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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
![Article image](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/t/80/assets/article-default-image.jpg?v=23659543210088390711715771661)
Productivity Tips - Managing lists
Part of 'trying to run my schedule and not let my schedule run me' for 2016 includes speeding up things that I have to do every day...
20/01/2016
![VLOG WEEK 17](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/FullSizeRender-9_d87541ed-7a6d-44e3-8f69-c2f4a80cfbab.jpg?v=1715845358&width=533)
VLOG WEEK 17
Annnd we're back. Nothing hugely exciting this week folks. A little rambling is all. :) This week and next week will be better. Promise. All info from the vlog is...
19/01/2016
![L.A. here I come!](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/usa_la_walk_of_fame-1_85f2ebbb-c87a-4472-b702-ebd2bf68a640.jpg?v=1715845358&width=533)
L.A. here I come!
Source I'm off to L.A. next week and although I'm working pretty much solidly, I will have at least one day off and so instead of wandering aimlessly in Target/Ulta/Sephora...
18/01/2016
![Radical Skincare Age Defying Exfoliator Pads](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/US300024454_RADICAL_fa556fe9-f2fc-427f-9703-ed05836e1940.jpg?v=1715845359&width=533)
Radical Skincare Age Defying Exfoliator Pads
What are they? 'Improve skin elasticity and bid a permanent farewell to dull skin with radical age defying exfoliating pads.' Acid toning in a pad. Who are they for? All...
17/01/2016
![What to Buy? Tata Harper](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_2735.jpg?v=1715845237&width=533)
What to Buy? Tata Harper
Where to start? I've never met a Tata product I didn't like. So good is the choice, that the hardest part for this type of review is singling out individual...
16/01/2016
![Budget Skincare - Waitrose Pure Range](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/FullSizeRender-10_62f8113c-7ffa-41f0-b0e5-1d0bdf0cc755.jpg?v=1715845237&width=533)
Budget Skincare - Waitrose Pure Range
I am constantly asked for budget friendly items and I love finding them, but they have to actually do something, not just 'be cheap' in order for me to recommend....
15/01/2016
![Most Used Products of 2015](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_2106_57d954a5-9630-43cd-bfe4-3902b2fe6315.jpg?v=1715845896&width=533)
Most Used Products of 2015
Apologies if you caught this the first five minutes it went up. There was something wrong with the upload so I had to redo it. Anyway: I decided to go...
13/01/2016
![A word about 'key ingredients' and incis.](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_2632.jpg?v=1715845360&width=533)
A word about 'key ingredients' and incis.
I know I've touched on this subject numerous times before, but here we are in 2016 and some retailers and brands are still refusing/just not bothering to list the full...
11/01/2016
![Hall of Fame - Chantecaille Just Skin](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/BLACKLOGO-1_ef57e34a-72be-4566-afa8-41abe304b4bd.png?v=1715845237&width=533)
Hall of Fame - Chantecaille Just Skin
Shiny new logo for a shiny New Year! After discussing Chanel's new foundation earlier this week and mentioning this, it occurred to me that it has hardly been mentioned here,...
10/01/2016
![What to Buy? Kate Somerville](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_2520.jpg?v=1715845238&width=533)
What to Buy? Kate Somerville
One of my most-asked questions on social is 'What should I buy from XXX brand?'. There are lots of brands that contain within their offering things that I think everyone...
09/01/2016
![Temple Spa In The Beginning Deep Cleansing Melt](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/in-the-beginning-60g-2014-web.jpg?v=1715845238&width=533)
Temple Spa In The Beginning Deep Cleansing Melt
You may say the world does not need more cleansing balms. I'd agree with you but then we'd both be wrong. What is it? 'Temple Spa In The Beginning Deep...
07/01/2016
![Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_2738_6ca32430-8779-405f-872f-5d8a854bec85.jpg?v=1715845359&width=533)
Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation
When I said on Instagram yesterday that I thought I had come across the 'Foundation of the Year' on January 5th, I wasn't exaggerating. Chanel launch the addition to the...
06/01/2016
![January Labs - Restorative Skin Mist](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Restorative_Tonic-600x600-1_ce965732-7e3d-4442-a6a0-59a02557f6a4.jpg?v=1715845239&width=533)
January Labs - Restorative Skin Mist
January Labs was a brand that originally sent me products in the latter half of last year. I had not heard of them before, but finding new brands is genuinely...
05/01/2016
![12 Days of Giveaways - Housekeeping](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Christmas-logo-FINAL_0f5677ce-40ac-4d47-ac78-b2e2c632ee8e.jpg?v=1715845360&width=533)
12 Days of Giveaways - Housekeeping
Hi All! Well to say the 12 Days were popular this year would be an understatement. There were nearly 900,000 entries across all the giveaways so thank you so much...
