Selfridges Advent Calendar - 2022 opening thread 🎄💛

[Zoetrope1]

A little late but I thought it start an opening thread for the Selfridges AC. Partially because I enjoy documenting and partly to avoid spoilers for those in the general thread holding off on opening.

As with the other threads, suggest no photos before 7am.

Hope you’ll join me!

Let me know what you guys think of the perfume! I wore it yesterday and today and to be honest I can barely smell it. Will keep trying

Day 7 Pat McGrath Divine Blush in Desert Orchid, full size, £38

Layerable. Luxurious. Legendary. Blush like an icon. Pat's most requested launch ever, the instantly indispensable Divine Blush, creates a featherlight, long-wearing rush of couture colour in demi-matte and satin finishes. Ultra-fine powder pigments deliver sensuously soft, brilliantly blendable application. All nine shades build effortlessly from sheer to subversive, bare to bold to beyond, ensuring a wondrous wash of customisable colour tailored to every skin tone and type. Embossed with radiant roses and sublime sun rays, this new classic is the answer to the eternal question: Who Makes You Blush?

Desert Orchid (Bronze Rose With Golden Pearl)

I don’t wear make up but this makes me want to! the packaging is gorgeous and it’s such a beautiful colour. excellent reviews too.

And the colour for reference

This is another one that’s been tampered with for me unfortunately but agree the packaging is beautiful.

There seems to be a really nice mix so far, no repetition like I’m seeing with other calendars.

@Pinenu I can't believe bits of yours have been tampered with! So frustrating and not what you'd expect from selfridges.

Looking forward to trying this blusher

A shame @Pinenu! I must say I’m impressed by your positive attitude about it all!

Day 8, Dr Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum, 10ml travel size, £85!!!

Give skin a boost with Dr Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum, an intensive skincare treatment that promotes firm skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and rejuvenate the complexion.

Formulated with long and short chain hyaluronic molecules to help promote deep, intense hydration, this serum offers an instant skin boost that helps to combat against the damaging effects of lifestyle and environment.

Gentle enough for daily use, this serum is also an effective skin protector for pick-me-ups at times where the complexion is exposed to the elements, or for when time is spent in air conditioned environments such as offices, trains or planes.

Dr Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum contains anti-inflammatory purslane and antioxidant to help counter the effects of lifestyle and environment, helping to keep skin looking firm and smooth.

KEY BENEFITS

Deep intense hydration
Helps protect skin against lifestyle and environment
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
Gentle enough for daily use
How to apply

Squeeze one full pipette into the palm of your hand and apply it evenly to your face before patting it in gently. After 30 seconds, when the serum has been absorbed, apply the Face Cream. The serum is suitable for all skin types.

Very happy to have this, I use hyaluronic acid regularly but at a much cheaper price point. I cannot believe this costs £85 for 10ml or £250 for 30ml!!! I would never spend that much on hyaluronic acid. Having said that, the Barbara Sturm version gets excellent reviews and I’m definitely looking forward to using it. Interested to see if I see any difference compared to cheaper alternatives.

Thank you @Zoetrope1

Very happy with today’s. My skin loves this stuff. No idea if it does all it claims to but it I enjoy using it. It’s not sticky and doesn’t take long to dry like others I’ve tried.

@Zoetrope1 I wish I'd seen how much this cost before I slathered it all over my face this morning 😂 it was noticeably nicer to use than my usual Vichy equivalent, I'll be a bit less generous tomorrow though...

@Pinenu yeah I’ve great things about this one! I haven’t tried it yet, just trying to use up a few open products first.

@airwrapped oh dear 😂😂😂

Day 9, REN AHA body serum, 200ml full size, £37

A moisturising AHA body serum that takes body care to the next level by combining face-favourite skincare ingredients to gently resurface and re-energise the skin’s natural radiance.

Formulated with Lactic Acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates away dead skin cells, aiding skin’s natural renewal process to help even out pigmentation and skin tone, and help smooth rough, bumpy or ‘strawberry’ skin. Enriched with Shea Butter to help nourish the skin and prevent water loss, whilst Xylitol from Vegetable Bark helps infuse the skin with plumping moisture, for a firm-looking, silky smooth and healthy-looking finish.

Gently massage Smart Renewal Body Serum onto clean, dry skin until fully absorbed. Always protect your skin with SPF after using AHAs.

Very happy to receive a body product! This calendar has had a decent mix so far.

I’ve never tried a body serum before so very happy with this, especially it’s size.

Thank you for sharing the info every day @Zoetrope1

Day 10, Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner, travel size (50ml and 40ml respectively), worth £12 each or £24 all up

When it comes to damaged tresses, it's more important than ever to choose a shampoo that replenishes your hair rather than stripping it; that's where Aveda's Botanical Repair Strengthening Shampoo comes in! Winner of the 'Ultimate Shampoo and Conditioner 2020' Grazia Award, this luxurious cleanser helps to shift excess sebum, product build-up and pollution residue, all while working to strengthen and repair your strands.

