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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:
XmasLockdown · 23/12/2020 21:15

I gave the shower bomb to dd and she used it as a bath bomb. I am not if I am going to try the vinegar.

Bluesheep8 · 24/12/2020 06:00

Today's looks and sounds good,,great that it can be used everywhere if you're in a hurry. Given that there are already day and night creams in the calendar, plus the eye cream, I'm going to use this one on my neck and chest.

lookdeepintotheparka · 24/12/2020 08:09

Haven't tried this out yet but looks a nice texture with a very earthy colour!! I've just opened no 25 this morning (a good one too Wink) so it's all over for me now Sad

Roll on next Christmas as I'll definitely be getting this again. My daughter laughed like a drain when I said I didn't need to buy any skin care for the whole of 2021 (of course you will, mummy Grin)

Happy Christmas all Xmas Grin

SpeckledyHen · 24/12/2020 08:19

24 and 25 just opened here . Very happy with both and absolutely delighted with the calendar, my first ever one apart from chocolate.

See you next year - God willing!

XiCi · 24/12/2020 08:40

Another one who has opened 24 and 25 today. So pleased with this calendar, I've enjoyed it so much. Biggest hit for me i think has been the ethique shampoo and conditioner bars

CountryCob · 24/12/2020 08:52

Yes I tried the shower bomb and found the same, might try it as a bath bomb as suggested. Not sure what to make of today or yesterday’s but will try them and they look interesting. Overall very happy with this calendar and would recommend/ get again. Although I do like a bit more glamour/ make up of being totally honest it was very good and different and interesting so would get again. Also excellent value

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 24/12/2020 10:22

Day 24 (Happy Christmas Eve everyone!): Kilig Face Eyes and Neck Mousse

Looks nice! I was going to put this one away while I finish other products but it's not sealed so I'll probably use it sooner rather than later. It's great to get another full size product! Did anyone else notice the typo on the inside of the door? Wink

I used the shower bomb this morning. We have a shower over the bath. I started off with the bomb right at the end of the bath so it wasn't in the direct flow of water..and not much happened, so moved it closer...and not much happened! I did get a vague whiff of eucalyptus but once I used shower gel it was quickly overwhelmed. I left it on the side of the bath and I did catch a scent when I went back into the bathroom so maybe it has a purpose of a general bathroom fragrancer?!

I am not sure if I'll get a chance to update the thread tomorrow but definitely will on Boxing Day, so I'll say Merry Christmas now. I've really enjoyed the calendar and this thread...see you next year!

OP posts:
TheLongRider · 24/12/2020 10:24

The showerbomb reminds me of a urinal cake! Not quite the spa atmosphere I'm looking for. Xmas Smile

DivaDroid · 24/12/2020 13:39

I love the kilig stuff - I've been using it since I opened the calendar in Oct Blush
My skin feels lovely after using. If I'm remembering right, tomorrow's is brilliant! So good that I've used it all & bought more.
Hope you all have the best Christmas & new year that you can

Jumbojem · 24/12/2020 14:07

Thank you for the thread @IToldYouIWasFreaky really enjoyed opening along with others. I loved the calendar and def going to look at this for next year.

RoxyGrey · 24/12/2020 14:18

I also opened 24 and 25 today! Wanted to clear everything away before tomorrow. I've loved this calendar, I will use everything that was in it and will probably use some of the vouchers too.

Merry Christmas all, see you next year!

I8toys · 24/12/2020 16:42

I've loved this calendar. Its exceeded my expectations. The BB cream I use every day, the mirror, No. 25 for those not opened it is awesome - used today, the every day moisturiser, toner in the glass bottle and looking forward to trying the other products.

Thanks for the thread and merry christmas everyone.

Cookie79 · 24/12/2020 17:22

Genuinely enjoyed this calendar and opening it with you all. Really impressed with it and will definitely get it again.

Opened it all today too as I wanted it all cleared away.

Merry Christmas ladies x

Rainydays200 · 24/12/2020 19:49

I’ve also really enjoyed this calendar because I’ve tried products that I’d never heard of or seen before. I’m liking the toothpaste, love the BB cream (great for morning dog walks when I know I’m going to shower afterwards) and the gel moisturiser is good on my skin too.