04/01/2016
![Ameliorate Body Lotion](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_2255.jpg?v=1715845238&width=533)
Ameliorate Body Lotion
What is it? A body lotion for Keratosis Pilaris aka 'chicken skin'. What's in it? Aqua/Water/Eau, Lactic Acid, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Glycerin, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Ammonia,...
04/01/2016
![10 New Year Skin Resolutions](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/giphy_20_3-2_464be24b-809e-4fd5-86a3-641a68367166.gif?v=1715845360&width=533)
10 New Year Skin Resolutions
OOH I'M STILL LOVING EVERYTHING NEW AND JANUARY. YOU? Some helpful skin/face tips to get your started in 2016...... Do not foam. There are rare exceptions - but if in...
03/01/2016
![Beauty things that need to be put to bed in 2016.](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_2660.jpg?v=1715845240&width=533)
Beauty things that need to be put to bed in 2016.
This post was originally called '10 beauty things...' but I very quickly ran over 10, especially when I consulted my girlfriends (Thanks Ruth and Lily). Feel free to keep them...
02/01/2016
![12 Days of Giveaways Winners](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_2581_ab2225fe-f5d6-4ec5-8bb2-4b6bfa1e583d.png?v=1715845361&width=533)
12 Days of Giveaways Winners
Morning All! The 12 Days are starting to finish so for ease, (and having learned from the last few year's experiences) I am putting all the winners on their own...
27/12/2015
![CHRISTMAS EVE SURPRISE GIVEAWAY - THE 3RD CULT BEAUTY BOX](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/BlackGoldBoxProducts_44d42116-0f91-483e-8eb1-f52785eea680.jpg?v=1715845361&width=533)
CHRISTMAS EVE SURPRISE GIVEAWAY - THE 3RD CULT BEAUTY BOX
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE ONE AND ALL. Christmas Eve is my favourite day of the year and to celebrate we held back one box for one lucky reader. To WIN the...
24/12/2015
![12 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS - DAY TWELVE - NUDE SKINCARE](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/NUDE_20Beauty_20Of_20Nutrition_20Set_279a9772-fb70-432f-b3b0-5b8312224b41.png?v=1715845362&width=533)
12 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS - DAY TWELVE - NUDE SKINCARE
Continuing a day of madness - which is what I should have called Day Twelve, Nude Skincare are offering five - FIVE - lucky UK readers the opportunity to get...
22/12/2015
![12 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS - DAY ELEVEN - BLISS](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_0152_75c6a121-6f81-4c8b-9f0c-62291d772fde.jpg?v=1715845363&width=533)
12 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS - DAY ELEVEN - BLISS
We continue Day Eleven with Bliss. Big, chunky skincare goodness could be yours! Up for grabs is: Fabulous Makeup Melt Get-To-Oil Cleanser Firm, Baby, Firm Moisturizing Gel-Cream Steep Clean Pore...
21/12/2015
![12 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS - DAY ELEVEN - STOCKING FILLER - NEW CID](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Christmas_20Social_20Baked_20Collection_04f65d08-9f6e-4e16-98e2-6c17ce3f6d25.jpg?v=1715845363&width=533)
12 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS - DAY ELEVEN - STOCKING FILLER - NEW CID
Day Eleven finishes with New CID. Long-time readers will be well aware of my obsession-use-every-day-without-fail-love-affair with i-glow shimmer powder in Coral Crush from New CID. So the lovely peeps from...
21/12/2015
![12 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS - DAY TEN - STOCKING FILLER - UNITE](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/UNITE-7seconds1_63dbb5c3-8be1-496b-bb55-1b23e91f2f0a.jpg?v=1715845365&width=533)
12 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS - DAY TEN - STOCKING FILLER - UNITE
One of my favourite discoveries of 2015 is up for grabs as Day Ten continues with a complete Unite 7Seconds Collection. If you have seen my vlogs/videos on YouTube recently...
20/12/2015
![Article image](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/t/80/assets/article-default-image.jpg?v=23659543210088390711715771661)
12 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS - DAY EIGHT - BLACK CHICKEN REMEDIES
Day Eight continues with Black Chicken Remedies. Just (literally) launched in the UK on Cult Beauty, this gorgeous range may be hard to get your hands on, but Chey, the...
18/12/2015
![12 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS - DAY SIX - VOTARY](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Votary-1_88e83539-8e6e-4e10-b936-c1af14c72bfc.jpg?v=1715845370&width=533)
12 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS - DAY SIX - VOTARY
Day Six starts with Votary, producers of my current favourite cleansing oil, which became a staple in my routine this year. This prize includes the entire range including the brand...
