Housekeeping

Hi All!

12 Days of Giveaways
The 12 Days start today. For the first time some of the Giveaways will be held on Instagram. I will stipulate where they are open UK only or Internationally. They will all have daily entry if they are entered via the blog, and individual T&Cs will be given on any Instagram posts. They're GOOOOOOOOOD this year.

Blog posts and updates
Thank you for the feedback on how I should update old blog posts, except for the suggestion that I should open a spreadsheet and link them all together somehow. I'm a blogger, not an accountant! ;)

The general consensus is an update on the original post, unless they've changed the formula, in which case, new review with a link to the old one.

Cult Beauty Box
Some of you left comments saying that you hadn't received the email with the link - we have a handful left, more details here in case you missed it: cultbeauty.co.uk/carolinehirons

Give and Makeup Shoebox Campaign

Thank you for all of your donations so far - we are accepting your boxes right up until Christmas. Details on how to donate are here: carolinehirons.com/give-and-makeup


Vlog up as soon as I can manage it. See you soon for 12 Days!

Cult Beauty Box of Dreams Volume II - What you need to know

Last mention I promise, but the Box goes on sale tomorrow (Wednesday) and I wanted to give you the full run through.

May Lindstrom Pendulum Cleansing Oil – Deluxe Size 30ml - Value £19.20
Sunday Riley Good Genes - Full Size 30ml - £85
Kypris 1000 Roses - Full Size 14ml - £70
Zelens 3t Complex - Full Size 50ml - £95
Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mist - Full Size 30ml - £25
Bella Freud Loving Candle - One Size only - £40
Therapie Equilibrium Bath and Shower Essence - One Size only - £40

Total Value: £374.20

Price of Box: £195

48% saving

• The Box goes on sale on Wednesday 7th December.
• The email will be sent out to the waitlist first, if there are any boxes left, we will then put it on general sale once everyone has had time to buy.
• The price includes free International shipping.
• If you are purchasing from outside the EU it will be UK tax-free. 

The waitlist is here: cultbeauty.co.uk/caroline-hirons

*This post contains no affiliate links. See my full disclaimer here: http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq
The views expressed on this site are the author's own and are provided for informational purposes only. The author makes no warranties about the suitability of any product or treatment referenced or reviewed here for any person other than herself and any reliance placed on these reviews or references by you is done so solely at your own risk. Nothing on this site shall be construed as providing dermatological, medical or other such advice and you are always advised to seek the advice of a suitable professional should you have any such concerns.

Cult Beauty Box of Dreams Volume II - The Full Reveal

My kittens are NOT in the box. ;)

Hi Everyone,

Sign up for the waitlist here: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/competitions/cult-beauty-box-caroline-hirons

• The box goes on sale next week. 
• If you are on the waitlist you will receive an email giving you early access to buy. 
• It's £195.00 - a saving of 48%. 
• It is available Internationally.

See you next week!

See my full disclaimer here: http://bit.ly/1rpEmSq
The views expressed on this site are the author's own and are provided for informational purposes only. The author makes no warranties about the suitability of any product or treatment referenced or reviewed here for any person other than herself and any reliance placed on these reviews or references by you is done so solely at your own risk. Nothing on this site shall be construed as providing dermatological, medical or other such advice and you are always advised to seek the advice of a suitable professional should you have any such concerns.

Second Reveal - Box of Dreams Volume II

Reveal Number 2. Waitlist details here: cultbeauty.co.uk/carolinehirons

First reveal here: instagram.com/carolinehirons

Mixing up your Cult Beauty Box

I've had quite a few comments/questions from people that purchased the current Cult Beauty Box about how to best mix/match the contents so please forgive a quick post addressed primarily to them. 

(Regular service and LOADS of exciting announcements coming. :) EEK)

AM Cleanse:

You can use either Pixi, Tata or MV Organics as your morning cleanse - all skin types, no issues.

If you want to you can exfoliate with OSKIA as well.  I would cleanse first then exfoliate, then acid. (Not with these DG pads - your normal 'acid' toners.)

Then you spritz with May. 