XmasLockdown · 24/12/2020 20:23

I am waiting till tomorrow because dh has a wine calendar to finish. There have been three products I have used frequently: shampoo&conditioner bars, the toner in glass bottle and turmeric shower gel. The latter reminds a spa I sometimes go.

OdeToAutumn · 25/12/2020 01:27

I love the shower gel, such a lovely smell.

I too opened 24 and 25 together. Was pleased with 25 as I was about to buy some!

Afonavon · 25/12/2020 07:40

@TheLongRider

I really liked the equivalent last year that was Weleda's Skin Food Light. My skin soaked it up and I repurchased it during the year.
Me too, I absolutely loved this and purchased more throughout the year. I love the texture and the scent!
ProfessorRadcliffeEmerson · 25/12/2020 08:52

I have to admit I laughed at today’s. Grounds from artisan coffee shops, forsooth. I don’t use scrubs on my face but will try it as a body scrub.

XmasLockdown · 25/12/2020 09:30

I rarely use face scrubs but I will try this one for fun.

I think I will get this calendar next year if the contents are as good as this year.

Gotthetshirt23 · 25/12/2020 13:02

Will definitely be buying this next year , have really enjoyed and using far more than I seem to use from the M&S one ?
Nearly used all the sukin and will try the other one after that , really good value for money and very likely to purchase more .

OdeToAutumn · 25/12/2020 14:33

I used the scrub and it felt exactly like putting coffee grounds on my face Grin - quite scratchy but then felt quite soft after

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 25/12/2020 16:35

Haven't tried the coffee scrub yet. Reminded me of when I had the not so bright idea of using old coffee grounds on my thighs, as it's meant to help with cellulite... I think I lasted about two days before the mess got the better of me. Tried it on my hand and seems a bit messy, and tbh I would rather used fruit acids rather than something scratchy on my face.

WandaDavy · 25/12/2020 19:25

As someone suggested, I used the coffee scrub as a body scrub and it was nice - definitely messy! Thanks everyone, it's been nice to open and chat about the contents together!

Lamplue · 26/12/2020 10:37

Thank you for this thread and for keeping it updated with the items and links etc. I found it much easier to follow than the others and enjoyed checking it every day.

It’s been a horrible year and this Christmas has been very bleak for us. Yesterday, while H was face timing his parents I decided to give the coffee scrub a go.

I had some trouble opening it, at first it squirted out a brown liquid all over the sink and toilet lid then a chunky grain must have been blocking it as I had to give it a really good squeeze to get anything out. Once the grain had been dislodged, a chunky gooey brown stream sprayed up the wall above the sink.

Not wanting to waste any, I scooped some off the sink and wall and wiped it across my face. This left more smeared brown mess on the wall which I tried to wipe. At this point, I had both hands covered in the brown sludge and so when H arrived at the bathroom door asking if I was busy, I replied ‘I think I’ve made a bit of a mess of myself’.

Cue me sheepishly opening the door with grainy brown smears across my face, all over my hands and the sink, toilet and walls behind me to see H holding up the phone to his very conservative mother’s shocked face. ‘Oh dear’, she said, ‘I better leave you to it’ and quickly hung up.

Apparently just seconds before he’d been telling her how we’d overindulged with the treats all morning and were both feeling a little tender. So now my MIL thinks I’ve shit myself with such force I had to ask H for help to clean it off my face and the bathroom walls.

We chuckled about it for most of the day yesterday and so, after a year of having nothing much to laugh about, I thought I’d share it with you all.

Happy Christmas Smile

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 26/12/2020 10:39

Day 25: Upcircle Face Scrub

I tried this in the shower yesterday morning which turned out to be an error! I really liked it, it's very scrubby and left my face feeling soft and smooth but it does also leave quite a oily residue, which I then had to wash away as I didn't want to have an oily face all day. It would be great to use before bed though.
I really want to try their body scrub now, I think it would be lovely.

OP posts: