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.

Today's from ASOS is an Origins Active Charcoal Mask - very pleased! Another mask which is slightly strange but not complaining. Full size too which is great

Very small pot of Bobbi Brown ‘Vitamin Enriched Face Base’ aka moisturiser from Fenwicks today. It smells glorious so I’m looking forward to trying it.

Agree Bumbl odd to have 3 masks in first 8 days but not complaining - looks lovely!

I've got the Origins mask and it is great. Looks very alarming on though.

@Talisin I love this base, it's great for the winter. I have used and repurchased several times

Christophe Robin cleansing scrub with sea salt today from John Lewis. Thought this was a body scrub but after reading the instructions it’s actually a scalp scrub and hair treatment. Smells lovely so am interested to try it. Definitely something I wouldn’t have bought myself.

@MiaN My favourite product from John Lewis so far is the Lumene Vitamin C serum. Definitely something I'll use regularly and may well repurchase. Least favourite is the Acqua Di Palma set - looks lovely but don't like the smell at all so will be gifting.

Am coveting lots from other calendars and trying to decide which one I might get next year but keep changing my mind... The non-beauty ones are a revelation, I must have been hiding under a stone up to now. Will definitely be getting the popcorn one for DS1 next year and love the idea of the tea one too - lovely to try different flavours without having to commit to a whole box of 80.

@bigdecisionstomake I have used that hair scrub, read/watch the videos how to use it. It changed the way I was my hair even with other shampoos, I spend a lot more time on the scalp now and nearly no time for the rest of the hair. It foams after massaging it on your scalp so use very little

@MiaN That's good to know thanks, I'll have a look on YouTube before I give it a try. I'm splitting my advent haul into two piles, one I'm getting stuck into straight away, the other I'm saving until I've finished work for Christmas. This is in the latter pile, for when I've got more time to work out how to use it properly!

I'm pleased with my Boots No 7 item which is a decent size Protect and Perfect Intense advanced day cream.
I have to say the No 7 serum I got the other day has made a noticable difference already where I've slipped it into my usual routine so that's a definite repurchase.

Interestingly though @bigdecisionstomake I'm not convinced about the Lumene Nordic C essence as it did nothing for me. It does smell and feel nice though and I'll use it up in the mornings as it sinks in nice and quickly. Todays hair product looks intriguing. I'll use it next time I dye my hair as it says its good for use after.

Nespresso was another espresso. Diavolitto. Too strong!

Rituals was a lovely shower gel. Samurai. I know ds loves this so it's going in his stocking fillers.

@bigdecisionstomake If they are of any interest to you, I have the Lumene under eye concealer and black eyeliner if you want to swap for Acqua di Palma?

They both seem very good but I don't wear eyeliner these days and the concealer is not the right shade for me - I have never been able to find concealer pale enough (even Nars and Laura Mercier aren't pale enough!)

Although I just realised I don't know the "monetary" price of these items, or even the calendars as mine was a surprise gift, so I hope they are roughly equivalent now I have offered! I don't want to look cheeky if yours is worth a lot £££!

@NorskSkogkatt Thanks for the offer but I've already promised the Acqua di Palma to my mum. There is a separate swaps thread going (someone linked to it much earlier in the thread) and I noticed there were several different Acqua di Palma sets on there so it might be worth heading over to see what's still available.

I had a moment of genius today. If I save my box from this year, I can probably fill it multiple times over during the year with all the things I get as part of GWPs (which I don't need, but get sucked into anyway).

So if I do that, I don't get the guilt over what I've paid for it (as I would have bought the full-size products anyway, so the advent calendar fillers genuinely are freebies) and if I'm not impressed by the product or it's a small sample size, that's also fine because, again, it's all free.

Plus it gives me an excuse to buy lots of other things over the year in order to get said freebies - result! Although maybe I need to get one more calendar as well, just to get a prettier box than the N-a-P one...

Oh thank you @bigdecisionstomake I shall check it out (I know I will probably end up swapping with DD, and by swapping I mean just giving it to her )

I can't find the link to the swaps thread, what is it please?

I can't either @2LittleSpeckledFrogs

Thanks all, will crack the illuminator open. Am pleased with my blush/highlighter set today (is highlighter illuminator by another name?)

@Butterymuffin

Scratch that, there's one already done

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/4056013-Christmas-Advent-Calendar-Swap-Thread

(Still like my title though..)

Here's the link to the swap thread for everyone asking.

Thanks @bigdecisionstomake there's not much traffic on it yet is there .

Mind you the title of this thread does seem to indicate it's also a swap thread but I think the swaps would get lost amongst the other posts.

I'm finding the No 7 hydration mask as something I'm drawn to wanting to use and my skin is noticably more plump and hydrated which I'm putting down to the No 7 serum and this mask.

@2LittleSpeckledFrogs I'm a powder blusher wearer as well but I've been considering a cream lately having watched a lot of Trinny vids. I will report back after I've tried the Max Factor blush. I think a little will go a long way.

I received a lovely surprise of a Christmas hamper through the post today. It includes some Joe & Seph popcorn (gingerbread latte flavour) so I can try it out to help persuade me to get the advent calendar next year

Two good products today. N-a-P definitely doing better after a slow start. Today is the Chantecaille Pure Rosewater in a deluxe size which I am looking forward to trying.

F&M is a 5 pair box of eye gels. I’ve had Patchology eye gels before, but these are different. They’re night gels with retinol, so interested to try.

April how do you use the Rosewater spray? Is it a refreshing summer thing, or a moisturising winter when you have dry skin from central heating thing? I've not come across it before, so any tips welcome!