16/12/2015
![VLOG WEEK FIFTEEN - ALL RHODES LEAD TO DURAN](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_2365_c9f69327-2040-4145-8159-11350429929c.jpg?v=1715845371&width=533)
VLOG WEEK FIFTEEN - ALL RHODES LEAD TO DURAN
SORRY IT'S SO LATE! No wi-fi access over the weekend and I was a TAD preoccupied with DURAN. Enjoy my singing and rollers now won't you? :) Have a great...
14/12/2015
![A Guide to NIOD](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/niodrangenewproducts.jpg?v=1715845239&width=533)
A Guide to NIOD
OK here's the thing - I have loved everything I have tried from Deciem. Grow Gorgeous, Hylamide, Hand Chemistry etc - all excellent. There is no doubt in my mind...
07/12/2015
![Article image](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/t/80/assets/article-default-image.jpg?v=23659543210088390711715771661)
Cheat Sheet - How to POP a spot
Shop the full Skin Rocks Range Shop now As much as any dermatologist will tell you not to pop, the fact is that you do. We do. You know...
06/12/2015
![Viktor&Rolf Winner!](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/V_R_20-_20Snowglobe_20_HD__ok_1f22f352-2839-4b30-b195-b15a030194fd.jpg?v=1715845373&width=533)
Viktor&Rolf Winner!
The winner of the Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Giveaway is..... Sarah Berryman. Sarah you have email. Congratulations! Thank you to everyone that entered and thank you V&R! CRH x
05/12/2015
![Cult Beauty Box Announcement](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/BlackGoldBoxProducts-1_5d5331fd-0dc4-4610-b92e-de04ad66b770.jpg?v=1715845373&width=533)
Cult Beauty Box Announcement
FIRSTLY: if you didn't even WANT A BOX, couldn't afford a box, hate the boxes, I'm sorry that this has taken over the blog this week, normal service will...
05/12/2015
![VLOG WEEK 14 - YOU mag shoot, Boxgate and Joanna Bloody Lumley!](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/FullSizeRender-13_59a51577-57c9-4774-a2f0-6f170bfdfcd4.jpg?v=1715845368&width=533)
VLOG WEEK 14 - YOU mag shoot, Boxgate and Joanna Bloody Lumley!
Hi All! What a week. Unless this is the first time you've read the blog this week you may not know that things were slightly overshadowed by a certain...
05/12/2015
![Article image](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/t/80/assets/article-default-image.jpg?v=23659543210088390711715771661)
Cult Beauty Box Update
Hi Everyone. OK: Firstly, a huge thank you to all of you who bought the Box yesterday. The response was unprecedented and very much appreciated. I really hope you love...
04/12/2015
![Give and Makeup Urgent Appeal](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/giveandm6-1_8ec17f0f-78da-4403-9db5-abfb9a906c6e.jpg?v=1715845881&width=533)
Give and Makeup Urgent Appeal
Hi Everyone. I just came back from a Refuge drop off and have an update regarding their current families in need. This is their busiest time of year but they...
02/12/2015
![Dehydration Week - Black Chicken Remedies Love Your Face Serum](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/Love-your-face-serum_tubeandproduct_store-309x309_f5c6366e-e90e-4c09-a8e2-8d3b8db5391d.jpg?v=1715845374&width=533)
Dehydration Week - Black Chicken Remedies Love Your Face Serum
Ok so everyone outside of Australia will complain about this one, but I figure my Aussie readers get SO screwed with exchange rates and so many products are unavailable to...
01/12/2015
![Cult Beauty Box important update!](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/BlackGoldBox_0401ec45-9c4b-4a2e-9a9c-c1d2e4ed7295.jpg?v=1715845374&width=533)
Cult Beauty Box important update!
Ok lovely people I am told that the numbers are swelling on the wait list. It is highly unlikely that there will be any boxes left once the wait list...
01/12/2015
![Dehydration week - Chanel Hydra Beauty Range](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_2948_58ea3917-1a98-4be9-be4f-c02583c0883e.jpg?v=1715845375&width=533)
Dehydration week - Chanel Hydra Beauty Range
What is it? 'An innovative range of moisturisers, HYDRA BEAUTY responds to the hydration needs of every woman, regardless of age or skin concern.' Pretty self-explanatory, although I would...
30/11/2015
![The Cult Beauty Box revealed!](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/DSC_0007_20_1_4da93462-f1eb-4961-9209-a37689dba146.jpg?v=1715845375&width=533)
The Cult Beauty Box revealed!
Thank you for watching! The third box goes on sale next Thursday. All the details of the contents and price are in the video below. And yes, it ships internationally!...
