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

Kypris 1000 Roses and Moonlight Catalyst

Kypris 1000 Roses and Moonlight Catalyst

  A few weeks ago I met with Chase, the founder of Kypris, in Selfridges, where the brand have launched exclusively in the UK. Kypris is a high-end natural range...

16/11/2015

Empties - November 2015

Empties - November 2015

IT'S A BIG ONE. It's been a long time since I did one of these - I've kept it as short as possible! As requested, the links to the products...

15/11/2015

VLOG WEEK ELEVEN - GROUNDING THE KIDS, RANTING AND NO PASSPORT

VLOG WEEK ELEVEN - GROUNDING THE KIDS, RANTING AND NO PASSPORT

Well it looks like I didn't leave the house all week. Next week I'm off to Iceland amongst other things so there will hopefully be fewer breakdowns, less ranting and...

14/11/2015

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Where are the reviews?

Hi lovely people. Quick update: my desk/office space is currently non-existent due to the new bookcases being built. The house is in complete disarray and I am struggling to find...

11/11/2015

What's New? November

What's New? November

I know there's all these YouTube 'rules/guidelines' where you're supposed to post frequently/regularly etc but I am enjoying posting these videos up in bulk. And also - if you save...

10/11/2015

Favourites - October(ish) 2015

Favourites - October(ish) 2015

  I know I know it's been forever! Favourites first, then newness, then empties! There is a massive list of everything featured in the video in the description box underneath...

09/11/2015

VLOG WEEK TEN - XMAS FAIR AND CRUE

VLOG WEEK TEN - XMAS FAIR AND CRUE

  Hi Everyone! Thank you for watching. The three long-promised videos will - WILL - be up this week. All links and information on this week's shenanigans are in the...

08/11/2015

Creme de La Mer The Renewal Oil    #spon

Creme de La Mer The Renewal Oil #spon

  To celebrate the launch of their first oil, (frankly, it's about time) La Mer asked me to put together my top tips for how to use this luscious newness....

06/11/2015

Beauty Myths No.17- It's ok to sleep in your makeup

Beauty Myths No.17- It's ok to sleep in your makeup

Enough already. Charlotte Tilbury, whom I know and love, had a conversation with Kim Kardashian that KK quotes thus: "Charlotte Tilbury is my hero because she has never let her...

03/11/2015

Pestle & Mortar Liberty Event

Pestle & Mortar Liberty Event

  Hello loveliest of readers! I have two meet'n'greet/appearances left for this year. Details on the December one are to follow in due course, but the first one is next...

03/11/2015

VLOG WEEK NINE

VLOG WEEK NINE

HI ALL! This is the last week of posting vlogs on a Sunday. Going forward I'm probably going to put them up on Saturday mornings as it frees up the...

01/11/2015

The Colbert MD Giveaway Winner is......

The Colbert MD Giveaway Winner is......

Congratulations Meave Hamill! Thank you to everyone that entered - and thank you Colbert MD!

30/10/2015

Synthetic fragrance vs Natural fragrance

Synthetic fragrance vs Natural fragrance

Fragrance in products causes a lot of concern among some of the beauty buying public. Most often in people with sensitive skins, but it is becoming more and more of...

30/10/2015

Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum

Pestle & Mortar Pure Hyaluronic Serum

What is it? 'A hyaluronic acid serum that hydrates and soothes even the most sensitive skin while smoothing fine lines and restoring youthful elasticity. Targets fine lines, dullness and dehydration...

29/10/2015

Tested on animals/Sold in China

Tested on animals/Sold in China

By far the most-asked question on the blog recently has been 'Why do you say 'Tested on animals/Sold in China'? in your reviews?.   The simple answer is that China...

28/10/2015

Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum

Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum

I should start this post with an apology. There are a few product reviews coming your way this week and they're none of them cheap. They're all LUSH, but we're...

