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.

@DidILeaveTheGasOn

(disclaimer: I am an accountant and therefore have a tendency to possibly over-organise things).

I’ve set up lots of different lists in the “reminders” app on my phone - one list each for cleansers, serums, moisturisers, shampoo, eye cream etc etc (there are a lot of lists!) and each time I get a new sample or buy a new product, I add it to the bottom of the list.

Then I pretty much work my way down each list, using things in turn. I tick off every item as “done” when I’ve finished it, and then start using the next one on the list.

I even add a little note about whether I liked it or not! which sounds like overkill but is handy for when you are trying to decide whether a GWP etc is worth it, but you really can’t remember what you thought about stuff.

@RockaLock I'd love to be that organised. I did start a spreadsheet last year but didn't keep up with it.

@OvaHere I think it just shows how many samples etc I had at one point
I didn’t have a clue what I had, whether I needed to buy a new eye cream or whether I had half a dozen stashed away, so I had to get myself organised!

It took a while to set up all the lists, but now it’s v quick to add something or tick something off.

I did think about going down the spreadsheet route but decided it was easier just to have something on my phone. And this way, it’s v easy just to click “done” and then the item is crossed out or removed from the list automatically.

@RockaLock I love that. I am a data analyst so have a similar fondness for spreadsheets, analysis and colour coding.

What does GWP stand for? Google says 'global warming potential', I'm fairly sure it's not that.

Where do the travel/mini sized products live? If I wedge them between my full size products, things seem to capsize quite easily and the culprit will be a tiny tube of serum. Maybe I need some small rattan baskets or something.

I just ordered two beauty boxes from Next, one of them mentioned here, because they were such a good deal and got the Tatcha set from Wowcher as well. But where am I going to put things? To say I like organising things, I'm also really forgetful. I found a Caudalie moisturiser in my handbag today! Forgotten I had it!

@DidILeaveTheGasOn GWP = gift with purchase

I repurpose the Cult Beauty/Lookfantastic edit boxes for my minis. I try to organise them into categories, eye creams, cleansers etc.

Really I should leave these threads for a good two years. Next year has to be a low buy for a variety of reasons. I am getting less tempted as time goes on as I've tested a lot of stuff now and have some solid products in my routine I'm not as keen to swap out.

I keep skincare samples/minis in a wash bag, roughly organised into categories and the bag is clear plastic so I can see what’s in there. When it gets too full to zip up, I know it’s time to stop buying beauty boxes for a bit 😆

Full size skincare is on a shelf, organised in routine order, so cleansers first, then toners (so many toners), then serums etc, etc. Body care is on another shelf (also a lot of this), then a bit of haircare and then body sprays/ cheapie perfumes. Proper perfumes are in a separate drawer.

There’s also a lot of stuff in my shower. Usually have about three sets of shampoo & conditioner on the go, plus about five shower gels (mainly thanks to my monthly Lush subscription box).

@CorneliaStreet I'm glad someone else's shower looks like that. It takes me ages to empty hair and shower products because I have so many on the go. In my defence I enjoy the choice.

I also have my shelf and his shelf in the shower. Things on my shelf are strictly off limits but if I decide something is meh I move it up to his shelf and he's allowed to share if he wants. 😂

My shower is similar but I seem to fly through conditioners whilst shampoos last forever.

Thanks for the tips re: organising my collection/hoard, when the beauty boxes arrive I think I'll use them in a similar way. I also like the idea of organising by routine step, but the travel size serums knock the big kids over - need to get the little tubes out and separated.

I have mine in a variety of Liberty wash bags, split between hair, body, and makeup, and all the facial stuff in a box that once housed a GWP or kit or something. I was so proud of myself when I finally managed to use up enough so that everything fitted into one box, instead of two (Although I am slightly cheating now as I have a few full sized products just sort of loose…)

All the things I am currently using are on my bedside table, and everything else is hidden away in the bottom of my wardrobe.

@DidILeaveTheGasOn - I went to Primark and bought two plastic deep lidless containers a bit like this one:

www.primark.com/en-gb/p/two-tone-wavy-organiser-lilac-991047029556

One is on a bedside table where I can see what’s what, the other is in the bathroom, (and that was an absolute game changer as I am now actually using up my bath/body stuff rather than squirrelling it away!)

All the rest of my stash is in a ‘safe’ place waiting its turn to be used.

Ooh I like those @IlovePond ! Great idea!

I keep mine in old beauty drop boxes, sorted by type.

Now I seem to be left with serums and treatments that are night use - like Zelens Power A - so I suppose I am getting through it.

Shower and hair stuff has taken over, there’s just so much of it…

Boots GWP £90 spend on Premium beauty

https://beauty-detective.com/boots-summer-heroes-gift-2025/

Oh I have a nice dilemma. Do I purchase Kilian with the 20% beauty drop discount or do I use the 15% discount, add another item, and get the gwp?

Also I received the July box this morning, I'm very pleased, thank you to those who mentioned the beauty drop deal

My Estée Lauder Elizabeth Arden is still pending. Which is a bit of an annoyance.

Elemis was on QVC last night, so anyone who loves it might find a bargain!

Clinique GWP at Boots. Worth £70 spend £55 on selected Clinique products.

Stylevana Box $51

• Abib Sedum Hyaluron Sunscreen Watery Tube SPF 50+ PA++++ (50 ml)
• beplain Mung Bean pH-Balanced Cleansing Foam (80 ml)
• KSECRET SEOUL 1988 Essence: Snail Mucin 97% + Rice (100 ml)
• haruharu wonder Centella 5% Niacinamide Radiance Gel Cream (40 g)
• Dr.G R.E.D Blemish Hyal Cica Cooling Gel Mask (27 g / 1 pc)
• VT PDRN Reedy Shot Hair Ampoule 100dL – Global (15 ml)
• medicube PDRN Lip Sleeping Mask (10 g)

https://www.carolinehirons.com/products/the-supercharged-kit

New CH kit. I would really like the products in this one but £175 is a lot even though it's a saving on full price.

https://www.latestinbeauty.com/collections/boxes/products/a-model-still-recommends-with-ruth-crilly

£48 10% off with code ITSRUTH

• First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads with Glycolic and Lactic Acids set of 10 pads
• Hada Labo Super Hydrating Lotion 150ml
• Weleda Skin Food Light 30ml
• Ultra Violette Fave Fluid SPF 50+ Ultralight SKINSCREEN™ 75ml
• VIEVE Skin Dew 20ml Heights Hydrate⁺ Starter Pack set of 9 sachets
• Super Facialist Vitamin C Cleansing Oil 100ml
• Alpha-H Liquid Gold 50ml
• Curél Intensive Moisture Care Facial Cream 40g
• Neal’s Yard Remedies Wild Rose Beauty Balm Vegan 15g
• Aromatherapy Associates Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil 9ml
• Gatineau Golden Glow Gradual Tan 75ml
• REHAB. Mini Dose 1.0 Hair Oil set of 8 doses
• Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask 14ml

I feel like I need to be here 😁👋

The space nk make up GWP arriving today - excited…will this be the eye stocks that change my life ?!?

I've been mostly good this week. I did succumb to todays QVC deal though. The face wash pads look really squishy. Not too fussed about the body mitts but I'll give them a go.

https://www.qvcuk.com/product.743191.html

Code YAY20 takes 20% and free delivery - so £38.40 all in, I've just bought this 😬