - something that regular readers of the blog will be more than aware of - is now, for the first time, available...

26/09/2013

Beauty Myths No.1 - Your skin sleeps during the day.

Beauty Myths No.1 - Your skin sleeps during the day.

Dear Readers. My day started with an email from someone requesting that I test their (revolutionary - obviously) cream at night - 'because the skin sleeps during the day'. After...

19/09/2013

My kind of GWP's. Liberty and Space NK show the others how it's done.

My kind of GWP's. Liberty and Space NK show the others how it's done.

Exhibit A When you work on counters you rejoice at the term 'GWP' - for it means you are about to hit target and make some serious cash. When you...

17/09/2013

BALMOLOGY CLEANSE Neroli and Sweet Basil Cleansing Balm

BALMOLOGY CLEANSE Neroli and Sweet Basil Cleansing Balm

I've had varying questions/reactions to previous balm reviews - a lot of concerns re fragrance - synthetic/too much/not enough - and texture - too runny/not thick enough/not a real 'balm'....

17/09/2013

P50. Going going gone.

P50. Going going gone.

Remember all the excitement when Liberty said they would be stocking P50? I know. Me too. Liberty have just informed me that once their current stock has gone they will...

11/09/2013

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Another appointment update

Firstly I want to apologise to those of you that are still waiting to hear from me. I have over 200 people in my inbox that I have not yet...

11/09/2013

The Body Shop up their game. Camomile Cleansing Butter and Oil.

The Body Shop up their game. Camomile Cleansing Butter and Oil.

Last weekend I had my usual pre-September clear out and re-organised pretty much everything - including products for testing - which due to the school holidays had taken a back...

05/09/2013

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Appointments update

Just a quick one for those of you waiting to hear from me. To say I have been slightly inundated and taken by surprise at the volume of the emails...

05/09/2013

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Skin Consultation Appointments - NOW CLOSED

If you click over to the Appointments and Appearances page you'll see new dates added for September and the beginning of October. Some FAQ's! All appointments will be held in...

03/09/2013

That was Summer.....

That was Summer.....

Probably the best summer fragrance.... US shopping resulted in very few finds. Sorry girls! This one wasn't altogether heinous. The Promised Land Real Techniques making an appearance in Grand Central...

02/09/2013

My Cult Beauty Top 10, a chance to win some of them and 10% off!

My Cult Beauty Top 10, a chance to win some of them and 10% off!

I know from your emails and comments that Cult Beauty is a shopping mecca for some of you - they recently asked me to collate my Top 10 skincare choices...

30/08/2013

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Skin consultations - when?

I'll be doing more skin consults from September onwards. Just quick question really - what day of the week works best for everyone? They will be held in London. I...

28/08/2013

Michael Kors Beauty #SportySexyGlam

Michael Kors Beauty #SportySexyGlam

Yesterday I had possibly the best personal intro to a new range since I started the blog. Over lunch, with gorgeous company - *waves* - I was taken through the...

22/08/2013

Kate Somerville now shipping to the UK

Kate Somerville now shipping to the UK

Finally - FINALLY - Kate Somerville is shipping her amazingness to our very shores. I'm always asked for specific recommendations - but in all honesty its kind of hard to...

20/08/2013

Housekeeping and The Faith Brothers

Housekeeping and The Faith Brothers

So many things popped into my head while I was on holiday that left me thinking 'ooh I must mention that on the blog!' I thought a weekly (or more...

16/08/2013

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Blog Housekeeping - or 'Things I say time and time again Part 2'

Some Blog Housekeeping whilst I'm at it. Just to clarify some key points that I think sometimes get lost on the blog: I am not a dermatologist - I am...

16/08/2013

Trolls - and what actually matters.

Trolls - and what actually matters.

Last night I was reading some comments below posts where I had been mentioned on other sites. There were a couple of not-so-nice comments which gave me about 5 minutes...

15/08/2013

Empties continued. Clarins and Hampton Sun.

Empties continued. Clarins and Hampton Sun.

Unexpected bonus of having small children and their luggage allowance: we literally took 20/25 bottles of suncream/sun products with us on holiday. I figured 'now's a good a time as...

14/08/2013

Post Holiday Empties - things that actually worked.

Post Holiday Empties - things that actually worked.

So we're back. And rather than doing posts about 'What to take away with you' - I thought it made sense to mention what I took and what actually got...

13/08/2013

I'm doing something I NEVER do.

I'm doing something I NEVER do.

Tomorrow I am heading out for a long overdue break. I mean really long overdue. We haven't been abroad as a family in 18 years. EIGHTEEN years. I know. So:...

25/07/2013

Estee Lauder New Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II

Estee Lauder New Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II

Regular readers of this site will know that I originally never fully embraced the 'all-worshiping-never-questioning' adoration that most beauty journalists had for ANR. It always seemed that any time there...

