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General beauty advent calendar discussion and swap thread

991 replies

AprilLady · 29/11/2020 15:10

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.

OP posts:
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163
2LittleSpeckledFrogs · 14/12/2020 15:16

@GaryTheDemon let us know what you think. My DH said he actually quite likes it on me; I think I may possibly wear it with just a light coat but very minimal eye makeup. Something different anyway.

FlyingByTheSeatof · 14/12/2020 18:20

So DD and I finally got round to applying the very shiny and golden Evolve Bio-retinol gold mask from the JL AC and smells of sweets.

General beauty advent calendar discussion and swap thread
Talisin · 14/12/2020 18:29

@FlyingByTheSeatof

So DD and I finally got round to applying the very shiny and golden Evolve Bio-retinol gold mask from the JL AC and smells of sweets.
But did you look like the Bond girl in Goldfinger though?
FlyingByTheSeatof · 14/12/2020 18:31

Yes absolutely @Talisin. Skin feels lovely and smooth after as well so that's a bonus.

bigdecisionstomake · 14/12/2020 18:42

@FlyingByTheSeatof I gave the family a fright when I tried it - it's certainly shockingly gold. Not sure I felt any difference from using it though - did you just leave it on for the recommended 5 minutes? I'm tempted to leave it a bit longer next time as 5 minutes didn't seem very long.

Babysharkdoodoodood · 14/12/2020 18:57

Got an (as in one) ampoule of Namaste anti ageing stuffing Rituals. Supposed to be £19.99 and last 7 days Confused

BuffaloMozzerella · 14/12/2020 19:11

@Babysharkdoodoodood I got that too. Is it really supposed to last 7 days??

FlyingByTheSeatof · 14/12/2020 19:12

We left it on for about 15 mins @bigdecisionstomake
It's not something I'd buy again tbh but for those that like their skin care organic then I'm sure its a good line to try.
Being a plant extract retinol that you wash off after 5-10 mins I'm not entirely sure how much difference it's going to make compared to an overnight retinol.

I suppose if you can't and don't want to use a strong retinol then this may be for you. You never know it may do wonders to DD's teenage problem skin (although the oils may be problematic) but cant really see it doing much for me but I'll use it up and who know's it may be pure magic.

ashmts · 14/12/2020 19:12

@Babysharkdoodoodood I have this too... Just looked and it's £19.90 for 14ml. We got 2ml. So presumably that's one day. Big deal eh! I've been so impressed with Rituals but this and the scrub glove day have left me a bit bemused.

percheron67 · 14/12/2020 19:15

For the first time i have a Fortnum one. Disappointing so far. Not worth the money i paid. Lovely to look at, though.

bigdecisionstomake · 14/12/2020 19:21

@FlyingByTheSeatof Right, will try a bit longer next time then. I use a retinol overnight most nights so wondered if my skin would benefit from a retinol mask on top of that. Not sure if a bio-retinol is different to standard either. So much to learn! Pleased with the Elemis today though.

FlyingByTheSeatof · 14/12/2020 19:33

I was thinking that too @bigdecisionstomake
I've applied retinol tonight just to see what happens but I was thinking I might use the mask on my usual non-retinol, hydration nights.

ohwhatamiserableyear · 14/12/2020 20:59

@Talisin

Living Proof Full Shampoo from Fenwicks today. I have fine straight hair so this should theoretically be perfect for me Xmas Smile
It's the only item that's disappointed me in the calendar so far ... because it didn't include a matching conditioner! Oh well.
MiaN · 15/12/2020 04:59

@OchonAgusOchonO

I can always try one method on one half of my face, and the other on the other half and see which looks better Grin
Actually this is great idea. Try for one night and see what part of the face the products absorb better or does it make difference at all. It could end up no difference other than personal preference
MiaN · 15/12/2020 07:08

Livery HA serum - I am not too bothered about HA serums to be honest
Cult Beauty AB rich cream - I already have few form but more than happy to get another!
Space Nk KA palette - I opened the Space NK advent in october as it was birthday gift for me. I love love love this palette! The colours are super usable, pigmented but not over the top, soft and so easy to blend, last all day and goes from day to night makeup so easy. It is probably my favourite item from advent calendars this year. I still have 10 liberty days to open but I am really impressed by this

General beauty advent calendar discussion and swap thread
MiaN · 15/12/2020 07:09

I meant liberty! Autocorrect is not working with me today

ProfessorRadcliffeEmerson · 15/12/2020 07:11

H&B Vitaskin eye cream today. Looks nice, looking forward to trying it.

Arran has been a bit meh, endless shampoo and conditioner. Nice for travel, if we can ever go anywhere again, but not exciting. The Rituals one I had in November was much better.

2LittleSpeckledFrogs · 15/12/2020 07:18

Amazon today...a makeup sponge. The exact same makeup sponge they gave last year, which I was pretty meh about then so am even more meh now! I am, however, wearing my Max Factor cream blush from the other day and it looks nice - although I'm convinced cream blush makes my skin greasier than powder blush. Has anyone ever had the Clinique AC? I would really like that one next year.

Talisin · 15/12/2020 07:20

@ohwhatamiserableyear well today should be better for you then Xmas Grin

Yes, Fenwicks have gone for shampoo two days running (they did this with lipsticks as well earlier on - why?) but with its matching conditioner this time. Avenda Cherry and Almond, which does smell rather lovely but I’d rather have had a couple of days between shampoos.

Original poster
AprilLady · 15/12/2020 07:29

N-a-P today is a cleansing oil from Mauli. Not one I’ve tried before, so happy with that. A lot of the point of these calendars after all is to discover new products you might like.

From F&M, an Aurelia product, but for once not the Miracle Balm but a night moisturiser. I quite like the Miracle Balm (though not enough to choose it above other cleansers), so will give this a go.

General beauty advent calendar discussion and swap thread
OP posts:
bigdecisionstomake · 15/12/2020 07:49

Interesting looking face mask from Rodial in John Lewis today

General beauty advent calendar discussion and swap thread
OchonAgusOchonO · 15/12/2020 08:10

I got am email today from An Post saying they have received my LF calendar!!!!!! Two weeks after LF told me it was in Ireland and any delays were An Post's fault, An Post gets it. Gobshites. Jadvent here we come.

@BuffaloMozzerella - did you get an email from them?

Butterymuffin · 15/12/2020 08:16

@OchonAgusOchonO

I got am email today from An Post saying they have received my LF calendar!!!!!! Two weeks after LF told me it was in Ireland and any delays were An Post's fault, An Post gets it. Gobshites. Jadvent here we come.

@BuffaloMozzerella - did you get an email from them?

Yay! Most exciting post ever! 🥳
Butterymuffin · 15/12/2020 08:17

Small box of Lindt chocolates in today's Degustabox Grin

OchonAgusOchonO · 15/12/2020 08:22

@Butterymuffin - nice. Which chocolates? I'm a bit meh about lindors but love their normal chocolates.