Instagram Update

I know a lot of you aren't on Instagram (you should be, it's brilliant!). But: I spend so much time on there showing products and my routines that I thought I'd try and keep regular updates showing anything beauty-related on here also. I'll use it as a precursor to the reviews that follow the trialling. 

Clinique discontinued the Mild Clarifying Lotion and replaced it with the 1.0 Clarifying Lotion. Comparison coming on the blog this week.* It's still alcohol-free, don't panic.

Pixi showed their newness including the already-seen Glow Tonic To-Go and brand new Lash Nourish Makeup Remover Pads. 

I used up the goop eye cream and the Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture*. The NeoStrata Smooth Surface Pads and Bionic Face Serum* also work brilliantly.

Hair:

Davines OI All in One Milk is beautiful. Nourishes, softens, smooths. Brilliant.

Bumble & Bumble Full Potential is to be used on the scalp to promote hair growth. So far so good.

Ouai Hair Oil is new but lush so far. I've loved everything I've tried from this brand.

Philip B Russian Amber Imperial Conditioning Creme is beyond prohibitively expensive, and once this one has gone I don't now if I can justify a new one, but for my knackered, broken hair from last year, I was willing to try anything. 

SHOW Beauty Working Texture Spray is awesomesauce and not new to any of you. Yes, I'm still using it. Probably always will.

Time Bomb Strike a Pose hairspray is new, but good.

Simple's new cleansing products coming soon. 

Omorovicza's beautiful Queen of Hungary Mist is out in a divine Limited Edition bottle.

Hourglass are releasing this insanely gorgeous Surreal Light Palette in time for Christmas. And yes, that is a marble design. 

Mask therapy in the form of:

• Bobbi Brown Instant Detox Mask* for a nice deep clean.
• Charlotte Tilbury's Goddess Skin Clay Mask* is softer and better for a slightly more delicate skin.
• Zelens PHA Pads are poly-hydroxy pads so allow products used after them, especially water-based ones, to absorb easily. Brilliant.
• Bobbi Brown Skin Nourish Mask* is soft, hydrating and the perfect nourishing mask to finish a Sunday facial. It's also clearly popular as it's sold out nearly everywhere.

My Spanish travel bag - skincare:

• Emma Hardie Moringa Balm Travel Size goes everywhere with me. Like a puppy. :)
• Josh Rosebrook Moisturizing Cleanser was the perfect size and thankfully, washed off well, because I forgot my flannels. *kill me now*
• Radical Skincare Age-Defying Exfoliating Pads are great at any time, but perfect for travel in the ziplock bag. 
• Josh Rosebrook Hydrating Accelerator* is really lovely. So much more than just a 'spritz'.
• Environ C-Quence Eye Gel is light, hydrates and absorbs well - which is ideal for humid conditions.
• Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum is still one of my favourites. One-size-fits-all serum for all. A must-have.
• Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Firming Peptide Milk is super-lightweight and full of peptides and actives making it much more than a simple moisturising lotion.

Spanish SPF:

• Zelens Body Defence* was perfect for the trip. Light, absorbs immediately and worked. No burning for me.
• Kate Somerville Daily Deflector SPF50* is brilliant. I took it with me to Barcelona (work, not play) and use it on client's skin at the end of facials, post-peel.
• Phyto Phyto Plage Sun Oil is great - I've used it for years. 

Body travel bag for Spain:

• Hand Chemistry Hyaluronic Body Mist is the perfect moisturiser for hot climates. It almost disappears on contact and leaves you completely ready to get dressed with no stickiness.
• Sachajuan Hair Repair is one of the best hair conditioners/treatments I've ever used. Really, really, good. And this travel size was perfect for throwing in my case.
• Kerastase Resistance Ciment Thermique has been around for years, and I am still doing everything I can to help the breakage!
• Bumble & Bumble Full Potential as above.
• Studio Pro Lock It hairspray because bun hair needs all the help it can get in that humidity.

And yesterday's face!

