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
72 HOURS IN SWEDEN WITH PIXI
Yes it’s been a year. An entire year since I vlogged.Anyway: enjoy the best of Sweden – and Pixi – and Mands.Thank you to Team Pixi, Mands, my readers that...
10/08/2019
SPF BASICS/QUICK AFFORDABLE SPF ROUND-UP
Last week I was scheduled to do my usual slot on telly to talk all things SPF before the real 'heat' hit us hard. Unfortunately on the same day, we...
29/07/2019
DRUNK ELEPHANT A-PASSIONI RETINOL CREAM
Brand/Product:Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream What type of vitamin A and % is it?Retinol at 1% What skin is it best suited to?A skin either already adjusted to strong retinols...
24/07/2019
LISA ELDRIDGE LIPSTICKS
OK it's not my fault, but I went to add the links to these and they are sold out. I swear there were a couple of colours still available until...
24/07/2019
CHANEL UV ESSENTIAL SPF50
Always apply SPF at least 20 minutes before going outside unless otherwise stated. Always apply last after moisturiser, before makeup - unless otherwise stated. Reapply every two hours if in...
23/07/2019
BIOSSANCE SQUALANE + PEPTIDE EYE GEL
Described as a ‘weightless, ultra-hydrating eye gel that reduces the look of puffiness and dark circles’, I actually used this up to the very end, and then tried to take...
23/07/2019
SKINCARE FOR DARKER SKIN TONES WITH DIJA AYODELE
Dija can be found here: https://www.dijaayodele.com The Black Skin Directory can be found here: https://www.blackskindirectory.com/new-blog/2018/5/1/welcome-to-black-skin-directory Andy Millward: https://andymillward-skincare.co.uk Lasers recommended: ND Yag: http://www.medic8.com/cosmetic-surgery/hair-removal/yag-laser-hair-removal.htm Diode Laser: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_diode PiQo4: https://www.newbeauty.com/hottopic/blogpost/11955-lumenis-piqo4-laser-skin-pigmentation/ Dr Ejikeme...
14/07/2019
TAN-LUXE SUPER GLOW HYALURONIC SELF-TAN SERUM
It's been a long time since I talked self-tanning on here, but this one deserves the attention. Almost immediately. I've had it no more than two weeks (ish), but am...
12/07/2019
O'Keeffe's Skin Repair Body Lotion | AD
What is it? An 'unscented, non-greasy and hypoallergenic body lotion guaranteeing relief for extremely dry, itchy skin'. Who is it for? Anyone experiencing itchy, dry skin, or in my case,...
10/07/2019
EMMA HARDIE 10TH ANNIVERSARY
Where does the time go? In September, Emma Hardie Skincare celebrate their 10th Anniversary and to celebrate they are releasing their hero Moringa Cleansing Balm in a Limited Edition, supersized...
09/07/2019
GEORGIE CLEEVE FROM OSKIA AND A 25% OFFER
OSKIA are offering everyone 25% OFF all full-size products on their website until Midnight on Wednesday 3rd July UK time. Your code is HIRONS2019. (Video is not sponsored or paid...
28/06/2019
MEDIK8 VITAMIN A OVERVIEW
Brand:Medik8 What category does the product fall into?Medik8 make products across all strengths of vitamin A Who is it for? Suggested skin type and age?All ages are catered for –...
23/06/2019
VITAMIN A/RETINOL/CLINICAL/preX
Vitamin A Housekeeping:All of the brands featured responded to my questionnaire and I am very grateful. Not all disclosed the % of their vitamin A ingredients so where possible I...
23/06/2019
BUN FRIDAY Q&A | FIRST POST-KYLIE/JOE ROGAN RANT VIDEO
Mentioned in this video: https://www.blackskindirectory.com/new-blog/2018/5/1/welcome-to-black-skin-directory https://www.giovannafletcher.com/podcasts/series-four/caroline-hirons Bon Jovi 'Lay Your Hands on Me' - Live at Anfield Stadium 19th June. and back in the day (worth watching for the hair...
21/06/2019
New Diprobase Itch Relief Cream and Daily Moisturising Cream | Ad
Dry skin is something I’ve had as long as I can remember. If you’ve ever seen any of my empties videos, you’ll know just how many body products I can...
19/06/2019
THE SNAPSHOT: GLOSSIER SUPER SERUMS
Glossier's serums have been super-sized, and Lord knows I love a Super Size beauty product. All are suitable for all ages, and most skins, with particular distinctions as per below.....
