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.

A nice sized jar of Polaar Night Revitalizing Cream from Fenwicks today. Look forward to trying it tonight. Sadly the accompanying card was pretty factual today so nothing to giggle at.

Two expensive face creams today. From F&M something called Baume 27, which is apparently a rich balm that is a mix between an oil and a cream. Will be curious to see what it is like.

N-a-P is the U Beauty super smart hydrator. I have the resurfacing compound from a GWP so will be good to try these together. After a slow start N-a-P has definitely improved significantly.

Lumene today is another toy tube of moisturiser... not exciting, didn't know a brand could make so many different moisturisers!

@BookShark, it said to apply the Virtue mask “liberally”, so I did. I don’t have particularly long or thick hair though. Hope you do manage to get the Rosewater too, pretty poor of them not to even contact you.

@CupboardMonster, agree the Ilapothecary cream is lovely.

@OchonAgusOchonO, wow on the black eyeliner. I’ve moved to a darker brown, but not yet tried black. You’ve inspired me to give it a go.

Was very happy to see CT eyeshadow pencil in the JL calendar today, slightly disappointed that it's not a great colour for me - I have blue eyes.

I wonder if there are different colours in the calendars or all the same?

Great list AprilLady. I've only used a couple of products so far from my calendar but really loving the Disciple face oils as my skin is so dry atm. My current serum is nearly finished so can't wait to start using the Lumene vit c

Clarins keep sending me emails advertising their 12 days of Christmas advent calendar - love a bit of Clarins but seems to be oos everywhere online. I thought that would be a good one to open in January

What colour did you get @Themarvellousmrsm

Very impressed with your long lasting lash curler @FlyingByTheSeatof

@QueenPaws - that looks really good, particularly for that price! My CEW one is also a beauty box topped up with 4 items from another GWP so you could do the same for the rest of advent and post on here too. If you don't have an old advent calendar, put them in a bag and do a lucky dip each day.

I know @OchonAgusOchonO seems crazy really. I got it when I was 15. The new one feels springier making my old Boots one suddenly feel it's age but its a perfect fit on my eyes and has always given me amazing looking lashes.

@FlyingByTheSeatof @Themarvellousmrsm I got the Dark Pearl one too. My eyes are grey but I think I would wear this colour. Not sure what it means by 'Colour Morphing' though? Suggests the shade changes to suit each person?

From CEW - a blusher from.Hourglass. I've never heard of this brand. It looks a bit pale, with the white mixed in but I'll give it a go.

Lumene is, surprisingly, another moisturiser.

Tea is darjeeling.

@Ponks - didn't know a brand could make so many different moisturisers!

Yeah. How different can they all be?

ASOS today is a Becca backlight priming filter - never really wear a primer so looking forward to trying and looking Ah-maxing by 9am..

@bigdecisionstomake I've got green eyes so this will suit me. I had to look up re the colour morphing but it doesn't seem to expand upon what that actually means. I've tried it out on my hand and once applied doesn't seem to budge so any blending needs to be done immediately

@OchonAgusOchonO Hourglass is a lovely high end brand famed for the lit from within look

@FlyingByTheSeatof Good to know, I'm not confident with make-up so will remember not to faff about too much once it's on!

I haven't used eyelash curlers for years - used to in the 80s but not sure where they went - I'll have to get a new pair. I'd forgotten what a difference they can make until you mentioned them.

I used the F&M Aurelia night moisturiser last night and have woken up with super soft skin, even the dry bumpy jawline bit is soft and smooth. Impressed!

Happy with today's Baume 27.

Degustabox delivered two products that are always in use in my house, very pleased with them.

Just pop it all over your eyelid, the part you blink with which should make your eyes pop.

@bigdecisionstomake I have hooded eyes hence my dedication to mascara and eyelash curlers. They're more important than eyeshadow to me on a daily basis. Not that I'm wearing much makeup these days

@FlyingByTheSeatof - Hourglass is a lovely high end brand famed for the lit from within look

Good to know. Thanks. I'll try it next time I put make-up on. Probably around February....

@CupboardMonster it's lovely trying a product that has such immediate results

@OchonAgusOchonO ha yes

@CupboardMonster - the sun-dried tomato puree looks great. I've never used garlic puree but ds would probably use it as he hates chopping garlic. He's been using dried garlic flakes.

@FlyingByTheSeatof I got dark Pearl. I'm undecided whether to gift or give it a go. I had the champagne diamonds colourway & didn't notice any 'colour morphing', also once it's on, very difficult to blend. It looked great if I had a tan.

@AprilLady How could I forget to mention my absolute favourite from JL - the Noem pillow spray! It's getting used rather liberally atm!

I've heard great things about Hourglass @OchonAgusOchonO do report back. I'm keen to look as if I have some sort of seductive inner glow!