For sensitive/reddened/annoyed skins you will get the most benefit from using MV Organics for the AM cleanse until it subsides a little. Once you notice a difference you can add in Tata if you want to.

PM Cleansing:

This is where you can really go to town and mix it up.

Please note: these are suggestions - if you are using the products in a different way and it's working for you, that's brilliant. As always, do what works for you.

Dry skins:

• 1st Cleanse - Sonya Dakar on eyes if wearing heavy makeup, then Pixi or Tata
• 2nd Cleanse - Tata or MV Organics
• Exfoliate if you want to with OSKIA
• Pads - twice a week - alternate with your normal acids
• Spritz with May

Dehydrated skins:

For three days:

• Use Sonya on eyes if applicable, then double cleanse with Tata
• Pads - twice a week - otherwise alternate with your normal acids
• Spritz liberally - Jasmine Garden is massively hydrating and wonderful under your serums and moisturisers

On day four:

• Sonya if needed, then either Pixi or Tata for makeup/SPF removal
• Exfoliate with OSKIA
• Follow with one of the Dennis Gross pads
• Spritz with May
• Serum etc....

Continue using any of the products after day four.

Sensitive/Rosacea skins:

• 1st Cleanse - Sonya/Tata
• 2nd Cleanse - MV Organics
• Dennis Gross Pads twice a week are fine on sensitive skins. The products aren't heavily acidic, they're anti-ageing.
• Spritz liberally with Jasmine Garden - and keep it close by throughout the day

Once skin feels calmer, introduce Pixi as a 1st Cleanse on a rotating basis with the others.

Oily/Combination Skins:

All of the cleansers can be used in the ways above on oily/combination skins. The only exception is Pixi, if you have open, active acne, it will possibly be aggravated trying to remove with the cloths. You'll knock heads off and cause bleeding if you're too rough, same as with any oilier balm.
If you have spots that haven't come to a head or are past their 'angry' stage, you're good to go.


I hope that helps, but feel free to leave any comments below and I'll try and get back to you in a speedy fashion.


And as an aside, and in answer to your questions, yes Cult Beauty have their Goodie Bag promotion on at the moment and yes the Box is included in the promotion. The Goodie Bag is added automatically into your basket at checkout.

The Cult Beauty Box is available here: www.cultbeauty.co.uk/caroline-hirons 

The Cult Beauty Box 'How-To'

I had a lot of requests for more information on the products in the box and what skins they are suitable/not suitable for so thought a quick debrief may prove helpful before the box goes on sale, and while the waitlist is still open.

Sonya Dakar Eye Wash - £32.00  

This was one of my favourite surprises of this year so far. Super-light in texture, it works extremely quickly but more importantly, gently, in the very delicate eye area. It removes all makeup effortlessly with one pump. Use in the evening if wearing makeup,  as a first cleanse, just on the eye area. A little goes a very long way.

MV Organic Skincare Gentle Cream Cleanser - £35.50

MV is one of the loveliest organic brands on the market and this cleanser is perfect for both ’normal’ skins and those that sometimes need something calming as well as cleansing.  It’s gentle and non-foaming so causes no further damage if your skin is even slightly reactive. It’s great as either a morning cleanse or a second cleanse in the evening.

Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser - £54.00   

This defines the term 'multi-tasker’ having such a wide range of uses that it is one to grab if you can only take one. It works as a morning cleanse, an evening first OR second cleanse and is also an eye makeup 

remover. If your skin is playing up, feels tight, hot or red, if it’s even a little annoyed with you, this should be your first choice from the box. This is your ‘when in doubt’ cleanser. A no-brainer.

Oskia Micro Exfoliating Balm - £48.00

Not everyone likes acids, and even those of us that love them occasionally want something that goes a step further and physically exfoliates. This balm uses MSM and silica beads - not a microbead in sight - to give a granular, gentle, exfoliation, It also smells beautiful, making the entire process much more satisfying.

Use twice a week as needed, am or pm.

Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm - £18.00

Sometimes life takes over and you want one product that will just ‘do the job’ in the evenings. This is the Pixi balm for me. Used in the evening, it destroys makeup and spf and is a quicker, better alternative if you would normally grab a wipe and be done with it. Used in the mornings, it’s the perfect cleanse if your skin is feeling a little dry or dehydrated.

