How I Shop with Caroline Hirons: ‘I like a proper knicker’
As told to Lily Smith
Always wondered what everyday stuff celebrities buy, where they shop for food and the basics they scrimp on? The skincare expert talks vinyl, McDonald’s tea and the body lotion she buys on repeat with the Filter
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Caroline Hirons started her career working at the Aveda counter in Harvey Nichols before launching her successful skincare blog in 2010, which has since amassed more than 160m views.
Her debut book, Skincare, was a Sunday Times bestseller. Caroline launched her skincare app, Skin Rocks, and her skincare brand of the same name in 2022.
What’s the last treat you bought for yourself?
A Hisense tumble dryer – cheaper than all the others and the best I’ve ever had. Fact.
Hisense 3S Series DH3S802BT2 tumble dryer
Where do you buy your food from?
I go to Marks & Spencer and get myself good basics: good meat, good sourdough. I think a lot of people say: “I just go to Asda and Morrisons. That’s all I do.” And I’m like, “You liar. I’ve seen you with that M&S chicken caesar dip.”
M&S chicken caesar dip
What’s the best present you’ve given?
When my mum passed away, I gave some of her jewellery to my daughter and daughter-in-law, and I saved some for my granddaughter. They were so well received. My mum didn’t have a lot of money, but it was more about the emotional connection; they were both absolutely thrilled.
… and the best present you’ve received?
My grandkids. The world does not prepare you for being a grandmother. As much as I love shopping and material things, the first time you hold a grandchild is world-shattering. Nothing else matters.
What’s your favourite online store?
I enjoy Net-a-Porter. I don’t shop there as often now as I would like because I’m trying to be more responsible, but I enjoy browsing.
What’s your favourite bricks-and-mortar shop?
Frame. I go straight to the jeans section. The last three times I’ve been to New York, I’ve gone into Frame and spent $1,500 (about £1,134), but then I’ve got clothes for a year. Every time I put them on, they look fresh and new.
My iPhone, like pretty much everyone else. I run two businesses, and I always break phones. My head of IT made me put this [phone strap] on it. My iPhone is my desk.
Apple iPhone
What’s the purchase you regret the most?
My god, those Balenciaga trainers that look like a sock with a big, thick white sole. I bought a pair of them during lockdown. I think we all lost it a bit during that time. They’re too big for me and make my feet look like clown feet. I’m quite a considered shopper because I didn’t come from money. Everything I’ve got, I worked for, so when I make a mistake, I really sit on it.
Balenciaga speed trainers
What’s the thing(s) you get delivered?
I do Ocado for water, Coke, milk – all the heavies. I do fresh at the weekend: M&S for my favourite picky bits.
Where do you buy your underwear?
I buy my underwear whenever I see a Calvin Klein sale, and I go hard, and then that will last me a year or two. I have a particular style I wear, with a thicker band. I don’t do thongs, I don’t do bikini, I like a proper knicker. I’m not going to spend 20 quid on a pair, but I will do three for £30 in a sale.
Calvin Klein briefs, pack of three
What would you buy with £20 – and £200?
£20: Sushi. Itsu for chicken gyoza dumplings and salmon nigiri.
Itsu chicken gyoza, pack of 12
£200: Really good limited-edition vinyl. I basically buy the limited editions of all the artists I like when they release something new. My musical taste is so eclectic. Anything from Duran Duran, Kacey Musgraves, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Zac Brown Band, the 1975. And if I like the look of the vinyl, I’ll buy it. I never play them. It makes no sense.
Duran Duran LP
What’s your ‘saved search’ on eBay/Vinted?
I’ve never bought anything on Vinted. Every time I go on there, all I can see is tat, but people in the office come in with these fabulous clothes saying, “I got it for a fiver on Vinted,” and I’m like, “How?”
On eBay, my saved searches are all vintage beauty brands: Guerlain, Charles of the Ritz, Helena Rubinstein, Elizabeth Arden, Estée Lauder. I got some of the best collector’s items over lockdown, even stuff from the early 20th century. Sometimes the product is still in there, and you get a warning saying “do not use this” … and I’m like “it was made in 1920, I’m not going to use it”. But the fact it’s in there is amazing.
Randomly, I’ve also got the term “Johnson Brothers Christmas” – they’re famous pottery makers from Staffordshire who did these Christmas plates; they’re so expensive. I get them whenever they’re on offer.
Johnson Brothers pottery
What item do you buy on repeat?
A Garnier body lotion; By Terry Tea to Tan, which is just like a fake tan you brush on for a bit of colour (I can’t be bothered doing a fake tan and getting orange hands); and Chanel’s illuminating primer, which I mix with Vieve skin dew to give me a glow.
Garnier body repair restoring lotion, 400ml
By Terry Tea to Tan face and body spray, 30ml
Chanel illuminating makeup primer, 30ml
Vieve skin dew, 20ml
How do you make your coffee at home?
I have never had a cup of coffee in my life. At home I drink Twinings Assam and Twinings decaf tea – and I have to have a china cup. No coffee shop cares properly about tea, but do you know who does the best on the high street? McDonald’s.
Twinings Assam teabags, 40 bags
Twinings decaffeinated English breakfast tea, 40 bags
What’s your biggest splurge?
I drive a nice Land Rover, but it’s secondhand.
I’m going to see Duran Duran in Hyde Park, and bought the most expensive tickets down the front that still give you access to good toilets because I’m older. I’m not queueing for a portaloo. I will also splurge by taking my kids with me.
And what everyday item do you scrimp on?
My brother and I have this thing where if the petrol’s cheaper somewhere, I will drive four miles to get it cheaper and then probably waste that mileage by driving there. It makes absolutely no sense, but it’s psychological.
And what’s your greatest vintage find?
I just bought a Chanel handbag in Tokyo for £800; it’s from the sport collection in the 90s, but it’s immaculate. Everyone I’ve shown at work thinks it’s worth three to five grand.
For more, read How I shop with David Gandy and Karen Carney
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