17/06/2019
GARDEN OF WISDOM GRANACTIVE RETINOID 5% SERUM
Product Name/Price/ML: Garden of Wisdom Granactive Retinoid 5% Serum - £14.00 for 30ml What category does the product fall into? (loosely) BEGINNER/MILD - LATTE -> INTERMEDIATE - CAPPUCINO <- STRONG...
11/06/2019
THIS MORNING - SPOTS
This week it was the turn of spots - busting myths about how they are caused, myths about how to treat them and a couple of tips of how you...
06/06/2019
KYLIE SKIN FIRST IMPRESSIONS (AND AN UNEXPECTED RANT, IN HER DEFENCE)
KYLIE SKIN IS RESTOCKED ON JUNE 5TH AND AVAILABLE FROM KYLIESKIN.COM: https://kylieskin.com/ The videos that need help/changing: Kris’s bass ackward routine: https://youtu.be/UyXYMoE3xGM Kylie’s routine: https://youtu.be/dakFbtpH7hw This post is not sponsored....
31/05/2019
FIRST AID BEAUTY | FAB SKIN LAB RETINOL EYE CREAM | AD
Describe the brand in three words. Affordable. Efficacious. American. What kind of eye concern does it claim to help? Dark Circles, Dryness, Fine Lines/Wrinkles, Puffiness, Loss of Firmness/Elasticity What’s in...
29/05/2019
THIS MORNING
Just a quick one! I was back on This Morning on Wednesday and had a lot of queries about the products shown in the segment. They're all listed for you...
24/05/2019
THE BODY SHOP TO DISCONTINUE WIPES
Brilliant news just in: The Body Shop have taken the huge decision to discontinue all wipes throughout their business. This comes into effect around October in the UK and early...
22/05/2019
ALPHA-H VITAMIN A 0.5% WITH EVENING PRIMROSE
Brand/Product/Price: Alpha-H Vitamin A 0.5% with Evening Primrose - £39.00 for 25ml What type of vitamin A and % is it? Retinol and Retinyl Propionate totalling 0.5% Where does it...
10/05/2019
SPACE NK DESTINATION BEAUTY WITH COACH
Heads up all! The details that the SkinFreaks Group have been waiting for are here: Shop with Space NK between the 7th – 14thMay 2019 and receive their Destination Beauty...
06/05/2019
PAT MCGRATH LABS LAUNCHES IN SELFRIDGES
I wasn't around when Pat McGrath launched in Selfridges but have since got my hands on it and couldn't resist showing you a taste of what they have to offer....
02/05/2019
EMPTIES - APRIL 2019
Hi All! All the products are listed below the video, there will be no other video this weekend due to the British Bank Holiday (WHOOHOOO!) but I'll be back next...
02/05/2019
GIVE AND MAKEUP ON PAUSE IN LONDON
Due to a huge influx of parcels over the last few days, the Give and Makeup posting address for London is temporarily closing. They received over 1000 parcels on Monday...
02/05/2019
CLINIQUE MOISTURE SURGE FACE SPRAY UPDATE
Hi All! Members of the Skin Freaks Facebook Group went into meltdown last week when someone posted that they had been told that Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray was being...
29/04/2019
BUN FRIDAY 14 - BUMPER NYC EDITION
All links underneath video. THIS MORNING: https://www.carolinehirons.com/2019/04/this-morning-24th-april.html KATE SOMERVILLE OFFER: https://www.carolinehirons.com/2019/04/kate-somerville-catch-up.html MINTD X SUNDAY RILEY BOX (AD): https://www.carolinehirons.com/2019/04/the-mintd-box-x-sunday-riley-ad.html RETINOL VIDEOS SO FAR: https://youtu.be/DyfyfAjxBUA BEAUTYCOUNTER: Peel: https://www.beautycounter.com/product/overnight-resurfacing-peel Brightening Serum: https://www.beautycounter.com/product/no-1-brightening-facial-oil CREDO:...
26/04/2019
KATE SOMERVILLE CATCH-UP
Hi All! Kate was in town this week to meet press and customers so I grabbed her. Literally. The Kate Somerville Friends & Family 30% Offer is still live and...
25/04/2019
THIS MORNING 24th April
Just a quick link for those of you that missed the show this morning/live abroad, the segment from This Morning is now live on YouTube. All products shown are below...
24/04/2019
VITAMIN A/RETINOLS - OTC 0.5%-1% (STRONG)
Hi All! Vitamin A Housekeeping: All of the brands featured responded to my questionnaire and I am very grateful. Not all disclosed the % of their vitamin A ingredients so...
05/04/2019
WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE ENERGY - SKINCARE IN M.E./DEPRESSION/ILLNESS
Shop the full Skin Rocks Range Shop now The joy of doing in-person events is that I get to talk to a lot of you in a much more intimate...
01/04/2019
DRUNK ELEPHANT SLAAI MAKEUP-MELTING BUTTER CLEANSER
Describe the brand in five words. Oh you know DE already. :) What type of cleanser is it? Emulsifying Balm. Who is it for? All skins. What’s in it? Ethylhexyl...
01/04/2019
VITAMIN A/RETINOLS: O.5% (ISH)
Hi All. Vitamin A Housekeeping: All of the brands featured responded to my questionnaire and I am very grateful. Not all disclosed the % of their vitamin A ingredients so...
29/03/2019
BEAUTY PIE UPLIFTING MICROCURRENT FACE ROLLER
'You need to order a sh*tload of these.' My exact words to Marcia Kilgore, founder of Beauty Pie, when she showed this to me back in January. I was instantly...
26/03/2019
VITAMIN A/RETINOLS - INTERMEDIATE
Hi Everyone! Vitamin A Housekeeping: All of the brands featured responded to my questionnaire and I am very grateful. Not all disclosed the % of their vitamin A ingredients so...
22/03/2019
VITAMIN A/RETINOLS - MILD/BEGINNERS
Hi All. Vitamin A Housekeeping: All of the brands featured responded to my questionnaire and I am very grateful. Not all disclosed the % of their vitamin A ingredients so...
17/03/2019
EMPTIES | MARCH 2019
Hi Everyone! Timestamps: Skincare: 00:40 Products I’m not happy with: 8:40 Hair: 11:38 Body Washes/Sprays/Shower Gels: 18:30 Sam Farmer video: https://youtu.be/m-AlF1OgWgg All press samples marked with * – everything else...
14/03/2019
JOANNA VARGAS Q&A
*Advance notice – this video contains the odd F bomb, language not suitable for your open office at lunchtime or small people’s ears. In other words, it’s a hoot. Joanna’s...
11/03/2019
SPACE NK x SELFISH MOTHER 'LOVE' BAG
If you've ever seen these sweatshirts: www.thefmlystore.com/collections/women on this blog and all over Instagram, you will be aware of Selfish Mother. Launched in 2014, they have now raised close to...
04/03/2019
CHEAT SHEET - VITAMIN A - STAGES OF CONVERSION
Shop the full Skin Rocks Range Shop now Following on from yesterday’s review (see the updated one here) and the inci listing that wasn’t very clear, I thought a quick...
03/03/2019
THE VITAMIN A REVIEWS - SHANI DARDEN RETINOL REFORM & TEXTURE REFORM
Product Name/Price/ML: Texture Reform- £80.00 for 30ml - £2.66 per ml. What category does the product fall into? (loosely) Mild/Beginner Who is it for? Suggested skin type and age? All...
02/03/2019
VITAMIN A - THE CATEGORIES
OK let's get started. Reviews start tomorrow, videos to follow. While we're at the beginning I wanted to ask if you had any particular questions the you would like adding...
01/03/2019
OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
1st March kicks off Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, a month-long campaign devoted to raising awareness and funds to help with earlier detection and treatment of ovarian cancer. Awareness is key,...
01/03/2019
SAM FARMER
Hi Everyone, Sam is genuinely one of my favourite people in the industry. A cosmetic scientist, Dad and all-round good bloke. His line is available from: http://www.samfarmer.co Ocado - https://www.ocado.com/search?entry=samfarmer...
21/02/2019
BUN FRIDAY - RETINOL Q&A FOLLOW-UP
Hi Everyone! Nice and quick this week. :) Clarification on the following: Usage of retinol for acne Vitamin C and retinol The difference between prescription and OTC Retinol usage in...
15/02/2019
EMPTIES | FEBRUARY 2019
Hi All! Any questions let me know. Press samples marked by an *. The rest are purchases. Kate Somerville Neck Tissue Repair*: Discontinued Kate Somerville Peptide K8 Power Cream*: http://bit.ly/2UnUvfb...
14/02/2019