Skincare Expert Caroline Hirons Reveals Her Shopping Secrets
Caroline Hirons, the skincare expert behind the blog that has amassed over 160 million views, has shared her shopping habits in the Guardian's How I Shop series. From a cheap tumble dryer to a vintage Chanel handbag, Hirons reveals her eclectic tastes and practical spending choices.
The Last Treat: A Tumble Dryer
Hirons' last treat for herself was a Hisense tumble dryer. She describes it as cheaper than all the others and the best she has ever had. The Hisense 3S Series DH3S802BT2 is priced at £379.
Where She Buys Food: M&S for Basics
For food shopping, Hirons goes to Marks & Spencer for good basics like meat and sourdough. She calls out people who claim to only shop at Asda or Morrisons, saying she has seen them with the M&S chicken caesar dip.
Best and Worst Presents
The best present Hirons gave was jewellery from her late mother to her daughter, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter. The emotional connection made it special. The best present she received is her grandchildren, which she describes as world-shattering.
Online and In-Store Favourites
Hirons enjoys browsing Net-a-Porter but shops there less to be more responsible. Her favourite bricks-and-mortar shop is Frame for jeans. She has spent $1,500 (about £1,134) there in one trip to New York, but the clothes last for years.
Most-Used Gadget and Regrettable Purchase
Her most-used gadget is her iPhone, which she uses as her desk. A regrettable purchase is a pair of Balenciaga Speed trainers bought during lockdown, which are too big and make her feet look like clown feet. She says she is a considered shopper because she didn't come from money.
Deliveries and Underwear
Hirons gets heavy items like water, Coke, and milk delivered via Ocado, and fresh items from M&S at weekends. She buys Calvin Klein underwear in sale packs of three for £30, preferring a thicker band and proper knickers over thongs or bikinis.
Spending £20 vs £200
With £20, she would buy sushi from Itsu, specifically chicken gyoza dumplings and salmon nigiri. With £200, she would buy limited-edition vinyl records from artists like Duran Duran, Kacey Musgraves, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Zac Brown Band, and The 1975. She admits she never plays them.
Saved Searches on eBay
Hirons has saved searches for vintage beauty brands like Guerlain, Charles of the Ritz, Helena Rubinstein, Elizabeth Arden, and Estée Lauder. She also searches for Johnson Brothers Christmas plates from Staffordshire pottery makers.
Items Bought on Repeat
She buys Garnier body lotion, By Terry Tea to Tan for a brush-on fake tan, Chanel illuminating primer mixed with Vieve skin dew for a glow.
Coffee and Tea Preferences
Hirons has never had coffee. At home she drinks Twinings Assam and Twinings decaf tea in a china cup. She says McDonald's makes the best tea on the high street.
Biggest Splurge and Scrimp
Her biggest splurge is a secondhand Land Rover and expensive tickets to see Duran Duran in Hyde Park with good toilet access. She scrimps on petrol, driving miles to save a few pence, even if it wastes mileage.
Greatest Vintage Find
Hirons bought a vintage Chanel handbag from the 1990s sport collection in Tokyo for £800. Colleagues estimate its value at three to five thousand pounds.