Dr Gross Ferulic & Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Peel Pads x 8 - £38.50

These are still fairly new to market and I’m thrilled that Dr Gross agreed to let me have them in this box. It takes the ‘acid toning’ stage a step further by including ferulic acid and retinol to help accelerate cell renewal, aid pigmentation and an even skin tone. I noticed a difference with these after two uses. Use twice a week in the evening, follow with your usual routine. Fab.

May Lindstrom The Jasmine Garden Facials Spray - £48.00

This is the product that elevates the second toning stage from a ‘spritz’ to a must-have. Jasmine Garden is a phenomenal mix of silver, jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang and vanilla that not only engulfs the senses and soothes the skin but seals in hydration whether used after acids or during the day as a top-up spritz. Beautiful.

Value of box: £274.00

RRP of box: £175.00

The wait list closes at 10am tomorrow morning. Sign up here: www.cultbeauty.co.uk/cult-beauty-box-caroline-hirons

Watch your emails tomorrow lovely people!

Normal blog service resumes tomorrow - back to masks! 

The Cult Beauty Box Full Reveal

BOX NUMBER FOUR!

The Cleansing and Prep Box will go on sale this week. The sign up for the waitlist is here: www.cultbeauty.co.uk/cult-beauty-box-caroline-hirons 


Some FAQs and T&Cs:

The Box will go on sale within the next 48 hours.

Value of box is £274.00 - the Box retails at £175.00.

There will be no second run of this box. Once it's gone, it's gone.

Worldwide Free Shipping

It opens to the waitlist first and then will go on general sale should there be any left over after that period. 

The waitlist closes at 10am on Thursday.

Emails will be sent fairly quickly together, however, your host may hold them up and also file some as spam - check your spam folders if you haven't received anything by Thursday evening.

Full reveal is below in the video - I hope you like! :) 

More details on how to use everything in the box will be on the blog tomorrow.

The box contains:

MV Organics Cream Cleanser - Full Size

OSKIA Micro Exfoliating Balm - Full Size

Sonya Dakar Eye Wash - Full Size

Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser - Full Size

Pixi Cleansing Balm - Full Size

Dennis Gross MD Ferulic & Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Peel Pads - 1 month's supply

May Lindstrom Jasmine Garden - Full Size

Two Minute Double Cleanse and the second reveal from the upcoming Cult Beauty Box

Two Minutes is all you need!

Just a quick video showing just how easy and speedy it is to do a double cleanse. This routine is the same whether or not you're removing makeup, SPF, both, or just a plain old dirty face at the end of a long day! Any Qs I'm happy to answer in the comments.

Products used:

Clinique Take The Day Off Balm - available in the UK here: http://bit.ly/1qCzIVv 
and in the USA here: http://bit.ly/1qCzv4T

and

Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser available in the UK here: http://bit.ly/1W9YE4J 
and in the USA here: http://bit.ly/1TBkYSr

The Tata Harper Nourishing Oil Cleanser is the second item in my upcoming Cult Beauty Box - you can sign up for the waitlist here:  www.cultbeauty.co.uk/caroline-hirons

And I haven't forgotten the masks - was just a little overwhelmed by the responses/requests so am spending more time on those posts! This week - promise.



*Some links may be affiliates - although I am not using affiliate links to any products via Cult Beauty for the duration of the box promotion. Also happy to answer any questions relating to affiliates and how I run the blog in the comments.
Full information can be found here: http://www.carolinehirons.com/p/about-me.html

The First Reveal - OSKIA Micro Exfoliating Balm

This Balm was first reviewed on here over 4 years ago - and I still love it. It was also in my very first Cult Beauty Box. It's a great alternative for someone that cannot/doesn't want to use acids. It exfoliates very gently using MSM and silica, not a microbead in sight.

The original review is here: www.carolinehirons.com/oskia-micro-exfoliating-balm-review  (my reviews have been beefed up somewhat since 2012!) :)

The OSKIA Micro Exfoliating Balm is normally £48.00 for 50ml and is the first item in the upcoming box.

