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

Stationery Porn Alert - Daily Greatness Business Planner and the Bullet Journal

Stationery Porn Alert - Daily Greatness Business Planner and the Bullet Journal

Ooh Lordy! Two hits of gorgeousness for my fellow stationery freaks today. This landed on my desk this morning just in time for a new week and a new month....

25/04/2015

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm Special Edition 200ml size

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm Special Edition 200ml size

Heads up fellow Cleansing Balm freaks. (We really should start a support group) To celebrate the success of Elemis' Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, it is being released in a 200ml supersize....

24/04/2015

Jo Loves Shot Candle Collection

Jo Loves Shot Candle Collection

On Monday I visited the brand new Jo Loves Shot Candle Studio at the back of their beautiful flagship Elizabeth Street store. Two hours of blissful smelling and mixing later...

23/04/2015

5 Days, 5 Faces

5 Days, 5 Faces

Tata cleanse, Clinique Mild Clarifying, Tom Ford Essence, Dennis Gross MD eye, Kate Somerville Deep Tissue Repair and Tom Ford Intensive Infusion Ultra Rich moisturiser   The last five days...

22/04/2015

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Second Cleansers/A.M. Cleansers

I do love a good cleanser. Maybe you've noticed? All details are in the description box below the video. When you press play on the video there is an option...

21/04/2015

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Quick grab - What to look out for depending on your skin issue

A quick bullet point guide to ingredients/formulas that you may want to look out for when selecting your products. This list is obviously not exhaustive and I can add to...

20/04/2015

What's New?

What's New?

My latest 'What's New?' has just gone live over on the Tube of You. :) Hope you enjoy - all the product info and links are in the description box...

19/04/2015

Jo Malone White Lilac & Rhubarb Charity Candle

Jo Malone White Lilac & Rhubarb Charity Candle

Charity projects always put me in two minds: is the money reaching the end target? Are the brand doing it purely to satisfy their CSR demands? So when something like...

18/04/2015

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Cheat sheet - Consumer and Clinical trials, In Vivo vs In Vitro and ORAC testing

 Shop the full Skin Rocks Range Shop now    I am often met with claims of ‘clinical trials’ and ‘independent studies’ when reviewing skincare. It’s to be expected, brands want...

17/04/2015

Choice Books - Food. The New Health Rules by Frank Lipman M.D. & Danielle Claro

Choice Books - Food. The New Health Rules by Frank Lipman M.D. & Danielle Claro

Adding to my obsession with lovely books that are not only beautiful to look at but actually full of good info, this one is a really simple, interesting, easy read...

16/04/2015

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Significant Empties

So it's time for me to cut open tubes and scrape out the contents before hitting the recycling bin. Next video is on Sunday - thanks for watching. Also -...

15/04/2015

Zara Home Pure Gardenia Candle

Zara Home Pure Gardenia Candle

  I'm kind of worried about posting this one. Mainly for selfish reasons. If you, like me, are a candle lover (obsessive) and have not seen Zara Home's selection, you...

14/04/2015

Kate Somerville Nourish Hydrating Firming Mist

Kate Somerville Nourish Hydrating Firming Mist

OK I know I've already posted my Top Spritz's but this hadn't been in rotation for long enough to make the grade. :) Kate Somerville are one of my Desert...

13/04/2015

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5 Year Bloggerversary

My little corner of the internet turned 5 yesterday. FIVE. If my blog was a child it would be in school. Blows my freaking mind I can tell you. In...

12/04/2015

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The Top 10: Spritz Toners

The Acid Toning Top 10 was so well-received I thought I'd follow it with the most logical choice. These spritz toners/floral waters are ideal as either a second tone (spritz)...

11/04/2015

The Top 10: Acid Toners

The Top 10: Acid Toners

  Shop the full Skin Rocks Range Shop now    I imagine most of you lovely readers will fully expect what products are in my Top choices so before I...