29/11/2015
![Article image](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/t/80/assets/article-default-image.jpg?v=23659543210088390711715771661)
VLOG WEEK THIRTEEN
We have lift off on Vlog Week Thirteen! This week is the filming of the Cult Beauty Box reveal video, Ava's singing in the shower, me judging the J&J Skincare...
28/11/2015
![Hall of Fame - Estee Lauder Revitalising Supreme CC Cream](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/DSC_0174.jpg?v=1715845381&width=533)
Hall of Fame - Estee Lauder Revitalising Supreme CC Cream
So I first blogged about this nearly 18 months ago and during that time I've used three tubes of it, equating to roughly 6 months usage per tube. I was...
27/11/2015
![Hall of Fame - Zelens Z Luminous and a 30% discount across Zelens.com](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_1677_784e617a-dabd-4a8c-acd9-f8e841d19cae.jpg?v=1715845883&width=533)
Hall of Fame - Zelens Z Luminous and a 30% discount across Zelens.com
Ah Dr Lens. My favourite Italian. After Rocky Balboa. This bottle of whiteness saved my face from significant pigmentation and is therefore going straight into the Hall of Fame. What...
26/11/2015
![HUGE VIKTOR&ROLF GIVEAWAY!!!](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/V_R_20-_20Snowglobe_20_HD__ok-1_de695ae3-44f6-4777-b749-7ba1cc764ac5.jpg?v=1715845377&width=533)
HUGE VIKTOR&ROLF GIVEAWAY!!!
Good LORD. It's a good one peeps. So Viktor&Rolf's Flowerbomb is 10 years old and to celebrate they are re-releasing some of their beautiful Limited Editions from past years for...
26/11/2015
![Hall of Fame and the second reveal from the Cult Beauty Box](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/SERUM_3_20_0f5e3992-bfeb-433e-a383-a6b874d4f7c7.jpg?v=1715845882&width=533)
Hall of Fame and the second reveal from the Cult Beauty Box
Choosing one product from Tata Harper for the Hall of Fame is like choosing a favourite child. You could if you really put your mind to it and it all...
25/11/2015
![Hall of Fame - Darphin 8-Flower Nectar Oil and a Meet'n'Greet in John Lewis, Kingston](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/UK200001596_DARPHIN_7b60c0d2-b34a-42b4-9721-5ce60e59b350.jpg?v=1715845888&width=533)
Hall of Fame - Darphin 8-Flower Nectar Oil and a Meet'n'Greet in John Lewis, Kingston
As much as I loved meeting Paula Begoun, it was when she said 'Don't even get me started on french pharmacy brands!' that I knew we would never be bonded...
24/11/2015
![HALL OF FAME WEEK](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/images_841aea56-5d51-4604-9747-856d16fea31d.png?v=1715845382&width=533)
HALL OF FAME WEEK
OK in for a penny, in for a pound as we say. Well, someone says that. Here's the thing lovely readers. I am English. We don't do Thanksgiving. We do...
23/11/2015
![Hall of Fame and the first peek into the next Cult Beauty Box - May Lindstrom's Blue Cocoon](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/MayLindstrom_TheBlueCocoon_WithBox_Open.jpg?v=1715845240&width=533)
Hall of Fame and the first peek into the next Cult Beauty Box - May Lindstrom's Blue Cocoon
I won't lie. When May agreed to be in my third Cult Beauty Box I squealed a little. A lot. I squealed a lot. Every pot of Blue Cocoon is...
23/11/2015
![VLOG WEEK TWELVE](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/FullSizeRender-14_d60909fa-868a-46ad-93ab-3f41f1273585.jpg?v=1715845385&width=533)
VLOG WEEK TWELVE
Hi Everyone. If you're not on Instagram you may not know that I was in Iceland this week - it was spectacular. Thank you BioEffect for hosting us. And...
21/11/2015
![La Mer Facial Winners](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_3221_e1db8408-d7f9-488f-8ff6-df37466f5cb2.jpg?v=1715845386&width=533)
La Mer Facial Winners
The Winners of the La Mer facial experiences are: Urban Retreat, Harrods - Marlene Joergensen The five regional winners are: Lynne O'Neill Christine Griffiths Jessica Siona McKay You have email...
20/11/2015
![THANK YOU!](http://skinrocks.com/cdn/shop/articles/IMG_1561_f6fadddf-13c8-4d05-97b7-e125e736b4ba.jpg?v=1715845384&width=533)
THANK YOU!
Me, earlier, in the garden. LOVELY PEOPLE! Apologies for not getting to the blog this week. Shameful behaviour. Thanks for your patience. Tomorrow the vlog will go up - including...
20/11/2015