Thanks OSKIA!

Sign up for the waitlist here: www.carolinehirons.com/the-cult-beauty-box-waitlist-is-open

The Cult Beauty Box - the waitlist is open.

Box Number FOUR is imminent, but the waitlist has already arrived.

To be in with the best chance to buy the box when it goes on sale, you can sign up here: cultbeauty.co.uk/caroline-hirons

All further details to follow. Watch this space.


*As always, the box is Limited Edition and there is no obligation to purchase when signing up - it just means you get in first. :)



The Cult Beauty Boxes are a commercial joint venture - more details as always on my disclosure page here.

CHRISTMAS EVE SURPRISE GIVEAWAY - THE 3RD CULT BEAUTY BOX

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE ONE AND ALL.

Christmas Eve is my favourite day of the year and to celebrate we held back one box for one lucky reader.

To WIN the last remaining box simply enter via Rafflecopter below. Same as always. No obligation, we don't sell your email address, you can enter once a day and the giveaway is open for 12 Days. Full T&Cs are available here: www.carolinehirons.com/12-days-of-giveaways

Once last week's vlog is up later today, I'm having a few days off until New Year. Time to chill with the family, watch Elf on repeat, and just let it all hang out. Quite literally.
Thank you all for your support this year. I'll be back on New Year's Eve with a ridiculous giveaway to start the 2016. In the meantime, from my family to you and yours, I wish you all a happy, healthy, festive season, wherever you are, and however you do or do not celebrate it.

See you soon!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cult Beauty Box Announcement

FIRSTLY: if you didn't even WANT A BOX, couldn't afford a box, hate the boxes, I'm sorry that this has taken over the blog this week, normal service will resume tomorrow with a Cheat Sheet by way of an apology and I haven't finished dehydration products! :)

The rest of you with an interest in the Box.....

WE HAVE MORE. Very limited stock, but more.

SO: people that were on the waitlist and ONLY people that were originally on the waitlist and did not buy a box:

• Being on the waitlist does not guarantee you a box.
• Being on the waitlist does not guarantee you a box.
• You will receive an email shortly after 12pm tomorrow UK time. 
• You are all getting it together - no staggered emails. As requested. May The Force be with you. 
• PLEASE read the email carefully.
• One email, one box. No-one - I repeat no-one - 'ordered ten and ebayed them!' Chill your tits. 

• The email will offer you the box on a pre-order basis only. 
• You will not - repeat - will NOT have this box before Christmas. We did not put the original box together in 24 hours, it obviously takes time to coordinate. It will ship early - mid February. 
• No, unsurprisingly, discount codes are not valid with the box. If a near 50% discount isn't enough then I can't help you any further.
• I apologise if this reads like I'm talking to a child. Just trying to be crystal clear and manage expectations.
• Being on the waitlist does not guarantee you a box. 

Also: there are no Customer Service people on the phones at Cult Beauty today. I'd be surprised if they weren't face down in a VAT of G&T after the grief they had this week, but that's just me. 

Good Luck for tomorrow. I'll be hiding and watching Poirot.

Cult Beauty Box Update

Hi Everyone.

OK: 

Firstly, a huge thank you to all of you who bought the Box yesterday. The response was unprecedented and very much appreciated. I really hope you love them.

Secondly, as I said on social media yesterday, I can only apologise to those of you that missed out and were very vocally disappointed.

Here's some facts:

• We used the same process that we have used with the previous boxes.
• Emails had to be sent out in groups or the site would have crashed. I don't see that changing in the future, but that will be decided by logistics and IT people, not me.
• There was roughly the same amount of people on the previous wait list for box 2 as there was for this box.
• Box 2 took 3 days to sell, this one took roughly 3 hours.
• Everyone - everyone was sent an email - if you did not receive one, check your junk mail and your filters. A lot of people that had issues were on gmail if that helps...
• The last email, completing the full wait list, was sent out half an hour before the box sold out.
• Launching between 12pm and 1pm was my suggestion due to feedback from people living in Australia, Europe and the USA after the last two boxes. It seemed the fairest time to try and give everyone access. 
• We had a nine hour window for waitlist people to make their sale before it was supposed to go on general sale at 9pm. 
• We took the step of closing this wait list early to try and prevent disappointment.
• The wait list gave early presale access, it was not a guarantee of a box, in the same way that it was not an obligation to buy.
• The boxes were always, always going to be Limited Edition. I even used the term 'once they're gone, they're gone'.