26/10/2015

VLOG WEEK EIGHT - Wicked and Product Newness

VLOG WEEK EIGHT - Wicked and Product Newness

How is it 8 weeks since I started doing this?? Thanks for watching - this week is half term but I have a stack of empties and favourites to film...

25/10/2015

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit

NO FILTER - that's it! Ok so my Hourglass powders addiction shows no signs of abating any time soon. They really have swept the market and made a long ignored...

23/10/2015

Give and Makeup Christmas/Winter Appeal

Give and Makeup Christmas/Winter Appeal

Time goes so quickly - I can't believe it's nearly Christmas again and that Give and Makeup is 5 years old. For newer readers, Give and Makeup is something I...

20/10/2015

Dr Brandt Glow Overnight Resurfacing Serum

Dr Brandt Glow Overnight Resurfacing Serum

  What is it? 'A potent nighttime skin renewal serum with retinol.'   Who is it for? People looking for the extra boost that retinols give. Vitamin A is a...

19/10/2015

VLOG WEEK SEVEN

VLOG WEEK SEVEN

This was a weird week. I wasn't feeling great for some of it so hopefully that's going to sod off this coming week. Thank you, as always, for watching and...

18/10/2015

STOP. DROP. SERVE. When the 'Customer Experience' forgets about the Customer.

STOP. DROP. SERVE. When the 'Customer Experience' forgets about the Customer.

source Earlier this week I came across my original typed copy of the 100+ page customer service training manual that I wrote for Liz Earle 10 years ago when I...

17/10/2015

NARS Steven Klein One Shocking Moment Palette

NARS Steven Klein One Shocking Moment Palette

If you're a blush/bronzer addict like my good self, brace yourselves for this one. It contains Laguna bronzer, Paloma sculpting powders (top left) and four blushers. FOUR. Robotic, Blasphemy, Luster...

16/10/2015

Votary Cleansing Oil

Votary Cleansing Oil

I know I'm going to like a brand when they start a sentence with 'You’ve been told that clean skin should feel stretched and tight. That’s simply not true.' Can...

16/10/2015

A little SpaceNK shopping

A little SpaceNK shopping

  I had dinner on Tuesday evening in Sloane Square and arrived with 20 minutes to spare. There was only going to be one destination for a smash'n'grab and that...

15/10/2015

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Links of London Sweetie Charm Bracelet

I know this is nothing new to most of you. But I finally took the plunge and bought a Links of London charm bracelet last week. Actually, I made Mr...

15/10/2015

Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb 10th Anniversary Limited Edition bottle - get it while you can!

Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb 10th Anniversary Limited Edition bottle - get it while you can!

If you follow my Instagram or watch my vlogs you'l know I had tea with Viktor&Rolf recently to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Flowerbomb. I can't believe it's been 10...

14/10/2015

NARS for Glossybox

NARS for Glossybox

Next month brings another really nice Limited Edition to our shores with the NARS/Glossybox collaboration. It's a soft touch box, pointing to the well-known and loved NARS packaging - and...

14/10/2015

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VLOG WEEK 6

Thank you to everyone who took the time to come out to the Body Shop events this week. It was so lovely meeting you all. Next Sunday I'm at Stylist...

11/10/2015

The importance of having an opinion. And voicing it.

The importance of having an opinion. And voicing it.

Here's the thing. Every time I do an event and get to meet some of you lovely readers, I come away inspired and always with new ideas for posts. This...

09/10/2015

Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser

Pixi Glow Mud Cleanser

  What is it? 'This active yet gentle cleanser with 5% glycolic acid exfoliates to reveal a glowing, healthier-looking skintone.' It's a clay cleanser. Who is it for? All skin...

05/10/2015

VLOG WEEK 5

VLOG WEEK 5

Reunion with my favourite Lady. So this week is a long one, sorry. Get a cup of tea. It's beauty-tastic at the end. Zoe and Alfie as waxworks - a...

04/10/2015

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Howdy! I have three events coming up over the next couple of weeks that I thought I would share with you. Or else, you know, I'll be stood there on...

