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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
![Jamie's Italian or *totally gratuitous pictures of food and Duran...*](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/6249_124089546254_712876254_2996687_5949703_n_20_2.jpg?v=1715845626&width=533)
Jamie's Italian or *totally gratuitous pictures of food and Duran...*
I recently visited Jamie's Italian in Oxford with my other BFF The McKay. She of the infamous... And the best picture taken in the world ever... As if going to...
15/10/2011
![More than just a pink ribbon....](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Me_20and_20T-2.jpg?v=1715845626&width=533)
More than just a pink ribbon....
I met Tracy when I was 10. She was 12. We've been friends for over 30 years. Best friends. The kind of friend you have the unspoken thing with.. you...
12/10/2011
![Monday Must-Have - Jergens Extra Softening Moisturising Hand Cream](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/75ml_20Jergens_20Natural_2343405F.jpg?v=1715845627&width=533)
Monday Must-Have - Jergens Extra Softening Moisturising Hand Cream
I love a bit of Jergens. And I know I've posted about them on numerous occasions previously but this one deserves an extra mention. Their hand cream or 'Extra Softening...
10/10/2011
![Kate Spade stationery and accessories](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/SAFARI_20SUITE_20PADS_20JPEG.jpg?v=1715845627&width=533)
Kate Spade stationery and accessories
As well as skincare/fragrance/make-up etc - amongst my other loves (obsessions) are music, accessories and stationery. Yes stationery. Sigh. A new pen delivery in Ryman is enough to send me...
06/10/2011
![Product of the Week - balance Me Radiance Face Mask](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Treatments_Radiance_20face_20mask-1.jpg?v=1715845917&width=533)
Product of the Week - balance Me Radiance Face Mask
This weeks's fabulous Product of the Week is.. There is nothing not to love about this product. Firstly – it’s made by the girls at balance Me – one of...
05/10/2011
![Article image](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/t/80/assets/article-default-image.jpg?v=23659543210088390711715771661)
4beauty - Acne Do's and Don'ts!
I'm over on 4beauty today talking about acne and such like. Please do take a look. Thank you!
03/10/2011
![Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign October 2011 #BCAUK](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Look_20Good_20Feel_20Better.jpg?v=1715845926&width=533)
Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign October 2011 #BCAUK
Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer in their lifetime. I have had two serious scares myself,...
28/09/2011
![bareMinerals Skincare Van pitching up IN Selfridges, Oxford Street](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Skincare_20Tour_201.jpg?v=1715845636&width=533)
bareMinerals Skincare Van pitching up IN Selfridges, Oxford Street
To celebrate the nationwide launch of their skincare the bareMinerals van is parking up INSIDE Selfridges, Oxford Street tomorrow and Saturday. As you do. The team will be on hand...
22/09/2011
![Ojon Trade-in Day](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Restorative_20Shampoo.jpg?v=1715845628&width=533)
Ojon Trade-in Day
Quick heads-up! Ojon are offering a trade-in at their John Lewis counters next Thursday 29th September. Simply bring an empty shampoo or conditioner from any brand and they will exchange...
22/09/2011
![Limited Edition Jimmy Choo fragrance and Tamara Mellon on tumblr.](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/JIMMY_20CHOO_20PARFUM_20PR_20visual.jpg?v=1715845926&width=533)
Limited Edition Jimmy Choo fragrance and Tamara Mellon on tumblr.
If you love the original Jimmy Choo fragrance and have a slight penchant for a Limited Edition...you may want to get your orders in now for this little beauty.... No...
21/09/2011
![Product of the Week - SUPER Sweet Clean](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Face_EyeCleanser_20-_20Boots.jpg?v=1715845628&width=533)
Product of the Week - SUPER Sweet Clean
To celebrate the launch this week of Dr Perricone's SUPER range the Product of the Week is the one I have used the most from the range so far -...
21/09/2011
![Product of the Week - Decleor Gradual Glow Hydrating Body Milk](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Ylang_20Ylang_20Balm_2030ml_20233000.jpg?v=1715845629&width=533)
Product of the Week - Decleor Gradual Glow Hydrating Body Milk
Ooh I love a little Decleor. Actually I love a lot of Decleor. One of my 'go-to' products when I'm having a little flare up is their Aromessence Baume de...