Designed to counter the daily stresses our hair experiences and restore depleted lengths to their former glory, this 94% naturally derived formula is powered by a medley of plant extracts and oils that encourage the repair of your hair from the inside out, building bonds for stronger hair that's more resistant to damage. This nourishing shampoo is formulated with all hair types and textures in mind and is even safe for colour-treated and chemically processed hair - we think it's time you introduced it to your routine, don't you?

Winner of the 'Ultimate Shampoo and Conditioner' Grazia Award in 2020 and the 'Best Conditioner for Damaged Hair' Marie Claire Hair Award in 2021, Aveda’s Botanical Repair Strengthening Conditioner nourishes and instantly detangles, helping to rebuild brittle strands for a supple, soft and silky result.

With 98% nature-derived ingredients, this deep-conditioning hero smooths, strengthens and separates compromised hair – feeding your lengths with a cocktail of healing, replenishing extracts that maximise shine and help minimise breakage. Suitable for all hair types and textures – even colour-treated and chemically processed – this featherweight formula helps to restore heat- or bleach-weakened hair to its natural glory, while its heavenly scent will envelop your headspace with beautiful, mood-boosting fragrance.

Not the most exciting day but I’m always happy to have some travel sizes for the pool or weekends away. They’re quite cute too!

I’m quite happy with this as keen to try it.

Also happy with today’s and the fact they gave us both in one day.

Day 11, double products!

First up, Hum Glow Sweet Glow gummies, 14 day sample (7 days worth), c. £12.71

A gummy to make your skin glow? That's definitely a supplement we can get behind! HUM Nutrition's Glow Sweet Glow formula is packed full of nourishing ingredients that encourage intense hydration for supple, luminous skin.

The research that inspired these game-changing glow-givers is as such: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study showed that ingested hyaluronic acid increased skin moisture and improved treatment outcomes for patients with dry skin. With low-molecular hyaluronic acid, a dash of brightening and skin-shielding vitamin C, alongside vitamin E and vitamin C-rich amla fruit, these clever, vegan gummies help to coax collagen production into gear and reveal a plump, glowing finish!

Next up Vida Glow Natural Marine Collagen, 6 day sample pack, £7.80

Firm, youthful-looking skin. Thick hair. Strong nails. As part of your daily beauty routine, Natural Marine Collagen supports the natural ageing process.
Vida Glow Natural Marine Collagen is a collagen peptide supplement made from sustainably-sourced fish skin. Our hydrolysed marine collagen has been activated to boost absorption (so your body can actually use it) and stimulate fresh collagen production.
Integrated into your daily routine, our Natural Marine Collagen is clinically proven to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, increase skin firmness and enhance skin elasticity. So you can shine at every age.

If you’re new to ingestible beauty (or just like to mix it up), our 6 day sample pack allows you to experience our three favourite flavours. What food or drink you mix it in is up to you.

Original: Flavourless, so you can mix into any food or drink you like.

Peach: Infused with real peaches, adding a subtly sweet, fresh flavour.

Blueberry: Infused with real blueberries, adding a subtly sweet, refreshing flavour.

I’m a bit meh / skeptical about skincare supplements. Having said that I’m intrigued by the marine collagen.

Thanks for the thread, has been fun following along. I’ve just opened a few drawers after being away and annoyed to find I have been given a second bottle of gisou oil instead of the blusher! 😡 Not very impressed, that hasn’t happened to me before.

Im happy with today's offering and tried the sachet straightaway. Tasted gross but lets see if I look amazing tomorrow! Have been using the REN skin serum and it smells amazing.

@SparklySparky oh no! definitely contact them, hopefully they send you a replacement.

let us know how you get on

so weird every time I write about the supplements my posts are moderated 🤷‍♀️

Day 12, Vyrao Witchy Woo perfume, 7.5ml, worth £15.80 or £20 price per ml.

Did you know that each Vyrao fragrance is complete with a naturally sourced Herkimer diamond crystal that’s supercharge by the brand’s quantum energist? That’s right, and on a mission to amplify energy and evoke positive emotion, the brand creates the Witchy Woo eau de parfum. Thought up by Lyn Harris, the scent is made with courage and creativity in mind. Built with a heart of nutmeg, cinnamon and black pepper, it’s topped with Morrocan orris and rose accords.

I love trying perfumes and always happy to see one I haven’t tried but this one is really, really, really not for me 😂

Lol at supercharged by the brand’s quantum energist 😂 Not for me either! The rich cream is working brilliantly in this freezing weather though, love it.

My bottle is half full but I do like the smell. Not feeling any quantum energy yet though.

Yesterday was interesting. I’ll have the gummies for sure. I’m not sure I follow how to use the collagen sachets though, the instructions say ‘heat stable’? My first thought was that I don’t have a stable 😂

Me too @SparklySparky! It's replaced my usual night cream, best thing in the calendar so far