03/10/2015

Bobbi Brown Extra Balm Rinse

Bobbi Brown Extra Balm Rinse

Keeping with the cleanser theme, I am also enjoying this surprisingly thick balm from the Brown that is Bobbi. I have the tube version and am already convinced that it...

03/10/2015

Le Volume Ultra-Noir de Chanel

Le Volume Ultra-Noir de Chanel

Just a quick one for those of you not on Instagram. This mascara from Chanel is BRILLIANT. Properly, utterly brilliant. Doesn't deposit too much onto the brush, always a pet...

30/09/2015

Anne Semonin Atelier - Paris

Anne Semonin Atelier - Paris

About 12 years ago I had a two hour facial with Ewa Berkmann for Anne Semonin in Claridges. It was my second Anne Semonin facial at the time, and it...

30/09/2015

Currently reading.....

Currently reading.....

After mentioning in yesterday's post that I like to curl up in fresh bedding with a good book, I had a few requests asking for my current reading list. Truth...

29/09/2015

Bloody LOVE Autumn!

Bloody LOVE Autumn!

It suddenly occurred to me this weekend that I was back in 'the zone'. And by that, I mean that I was actually out of the funk that had been...

28/09/2015

VLOG WEEK FOUR

VLOG WEEK FOUR

I've neglected the blog this week. Apologies. Have a great Sunday and I'll see you here tomorrow. Promise. :)

27/09/2015

Stem Cells - the nonsense continues

Stem Cells - the nonsense continues

Nearly three years ago I wrote this post about stem cells and the utter nonsense of brands claiming that plant stem cells can 'reactivate stem cells'. I don't usually repeat...

23/09/2015

Recommended Facialists - Teresa Tarmey

Recommended Facialists - Teresa Tarmey

I've had a lot of facials. A LOT. At one point in my career, my job was testing every facial in town. I know. Hard work, but someone had to...

21/09/2015

VLOG WEEK 3

VLOG WEEK 3

Wow I haven't blogged since Tuesday. Sorry chaps. I'll try and get my head together this week and pay more attention to the blog. Promise. In the meantime, Here's me...

20/09/2015

Quick Smokey Eye with Hannah from Bobbi Brown

Quick Smokey Eye with Hannah from Bobbi Brown

After Hannah and the team had finished filming the video last week, I told asked her to stick around and give me a full smokey eye - which happily, she...

15/09/2015

VLOG WEEK 2 - Meeting Joan Collins, Behind the scenes at QVC and my meltdown

VLOG WEEK 2 - Meeting Joan Collins, Behind the scenes at QVC and my meltdown

Well THAT was busy. Events, behind the scenes at QVC, Emilia's birthday party and meeting JOAN COLLINS. Also: me having a meltdown at the kids. That will probably be a...

13/09/2015

New Video! What's New/What I'm currently LOVING!

New Video! What's New/What I'm currently LOVING!

  Hello!!!! So as I had everything set up for after the Bobbi video, I thought I'd take advantage and film a video I'd been planning for a while -...

10/09/2015

Bobbi Brown Intensive Serum Corrector and Concealer

Bobbi Brown Intensive Serum Corrector and Concealer

I think everyone I know owns a Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick. And Bone eyeshadow. And quite possibly the original Corrector and Concealer kit. Where I was absolutely on board with...

08/09/2015

Public Service Announcement - Pixi launch on QVC UK

Public Service Announcement - Pixi launch on QVC UK

Courtesy Matthew Carasella This just in: tomorrow evening (Wednesday) at 8pm, during Alison Young's Beauty Night in, Pixi are launching on QVC UK. Tune in to see what delights await...

08/09/2015

Carey Lander and Sarcoma UK

Carey Lander and Sarcoma UK

  My friend Sali Hughes wrote this beautiful piece of love for one of her close friends Carey Lander and her hideous but inspiring battle against osteosarcoma.   the-pool.com/sali-hughes-on-osteosarcoma-and-carey-lander-camera-obscura  ...

07/09/2015