14/09/2011
![Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick and Ageless Elixir 2 in 1 Foundation + Serum](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Caroline_20Barnes_20Profile_20Image_20low_20res.jpg?v=1715845928&width=533)
Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick and Ageless Elixir 2 in 1 Foundation + Serum
Last week I was invited to see Caroline Barnes discuss Max Factor's new launches for Autumn. I've worked with many make-up artists in my career and Caroline is the Gold...
12/09/2011
![Silent Sunday](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/0_438191bf-d3a2-45e3-b7d7-327f7b6ea045.jpg?v=1715845629&width=533)
![Product of the Week - Beauty Works West - CLEANSE](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/BWW_20-_20Cleanse.jpg?v=1715845630&width=533)
Product of the Week - Beauty Works West - CLEANSE
OK - I've made my feelings clear on cleansing wipes in the past. Strong feelings. However, if someone takes the initiative to take something and do it really well -...
07/09/2011
![Product of the Week - Giveaway Winners - Collin and Tigi](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Regenerating_20Collagen_20Gel.jpg?v=1715845630&width=533)
Product of the Week - Giveaway Winners - Collin and Tigi
Two birds - one stone. Actually on reflection that's just mean. I like birds. Moving on! I had the cheek to attempt a couple of days away last week thus...
07/09/2011
![NARS Limited Editions for Fashion's Night Out](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/NARS_20Guy_20Bourdin_20Image_20-_20Lo_20Res.jpg?v=1715845630&width=533)
NARS Limited Editions for Fashion's Night Out
Visual courtesy of NARS and Guy Bourdin I love a little NARS (ok a LOT). And I love a Limited Edition. And I love photography. So I'm definitely hot-footing it...
06/09/2011
![Cheat Sheet - Beauty Industry Jargon](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/scanners_fec448c5-eb95-4da6-96ee-4d08f37ded65.jpg?v=1715845278&width=533)
Cheat Sheet - Beauty Industry Jargon
This one has brewing for a long time but reading the Top 100 beauty products in a ‘top’ magazine yesterday sent me over the edge. My love for the beauty...
04/09/2011
![Product of the Week - Tigi Bed Head Colour Goddess Conditioner](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Colour_20Goddess_Cond-1.jpg?v=1715845928&width=533)
Product of the Week - Tigi Bed Head Colour Goddess Conditioner
Surprise to myself this one - I never used to be big on spending that much money on haircare - I go through so much of it that it seemed...
01/09/2011
![Product of the Week - Giveaway Winner](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Biolum_Concealer_CompAll.jpg?v=1715845929&width=533)
Product of the Week - Giveaway Winner
The winner of last week's POTW - Sue Devitt's Microquatic Illuminating Concealer SPF20 is Tiptoe Shortbread (great name BTW). Congratulations! We'll be in touch. Thank you to everyone who entered.
22/08/2011
![Product of the Week - Collin Regenerating Collagen Gel](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Regenerating_20Collagen_20Gel-1.jpg?v=1715845631&width=533)
Product of the Week - Collin Regenerating Collagen Gel
One of the things I enjoy most about facials is the opportunity to have new products tried out on my skin. This of course, can go both ways - but...
22/08/2011
![FOUR London - Review](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/FOUR_20Outside_20closed_20mod.jpg?v=1715845631&width=533)
FOUR London - Review
Aah my hair. My over-processed-refuses-to-get-it-cut hair. My grey-since-the-age-of-19 hair. Over the last year or so people had stopped saying 'oh your hair looks nice..' and started saying 'have you done...
19/08/2011
![New Feature: Product of the Week - Sue Devitt Microquatic Illuminating Concealer SPF20](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Biolum_Concealer_CompAll-1.jpg?v=1715845631&width=533)
New Feature: Product of the Week - Sue Devitt Microquatic Illuminating Concealer SPF20
I have so many products that I love and have so little time to review and post about them all that I thought it would be nice to start championing...