10/04/2015

Lancome Shine Lover Lipsticks

Lancome Shine Lover Lipsticks

Time for some more gorgeous lip colours - this time from Lancome. The new Shine Lover range contain not only gorgeously strong pigment, but are loaded with hyaluronic acid and...

09/04/2015

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The Top 5: Things you can do to improve your skin today

Ooh new Series time! I always love reading 'Top 5/10' lists so thought it would be fun to make my own. I will also transfer these to You Tube. Do...

08/04/2015

Clinique Turnaround Revitalizing

Clinique Turnaround Revitalizing

Clinique are adding to their massively successful Turnaround range with this new franchise coming to stores this month. Turnaround Revitalizing is made with radiance in mind - and is designed...

07/04/2015

Dr Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Eye Cream

Dr Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Eye Cream

So I was sent this recently - along with a lovely bag of other bits from Dr Gross (thanks Meg in SoCal) and low and behold I have a new...

06/04/2015

Cheat Sheet - How much product should you use?

Cheat Sheet - How much product should you use?

 Shop the full Skin Rocks Range Shop now    So yesterday I was quietly minding my own business on Twitter when Stylist tweeted out the picture below, linked to a...

05/04/2015

Biologique Recherche Lotion P50

Biologique Recherche Lotion P50

What is it? A liquid balancing exfoliator. Designed to strengthen the epidermis, exfoliate skin, regulate excessive sebum secretion, hydrate the skin, maintain the skin’s pH, and prevent and treat ingrown...

04/04/2015

Tracie Martyn Amla Purifying Cleanser

Tracie Martyn Amla Purifying Cleanser

    What is it? 'An anti-ageing Cleansing Concentrate'. Who is it for? All skin types. What’s in it? Well this is the fun part. I checked every retailer that...

03/04/2015

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Birthday Month and general Housekeeping.

Birthday Lovely lovely readers. This month my little corner of t'internet turns 5. FIVE YEARS. I have absolutely no clue where the time has gone, but I'm happy to still...

02/04/2015

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Skype Consultation Winner and this month's entry

The winner of this month's consultation is Huma Qureshi. I've already emailed Huma so if you have the same name and entered check your email - if there's nothing from...

02/04/2015

The Spring Tag

The Spring Tag

IT'S APRIL! THE CLOCKS HAVE GONE FORWARD! I'M USING CAPITALS! AND EXCLAMATIONS! A LOT! Spring to Summer to Fall is my favourite season. No joke. That's my prime time. I...

01/04/2015

Hall of Fame - Neutrogena T/Gel

Hall of Fame - Neutrogena T/Gel

Bit of an odd one for me I know, but bear with. Ever since son no.2 was born, he's suffered from scalp problems. When he was a baby it was...

31/03/2015

Beauty Myths No.14 - Celebs don't wash their faces/Caveman Regime

Beauty Myths No.14 - Celebs don't wash their faces/Caveman Regime

Here's the thing: if you don't want to use anything on your skin, don't. If you want to only use manuka honey on your skin, do. If you don't want...

30/03/2015

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Pregnancy Rambling Beauty Chat with Ruth

Well the intention was to chat all things pregnancy beauty, but then we kind of went off on a tangent. As we do. Hope you enjoy! Please do leave any...

29/03/2015

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap (extra mild!)

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap (extra mild!)

What is it? 'All the benefits of Clinique’s famous dermatologist-developed facial soap in a new liquid formula. Cleanses without stripping protective lipids.' Who is it for? Ok it says 'very...

28/03/2015

Michael Kors Into the Glow Collection

Michael Kors Into the Glow Collection

Well if anyone was going to do a 'Glow' collection it would be this man. King of Glam and handbags/accessories to boot, Michael Kors has made me even more desperate...

27/03/2015

Jo Malone London Lace Bottle Collection

Jo Malone London Lace Bottle Collection

  Jo Malone has long offered a brides service - a complimentary appointment to find your own bespoke fragrance for the big day. As my own 'big' day was 21...

