Beauty chat - freebies/gifts with purchase/offers

[Giftwithpurchase]

I just wondered if anyone would be interested in discussing the beauty gifts with purchase/offers which come about on Cult Beauty, Space NK and the like every few months. I loved the advent calendar threads and thought this might be similar. If there's already a threat on this apologies & I'd appreciate the link! As you can tell I'm a little addicted and find them hard to resist and would love to compare with like minded pp. We could even do swaps if pp want.
I just cracked and bought the recent Cult Beauty 'Self Care' goodie bag - couldn't resist the name as I'm in desperate need of some self care after a rough few months (isn't everyone?!). I haven't opened it yet as haven't had the time with a 6 month old - but can't wait to have a peak. I also forgot what I bought for the £170 required purchase. But think I snuck in a few bit of makeup which isn't like me as I stick to my favourite makeup and usually just buy skincare and body stuff. Anyone else purchase it? What did you think? Be great to get notifications when other sites/retailers have good offers to!

@Ponks

I saw that too *@AprilLady* , and thought much the same. Hope Cult Beauty doesn't go downhill. Though to be fair I've always had very good service from LF - although heard horror stories from others.

@Ponks

I'm in the middle of a complaint with LF. They are so quick to get your money but I'm still waiting on a refund, more than a week later. An item that went out of stock between me ordering it and my order being out for delivery. How bad is their stock process?

Details of more Beauty Advent Calendars are starting to come in. Shall we chat about them on this thread or start a dedicated Beauty Advent Calendar thread like last year?

I loved last year’s F&M calendar, and have ended up using almost everything from it, but more on the fence about this year’s.

@AprilLady rubbish news .. I was always attracted to CB because I thought it was somewhat independent and curated .. let's just hope it doesn't go down the same road as LF 🤔

I think I may get the F&M calendar (if it doesn't sell out before I do) - it appeals to me as I've been told by my physio I need to take more baths and try to relax (ha!) .. so it's contents actually suit me pretty well.
Plus I have so much skincare!

Happy to chat on here about the calendars and/or dedicated threads .. the more info the better

Ps the new Next and ASOS boxes look pretty good

I can’t believe it’s advent season again already
I missed out on the Fortnums one last year (got the Cult Beauty one in the end which was great) and thought it I might go for it this year. Having seen the contents I’m not entirely convinced it’s the one for me though. There’s a really decent amount of full size stuff in there - including a full size Aromatherapy Associates bath oil - just not loads that appeals to me personally. But these things are all horses for courses aren’t they. I enjoy dissecting all the contents and choosing my favourite - even if it does ruin the surprise element.

@Giftwithpurchase, I agree one of the ASOS boxes looked good - I think it’s already sold out!

Best new box I think is actually the Revolve summer beauty bag beautyadventcalendar.net/revolve-summer-beauty-bag-2021/

It’s £108 including duties to the U.K., and there are no delivery charges. You can also get a further 15% off by downloading their app and using the relevant code - so c£91in total. A full size (240ml!) of the new Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia cream is included, which alone is worth £44, and there are quite a few other full sizes.

Only one very, very odd product: the rather interesting sheet mask which is not for the face…

I am so excited about the advent calendars - think I will also go for F&M this year.

Well for 1 anyway as I am likely to get more than 1...

Me too @PomRuns, I ALWAYS end up with more than one calendar, (though I’m going to be really strict with myself this year) 😂. F&M is definitely on my list. I had it in 2019 and loved it, but dithered for too long last year and it sold out. I’m really happy with the idea of some stuff that isn’t skincare. Like others on here, I have stacks and also plan on restocking some favourites as soon as a Liberty GWP comes along. I might be tempted by the Liberty advent, but it is going to have to be significantly different from past years to make me buy......

I feel the same about Liberty - last years was my least favourite (think had for past 6 years). Just looked at the contents of F&M - there are about 4 items I’m not keen on.
Liberty is being released 6 Oct, can’t see any hints re content.
Last year I also liked the look of the rituals. I normally get m and s it’s so cheap and give my niece anything o won’t use. I missed it last year, there’s normally a couple of goodies in there.
I’m also waiting for the next Liberty GWP!
Twinning 🤣

@PomRuns 🤣
If anyone from Liberty is reading this, WE ARE WAITING.....

@Luvacuppatea yes come on with the GWP!!
Plus Liberty beauty team we don’t require:
Margaret Dabbs
Sample size mascaras
Black eyeliner

I'm also waiting impatiently for a Liberty (or Space NK) GWP!

We should make a list for all the retailers' beauty buyers that might be reading this thread: other things we don't need in advent calendars or GWPs are:

Pixi glow tonic
Nars orgasm blusher

I'd add cleansers. I have a mountain of them. (Obviously I don't use them often enough !)

I confess I’m also hoping for a good end August Liberty GWP…

The Glossy Box 2021 calendar looks like it includes a few more of my pet hates:

• This works sleep spray
• Eyeko eyeliner
• Random facial tool
• Random Avant product

Easily a no for me.

Have to say the latest Liberty Beauty kit is also the least tempting yet as far as I am concerned Margaret Dabbs, Eve Lom cleanser (capsules, but having previous tried these I find them quite fiddly to use).

@RockaLock

I'm also waiting impatiently for a Liberty (or Space NK) GWP!

We should make a list for all the retailers' beauty buyers that might be reading this thread: other things we don't need in advent calendars or GWPs are:

Pixi glow tonic
Nars orgasm blusher

Or Eve Lom balm cleanser!

Agree with all the above - we could really do without them 😂. Can I also add the ‘value inflators’? Thinking of Dr Barbara Sturm here. Calendar filled with low-to-mid range stuff, but then the contents value blown stratospheric by the inclusion of one mega-priced moisturiser or serum I’d never, ever repurchase!

Oh I really agree. Last year Liberty put in a lip cream which I’m sure they said was rep £150 🙄
This year, apparently the value is £900…

Oh and no face mists - especially from that Orma something brand.

Actually I’m not buying anything anything with face mists, Margaret Dabbs, blusher or black eyeliner 🤞

F&M calendar is available for pre-order already 😲

@Luvacuppatea, can we add Avant, Verso and MZ Skin to the value inflating list. I actually do rate MZ skin products, but not a RP!

So does anyone think we’ll actually be listened to and our ‘perfect’ beauty advent calendar is going to appear? 😂. I doubt it as I’m sure the contents are pretty much finalised by now, but maybe next year? (I’m eternally optimistic 🤣)
@AprilLady - yes, Avant was one of the ‘price inflation’ brands I was trying (but failed) to recall this morning. I got a calendar for dd once, value around the £300 mark, and the Avant product accounted for 1/3 of the value 😳
@PomRuns - I do wonder what Liberty are going to come up with to meet the value increase.
It’s probably been said many times before (including by me) that perusing the contents of advent calendars and deciding which one/s to get is (almost) the most exciting part of the whole process.....

I got F&m one two years ago and I think it had more variety then but mostly smaller products (and a whopping huge jar of eye cream that sent the value up). I know I made onward gifts of nice candles and shower gels from it.

I'm also hoping for a good end of summer gwp. Space NK haven't had one with something 'special' for ages (looks at coach wristlet on the side).

Do any of you wear very dark lipsticks and would like these two?

NYX Lip Lingerie LIPLI14 shade Confident.

Sleek Matte me 1173 Unreal.

I don’t know if anyone that wears such dark colours and it would be shame to bin them.

Both are new and sealed and were received in beauty/complimentary gift boxes.

I pass on unwanted make up to family but this time I am stuck with what to do with these two!

Sleek Matte Me unreal.