If you've ever tried to order anything from a H&M Limited Collection or gig tickets at 9am on a Friday, you will know that no order system is perfect. 

Having said that, we are trying to get more boxes. 'Trying' being the operative word. You have to know that this is not just down to myself and Cult Beauty. There are 6 brands involved. That means 6 products, 6 boxes, 6 supply chains, 6 stockholdings, 6 massive discounts, and that's before the actual box itself. All of this in the busiest retail period of the year. It's a huge ask and one that frankly, I'm very grateful to the brands and Cult Beauty for even considering.

We are hopeful that we can make more boxes, I cannot promise anything but we have all our ducks except one lined up. If that duck is available, we are a GO for more boxes. If not, then you will just have to take my word for it that we tried our hardest.

IF we are able to obtain more boxes, they will not go on general sale. Everyone on the wait list will be sent a new link to a new private page to get your box. There is no need to contact anyone, there is nowhere to sign up. IF we get the boxes and you signed up for the waitlist, we will be in touch. If you bought one, you won't receive an email offering you a second one.

I imagine that even if we make more, there will still be disappointed people. I don't know what to tell you, we can't make an infinite amount of boxes at nearly 50% off. That's why they are Limited Edition. 

I hope to have a confirmation for you on Monday.

And again, a massive thank you to those of you sending support yesterday when both myself and Cult Beauty were under a barrage of what can only be described as 'aggressive complaints'. I do really understand that some of you were seriously disappointed and had done everything in your power to obtain a box. I get it. WE get it.

And the biggest thanks to the team at Cult Beauty - especially the Customer Service team who have literally been under fire since launch. 

Cult Beauty Box important update!

Ok lovely people I am told that the numbers are swelling on the wait list. It is highly unlikely that there will be any boxes left once the wait list sale closes.

The lovely people at Cult Beauty are hard at work packing up the boxes ready for.......

THURSDAY.

Don't be disappointed!

You can sign up here: www.cultbeauty.co.uk/cult-beauty-box-caroline-hirons

Things to remember:

• There is no obligation to buy on the wait list - it just gives you first dibs
• It's £195 - value just under £400
• Ships Internationally

See you Thursday ;)

The Cult Beauty Box revealed!

Thank you for watching! 

• The third box goes on sale next Thursday. 
• All the details of the contents and price are in the video below.
• And yes, it ships internationally!

You can sign up for the waitlist here: https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/competitions/cult-beauty-box-caroline-hirons

The list is quite busy already - if you even think you may possibly want one, I would sign up. 

I'll answer as many questions about the box and contents as possible in the comments both here and on YouTube.

Hall of Fame and the second reveal from the Cult Beauty Box

Choosing one product from Tata Harper for the Hall of Fame is like choosing a favourite child. You could if you really put your mind to it and it all depends on your mood on the day. ;) Calm down. I'm kidding. 

Kind of.

There will undoubtedly be another Tata product in the HOF before too long, but for today, and the box, I went with the Rejuvenating Serum.

Why? I hear you ask. Well: while the Tata cleansers could all hold their own individually in the Hall of Fame, it's much harder to be specific when it comes to adding a one-serum-fits-all into a workable routine.

Thus I plumped for the serum.

What is it?

'This award-winning, best-selling multitasking collagen treatment addresses multiple of ageing by delivering the benefits of 7 anti-ageing products in one serum.'

A great serum to tackle signs of ageing in all skin types.

Who is it for?

While it can be safely used across all demographics, I would go crazy if I caught Ava using this. She doesn't need it and it would be wasted. (Not that this has ever stopped her previously) Essentially all skins 30+ or younger if you have a busy lifestyle in the city/eat a lot of sugar/smoke/drink etc...

