John Lewis Beauty Advent 🎄

[PomRuns]

Any interest in a opening/review thread?

I tend to open early.
No photos until after 0700?

🎄🧑‍🎄

Hmm. I’m not so sure now. Caroline Hirons Skin Rocks app classes it as a moisturiser rather than an SPF.

@Peridot1 I know what you mean about using a separate SPF, as this advice is seen frequently. However the rationale is just that people don’t tend to use moisturiser in enough quantities to provide the advertised SPF protection. If you do, then you get the same amount of protection. In other words, a moisturiser of SPF 50 provides the same amount of protection per ml as a dedicated sunscreen of SPF 50.

This product is a great multitasker and I’m going to use it from today!

Happy with todays and it will definitely get used! Nice big size as well.

I like todays too. Would definitely like to see more ‘standard’ face moisteriser though!

@Falalalalalal Yes. Especially after all the exfoliants!

I really like Votary products so happy with today’s offering. I have a brightening serum in use at the moment and another one in my stash so this will go in the queue!

@Mrcpy - I think it’s early and I haven’t had enough tea but you have confused me a bit! My understanding is that with moisturiser with SPF you would need to use way more than people usually do with a moisturiser to get the appropriate SPF protection? Hence the recommendation to always use a separate SPF. Which is what I do. I know you say IF you use enough you get the protection but how much is ‘enough’?

@Falalalalalal - we had the Sunday Reilly moisturiser which was full size. I know it has Vit C but it’s basically a good moisturiser.

@peridot1 if the bottle says “spf 50” then you need to use the same amount to get the same degree of protection. Don’t get bogged down in whether it’s a moisturising sunscreen or a moisturiser with spf. The advice to use separate products comes from the observation that people don’t use much moisturiser. You could always just use more. But I don’t have expertise, I just heard this from a dermatologist on a beauty podcast.

Happy with today’s!

Two finger lengths of SPF is the recommended amount for the face. It can be easier to apply one finger length and then the second rather than all at once If there seems to be too much product to massage in in one go.

Love Votary too and happy with this. I think it'll go in the queue for after the Lumene oil as I usually do hyaluronic in the am & retinol in the pm.

I was thinking the Dermalogica would be instead of SPF. I normally use separate Roche La Posay 50 but think this will be ok in the winter anyway.

Really pleased with both these products, the Lumene oil and the Sunday Riley cream - that's the value for me in just those 4.

@Falalalalalal dont forget we have also had the Augustus Bader moisturiser. This is a really good thick moisturiser. I know it has bad press but I am one of the exceptions I think as I really enjoy using it at night
I think there has been a good balance with this , the vit C SR moisturiser and the Dermalogica SPF
Overall I think John Lewis have done well if they had just given us a standard cleanser and face mask without the AHA it would have been perfect

Also a big fan of votary.

Does the Dermalogica leave a cast? It may not suit my skin tone if so.

I'm excited to try this! I have hyper pigmentation so always on the look out for products that target that. Though at £75 a bottle I'm kind of hoping that I don't love this too much!

I'm really pleased with this calendar overall. There have been so many full size products that have gone into my stash so I can treat myself for months to come. It's my first JL calendar and definitely top of my list for next year.

I used it this morning @PomRuns and I didn’t notice a cast. I’m pale though.

I have emailed Dermalogica to ask if it’s classed as a stand alone SPF. I may sound a bit OTT on this but I’ve spent a fortune on laser treatment to deal with sun damage and want to make sure I’m properly protected. Also a friend in Aus uses it as a stand alone spf so I’m a bit concerned it’s not enough protection for her either.

@Roundaboot my first JL calendar too and I’m already planning on saving a bit of cash each month so I can treat myself again next Christmas!

Today’s serum takes our total to £637.40

I had a reply from Dermalogica - it’s a combined moisturiser with SPF and you get the full SPF 50 protection as long as you use the correct amount. Apparently by law if it say SPF 50 it has to give that level of protection.

It’s my first JL calendar too and I’ve really liked it. I’ve joined the Liberty Beauty Drop to save up for their calendar next year though. And am on a complete no buy until then!

I really hate the bader moisturiser, still have most of a bottle to use from last year. Might stick this one on ebay.

Also not a massive fan of the make up. However, the other skin stuff, perfume, shower products I will definitely use, and would buy this calendar again.

@Peridot1 thanks for checking and letting us know! I’m impressed by your initiative in emailing them. Totally understand your concerns in wanting to check :)

I'm loving everything and have sampled them all so far.
Favourites at the moment are the Sunday Riley cream, Elemis serum and Lumene oil.
What's the best way to isolate the products to see which ones are actually making a difference?

VERY happy with today’s. This and the Dermalogica alone made this calendar worth it. Well done, JL.

Happy with todays Bath/shower oil.

@Mookie81 - I think the best thing is not to overload your skin. Introduce new things once a week to check you aren’t having a reaction to one item. Consistency is key really. Cleanse, tone, moisturise and most importantly SPF. Don’t over exfoliate - most of us don’t need to exfoliate every day especially if you have more sensitive skin. Maybe add in a retinol at night. (Can’t remember if we got one in the calendar!) My current routine is to concentrate on hydration in the morning so a few layers of light hydration and then moisturiser and spf. At night I use retinol and exfoliate but not the same night - so one night I use retinol, next night just hydrate, next night exfoliate, next night hydrate then next night retinol again. That routine seems to suit my skin which is sensitive and prone to rosacea.

Drawer of disappointment for me - I just don’t used bath oils so this'll be rehomed.

One of my favourites today. Love it and will use it for both baths and showers.

I’m hoping to have time for soak in the bath later on once the Christmas Eve madness is done so the bath oil will be ideal to try!

I finally tried the Christophe Robin scalp scrub this morning in the shower, it’s left my hair feeling very soft and light. Used less than the recommended tablespoon - maybe half of that. Definitely a winner for me

Our oil is £55 and our total is £692.40.