Beauty guru wants you to GET COMFORTABLE ALEESHA HARRIS
Social media influencer’s new book guides women in their quest for a glowing complexion
Writing a book wasn’t part of the plan for Caroline Hirons.
But, after gathering an online following of 450,000-plus people on Instagram, more than 13 million views on Youtube, and total visits to her blog totalling more than 150 million, the celebrated British skincare expert and content creator had more than enough eyes to rationalize putting pen to page.
“I never wanted to write a book, but at events, my readers kept telling me that they were screen-grabbing different parts of the blog and printing them out to put on their bathroom walls or send to friends,” Hirons says. “So, I thought I better make their lives a bit easier.”
That idea of simplifying skincare for people — from understanding product ingredients to step-bystep processes — is the core tenet of Hirons’ blog and video content.
And, that’s exactly what readers can find within the pages of her new book Skincare: The Ultimate No-nonsense Guide.
“My book will be for everyone, no matter their ages, colour, skin type or skin conditions, and will cover everything you need to know for clearer, healthier, glowing skin,” Hirons says in summing up the new hard cover tome.
“I’ve taken everything I’ve learned from my years in the industry and talking to my blog readers every day and put in this book to help you navigate the world of skincare.”
Hirons, who has become known for her “straight talking, no-nonsense approach,” provides detailed information and insight into skincare ingredients, steps and processes in the book.
Her main mission, she says, is all about empowering people with the information they need to “have the skin they want.”
“I’ll cut out the jargon, tell you what you do and don’t need — and hopefully get the nation off face wipes for good,” Hirons says of her most-hated product: disposable face wipes.
For the Liverpool-based 51-yearold, skincare has always been a priority. In fact, that attention to proper protocols and products for skincare is something that was passed down in her family, she says.
“My earliest memory is of my nana taking off her makeup with almond oil and then cleansing with a flannel,” Hirons says. “When I went to my friends’ houses, I would notice that their mums hadn’t instilled the same thing in them. The message from my mom and nana was always the same: take care of your skin. It was non-negotiable.”
Now, as a mother of four, Hirons has passed along the wisdom to her own children, too.
“My daughter Ava has perfect 18-year-old skin. I make it clear that the most important thing she can do for her skin is to cleanse — that goes for all of us,” Hirons says. “She listens, and now all her girlfriends cleanse, too. If they go on a night out, there will be five dirty flannels by the sink the next morning. They may have had a bit to drink, but at least they’re cleansing.”
As for what people often get wrong in their own home skincare routines, Hirons says it’s surprisingly simple.
“Buying an expensive moisturizer instead of washing your face properly and using a good serum,” she says succinctly, pointing toward a good cleanser as the most-valuable product in a person’s regime. “Cleansing is key and fundamental to the rest of your routine.”
HIRONS’S TOP TIPS FOR GREAT SKIN
“Obviously everyone is different, but in general, these are your basics if you’re wondering where to start,” Hirons says.
1. Cleanse your skin every night without fail — cleanliness is next to godliness. Double cleanse if you are wearing makeup or sunscreen, or both (which applies to most of us).
A little tip for those of you that say you have no time: either take your makeup off as soon as you get home or take your makeup off before you take your bra off (if you sleep in your bra or don’t wear one, then follow the first tip!).
2. Cleanse your skin every morning. It obviously doesn’t have to be as intense as the nighttime cleanse, but a quick warm flannel and milk/balm/gel wouldn’t go amiss to get rid of the overnight shedding. I know some brands say you don’t need to cleanse your skin in the morning. That’s OK. They’re wrong.
3. Wash your face properly. A clean canvas makes everything better. There is no point in spending your hard-earned cash on expensive serums if you are using wipes or winging it when it comes to cleansing.
4. Do not smoke. That’s really the beginning and end of it.
5. Get some sunshine. The term “everything in moderation” really applies here. I work indoors all day and live in the northern hemisphere. I don’t get a lot of sun, so I supplement with vitamin D (under doctor’s advice). I don’t use skincare with SPF: I apply it separately in between moisturizer and foundation or primer. SPF is too active an ingredient and can interfere with other anti-aging ingredients, making all of your expensive moisturizers potentially redundant.
Yes, obviously too much sun is damaging to the skin, but so is too much chlorine. And too much pollution. Get out there and get some sunshine. Some brands would have us believe the sun is the ultimate enemy. That’s only true if you don’t respect it. Get some sun. Not a lot, some. Just don’t be stupid about it.
6. Use a high SPF (30+) and encourage your kids to use it. You will save them a lot of time trying to repair sun damage in later years.
7. Use quality skincare products. I’m not talking about creams that cost more than your monthly food budget. I’m just suggesting you step away from the cheap packet of wipes and moisturizers in the pharmacy or supermarket and step it up a gear.
8. Equate your skincare spending to what you would spend on a handbag or shoes. I’m not saying you should — I’m saying you should be willing to.
9. Get enough sleep. When you are not getting sufficient rest, it shows on your face.
10. Don’t forget your breasts. Your neck and décolleté, which is a fancy French term for your upper chest and shoulder area, are part of your facial skincare, too.
11. Try to eat well. I’m not being a killjoy — a little of what you fancy definitely does you good — just don’t go overboard. Gut health is linked to healthy skin function: for example, taking probiotics is thought to support healthy skin.
12. Drink enough water. This is important not only for the normal functionality of your skin, but for your general good health, too. If your urine is dark and you suffer from a lot of headaches, you would do well to up your H2O levels.
13. Try to avoid stress. I know it’s much harder than it sounds, but do whatever you need to do to keep your stress levels low.