Anyone concerned with visible signs of skin that is not looking its best.

What’s in it?

Aloe barbadensis leaf juice*, Mangifera indica (Mango)  seed butter, Rosa damascena flower water*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Olea europaea (Olive) oil*, Galactoarabinan, Cetearyl alcohol, Glycerin, Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower) oleosomes*, Oryza sativa (Rice) extract*, Cetearyl olivate,  Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) extract*,  Leuconostoc ferment filtrate (radish root extract), Sambucus nigra (Elderberry) fruit extract, Arnica montana leaf Extract*, Calendula officinalis flower Extract*, Spiraea Ulmaria (meadowsweet) Flower Extract*, Tilia europaea (Linden) leaf/flower Extract *,  Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) leaf Extract*, Lavandula stoechas (Spanish Lavender) extract, Narcissus tazetta (Daffodil) bulb extract*, Phoenix dactylifera (Date) seed extract, Menyanthes trifoliata (Buckbean) leaf Extract, Salix alba (Willow) bark extract*, Sodium hyaluronate, Sclerotium gum, Cetearyl glucoside, Sorbitan olivate, Soybean peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase, Sodium phytate, Natural alcohol, Aroma, Geraniol, Limonene, Farnesol, Eugenol, Citral

*Organic

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?

essential oils

Natural/Organic/Man made/Vegan/GMO free/Fair trade/Gluten?

natural/partially organic/GMO free/Gluten free/vegan etc etc

Tested on animals/sold in China?

No/No - BUAV approved - and bunny symbol on packaging

What's not in it?

mineral oil

synthetic fragrance

parabens

sulfates

phthalates

animal derivatives

filler

How do you use it?/Where to use in your routine?

Apply AM and PM under moisturiser. I take a couple of pumps on to my fingertips, apply all over the face and leave to absorb for a couple of minutes. Moisturiser goes straight on afterwards.

What’s good about it?

This is a great multi-tasking serum for all skins, but especially suited to those of us with a slightly older skin in need of some firming action. It's not quite an iron, but it helps. :)

It is loaded with the usual Tata green ingredients, including narcissus, galactoarabinan, gotu kola, arnica, rosewater, rice berry, elderberry and calendula. All in all, designed to be firming, softening, protective, smoothing, plumping and helping elasticity.

Vogue magazine called it 'life-changing' and Marie Claire magazine awarded it their  Prix D’Excellence de la Beaute award.

What’s not so good about it?

While I'm still not in love with the term 'non-toxic' on the packaging, green brands are huge in the US at the moment and I don't see that wording changing any time soon. I'm looking at the product behind the claim, and for me, it stands up, whether you eat it or not....

The Tata Harper Rejuvenating Serum is £80.00 for 30ml and available from cultbeauty.co.uk.

It's also in my upcoming Cult Beauty Box which you can sign up for here: www.cultbeauty.co.uk/cult-beauty-box-caroline-hirons

Please note - there is no obligation on signing up to the box - you just get first dibs.

Word to the wise: the cost of the box will be less than the combined total of the two items already revealed - and there are 6 items in the box. 

Hall of Fame and the first peek into the next Cult Beauty Box - May Lindstrom's Blue Cocoon

I won't lie. When May agreed to be in my third Cult Beauty Box I squealed a little. A lot. I squealed a lot. Every pot of Blue Cocoon is still made by hand and I can't believe that May agreed to GIVEMEALLTHEPOTSOFBEAUTIFULBLUE.

If you are a regular reader/viewer you will have seen this all over my social media and in a few videos - the links to which I will put below under the review.

So. If you're new to the blog or have not seen the videos and are not on social media, what is all the fuss about?

What is it?

A cooling, soothing, replenishing, strengthening and protecting concentrated balm, that happens to be blue.

Who is it for?

All skins, but especially those that show signs of irritation, dehydration, redness - I like the description of 'easily offended' skin types. :)

What’s in it?

