Beauty chat - freebies/gifts with purchase/offers THREAD FOUR

[OvaHere]

New thread for beauty bargains, edits, boxes and general chat.

Everyone welcome. 😊

Now we are in advent season there are separate threads running for beauty advent calendar discussion so check those out too.

That sounds nice. I love a good mask. I've been using Evidens de Beaute The Night Recovery Solution which was in the Harrods gwp earlier this year. I really like this one, it's a gel like texture and you leave it on overnight. Only a 10 ml though so won't last that long.

It's different from the one which is in this years Harrods BAC. I definitely prefer this one. I wish they'd put a full size of this in the BAC.

It is for me too, I was meant to get £12 for booking airport parking through TCB, but it was rejected, no reason given 😒 I normally cash out at £100 and that took me to £98 so I was getting excited. I think I'll just use money off codes from now on. I find that Look fantastic does pay out though for me 😊

They put that one, full size, in the 2023 BAC, I really liked it. They also put a full size in the 2024 gwp which I've still got, unopened. It's smells gorgeous too! I'm hoping the one in this year's BAC is as lovely, I was disappointed with only receiving a spf from them last year, though we did get the valmont renewal thing which I use as an overnight mask 🥰 I might use that tonight actually, my forehead is starting to feel dry.

I bought a 10 ml of the mask in this years BAC on Vinted to try out first. It's a bit strange, very minty and tingly - like a lip plumper but for your face. I don't dislike it but don't think I'll be running out to repurchase either.

Oh, I'm not a fan of lip plumpers 😕 that's a bit disappointing, I've been wanting to try it for ages but it doesn't sound like I'll like it. Plus, I think my husband will say I smell of toothpaste 🤣

Does anyone else like Davines? If so this is a good one. They've released a holiday box worth £130 price £77.25. Code BSDCB takes a further £15.53 off.

Only thing I'm confused about is the sizes in the description don't match the photos. Photo is all big sizes. I'm hoping that is the case because I ordered one. I love the leave in conditioner and have wanted to try other stuff for ages. Harrods BAC does have a mini leave in conditioner but it is teeny.

https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/p/davines-oi-lux-box/17007001

This isn't strictly on topic but I just got these Hourglass brushes from Vinted for £25 and I'm so chuffed, I know someone here will get my giddiness.

https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/p/hourglass-tools-complexion-essentials-brush-set-dragon/15448130/?srsltid=AfmBOopcQ9vVBU4el87S04_2F9TxT_961gL6NTcQIqZ22Oycx1L5sII2

Great find. Sorry tagged wrong person.

I have a single dragon brush.

Do you mean you love the Davines Oi All In One Milk @OvaHere ? I’ve got a few of those from edits/GWP and they wind me up cos it stops spraying after two uses. Then I open it and scoop it out. How do you stop it clogging up?

Fabulous find @DidILeaveTheGasOn imagine you must be chuffed! I love Hourglass

Yes. I've never had an issue with it clogging though. I had that problem with the Ouai one so I stopped buying that one. Color Wow Money Mist has a really good spray on it, very powerful and fine but I don't like the product as much as Davines Oi.

After all the recent mascara chat boots have the Estée Lauder Doubke Wear Xeto-Smudge Mascara in the £10 Boots offer today.

https://www.boots.com/estee-lauder-double-wear-zero-smudge-lengthening-mascara-6ml-10074890

I got that in the M&S summer bag and it’s pretty good.

Amazon Prime Day starts today. There's a number of good savings on Lancome, Elemis etc.

What skincare products are people using at the moment and how would you rate them?

I'm not overly loyal to a certain brand, apart from eve lom for the cleansing balm which I use on an evening.

Currently on a morning I'm using:
Dr Barbara Sturm cleansing foam, I like this, it makes your face feel fresh and clean, it's soft, non scented, but only mildly hydrating, I think I'll need a more of a cream cleanser soon. I wouldn't rebuy it though as I don't think it is special enough for the price point.

Decree toning spray, nice, feels fresh, but expensive and I'm not sure it does anything better then a cheaper toner.

Caudalie Resveratrol-Lift Instant Firming Serum, feels nice going on but I've not yet seen any difference.

Ubeauty the return eye cream, this is just a small size from last year's harrods BAC (I think), I really like it! I'll be gutted when it finishes. It's so light weight, doesn't sting or irritate my eyes, I don't sleep much so I usually have dark circles and I feel that this reduces the appearance. I'd definitely rebuy, it's expensive though so I'll have to wait until it's reduced and I have quite a few eye creams lined up. Makes me excited about the ubeauty serum in harrods BAC and the peel I've bought on vinted which I think is from the cult beauty ac.

Tatcha dewy skin moisturiser, I've almost finished this, I liked it but I'm not sure I'd rebuy it. Onto the next one 😊 does anyone else get a bit excited when it's time to try something new?

I use a no7 spf, I have loads of it so I've got to like it.

Elemis pro-collagen marine face oil, very light and refreshing whilst hydrating. I don't use this every day.

Elizabeth Arden lift and firm ceramide day cream. Pricey but really really good.

I am using up things still from last years advents. I liked Charlotte tilbury magic serum and magic water cream. Does leave skin dewy but does it contain silicons if so probably wouldn’t buy again. I hated tacha the dewy cream . Piles. Would never repurchase. I like Elemis cleansing balm I usually repeat buy Cauldalie make up removing oil.

