Day by Day M&S Beauty Calendar - No Spoilers (from 14 Dec)

[happypoobum]

Here's a new thread as the old one is getting very full

Not for one minute do I think this is a loss leader.

These are sample sizes that cost the skincare brands zero to produce.

They are probably paying to have their product included in the calendar.

I had a free gift from Elizabeth Arden in the summer for buying two products or something and they had similar sized samples inside.

Having worked in the Beauty industry for 20years I can tell you these are samples of the products.

I got a full size Gatineau lip plumper in mine which was worth £32 alone so I am very happy indeed. It seems people got a variety of Gatineau as some got a mask and some got face cream too.

I do like todays lip gloss but I also agree it would probably have been better to have one for those of us, like me, who wear very pale colour, and one for those who like something a bit brighter or darker.

I am still praying we will get something similar to the gorgeous full size hand cream we got last year.

I will also really miss it but have only been using one product at a time so loads of pampering for me to do

Re peonies spoiler, let’s not forget its horses for courses! I accidentally opened tomorrow’s and am delighted with it!

I agree that although it’s excellent value if you’re the target market (especially if you’re also using the stuff that doesn’t quite hit the spot to fill a stocking for a teenage daughter ) it’s probably not cost M&S too much to supply - someone in their head office will have spent all year haggling with beauty brands to get cheap/free/negative cost sample products. Posts on threads like this saying “I loved product X and ended up buying full sized versions tk incorporate into my daily routine” will be Exhibit A.

So far there’s nothing I would pay full price for.

Last year the lip balm and the hand cream I would have. But nothing so far this year.

I would pay full price for the Stila lipnotgloss I love it and will be buying one as soon as this one runs out.

I will probably buy at least one of the face creams/masks/whatevers but not sure which yet. I intend to try them all one at a time and then make an informed decision.

I bought the hand cream, and the Emma Hardie cleansing balm full size after last year. I might also buy the lovely body cream we got last year. I think it was called Ritual of Sakura and it smelt like heaven. I will probably buy the Shay & Blue Atroppa Beladonna perfume again at some point as I loved that and much preferred it to the Blood Orange, but imagine some people preferred this years fragrance.

For me it's a lovely way to sample loads of things easily and it just is so much fun

Another thing I love is that I have resolved to buy only cruelty free beauty brands in the new year and M&S lead the way on this. I think nearly all the products in this calendar have had the leaping bunny symbol,. or I have checked and they are BUAV approved. So a big win for me and I am highly likely to rebuy on that basis.

I've loved it, I'm going to really miss my daily treat!

There have been a few misses for me, but far outweighed by the stuff I liked.

I'll definitely be getting the body lotion, and meso mask and quite possibly the Alpa H and the face footner too. I love the Dragons blood, but no way can I justify that price, so will probably try the cheaper version too.

The only product I really love is the Emma somebody (sorry!) cleansing balm. I just love the smell of it.

My favourite product so far has been the full size mascara, it’s fab!

Would definitely buy again.

Also the Emma Hardie balm, had forgotten how good it was as last time I had it I was pregnant and the smell made me gag, but in reality I love it!

I like today's lip gloss, it's a good handbag item.

I didnt realise there was a 25 box and opened by accident today! Will say nowt :-)

The Body Lotion has worked wonders on a persistent rash I've had on my neck for weeks, so that's my favourite so far.

Yes, I love the cleansing balm too. I might buy that again if I see it on offer. For me though, it really wasn't about finding products to use again, it was more about having a little treat every day. So, to that end, I would have preferred more luxurious things like a thick scented body lotion or hand cream, rather than the more functional body lotion or the face peely things. But I really have enjoyed trying everything out, and my face looks and feels bloody fabulous!

I'm not a fab of the Emma Hardie balm and still have lots left from last year's one! Does anyone want to swap it unopened for the Stila lipsticknotgloss or the perfume?

I won't be using the Ameliorate Body Lotion so if wants it I'd be happy to swap for the Ren Serum.
I've also got 2 sachets of Dermologica Superfoliant (freebie as got some to test for Glamour Beauty Club) that I will throw in as well.

If anyone wants the above ^^

Star2018 - happy to swap the balm for the perfume? I've squirted the perfume once! Realised I have something quite similar already.

Ameliorate cream works but it’s stinky. Good job I am using it in winter (all covered up).

I haven’t opened the lipgloss. I am a bit meh about it since it was described as not having colour.

star I opened the stila to check the colour, I looked at the end of the spatula thing and it’s not for me! Happy to swap for Emma hardie, I appreciate if you don’t want to swap as it has been opened but not used.

Ah mogul thank you but I’ll go with @CiderwithBuda because she was first!

I love the dragon blood one, great when my face is tight and dry after swimming! Is it very pricey? Dammit

£85

I use the Nip+Fab version 10things it's a slightly thinner texture but has the same effect. www.nipandfab.com/skincare/range/dragons-blood-fix/dragons-blood-fix-serum

star oh didn’t see cider, the perfume is lovely 👍

And £85?! No wonder it’s good, I’ve got on really well with it.

I was just using my Neal's Yard wild rose beauty balm (bought from M&S) which has reminded me that we haven't had a Neal's Yard product in the calendar. So I'm hoping for one before Christmas. Good chance, you think?

I don't remember seeing Neal's Yard, they had all the products on display in store when I bought my advent calendar and I glanced over them. Mind you, I don't remember seeing any nail polish at all and we've had two so I obviously have poor observational powers.