The Blog
From Caroline Hirons’ expert advice, product reviews, myth-busting honesty and original blog posts, find all you need to know in one curated archive.
Welcome to the archive: Caroline Hirons’ unique library of original blog content, product deep dives, expert recommendations and science-first facts. Sharing her unique perspectives and extensive expertise on products, brands and the fundamentals of skincare, this is your destination for honest, educational content from The Most Powerful Woman in Beauty.
Caroline Hirons, Founder and Qualified Skincare Expert
Paula's Choice Resist 2% BHA Daily Pore-Refining Treatment
I've been using Paula's Choice BHA 2% on and off for a few months now. What is it? 'Wrinkles and breakouts at the same time? Not anymore. This lightweight leave-on...
30/04/2015
Comments Part 2.
Me, last night and today. :) Hello lovely people! So it turns out neither third party option I tried to install was good enough. The first one had glitches and...
29/04/2015
Cheat Sheet - Confused skin: what do you treat first?
Only a very select few have what would be termed 'normal skin'. Which is why I find it odd it is called 'normal'. It's far from the norm for most...
29/04/2015
Sjal Bio-Regeneratif Serum and Rose Aura Cleansing Set Giveaway
To celebrate the launch of their beautiful Bio-Regeneratif Serum, Sjal are offering one lucky reader the opportunity to win not only the new serum, but the beautiful Rose Aura Cleansing...
28/04/2015
A word about comments.....
Lovely, lovely readers. Comments have always been a massive part of the success of this blog. I read every single one and (although I am behind as I type this)...
28/04/2015
Cheat Sheet - When to use natural, when to reach for the 'chemicals' or 'synthetic'
Shop the full Skin Rocks Range Shop now Before you read on - when I use the below terms I take them to mean: Chemical-led: products that contain non-'natural' ingredients...
27/04/2015
The best things about being in your 40s.
Every time I see someone on social media having a panic attack because they're 'almost 25' or 'OMG my last day in my 30s? I want to reach out and...
26/04/2015
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
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
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
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 have...
22/04/2015
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
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?
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
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
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 to...
17/04/2015
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
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
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 are...
14/04/2015
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
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
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
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 carry on...
10/04/2015
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
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 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
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?
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 post,...
05/04/2015
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
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 stocks this...
03/04/2015
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
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
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
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
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
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!)
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
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 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 years...
26/03/2015
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
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
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
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 was...
23/03/2015
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
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
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
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
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