Camellia Oleifera (Camellia) Seed Oil, *** Butyrospermun Parkii (Shea) Butter, *** Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, *** Sclerocarya Birrea (Virgin Marula) Oil, Calodendrum Capense (Yangu) Oil, * Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Oil, * Tanacetum Annuum (Blue Tansy) Oil, **Commiphora Myrrha (Myrrh) Oil, * Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, ** Boswellia Carteri (Frankincense) Oil, * Pelargonium Graveolens (Geranium Rose) Oil, * Vanilla Planifolia CO2 Total Essential Oil, Schisandra Sphenanthera CO2 Fruit Extract, * Helichrysum Italicum (Immortelle) Oil, Ravensara Aromatica Oil

Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?

The second ingredient is shea butter, so traditionally not to be recommended for acneic skins. However, this formulation literally turns to oil upon application and is extremely refined. In this case, I think the cooling and soothing benefits for the spots outweigh the possibility of breaking out. Speaking purely from my experience,  I have to be wary of shea in high doses and this does not break me out. At all.

Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan? Fair Trade? Wild Harvested?

Organic. Natural. Vegan. Fair Trade. Wild-Harvested.

Couldn't be purer if it was made by Vestal Virgins eating kale and reading GOOP.

Tested on animals/sold in China?

No/No

What's not in it?

mineral oil

synthetic fragrance

synthetic colour

animal products

How do you use it?/Where to use in your routine?

'Massage a pea sized amount into skin after cleansing'. 

This goes a long way, less is more. Go easy. Start with a small amount, leave for a little while and then add more if necessary.

I tend to use this on evenings (evenings only) when I'm either doing something really active to my skin - such as applying a retinoid, or on evenings that I want my skin to take a chill pill and calm itself down. It is always the first thing that goes on if I have been on an airplane. 

I scrape a little out of the pot - and a little goes a really long way - I am still on my one and only pot - onto my fingertips, massage lightly into the skin and then if it's being used on its own - 'give it some wellie' with the massage. 

If I'm using it on top of retinoids I tend to give my active products 10-15 minutes on their own, and then put this on top.

What’s good about it?

It's just lush. This is easily in my Top 10 products of all time. Possibly Top 5, but then I don't like to pick favourites. It's just too hard. 

May is really, really good at formulating beautiful products that don't compromise for cost purposes. The blue in The Blue Cocoon is blue tansy oil. No artificial colourings, no gimmicks, it's just blue.

All together, the oils in this balm are analgesic, anti-allergenic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antidepressant, antifungal, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, aphrodisiac (oo-er), disinfecting, diuretic - helping puffiness and they are a massive relaxant, which is why I only use it on the evenings. If I have work to do I cannot put this near my face. In the best way.

What's not so good about it?

It's not cheap. It's £128.00 for 50ml. Or $160.00. 

BUT: May Lindstrom's Blue Cocoon is in my third Cult Beauty Box - the Box of Dreams - which is literally what popped out of my mouth* when we decided on the final round-up. So you'll be able to get this and a host of other wondrousness....when it is released.

To sign up for the waiting list for the box click here. 

Tomorrow: another Hall of Famer and information on my last event of 2015. 

*Quote - 'Bloody hell this is literally my Box of Dreams'

HALL OF FAME WEEK

OK in for a penny, in for a pound as we say. Well, someone says that.

Here's the thing lovely readers. I am English. We don't do Thanksgiving. We do Harvest Festival. And that has been and gone. We donate a lot of cupboard goods to the school and church collection points and that is then distributed amongst homeless shelters. My family also have a large clearout and donate clothing and winter coats/toys etc pre-Christmas. It's good for the soul. You get what you give.

At no point in this process do we think 'Ooh lovely I'll have 50% off that Amazon deal as well thanks.'.

Having said that, I recognise that all of the online retailers that ship internationally have to 'keep up with the Joneses' and the Joneses, in this case, are their competitors in the USA and Canada. And who doesn't love a bargain?

However. There are plenty of bloggers already showing you where the upcoming offers are to be had.

I instead, would like to introduce you to my 'Hall of Fame' week and alongside that, sneak in a few peeks to my third collaboration with Cult Beauty by way of the luxury 'Box of Dreams' that launches 'soon'. I've been a bit tight with the Hall of Fame love lately and it's time to rectify that situation.

