Caroline Hirons, the skincare expert behind the blog that has amassed over 160 million views, reveals her shopping habits in the latest installment of the Guardian's 'How I Shop' series. From her favorite food stores to her biggest splurges, Hirons offers a candid look at her consumer choices.
Food and Drink Favorites
Hirons buys her food from Marks & Spencer, where she picks up 'good basics' like meat and sourdough. She dismisses those who claim to shop only at discount supermarkets, saying, '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.”'
For heavier items, she uses Ocado for water, Coke, and milk. She does fresh shopping at the weekend at M&S for 'favourite picky bits.'
Treats and Regrets
Her last treat was a Hisense tumble dryer, which she calls 'cheaper than all the others and the best I’ve ever had.' Her biggest purchase regret? Balenciaga Speed trainers bought during lockdown. 'They’re too big for me and make my feet look like clown feet,' she admits. '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.'
Clothing and Accessories
Her favorite bricks-and-mortar shop is Frame, where she heads straight to the jeans section. She once spent $1,500 (about £1,134) there in New York, but says the clothes last for a year and always look fresh.
For underwear, she waits for Calvin Klein sales: '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.' She buys three pairs for £30.
Her greatest vintage find is a Chanel handbag bought in Tokyo for £800, from the 1990s sport collection. 'Everyone I’ve shown at work thinks it’s worth three to five grand,' she says.
Beauty and Gadgets
Items she buys on repeat include Garnier body lotion, By Terry Tea to Tan, Chanel illuminating primer mixed with Vieve skin dew. Her most-used gadget is her iPhone, which she says is her desk. 'I run two businesses, and I always break phones. My head of IT made me put this [phone strap] on it.'
She has never had a cup of coffee. At home, she drinks Twinings Assam and decaf tea from a china cup. She considers McDonald's the best high-street tea provider: 'No coffee shop cares properly about tea, but do you know who does the best on the high street? McDonald’s.'
Splurges and Savings
Her biggest splurge is a secondhand Land Rover and expensive Duran Duran concert tickets with access to good toilets. 'I’m not queueing for a portaloo,' she says. She scrimps on petrol, driving miles to save a few pence, a habit she shares with her brother: 'It makes absolutely no sense, but it’s psychological.'
Vinyl and Vintage Searches
With £200, she would buy limited-edition vinyl from artists like Duran Duran, Kacey Musgraves, and the 1975. 'I never play them. It makes no sense,' she laughs. On eBay, her saved searches include vintage beauty brands like Guerlain and Charles of the Ritz, as well as Johnson Brothers Christmas plates.
