Holland & Barrett Advent Calendar 2020 - discussion/swap thread

[IToldYouIWasFreaky]

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!

@Cookie79, I'm very jealous! I'd have loved a beer advent calendar- has he tried the cream soda one yet? One of the best beers I had this year was a waffle and caramelised bacon stout - sounds grim, tasted lush

Today I have....nothing. An empty slot where I think a soap bar should be.😭

That’s bad, @AllTheDogsIveLovedBefore. It’s a ‘facial cleansing bar’, apparently- I’m not entirely sure about it as it’s for dry skin and mine is oily, but it’s a good size and I’m happy to try it!

Professor I am hoping it has slid down the box but not very optimistic. I have dry skin too so it sounds ideal for me as well. Curses!

I don't think it could have slid down the box - it is quite bulky and it took a lot of force to get mine out of the calendar.

I have never used anything like this before but I'm not keen on the smell. I'll give it a go though.

Dammit. How typical...I always seem to have a calendar with a product missing. Ah well.

@IToldYouIWasFreaky

Not yet, he just keeps looking at it suspiciously when he opens the fridge and muttering “bloody cream soda”

Ooh I love this cleanser  I bought the full size after using a sample from an ethique trial pack and am just finishing it so perfect timing. I wasn't sure about it at first - I think because I am a sucker for fancier cleansers - but I now use it as a second cleanse after removing make up and in the mornings.

I've never noticed it's for dry skin before - I have combination skin and it's been fine for my oiler areas.

@AllTheDogsIveLovedBefore how frustrating that yours is missing! Hopefully customer services will be able to help? I've found them very good in the past.

Steps into thread-
I took all the products out and put some in my DD advent calendar that I make for her ( so maybe 16 of the H&B ones)
I didn't give her the mirror or todays (she doesn't like coconut ) so I've kept it and I might join you all today trying it

Ok thanks Palace I will fire off an email to them then. Reading your comments I think I'd like to try this.

I have decided I will regift the mirror as part of a Secret Santa so I am happy now (it is fine, this Secret Santa has be regifted or charity shop, we are not allowed to purchase new to protect the planet).

I really like the look of todays. I have a bit of cleanser left to use up and then I will move onto this - it is a good size too.

@AllTheDogsIveLovedBefore

How annoying! Hope you get somewhere with customer services

Day 6: Ethique Bliss Bar Face Cleansing Bar

I won't be trying this just yet as I seem to have lots of cleansers on the go and I don't want to open another one. I've been wanting to try this brand for a while so I'm happy with this, though I really don't like the smell of coconut so I hope it's not too strong.

I've also.got lots of cleansers to get through as I'm a cleanser hoarder but I'm.going try this now and see what its like. Another brand I've been wanting to try.
Pleased with everything so far but not tried every item yet. No real use for the mirror although it's very nice, I like the chunky wood. Advent calendars always have these type of 'fillers'.
Also.just noticed some of the doors have money off, which is a really nice touch.

It's quite nice. A bit clunky to get going because of the hard edges but that'll wear down. Doesn't produce much lather but seems to lather up more on your face - you dont need a lot. Skin feels nice, not tight. It washes off easily. Wont take your make up off and probably not very deep cleansing but it's fine for me for a quick morning wash. Oh and can't detect much scent at all.

Im really pleased with today's as have been wanting to try a solid face cleanser for a while to reduce plastic. Ill use it at night as it says for dry skin. Hopefully it doesn't break me out!

Very happy to try this - I'm using up a few small liquid cleansers from previous calendars but a block one is good.

Those in the know - how do you store this? I don't really want it sitting on the edge of the sink.

@AllTheDogsIveLovedBefore when my calendar arrived, door no 6 was completely open (talk about a spoiler!) but fortunately mine was still in the box. Bit weird though if your door was intact

I do think the packaging isn't great this year - last year's was much better albeit this one is all recyclable.

I've used a cleansing bar for a few years now (Korres) so it will be interesting to compare! I love the Korres bars but it's becoming harder to get them online.

Parka yes the door was intact...not fully but enough for the item not to fall out. This has happened to me a couple of times before with calendars.🥴

Liking today's but will use up a couple of other cleansers first.
Yes, please, any advice on storage gratefully received! I have a solid shampoo and conditioner and bought little travel cases for those but have nothing for this. Will try to repurpose something to use as a soap dish.

Very happy with this product. This is just the kind of thing I was hoping to get to try from the H&B calendar.

I had a look on the Ethique website and they have lots of advice on how to store bars. Looks like keeping it on a dry flannel is the simplest option if you don't have a soap rack or tin already

ethique.co.uk/pages/looking-after-your-bars

though I really don't like the smell of coconut so I hope it's not too strong
It has no smell , it is a nice solid block, foams up nicely ( I like a foaming cleanser , I know many don't) even without a sponge . I normally use one of those Konjac sponges on my face

I'd describe it as "functional" rather than luxury
And I had to find a lid off an empty jar to put it on. .

[quote lookdeepintotheparka]@AllTheDogsIveLovedBefore when my calendar arrived, door no 6 was completely open (talk about a spoiler!) but fortunately mine was still in the box. Bit weird though if your door was intact

I do think the packaging isn't great this year - last year's was much better albeit this one is all recyclable.

I've used a cleansing bar for a few years now (Korres) so it will be interesting to compare! I love the Korres bars but it's becoming harder to get them online.[/quote]
Same thing with my calendar - no 6 completely out and rattling about in the delivery box. I think it is too heavy for the packaging/door.

Today’s looks great! I’ve wanted to try solid cleanser too. Pretty impressed so far with the products! Full sizes some days too!

@Jumbojem
Rather like 70isalimitnotatarget I use lids to store any soap or soap bars. However I use a milk lid....generally green semi skimmed lids from a 4 pint Sainsbury's bottle! Free and hardly shows. The soapy items never go slimy.

@Ilikeviognier

Today’s looks great! I’ve wanted to try solid cleanser too. Pretty impressed so far with the products! Full sizes some days too!

Yes, I hadn't realised at first that this is full size. Really pleased with that, and that it is not too coconutty. Thanks for the tips about how to keep it! I am currently using a Friendly Soap facial bar that is quite happy on a bamboo dish on the side of the bath but I was worried that the Ethique one might be softer and not hold up so well, so I will try the flannel trick.