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Original poster

Had my first " your skin looks amazing" comment-- THANK YOU Caroline Hirons!

999 replies

bigbuttons · 14/04/2015 17:17

A colleague said this at work today, I was so chuffed.
I'm 47 and was looking not so good. This last month I have invested in serums, acids and what not have gone back to Caroline Hirons properly this time. I have been religiously cleaning and tending to my face AM and PM. I use a 30% glycol peel every couple of weeks and use tretinoin every 3 days.
I must say even I have noticed a difference, it has knocked years off me.
All blemishes gone, skin is ultra smooth, wrinkles reduced.
There is hope for us more (ahem) mature ladies!

OP posts:
DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 14/04/2015 18:22

I started double cleansing about 6 months ago thanks to CH and discovered my dry skin didn't need tons of moisturising just cleansing twice! I follow her on instagram and love her updatesSmile

jalopy · 14/04/2015 19:00

Bigbuttons, what 30% glycolic treatment do you use?

I already use Alpha H liquid gold. How much stronger is your stuff?

Have to say, I've been doing the HCC with Cetaphil & applying serum, oil and moisturiser for quite a while and it's made a huge difference.

I used to be very slap dash about face care but now I stick to a routiine and it's been worth it.

Original poster
bigbuttons · 14/04/2015 19:14

jalopy I use a peel from a shop on ebay called NOVOPeel ( got other great stuff from them too). yes it's way stronger than Alpha H!
dame I follow her on bloglovin. It keeps me inspired. Lots of the stuff she recommends is way too expensive for me. I look at the list of ingredients and realise I have most of it at home anyway!

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bugsarella · 14/04/2015 19:21

Bigbuttons, what form do you get the tretinoin in and where from pretty please?

Original poster
bigbuttons · 14/04/2015 19:25

I have the 0.1% gel. I get it from an online site, cheapest I can find is called "Geoff's pharmacy Grin, sounds well dodgy doesn't it? But it isn't! Comes from abroad, but always arrives promptly.
The 0.1% makes me peel like buggery,but I quite like that as the skin underneath is like baby's bum! It doesn't sting or burn my skin at all.

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helloalll · 14/04/2015 19:27

As a rather ropey looking 45 year old- WHO IS CAROLINE HERONS AND WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW???! Grin Grin

jalopy · 14/04/2015 19:31

Thanks, Bigbuttons.

The glycolic acid sounds too scary for me and I have sensitive skin. I only use Alpha H once in a while so your stuff would probably be too strong for me. Am intrigued though.

Siolence · 14/04/2015 19:35
Original poster
bigbuttons · 14/04/2015 19:35

jalopy you can get it much 'weaker' than that. You can get ones say at 10% that you use daily . I am using an acid serum daily on my elbows and knees. I was beginning to despair at my old lady elbows and whilst they'll never be smooth and plump again, they no longer look like they belong to someone very very ancient! ( just a little bit old!) I'm just so happy I can do something

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Rhymerocket · 14/04/2015 19:42

As a reluctant 40 something. I'd like to reiterate Helloalls plee

WHO IS THIS CAROLINE HERONS AND WHAT PRODUCTS DO I MEED TO GET.

ihatethecold · 14/04/2015 19:48

She is a blogger.
Search for her on social media.

Original poster
bigbuttons · 14/04/2015 20:04

here [http://www.carolinehirons.com/]]

OP posts:
Original poster
bigbuttons · 14/04/2015 20:04

www.carolinehirons.com/

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evelynj · 14/04/2015 20:16

Like the sound of great skin but sounds such a faff. How long does the routine take am/pm& how much £ in products would I realistically need to buy? Anyone willing to share before & after pics?!

cathyandclaire · 14/04/2015 20:24

Any chance of a shopping list and am and pm instructions, , I have looked at her blogs but I find myself wanting to try everything, getting overwhelmed and then just continuing with a quick facial wipe and blob of moisturiser Blush

jjwhite · 14/04/2015 20:24

Just to throw in my two cents... It's well worth having a look at Caroline Hirons' blog - she has lots of good advice re: taking care of your skin, giving it a bit more attention/double cleansing/using serums, moisturisers etc.

That said, like all beauty bloggers she works with brands and often recommends products that I've then tried and thought were distinctly average/not that great... Understandable as it's how she makes her money, but it means you can't take her word as god (especially given a lot of the recommendations are extremely expensive).

Likewise, I followed her blog religiously and bought all the AHA toners etc. she recommended (Clarins, Pixi Glow etc) alongside Liquid Gold etc. and followed all her advice about when and how to use them but ended up with awful acne, presumably from over-use of glycolic. So yeah, play it by ear - maybe try out her suggestions and then listen to your skin. You can kind of pick and choose what advice to take/what recommendations to go out and buy without having to follow her religiously...

ParkingFred · 14/04/2015 20:31

I have just recently started following Caroline Hirons.

I am loving the Liquid Gold. I am about 2 weeks in and my skin looks very good.

Her skin is amazing. I have no idea how old she is, but I think she is over 50?

Nabootique · 14/04/2015 20:43

She recommends things she likes, I think she works with brands she likes. She always says that products won't have the same result for everyone. I follow the advice and she's definitely changed my face. Some things she recommends I like, some I don't and some I've discovered myself. Some things work for me that she doesn't rate. Happy for you OP! I get the odd compliment and after having problem skin for years it makes my day.

Original poster
bigbuttons · 14/04/2015 20:50

Look at her cheat sheet that will give you info. It seems overwhelming but it's not really.
My spots went mad when I first started with the gylcolic. I read it's often the case. A purging of the gunk lying underneath. I stuck with it now my skin is clearer than it's been for years.
I thought it would be a pain to do the routine too, but actually I really look forward to it now, especially now the results are happening. You don't have to buy super expensive products. She has a vid on YouTube about the cheaper shop,bought stuff that she likes. I have some body shop stuff. I use nip and fab pads and clearasil spot pads for my acid toners. I make up my own facial oil and face cleanser. Cheap as chips and it works!

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Rhymerocket · 14/04/2015 20:53

Agree with cathyandclaire. Could we have a shopping list please. Grin

ihatethecold · 14/04/2015 20:54

cathynclare
Throw away the wipes.
Try double cleansing to start with.
Get yourself a hot cloth cleanser.
There are lots on the market for different price ranges.
Superdrug does a very cheap one that lots of people on here rave about.
No 7 is another good one.
Liz Earle is nice but more money.

I don't use any sort of toner so I can't recommend one.
Use a good eye cream plus moisturiser.
I tried a serum yesterday at the Bobbi brown counter.
The consultant described it as skin being like a 3 tiered cake.
The serum soaks all the way through and the moisturiser is like icing on the top.

Original poster
bigbuttons · 14/04/2015 21:01

She is very vocal about listening to what your skin needs. I think keeping skin clean is so important.

OP posts:
namechange2015 · 14/04/2015 21:14

Marking place !

namechange2015 · 14/04/2015 21:30

Read the cheat sheets. Lordy that seems complicated!

Pameron · 14/04/2015 22:29

I don't think it's that complicated.

Cleanse (twice if wearing makeup or SPF)
Acid Tone
Serum/Oil
Moisturiser/SPF

That's what I take from it. I think a lot of it is optional and down to what works for you really. I don't use overly expensive products either and my skin is in good condition. But that could also be because I'm in my 20s!