15/08/2011
![Cheat Sheet - Milia](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/wagner_170918_1776_5759_1bcd500b-2151-49f3-adf6-a611e46bc7b5.jpg?v=1715845290&width=533)
Cheat Sheet - Milia
Stubborn, unsightly and annoyingly hard to get rid of, milia are found in all ages. Babies (over 50% of them), kids and adults can all be affected. All races. Both...
13/08/2011
![Article image](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/t/80/assets/article-default-image.jpg?v=23659543210088390711715771661)
Cheat Sheet - Spots
Spots. Oh Spots. So many of the emails I receive asking for skin advice start with 'Can you help me with my spots...?' - and there are so many different...
05/08/2011
![SUPER by Dr Perricone](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Various_20events_20-_20blog_20June-July_202011_20107.jpg?v=1715845639&width=533)
SUPER by Dr Perricone
Since I turned 'a certain age' I have praised the original Perricone range for its efficacy and the man himself for his so-simple-it-makes-perfect-sense advice given in his range of books...
29/07/2011
![Penhaligon's Launch of Juniper Sling](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Various_20events_20-_20blog_20June-July_202011_20012.jpg?v=1715845632&width=533)
Penhaligon's Launch of Juniper Sling
I don't post about events on here that often - I think if you're not careful it can sometimes look a little like 'Look what I got invited to.' However,...
21/07/2011
![Cheat Sheet - Cleansing](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/PARSP14_StellaMcCartney_9158-1440x960.jpg?v=1715845279&width=533)
Cheat Sheet - Cleansing
Most brands in the industry provide quick 'bullet point' references for use by counter staff/telephone customer services peeps to help them quickly highlight key points that are applicable to that...
05/07/2011
![I've been meaning to tell you....Summery goodies](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Oral-B_20Pro-Expert.jpg?v=1715845929&width=533)
I've been meaning to tell you....Summery goodies
So now I've explained where the HELL I've been lately I thought I'd group together some of my recent discoveries/likes/loves/obsessions under one roof. Let's call it my weekly round-up.... The...
02/07/2011
![Article image](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/t/80/assets/article-default-image.jpg?v=23659543210088390711715771661)
Maison Francis Kurkdijian - Winner
I am very happy to announce that the winner of the Kurkdijian Giveaway is number 12/15 (chosen very democratically by a random shoutout in the office - with witnesses) -...
21/06/2011
![Perricone No Sun Tanner](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/No_20Sun_20Tanner_HR.jpg?v=1715845929&width=533)
Perricone No Sun Tanner
Keeping with the tanning theme - I am LOVING this self tanner. What's to love? Well: It smells of coconut - Not an inkling of fake tan smell (score!). It...
16/06/2011
![Hidden Treasures - Spray Tan](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Dark_20Lotion.jpg?v=1715845930&width=533)
Hidden Treasures - Spray Tan
I don't like being pale. I'm not one of those people who can carry it off. I look ill. The kind where people say 'Are you ok? You don't look...
15/06/2011
![Hidden Treasures](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/w1shopfront.jpg?v=1715845931&width=533)
Hidden Treasures
I'm always asked about treatments/hair/tanning and where to go? etc so thought I'd start sharing some favourites as I remember or as I'm specifically asked... First up is an old...
09/06/2011
![A Private Tour of Guerlain..? Oh go on then...](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/PARIS-BYRON_20082.jpg?v=1715845932&width=533)
A Private Tour of Guerlain..? Oh go on then...
If you're going to go to the City of Lights, why not coincide it with a private guided tour of Guerlain's Institut de Beaute? Yeah. That's what we thought too....
26/05/2011
![Paris. A culinary tour Part 2...the Stores!](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/PARIS-BYRON_20014.jpg?v=1715845932&width=533)
Paris. A culinary tour Part 2...the Stores!
Surprisingly we didn't eat any cake in Paris. Can't say the same for the steak frites or red wine though... I like jam. That is all. Haricot Verts - delish....
24/05/2011
![Paris - A culinary tour...Part 1. The food. (OK. Some of the food...)](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/PARIS-BYRON_20017.jpg?v=1715845931&width=533)
Paris - A culinary tour...Part 1. The food. (OK. Some of the food...)