• Environ C-Quence Eye Gel again 
• Beuti Beauty Sleep Elixir* - this contains 14 oils and is 98% organic for those of you obsessed with green. Loving it. 
• Kat Burki Vitamin C Intensive Face Cream - I'm loving this range. Literally everything I've used it fantastic.

*Reviews coming this week. ADDITION 29.07.16 - Sorry the reviews didn't happen this week, they are in order and next on the blog. When I can breathe.

I sometimes (not always) use affiliate links. If you are happy to click on the link and support this blog in that way, thank you very much. If you would prefer not to, just google the brand and the item, it's all cool. :)
For absolute clarity: I do not use affiliate links on products belonging to brands that I work with on a professional basis.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette back in stock at SpaceNK

Just a quick head's up. This was one of my most popular recommendations last year - and Space NK have just got more stock in of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Palette. It's £65.00 and available online only here: spacenk.com/hourglass

Original review here: carolinehirons.com/hourglass-ambient-lighting-edit



*Not a sponsored post in any way. Some links are affiliate links, which help to support this blog. If you are happy to use my links, thank you kindly. If not, simply google the brands in a new page. It's all good.

Hourglass Illume Sheer Color Trio and Ambient Primers

Just when you think you don't need any new primers or 'glow' products, Hourglass do their thing - again. Three new primers under the Ambient umbrella promise to soften, neutralise and brighten skin and they really do deliver.

Three shades - Dim, Luminous and Mood (y) - coincidentally enough, my moods this week, fix all manner of imperfections from dullness to uneven texture and basically act like that blurring Instagram filter that people still refuse to admit that they use. #nofiltermyarse

Oil-free, they can be worn alone to make you look awake, or under makeup.

With your bases sorted and summer coming to the UK (PLEASE), Hourglass are offering something slightly more suited to the climate in their new palette, the Illume Sheer Color Trio. There's a neutral bronzer that you can also use for contouring if you want to (please don't), a rose, pinky blush and a champagne highlighter. When I played with this in Space NK, I ended up using a lot of all three, to the point where I did the internal voice 'Walk away Caroline. What are you doing?'. I find over-usage to be a common problem with Hourglass - and that's a compliment. It's entirely me that's the moron that doesn't know when to stop.

The Ambient Light Correcting Primers are £36.00 and $44.00
The Illume Sheer Color Trio is £54.00 and $62.00

All are available now in the UK here: spacenk.com/hourglass

And in the US at Sephora here: sephora.com/hourglass

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 category their own.

This gorgeous Limited Edition Ambient Lighting Edit contains six powders that 'finish, brighten, contour and highlight'. 

Dim, Iridescent and Diffused Light powders fill the top row left to right, Mood Exposure and Luminous Flush blushers bottom left - and Luminous Bronze Light Bronzer bottom right. I will probably end up buying another one. Being a Limited Edition I have the urge to save it but I want to use it.

Available now in the UK from spacenk.com priced £65.00

Available now in the USA from sephora.com priced $80.00 (value is $132.00)

Both outlets ship worldwide.

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 was Space. 

Regular readers will know about my affinity for white flowers and tuberose and gardenia in particular, so it will come as no surprise that I grabbed one of my favourite candles - Diptyque's Tubereuse in the large 300g red version (obviously). This burns for 90 hours and fills the room without me even burning it. (Mr Hirons is seriously considering sending me to candle detox at this point.)

and the must-have palette of JOY...

Ambient Lighting Palette - I was very late to the Hourglass game but these powders are beautiful and replaced my usual loose powder instantly. This one contains two existing colours, Dim Light and Radiant Light (the one on the right, my usual go-to) along with the shade Incandescent Light, which is exclusive to the palette.
I have literally used my Radiant Light every single day since I bought it earlier this year. It gives me that 'glow' even on days when my glow left on the last bus.

Diptyque Tubereuse 300g Red Edition is £55.00 and available here: spacenk.com/diptyque

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette lushness is £56.00 and available here: spacenk.com/hourglass-ambient