Holland & Barrett advent calendar opening thread

[OchonAgusOchonOh]

This is the thread for daily opening of the H&B advent calendar. As with all the threads, the only firm rule is not discussing a drawer's contents before the day. The usual timeline is no spoilers before 7am but we can agree a different time if people want to.

Let the games begin!!!!

I’ve used my current brand for years so it will be interesting to try this for a change. I like the sound of the vanilla and lavender fragrance.

Will be interested to see how this works, many years ago I tried the reusable crystal type once which weren't that effective but I expect things have improved massively so interesting to see....

I’ve had the roll on version before which was fine.

I’ve been using Wild but find it a faff when you get to the end of each one.

I’m pleased with this as it’s something I will use - in fact I’ve already tried it today. I usually use Mitchum stick through habit but I’m happy to try something else. It was easy to apply, with no faff like with the solid version (which I didn’t find effective).

Hello folks! Can I join?

Not had H & B for a few years after swanning off to the land of Posh High End calendars and (total first world problem) think nice product fatigue coupled with the "If I don't really use everything is it really^^ a bargain " feeling I decided to come back.

Yesterday's was an odd start (not sure I'll use but we're getting a puppy in the new year so wondering if he might enjoy as part of his grooming?! ).

Interested to try today's offering.

@tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz Im in the same situation. H&B was my first beauty advent calendar, but for the last two years I got an expensive one. There were some lovely things in them, but I didn’t want another one this year.
Ive checked out the refill situation on this product and salt of the earth sell at 500ml refill bottle.

I quite like this. I have tried Wild but always feel a bit worried it does not quite do the job so will enjoy trying this!

Same here! Seems you can have too much of a good thing.
H&B was the only calendar I liked the look of and the box is easily reusable. I knew the items wouldn't be exciting but hoped they would be practical. I did read the contents back when it was released but I've forgotten most now. I do know there's a couple I really wanted to try so hopefully we get those soon

I used to buy the more expensive beauty calendars too, but I decided a few years back that I’m better off just paying for the products that I know I love. I do still look at what’s on offer but the ‘value’ to me is the cost of the products in them that I know I will use and love.

I washed my hair this morning and totally forgot to use yesterday’s item. I’m always in a rush when I wash my hair as I have two DC who I have to get ready for school so my mind isn’t on using tools like that!

Thanks for the refill info.

Hi ..I am joining..but possibly for the wrong reasons 😊😊..

Not opened the boxes yet ...but I Di look at the YT opening/unveiling video as my plan was to make up little hamper boxes for people .

But I need this thread to help me understand what the hell these products are 😂😂..

Easier to keep things in the AC box for now as easier storage .

Today's gift had been earmarked for vegan gf of my son .

Those knowledgeable ....would this be ok ?

Or is a deodorant a weird thing to put in a hamper box !! 😂.

Without giving too much away .....

Don't discard your hair massager thing just yet !!

I think a deodorant is more of a functional stocking filler than a gift If im honest. It's in the same category as toothpaste for me.

I think the massager would be a nice gift, or something a bit more relaxing and indulgent that she wouldn't buy for herself.

I'm sure this isnt you btw, but when i went vegan 10 years ago, a lot of people started to go out of their way to find vegan products for me as gifts, a bit like they thought it was a special interest or hobby. That wasnt the case for me, so my advice would be to consider gifts as you normally would and just replace like for like with a vegan version. So if you elwere going to buy her deodorant, this would be fine.

Just watch out - some sneaky companies like Garnier love to label their products "vegan formula" which doesn't make them vegan. Vegans only use cruelty free products that are not derived from or tested on animals. It really hacks me off that some lovely relatives of mine have gone out of their way to do a nice thing and bought me "vegan formula" products, which I've thanked them for, and then had to take them straight to charity shop because they aren't cruelty free or their parent company sells in China and I just won't use them.

Holland and Barret are usually very good though X

@BeensOnToost .. thank you so much !

I think I may be relying on you !

Quite pleased with the first two days... I've been suffering with hair loss in recent months and have bought some rosemary oil which is supposed to help, so I think the hair thing will be good for massaging that in.

And I'm always trying to find an ethical - in terms of minimising plastic waste and no nasty chemicals - deodorant but find that a lot bring my out in a rash. I think it may be the bicarb? So, will try this one and hope for the best.

Drawer 3: Tisserand aromatherapy Restore Balance pulse point rollerball. My sense of smell is terrible, so this isn’t for me. I’m not sure I had balance in the first place anyway

This one isn’t for me either, I already have three Tisserand rollerballs gathering dust.

In theory I like these but I already have several that I don't use.

I do like the scent of this but it's not strong enough. I applied some first thing and had to put my wrist right to my nose to smell it and by now it's completely gone.
Tisserand do a large range of these so I'm guessing they must be popular with some people!

I like this but agree scent not strong. I may keep it on my desk as a pick me up!

I love bath oil, particularly that expensive Aromatherapy Associates one. I’m thinking perhaps this might be good in the bath?

It's a roller though. How would you manage it in the bath?

Have you had a blood test recently? I suffered with hair loss earlier this year then went to the GP about something else a few months later and blood tests showed that I was very low in iron/ ferritin, and it turns out that that can cause hair loss! High dose supplements for a few months have stopped it for me. Might be worth checking.

I’m happy with today’s, although as with others I have had a few already and again it’s very likely something that I will forget to use!

I think the roller ball top should flick off. It’s just plastic.

Today is a bit of a Drawer of Doom for me. It's one of those things I always think is lovely idea in practice, I'll use a few times then forget I have it and lose it at the bottom of my bag

Worth trying then. I don't do baths but maybe it would work as a body oil?

I think if you mixed it in with a plain carrier oil it would work. It might be too intense on its own. There was a nice Oleus body oil in the calendar a couple of years back which was good to mix with more scented products. (I mixed that one with the Vilhelm perfumeries peony which came in the Liberty calendar. The perfume on its own was too strong for me)