I went to Paris last week (for reasons that will become clear later in the week) with Evadne. Otherwise known as the excitable pup that is Get Lippie. We apparently...
23/05/2011
![CEW Beauty Awards Lunch](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/CEW_204.jpg?v=1715845933&width=533)
CEW Beauty Awards Lunch
This Friday I attended the CEW Beauty Awards held at the Intercontinental in Park Lane. Long seen as the 'Oscars' of the beauty industry the CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) recognises...
22/05/2011
![Please give me a glow and not make me turn Orange?](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/paula_20dorf.jpg?v=1715845633&width=533)
Please give me a glow and not make me turn Orange?
At this time of the year, most years every year, I turn a few shades darker and go slightly orange browner. I love the sun. I always have. I have...
11/05/2011
![Article image](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/t/80/assets/article-default-image.jpg?v=23659543210088390711715771661)
Murad Giveaway Winner
The Winner of the Murad Giveaway is...... Bristol Beauty Blog. Congratulations - expect an email from me! Thank you to everyone who entered.
09/05/2011
![A day trip to Paris](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Paris_20039.jpg?v=1715845932&width=533)
A day trip to Paris
Dior teaches the rest of the industry how to do a 'pop-up' shop A little walk down Avenue L'Opera to my favourite chemist.... White Clay. On the shelf. Bliss. Green...
08/05/2011
![Eye Cream for Boys?](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/korres_20mens.jpg?v=1715845933&width=533)
Eye Cream for Boys?
Just a quick email to pick your brains about eye creams? Am trying/fighting/forcing my other half to acutally engage in some sort of useful skin care routine... Have managed to...
23/04/2011
![Article image](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/t/80/assets/article-default-image.jpg?v=23659543210088390711715771661)
Blog of the Month on 4Beauty
Massive thanks to 4Beauty for making me Blog of the Month. If you are interested in reading my Q & A you can find it here.
18/04/2011
![A little moonlighting over on 4Beauty.](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/0b7dffd6-f24e-4d61-9eac-40fc25cddc57_bigger_02b9f09b-7fec-49bc-92eb-156112810a13.png?v=1715845643&width=533)
A little moonlighting over on 4Beauty.
I was recently asked to contribute some Summer Skin tips to Channel 4's 4Beauty online. Have a read here if you fancy a sneaky peek?
17/04/2011
![Steady Ladies - It's NARS Birthday Giveaway time. - UPDATE! Did anyone say LAGUNA?](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/rustans-new-beauty-releases5-nars-douceur-blush.jpg?v=1715845933&width=533)
Steady Ladies - It's NARS Birthday Giveaway time. - UPDATE! Did anyone say LAGUNA?
Although I don't really post that much about makeup if you follow me on twitter you'll be aware of the ever-so-slight obsession I have with NARS blushers. And I'm not...
14/04/2011
![Happy Birthday to The Blog!](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Blue_candles_on_birthday_cake.jpg?v=1715845919&width=533)
Happy Birthday to The Blog!
Today is the 1st birthday of the blog. Pic courtesy of Dr Lulittle You've been reading my rants/advice/putting up with me for a whole 365 days. Doesn't time fly when...
11/04/2011
![The Hall of Fame - Anne Semonin and the best facial I ever had....](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/bristol-spa-2.jpg?v=1715845934&width=533)
The Hall of Fame - Anne Semonin and the best facial I ever had....
I should have hated everything about my first Anne Semonin facial. It was in Le Hotel Bristol in Paris - gorgeous settings...well no - not really, more like a building...
06/04/2011
![Article image](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/t/80/assets/article-default-image.jpg?v=23659543210088390711715771661)
I'm getting older.....
I had a bit of an epiphany recently regarding my makeup. It went like this: '1997 rang - it wants its look back.' However much I loved my usual daily...
04/04/2011
![Vichy LiftActiv Nuit](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/ad.png?v=1715845934&width=533)
Vichy LiftActiv Nuit
If you're a regular reader of The Mouth you'll know of my love for all things French. Especially skincare. There's hardly a brand emanating out of France that I won't...
24/03/2011