26/03/2015

Sugar Detox - Week 2 and Amelia Freer

Sugar Detox - Week 2 and Amelia Freer

Actually week 2.5/3? Wow - it gets SO much easier. Seriously. No cravings, no cheating. Any kind of craving - gone. Since my last update I've (TMI klaxon) had a...

25/03/2015

Beauty Myths No.13 - Antibiotics work for acne

Beauty Myths No.13 - Antibiotics work for acne

Copyright Geof Kirby Acne. Apparently the second most searched word on the internet, after porn (obvs). It's easily the topic of my most-asked questions and the lead search on this...

24/03/2015

Alpha-H Liquid Laser Cleansing Oil

Alpha-H Liquid Laser Cleansing Oil

What is it? 'Liquid Laser Cleansing Oil has been painstakingly developed to hydrate, soften and restore radiance to dulled or lacklustre complexions. Rebuilding and hydrating.Addresses the concerns of a changing...

23/03/2015

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Cheat Sheet - Why I don't like 'battery operated cleansing brushes'

 Shop the full Skin Rocks Range Shop now    Well if ever there was a gentle way of saying the word that you're all saying in your head now, that...

23/03/2015

Inspiring Women

Inspiring Women

During the latter half of last year, I signed up to volunteer for the Inspiring Women campaign. This week I gave my first talk at a secondary state school for...

22/03/2015

What's New? with Ruth from A Model Recommends

What's New? with Ruth from A Model Recommends

Finally! We managed to take time and do some filming. It's a long one but frankly we could have gone on for hours. Thank you for both your patience and...

22/03/2015

A surprise from Charlotte Tilbury

A surprise from Charlotte Tilbury

This was in the bottom of my goodie bag from the Charlotte Tilbury event last week. Any clue what it is? I'm genuinely asking, this isn't me holding out! :)...

21/03/2015

Bella Freud 'Loving' Candle

Bella Freud 'Loving' Candle

Regular readers of the blog will know of my obsession penchant for all things white flowers. Gardenia and tuberose are easily my favourites. The Loving candle from Bella Freud is...

21/03/2015

Zelens Z Pure Cleansing Liquid Balm

Zelens Z Pure Cleansing Liquid Balm

What is it? 'A Shiso-infused cleansing liquid balm formulated to thoroughly cleanse the skin and help remove impurities and make-up.' Who is it for? All skin types. What’s in it?...

20/03/2015

Charlotte Tilbury Norman Parkinson Collection

Charlotte Tilbury Norman Parkinson Collection

Last week I went along to the launch of the latest collection from Charlotte Tilbury - which was as brilliant as we have come to expect from the biggest brand...

19/03/2015

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The Five Minute Makeup Challenge

A little over a month ago Ruth challenged me to the Five Minute Makeup Challenge. Lord help us. Enjoy.....*covers dayglo face with hands* All information is in the description box...

18/03/2015

How to use Liquid Gold with Tom Ogden from Alpha-H

How to use Liquid Gold with Tom Ogden from Alpha-H

When a picture tells a thousand words.... Settle down and listen to Tom and I harp on for hours discuss the best way to use Alpha-H's iconic Liquid Gold. Stay...

17/03/2015

Sugar Detox - Week 1

Sugar Detox - Week 1

  How's it going? Have any of you achieved any success on the sugar front? Personally, I'm going stage by stage. Maybe the word 'detox' isn't entirely appropriate?! For my...

16/03/2015

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

Today is mostly about hanging out with these guys. Have a good one everyone!

15/03/2015

The BEST things about working in the Beauty Industry.

The BEST things about working in the Beauty Industry.

Yesterday was fun - but there's obviously a reason we all keep doing what we do - so below are the best things about working in retail - especially beauty...

14/03/2015

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The worst things about working in retail - alternate working title 'Kill me Now'

Don’t get me wrong, I love LOVE working in retail. This is my 30th year doing it (in some form or another). And I know we’re not doctors, nurses or...

13/03/2015