General beauty advent calendar discussion and swap thread

[AprilLady]

Like many others, I’m looking forward to starting my Beauty Advent Calendars on Tuesday. With no M&S calendar or thread this year, I thought it might be fun to have a general beauty advent calendar discussion and swap thread. I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about the calendar they are opening, whatever it is.

I suggest though we comment only on content from current or previous days, so as not to spoil the surprise for those opening one day at a time.

I think the Degustabox is actually now out of stock, but instead of telling you this, the website link just takes you to the regular subscription box. Quite annoying.

@bigdecisionstomake I didnt even think about that, it would be nigh on impossible to get any out if you have long nails. Mine are short and my ring finger just fits in awkwardly

Today from Amazon is an illuminator. I have a slight fear of these because I always think I’m just going to end up looking like I’ve smeared glitter all over my face. I don’t actually wear a lot about the make up and I think of illuminator as something you wear if you do quite a lot of sophisticated make up not if you just put on a bit of eyeshadow and mascara like I do! I haven’t taken the wrapper off yet and I was thinking ‘oh well maybe I could use it as an eyeshadow’ but on the back it says do not put on eyes, so that’s that then. What do you reckon, should I risk it? Where do I apply it? (Don’t say ‘in the bathroom’ )

@GaryTheDemon I put it on what I like to think of as my cheekbones the outer side of the fleshy bit of my cheek. You only need a little dab but it gives what the beauty companies call a 'dewy glow'. I don't find they look glittery, it's just a bit of a sheen. If you wear foundation, as I do for work, I think it balances out what can be a matt, flat look. Could just be me though!

On the subject of the By Terry rose lip balm, I got it in a recent subscription box and it was the travel one in a tube with a wand applicator, so I've been able to bypass all the fingernail issues. That might be the one to go for if you were inclined to repurchase.

This is the Amazon highlighter. I do use highlighters now and then but have yet to try this one.

This lip care in the pot though is completely solid so wouldn't go in a tube let alone be able to stick a wand in it. I've just googled them and the one you have @Butterymuffin is a liquid lip balm version, they also have a crayon version. They do the balm in the pot in tinted shades.

I have to say it is noticably the best lip balm I have ever used so definitely worth buying for anyone who is prone to very chapped dry lips

Re the amazon highlighter you can apply it under your foundation too. I saw Lisa Eldridge do that with a cream highlighter. Apply to top of cheekbones over or under foundation or both. Some people hi-light their cupids bow and mid forehead. I tend to do top of cheekbones with a powder highlighter as habit.

verso eye cream, full size in skinstore. Skinstore is absolute hit for me considering the impulse purchase and low expectations. I only bought it as the cost was close to the cost of chantecaille mask I want but I loved all but one products so far.

Weleda arnica bath milk in H&B today - smells amazing! I have managed to resist the Joe&Sephs vegan version, but popcorn and Rituals are definitely on my list of options for next year...I can see me ending up with several calendars as a result of this thread!

Virtue restorative hair mask in N-a-P. A small sample size, but I'll forgive them after yesterday's serum - although I doubt this will do more than one or two washes.

Not going to try it yet as a lot of the reviews comment on the scent, and I'm full of a cold so too bunged up to smell anything!

This morning's Amazon offering is a Max Factor dusky pink cream blush/highlighter duo. I'm pleased with this. The HB Arnica bath milk is gorgeous. A good day!

I love this thread.

I’m also pleased with this morning’s H&B offering, it’ll be great for baths on days when I’m cold and stiff and achy.

What's your favorite product and from what advent calendar so far? Least favourite?

Today's Degustabox has a mini bottle of Wolf Blass Cabernet Sauvignon. One for later!

@FlyingByTheSeatof ah, ok. I'm enjoying my tube version.

All sample sizes today, but I’m happy enough as they are all new products for me and things I want to try. N-a-P is a hair mask. F&M again have two products in one draw: a Sisley rose face cream and face mask. A quick Google tells me full size is £££ so good to get 10ml sample sizes to try.

@MiaN, favourite so far that I have tried is the Chantecaille Rose de Mai cream from F&M. I need a light day moisturiser and this really delivers. I’m also really looking forward to trying yesterday’s Vit C Serum from N-a-P.

Least favourite: the single silk scrunchie. I already have a number of these and why just one? The Oribe shampoo and conditioner were tiny, but at least they were new products for me, and actually worked well when used.

Today's Degustabox has a mini bottle of Wolf Blass Cabernet Sauvignon. One for later!

I was surprised by that! I didn't realise it would have booze in Very handy to have a small bottle for cooking, when I don't want to open (and subsequently drink...) a large bottle.
Love the bath oil in H&B too - it's proper old school!

@AprilLady I would love to try this ream but it's soooo expensive! I will keep an eye on F&M next year

The award for Most Bizarre Product goes to CEW today. Basically, a grown up version of babywipes my kids bring to festivals. Looked them up - £25 for 12! I got 6.

Hand cream from Lumene, which I'm really pleased with. It's a good size too.

Lemon Harmony tea.

Hallo I'm another Amazon calendar opener.

This is my 2nd year of the Amazon advent calendar. DH gets it me every year, which is lovely, although I had dropped hints this year for one of the higher end ones as I'm a bit picky about brands. I'd absolutely love something Nars or Clinique and chance of finding that in Amazon is slim to none.

That said, I was worried this year would be a repeat of last year and so far it hasn't been. What I have found a bit odd is the timings...2 x toners very close together, then 2 x blusher / highlighting products very close. Nice products but the variation could be spaced a bit more! I've been impressed with the sizes of things though.

@MiaN - favourite from each calendar: hard to pick a favourite from the CEW as it's been fantastic but I think the Estee Lauder eye balm. From Lumene, the hand cream (I like hand creams). From my tea one, my surprise favourite was the chamomile. I'm normally not a fan but this was delicious.

Least favourite has to be today's from CEW. Baby wipes are not my thing.

Diptyque have returned to candles, a Mimosa one today, so I'm happy.

@Snowplop have you tried the Maxfactor set yet? I had a little go this AM and can't quite figure out how best to apply them as they're a sort of creamy consistency (I usually use powder)?

@Garythedemon I tried the illuminator yesterday and it's fairly subtle so actually quite nice but opening the pot and taking the seal off makes a right mess, so maybe the bathroom!

@Garythedemon I also tried the Wonderlift the day we got it. Personally found it did zilch for my wrinkles, but did bring me out in strange little lumps so prob won't use again. I have liked the Velvet nail polish though, despite never usually wearing nail polish. It's very natural and made my nails feel much stronger. Don't think I'd ever wear the red one.

I'm v jealous of all the folks with the N-a-P Vit V serum.