The first Hall of Fame entrant is up this evening. And it's in the new box. Later in the week there will be other offers similar to the Kate Somerville one last week, and further peeks to the box.

Don't spend all your money on that Paperwhite Kindle. Just sayin'. ;)

And for my family in Tennessee and Mississippi and my friends across the States and Canada....  

How to use your Cult Beauty Box!

Hi Everyone! Wow - Cult Beauty move quickly - some of you have already received your boxes! 

I thought it might be helpful if I did a quick post on how to use all of the contents together in a routine?

Just a quick note for those of you that are leaving comments on my various channels saying you're disappointed that you aren't going to get one because 'you don't get paid until Monday' - please don't worry - we made more than double the amount of boxes on this run than the first one. 

You should still be able to buy one on Monday. *fingers crossed*

First up is RMS Coconut Cream. This is where you want to start either your evening routine or a quick cleanse in the morning. This removes all makeup, including mascara, really easily and gently and is great for all skin types. Make sure you remove with a proper flannel/face cloth. There is no splashing this off! Original review here: www.carolinehirons.com/rms-beauty-raw-coconut-cream

Skyn Iceland's Pure Cloud Cleanser is perfect for all types of cleansing, although I tend to use it for either second cleanse in the evening, or a quick cleanse in the morning. It's softening, non-foaming and leaves no residue, although obviously, we'd be using a flannel here too. :) 

Follow those up with gold old GT. Not G&T. Glow Tonic. 

5% glycolic acid in a non-alcohol base, witch hazel, aloe vera and ginseng all ensure you exfoliate while not disturbing or drying out the skin. You can use Glow Tonic twice a day or add it to your acid collection and dip in and out, which is what I do. Original review here: www.carolinehirons.com/pixi-glow-tonic-p50-dupe

Eyes are next. Skin Owl's Eye+ is one of the most cooling, soothing and softening eye creams that I've ever used. It's almost instantaneously firming and offers immediate relief. The gel texture allows you to use the smallest amount, and that is all you need.

Serum-wise you have choices! REN's Omega 3 Optimum Skin Oil is perfect for adding immediate glow and radiance to your skin. Adding a couple of drops to your morning routine under your moisturiser will help hold moisture in your skin all day without feeling heavy or cloying. Original review here: www.carolinehirons.com/ren-omega-3-optimum-skin-serum-oil

Odacite's Hydration Serum Concentrate would be my choice for the evening routine. Cold-pressed and refined, this Pomegranate and Geranium combination is heavy in fatty acids and helps to heal and nourish the skin. You should see a change in your skin after one use. Original review here: www.carolinehirons.com/quick-fixes-odacite-serum-concentrate.html

Given how nourishing the serum choices were, I wanted to choose a fresher moisturiser for this box. Essential Hydration Cream is light, hydration-heavy and the effects last 24 hours. A teeny amount on top of either serum will last all day and makes a brilliant makeup base.

Pommade Divine is the multi-tasking must-have that you can use anywhere, everywhere and on everyone. Regular readers will know that I burned my arm this summer - to add to the 'July sucked' list - this worked beautifully in helping it heal quickly and took down the 'heat' of the burn. You can use it on hair, skin and nails - I've used it on the kids multiple times since my own burn.

I hope that helps give an overview of the box contents. Do leave me a comment if you have any question on how to use any of the products, and obviously any feedback you have!

The value of the box for those of you asking can be seen below.

RMS COCONUT CREAM - £12.50
SKYN ICELAND PURE CLOUD CLEANSER - £22.50
PIXI GLOW TONIC - £18.00
SKIN OWL EYE+ - £36.00
REN OPTIMUM SKIN SERUM OIL - 10ML £8.33
ODACITE HYDRATION SERUM CONCENTRATE - £33.00
ALPHA-H ESSENTIAL HYDRATION CREAM - £21.00
POMMADE DIVINE - £19.80


The total value of the box is over £170.00 and it costs £100.00 and ships free Internationally.  If you haven't purchased yet, you can do so here: www.cultbeauty.co.uk/caroline-hirons-the-cult-beauty-box