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Original poster

Holland & Barrett Advent Calendar 2020 - discussion/swap thread

536 replies

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 18/09/2020 15:16

Thread for discussing the contents of the lovely Holland & Barrett 2020 advent calendar.

Please - no spoilers! Can we agree not to give away what's behind each door before that day?

See you all on 1st December!

OP posts:
Original poster
IToldYouIWasFreaky · 22/12/2020 09:08

Day 22: Amoorra Breathe Shower Bomb

Really interested to try this one! It sounds great, especially if you have a cold, or maybe a hangover Xmas Grin. And it's a timely reminder to unblock the shower drain...I don't think it would work so well sitting in a footbath of water Confused

@ProfessorRadcliffeEmerson thank you for taking one for the team with the mask! Please do patch test it first though

OP posts:
Jumbojem · 22/12/2020 09:45

Todays was falling apart in the packaging too. Was initially excited about a shower bath bomb before I realised it only scented the room and wasn't a product to wash in!

PrincessWatermelon · 22/12/2020 10:37

Mine looked a bit ropey, so decided to use this morning. Got to be honest and say I wouldn't have been aware it was in there, except it was a bit grainy underfoot. I have a shower in the bath, but it's not a huge bathroom and gets steamy. Maybe the smells from shampoo and body wash masked it. But I couldn't smell anything!

XiCi · 22/12/2020 10:40

I've used mine today. I think the idea of it is better than the reality. I expected a lovely aroma but tbh couldn't really tell it was in there after about a minute. I sometimes put a few drops of essential oil on the shower floor beforehand and get far more lovely longer lasting aroma from that

lookdeepintotheparka · 22/12/2020 13:01

I'm keeping the shower bomb until someone in the house has a cold although I'd probably better check it's not got damp before storing it Xmas Shock

Tried the sold conditioner this morning which was tricky to use but I do like it!

Bluesheep8 · 22/12/2020 15:35

I sometimes put a few drops of essential oil on the shower floor beforehand and get far more lovely longer lasting aroma from that

Brilliant! Why did I never think of This before?! Grin

RoxyGrey · 23/12/2020 07:56

Huh. Today's is an odd one, the name of the product is the the most appealing!! However, I think it might be good for my oily skin so I'll be giving it a go!

RoxyGrey · 23/12/2020 07:56

*isn't

XiCi · 23/12/2020 08:01

Yes not the most appealing today and I have a lot of toners knocking around & already have had one in this calendar so would have preferred something different.
I used the shampoo and conditioner bar yesterday though and am so impressed. My hair feels lovely, looks really shiny and a couple of people commented on how nice it looked. I think I will definitely be buying again.

lookdeepintotheparka · 23/12/2020 08:06

DH just Hmm when I said what today's was called (opened mine yesterday!) This looks good but would have to be amazing to improve on the deep rich toner we got earlier in the calendar. That is truly one of the best skincare items I've ever had - so impressed!

Original poster
IToldYouIWasFreaky · 23/12/2020 08:08

Day 23: Gallinee Face Vinegar

I am intrigued by this one! Looks like a more high end product than some others we've had...this little bottle is selling for £7! Looking forward to trying this when I've dug it out if the calendar...it's properly wedged in there today

OP posts:
WandaDavy · 23/12/2020 08:15

Great tip @XiCi thanks!
Yes, today sounds very unappealing!! Sure it will be lovely!

ProfessorRadcliffeEmerson · 23/12/2020 08:33

I’ve done the mask - it was a tiny bit tingly but nothing to speak of, and my skin feels very soft now.

I’m a bit baffled by the shower bomb. The scent wasn’t bad, but I had quite a long shower as I had to get the mask off and wash my hair, and most of it was still on the shower floor. It just seems too big. If it hasn’t disintegrated overnight I guess I’ll have the rest of it tomorrow!

applecatchers36 · 23/12/2020 08:42

The face vinegar looks great, unfortunate name but looking forward to using this after reading description and may possibly buy again if any good...esp with 25% off voucher.

Gotthetshirt23 · 23/12/2020 09:52

Never heard of face vinegar but happy to try !
I'll look at reviews .

The shower blob was a waste of time tbh , scraped the goo off the paper into the shower where it sat until I squished it with my feet ..... no smell no anything really ?
I did message H&B , they came back with an offer of money back or replacement. Very surprised, was intended to be a suggestion to re think it being in the calendar.

Still think the calendar is brilliant, might offer the vouchers as I've got that many things to try now !
Almost used the sukin moisturiser, my neck seems to use so much !

PalacePaper · 23/12/2020 11:06

I've just used the shower bomb and I'm going to go against the grain and say I quite liked it. I put it on the lip of the shower tray so it didn't get too wet (thank you all for your feedback about it going soggy) and I could definitely smell it. It wasn't a very strong smell and I have a shower cubicle with a door, so maybe wouldn't be strong enough with a larger room or a shower curtain. It was nice though, reminded me of being in the steam room at a spa Smile It's still in one piece so I've left it there for tomorrow.

I've also tried the face vinegar and I feel like my skin looks a little brighter (clearly this could be placebo effect Grin) I try not to use cotton wool pads so I just poured some in my hands and wiped over my face.

I'm totally incapable of not trying things out as I get them, no will power at all - even though I have other versions of the same product open. I now have 3 toners on the go, 2 serums, 2 oils, 4 moisturisers...Confused

PalacePaper · 23/12/2020 11:08

Oh, and with the shower bomb mine came in a little tin to protect it - just wondering if maybe some didn't because some posters have found theirs were soggy when they opened them?

Original poster
IToldYouIWasFreaky · 23/12/2020 11:17

My shower bomb did not come in a tin. It was quite well wrapped though in plastic and then a little box, so mine doesn't feel damp as others' did. Weird that they are different! Thanks for the tips, I think I'll leave mine on the side of the bath when I use it

OP posts:
Gotthetshirt23 · 23/12/2020 11:21

My shower bomb was in a blue paper wrap then a box , no plastic and no tin .

Rainydays200 · 23/12/2020 11:36

What the heck is a face vinegar??? I assume there were no focus groups to test that name!! Sounds yuck, but I assume it’s a toner, any acid in it?

XiCi · 23/12/2020 11:49

I think its a natural acid exfoliator Rainydays200. I know some people rinse with apple cider vinegar. This has pro and prebiotic in as well so sounds interesting and the smell isn't as offensive as I imagined it might be.

Plump82 · 23/12/2020 15:02

Well I've been running about mad today so decided to go for a bath and use some of my products. The bath milk is just gorgeous and ill definitely be buying full size. I used the sachet of face masks. I have very sensitive skin and it didn't bother me at all. I love the smell of the face vinegar (despite the name) so will use that later.
My shower bomb was also very soggy and the sticker to keep the paper wrapper had come off. A tad disappointing.

GreatSoprendo · 23/12/2020 15:15

Oh crikey. I don’t have sensitive skin at all and chuck all manner of acids at it, but my face did NOT like the face mask. Only left it on for about 3 minutes but I was bright tomato red for over an hour after using it!

On the plus side I also used the Ethique shampoo and conditioner bars today and thought they were brilliant - really didn’t think a solid conditioner could be that effective!

SoLongLollipops · 23/12/2020 18:28

Pleased with today's. I use the Gallinee bar soap and it is amazing at clearing up skin issues so hope the toner is good too.

OdeToAutumn · 23/12/2020 20:08

The shower bomb was a fail for me. Like PP I wouldn’t have even known it was there.

Used the conditioner and shampoo bars again today and liked them.