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Original poster

Holland & Barrett 2021 advent calendar thread

382 replies

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 23/11/2021 11:30

This year's thread for chat (and potentially) swaps for the 2021 Holland & Barrett beauty calendar.

No spoilers please! As per last year, can we please use 7am as a cut of point? So, if you are an early bird and open your door before 7am, please don't post until then. At some point during the day, I'll pop a link to that day's product in the thread.

Can't wait to open this one! Last year's was great...reusable earbud notwithstanding...

OP posts:
Plump82 · 03/12/2021 17:55

@GreatSoprendo

I just jumped ahead and opened box 5 (as I will be away over the weekend). No spoiler but box 5 seemed to be holding half the other boxes up so I've spent 10 mins reconstructing the calendar. Be warned!

(I should add that design of this year is much more attractive than last year's)

I do like the little boxes. I just put them back in when I've opened it to keep them all up.
PalacePaper · 03/12/2021 19:04

I like the eye cream (though not overly keen on the smell) but also had trouble getting the pump going. It's working now, but i opened the bottle and the cream looks quite thick. I think there might end up being a lot left in the bottle that I can't get out.

Im scared of the hair oil! I have fine hair that tends to get greasy. Love the smell though and it sounds like it gets good results from this thread so I'll be brave and give it a try Smile

Love the scrub! Excited for tomorrow Smile

Hello1290 · 03/12/2021 20:02

I haven't opened the eye cream yet as I have others on the go. I love the smell of the hair oil and am looking forward to trying the scrub!

Snoopsnoggysnog · 03/12/2021 22:25

DD and I have just put on the hair oil. Feels lovely.

AnneShirleysNewDress · 03/12/2021 22:39

Just used the scrub, it's lovely. Really happy so far.

Nuffaluff · 04/12/2021 08:03

I thought I’d use the hair oil the other day (late at night, half asleep). Then I checked yesterday and by the looks of the bottle it seems as if I only used one molecule of it. No wonder it didn’t do anything!
For those who’ve found it effective, how much did you use?
Very happy to get REN toner today. I used to get REN all the time but stopped when I had kids as too expensive. I’m a bit better off now so maybe I can let this bottle persuade me to go back. Will try it this morning.

UnoriginalPenguin · 04/12/2021 08:16

Still working up the courage to use the oil 'properly' but I've liked using a tiny bit to smooth and finish after styling. Very pleased with the Ren - I've just finished a toner so good timing and it's a brand I always gift to other people but don't feel like I can justify spending on for myself Confused

OverByYer · 04/12/2021 08:31

My 1st beauty calendar and pleased with everything so far although haven’t tried the products as already have similar on the go. Good sizes.
I’ve been putting the empty boxes back in to keep the others propped up. Bit like jenga in the morning!

Snoopsnoggysnog · 04/12/2021 08:38

I have woken up with soft but greasy hair so will wash it out this morning!

I won’t use the toner so happy to swap it later.

DrRamsesEmerson · 04/12/2021 08:38

Nor wildly excited about the REN as it doesn't do much for my skin (I've tried this one before), but so far the calendar is earning it's keep! Nuffaluff, I used enough to make a splash about the size of a 50p piece in my hand - I have short hair.

DrRamsesEmerson · 04/12/2021 08:39

I'd be happy to swap the toner.

Neversaygoodbye · 04/12/2021 08:48

I gave the scrub to my DD17 (tried it first of course, it was very nice) as I tend to use liquid exfoliants...so I'm very pleased with the REN toner, always wanted to try this.

Chrysanthemum5 · 04/12/2021 10:15

I put the boxes back in but turned around to hide the number so it's easier to find the right day

Todays offering is not something I've used but your comments make me think it might be worth a try? Used the facial scrub yesterday and my skin still feels lovely and soft

I8toys · 04/12/2021 11:20

Good product today but have sacrificed to give to uni son to put on his spots, when he has them, to dry them out! 😁

Original poster
IToldYouIWasFreaky · 04/12/2021 11:38

Day 4: REN Ready Steady Glow Tonic (I'm not at home now and can't remember the size! About 50ml I think?)

OP posts:
Innocenta · 04/12/2021 11:39

@IToldYouIWasFreaky

Day 4: REN Ready Steady Glow Tonic (I'm not at home now and can't remember the size! About 50ml I think?)
Yes! It's 50mL
BringMeTea · 04/12/2021 12:10

May I join in? Yes I think it has earned its keep. This REN stuff is very good. I tried the hair oil and I have fine hair. It washed out really easily and hair is super soft but not lank. Pretty good result.

holymolyguacamoles · 04/12/2021 12:27

The hair oil made my hair lovely and soft.

The scrub from yesterday also made my skin feel good.

The toner from today just to check I'm using it right, wash/cleanse face then use this toner applied with cotton pad and moisturiser after?

OverByYer · 04/12/2021 16:40

Yes holy although I tend to apply toner with my hands as most of it ends up absorbed by the cotton wool otherwise.

I used the ey cream this morning, pump worked fine but one pump is too much for one application. I like the product though.
I will probably keep the toner and hair oil for travel.
Not too fussed on the scrub but I don't tend to use a scrub anyway.

ForestDragon · 04/12/2021 18:48

Enjoying this advent calendar so far - all things I'll at least try so a step up from last year's No7 where there was too much unusable makeup!

Quick question before we get there and I spoil it - I seem to have two no 6's - I'm assuming one is a 9 but not sure which as they both point the same way in my box! One is a bigger heavy one, one a smaller lighter one. Anyone have them different ways up?!

moimichme · 04/12/2021 19:40

I'm enjoying it too. A makeup heavy one would be wasted on me - I like to choose that myself.

@ForestDragon In my calendar, 9 is a bigger and heavier box than the 6. Hopefully others can confirm the same!

dizzygirl1 · 04/12/2021 19:47

Ahhh I didn't get it this year and feel like I'm missing out reading this thread 🤭🤭
I loved it last year, will male myself buy it next year

starlight36 · 04/12/2021 19:58

@moimichme

I'm enjoying it too. A makeup heavy one would be wasted on me - I like to choose that myself.

@ForestDragon In my calendar, 9 is a bigger and heavier box than the 6. Hopefully others can confirm the same!

Yes in my calendar the 9 is the bigger box at the top with the 6 snd 14 below it.
OverByYer · 04/12/2021 21:55

Yes my 9 is top and bigger than 6

ForestDragon · 04/12/2021 22:28

Excellent, I'll take that degree of agreement very happily! Have turned my larger one the other way up so I don't forget!!