We're currently rewatching Stranger Things in the evening to get ready for the new series, so my skincare routine is superb at the moment. I apply two products per episode and let them absorb.

Elemis dynamic resurfacing face wash
Elemis dynamic resurfacing pads - one pad per half of face, then sit for 30 minutes for it to absorb! Demogorgans optional.
Glow recipe watermelon toner
Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 6 - I use this liberally all over my face and neck. It doesn't seem to do much but it feels lovely.
Elemis overnight facial or Estee Lauder youth creme
Then apply Ameliorate intensive foot cream to feet and lower legs.

The only thing I'm not doing and should be is lip balm. I have some on my bedside table but I never remember to use them.

@JoRaRaRa - interesting question!

Cleansers and exfoliators- I use whatever I have been gifted in a GWP - I have never bought a cleanser separately!

ATM, I am using EL micro essence treatment with bio ferment in the morning. (I bought a huge bottle on special offer and then got another one free so I will be using this for a looong time!) It’s fine.

I always use EL multi zone wrinkle concentrate every morning.

Eye cream varies - currently I am using the Shiseido Benefiance I got in last year’s calendar. I’m on the fence about it - it feels nice, but is very highly perfumed and I seem to have to use quite a lot to feel moisturised!

For moisturiser I am using ELF Holy Hydration with SPF, which is very nice. I occasionally switch this for one of the Aldi DE dupes - it’s lovely, but no SPF.

For SPF, I am finishing up a REN SPF that I got in an a/c or beauty box.

I am also using Hello Sunday lip balm SPF and HS SPF hand cream - both from beauty boxes - I love these and have already got replacements waiting for when they run out.

At night I always use EL ANR and the ANR eye serum. I’ve currently got an ALDI H5 night cream on the go, which I really like. Occasionally I use the ALDI Lacura sleep oil instead, (was using NEOM, but finally finished it).

I am also finishing up a Rituals lip balm and tend to put the Rituals Ritual of Jing hand cream on to help me sleep.

I am not ‘loyal’ to a particular moisturiser, eye cream, SPF or night cream.

Body cream/body oil - for use on my legs - again usually whatever I have from GWPS, etc. but I am currently using ALDI body oil, alternating with my last bit of EL shimmer oil which I am using up, even though it’s autumn!

@DidILeaveTheGasOn oh no! I've just bought the Medik8 eye cream 🙈 I've used the serum and I felt it worked so I thought I'd try the eye cream. It's gone in my diy advent calendar.

@JoRaRaRa Well now I have to admit I don't use the cream regularly, just when I fancy it, so it hasn't been given a fair go. In fact I've been using it consistently for two days this week! I will keep it up and see. I had a couple of glasses of wine last night and woke up with a glowing complexion this morning though, so is it the medik8? Is it the Elemis products? Perhaps the wine itself? 😁

@IlovePond yeah, I swap and change too depending on what's next in my box 😊 or sometimes I just skip to the one I'm most excited to try.

@kerstina I've heard good things about the Ct magic cream, do you think it lives up to the hype? If it didn't contain silicons would you rebuy?
What did you hate about tatcha the dewy skin? I wasn't expecting to like it, I'd started to think that the colours of tatcha made it more targeted at teens, but I did like it and thought it was hydrating. I think it's overpriced and overhyped though.

Definitely the wine! 😍🤣

I’m interested to try the two mini Tatchas I bought a while back as have heard conflicting reports. They are in my DIY calendar.

@JoRaRaRaooh I love talking about skincare.

I mainly use k/j beauty but this is what my current routine looks like -

First cleanse - biore cleansing oil. It’s really effective but I think it’s too fragranced for my liking. I haven’t reacted to it but I just don’t like the strong smell, even though it works well. I miss my hg which is the kose speedy oil which I’ll be going back to

Second cleanse - Kate Somerville goats milk cleanser. I LOVE this and I’m gutted I now live in a country I can’t replace it so will need to find a south East Asian equivalent. I have a mini in my gym bag to use up too

Toner/essence - Dr ceurucal kombucha tea mist. So I’ve broken my ‘use up first before trying something new’ rule as I only bought this two weeks ago and my other mist (Biossance squalane and hyaluronic toning mist which I usually liked) hasn’t got a look in at all. I loooooove this mist, it’s so hydrating and I adore the scent of it. Mists are my favourite skincare step

Serum - morning is the skin1004 centella ampoule (a staple) and evening is dr axis dark spot correcting serum. I’m using it up but don’t feel like it’s doing anything. I have a new anua azelaic acid serum waiting in the wings which I’m excited to try as I want to tackle some pigmentation and redness I have

Eye cream - Sunday Riley autocorrect, bored of this but it is effective. I got some eye creams I want to try out that I got in a recent edit but trying to finish this up. It is good but it lasts foreverrrrrr

Moisturiser - morning I skip straight to spf but evening I’m using up Laneige cica sleeping mask which is great (haven’t tried the reformulated version)

SPF - Skin aqua tone up spf in lavender (this is FAB at making my skin look flawless. Want to get the green one next) or BOJ, I rotate between them both

Talking of K-beauty products: What do people recommend for skincare and beauty? (No snail, bee or horse oil products, please!)

Thanks