24/07/2013

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm - review and Hall of Fame entry

Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm - review and Hall of Fame entry

OK so the downside of constantly recommending (unintentionally) brands that are only available in limited distribution is a lot of unhappy readers contacting me from the US (mostly) to say...

18/07/2013

balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm (and Radiance Face Oil - secret spot weapon)

balance Me Cleanse and Smooth Face Balm (and Radiance Face Oil - secret spot weapon)

balance Me (their spelling) are an old favourite - if you like 'natural' products that really are 'natural' - this brand is for you. What is it? The Cleanse and...

16/07/2013

Aromatherapy Associates Soothing Cleansing Balm

Aromatherapy Associates Soothing Cleansing Balm

Apologies for the lack of posts. My NY business trip ended in food poisoning which made the jet lag worse which meant I was asleep forever when I returned -...

15/07/2013

Filofax to the rescue

Filofax to the rescue

I admitted defeat a couple of weeks ago. My diary/notebook/list pad just wasn't keeping me on the straight and narrow. I've long been a fan of Filofax but the past...

05/07/2013

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New system and better layouts

Hi Everyone, Apologies if you are waiting for an answer on the Yes or No post. At the moment there are so many comments that you have to click 'Load...

01/07/2013

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Paula Begoun, the rumour mill and make your mind up.

POSTSCRIPT: I've had a lot of questions on social media about lots of other brands and Paula's own line. To reiterate: this is absolutely not personal - she goes up...

27/06/2013

Thank you's - Charlotte Tilbury, Fortnum's, IMATS and Pizza Express. ;)

Thank you's - Charlotte Tilbury, Fortnum's, IMATS and Pizza Express. ;)

The last couple of months have been a bit of a blur. I like to think I had a successful blog B.P. (before Pixiwoo) - but being endorsed by Sam...

25/06/2013

EX1 colour matching and Giveaway Winners

EX1 colour matching and Giveaway Winners

This is long overdue - my apologies - life caught up with me the last few weeks. Before I announce the 3 winners of the EX1 giveaway a quick update....

21/06/2013

SAM FARMER. And why you should buy it.

SAM FARMER. And why you should buy it.

Here's the deal. A couple of weeks ago I received a phone call from my girlfriend Holly (a younger, prettier version of me but just as easily riled when faced...

21/06/2013

Charlotte Tilbury's Makeup House of Rock 'N' Kohl - and moi.

Charlotte Tilbury's Makeup House of Rock 'N' Kohl - and moi.

I'm sure you've seen in the press and on blogs that Charlotte Tilbury has set up shop in Selfridges this week until Sunday with makeovers, great beauty treats and evening...

18/06/2013

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Follow me on Bloglovin

Hi Everyone, Just a quick one. I joined Bloglovin a couple of years ago - wandered away - and frankly just realised over the weekend that my blog was swinging...

10/06/2013

Selfridges event - just me, lovely readers and thieving swines.

Selfridges event - just me, lovely readers and thieving swines.

This Thursday I was lucky enough to meet a lot of readers at Selfridges Beauty Workshop. I just want to say a huge thank you to all of you that...

08/06/2013

Sneaky peek of upcoming posts.
Cheat Sheet - Routines

Cheat Sheet - Routines

  Shop the full Skin Rocks Range Shop now   It’s easy to see how your skincare routine can be a little overwhelming – we are sold so many products...

04/06/2013

Meet-up in Selfridges Oxford Street - Thursday 6th June 6pm to 9pm

Meet-up in Selfridges Oxford Street - Thursday 6th June 6pm to 9pm

Hi Everyone! If you're around this Thursday evening in the West End I am popping in to the Beauty Workshop in Selfridges to hang out for a few hours, talk...

03/06/2013

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Fortnum & Mason - FULLY BOOKED

Thank you to everyone who emailed regarding the appointments at Fortnum & Mason. The day is now fully booked with a substantial waiting list. I will be emailing everyone who...

03/06/2013

Skin Consultations - 11th June in Fortnum & Mason

Skin Consultations - 11th June in Fortnum & Mason

Hi Everyone. I'm setting up shop in Fortnum & Mason on 11th June for a day of skin consultations. Appointments are being given on a first come, first serve basis....

30/05/2013

Instagram catch-up. Picture Heavy Post.

Instagram catch-up. Picture Heavy Post.

In the QVC canteen with Keeley from Elemis and Dr Lens from Zelens. And a funny moment caught on camera in the middle. Not cheap but SO good. My amazonian...

22/05/2013

Zelens Giveaway Winners

Zelens Giveaway Winners

My apologies for the delay in getting this done! I've now had the list of winners from the Zelens office and they are: Penny Alwyn Maginda Gomes Aoife Browneyes35 Alison...

17/05/2013

Neotantric Fragrances - (I am) a Sex Goddess

Neotantric Fragrances - (I am) a Sex Goddess

OK let's be clear. I am clearly not a Sex Goddess. That much is obvious. However, I do love this fragrance from Neotantric Fragrances. Neotantric is a Swedish brand and...

17/05/2013