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

[OvaHere]

New thread for when the old one is full.

All welcome and thanks to everyone who contributes whether it's offers or just beauty chat.

Previous thread
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5389635-beauty-chat-freebiesgifts-with-purchaseoffers-thread-four?page=1

I’m hoping to visit Bicester soon, it’s been many years since I last went, well before I really got into beauty products (though I’ve always had some form of moisturiser & make up).
@OvaHere your info is really helpful (as always) 😊
@diamondsandrose have a fabulous time, and do report back 🤗

Ooooh thank you @OvaHereso much , your advice is v much appreciated!!
I have looked at the store listings but did not know about AB or CT !

I have an Amex who claim to have all these great rewards with Bicester but it seems it’s just cashback on your card up to a total maximum of £600 so that will get used up very quickly between the 2 of us in 2 days !

@diamondsandrose - there’s also a Cosmetics Store, a Clarins, (usually good reductions in that store), and a L’Occitane.

Download the Bicester app and remember to scan the QR code when shopping for the occasional extra discount.

There’s also the usual shops and some high end designer stores. I find that the spectacular bargains to found in the likes of Gucci of yesteryear are long gone, though, so I personally never bother going in those anymore 😿

In October 24 I got the Shiseido a/c reduced by 30% in La Beauté and on my previous visit in February picked up the luxury Rituals a/c for £45.

Funnily enough I was talking about a trip to Bicester with my friend the other day. It’s a five hour round trip by car from here and I usually go en route elsewhere but I do fancy a quick visit before Xmas.

Have fun!

Following 😍

Yes I will be watching for Black Friday markdowns on the BCA ‘ s too. It seems space NK and Harrods’ are main multi brand calendar’s to sell out ?

My CB stockings are en route - I shall be very virtuous and hand them straight over to DH for Xmas.

I might keep the perfume GWP for me to use now as I need some olfactory cheering up on these gloomy dark nights!

I am honestly so excited . We are travelling 6 hours each way hence the sleepover.
2 days of shopping heaven for me . It’s been a very big birthday so I am going to buy PLENTY 😍

I wished I lived near enough to Bicester for a day trip although it's probably a blessing that I don't!

Would any regular posters on this thread like this moisturiser? I just don't like it and it's not working for my skin type (dry). It was stupidly expensive so I'm loathe to throw it as it sees such a waste. It's a pump action so shouldn't be unhygienic to pass on. At a guess there's about a third left.

Anyone interested PM me and I'll post next week.

Yes please ❤️

Me too, I'd love a trip there one time, but I probably couldn't afford anything anyway 🤣

This is claimed now with a 2nd in line in case the first poster changes their mind. Thanks to those that PM'd.

If your size is small the Polo Ralph Lauren children's store in Bicester has amazing discounts and the children's L/XL sizes are I believe equivalent to the adult XS/S sizes.

Going back to the cash back issue, despite my appeal I won’t be receiving my cash back for the HN BAC, I suspect the same will be the case for my other recent purchases which I have raised a query with. I am livid!
I don’t understand how they can reject it if there’s proof that I went via TCB and proof that I kept my purchases.

It's annoying. I have so many claims in and most will probably come to nothing. It shouldn't be this much hassle.

It is really frustrating. I'm wanting to buy disneyland paris tickets through TCB as I can get £60 back, I'm going to find out how I can screen record as it's too much to let them get away with not paying. I'm fed up of having to put in a claim due to retailers greed 😡

I used TCB for Disneyworld hotels and tickets and it worked both times. Did take about 8 weeks after the holiday to receive the credit.

That's good to hear, I don't mind the wait as long as they pay out 😊 I really do need to get them sorted ASAP but beauty purchases are more important 🤣

@JoRaRaRa I took screenshots of the more recent orders but they said it didn’t track at the final stage, although they can see that I went through TCB initially. It’s so frustrating!
I think the advent should have been approx £17 TCB and I have others for a few pounds here and there which I suspect will result in the same outcome, so overall quite a bit of money I’ve lost

Ah that’s so annoying. I’ve never used TCB but I’ve used Quidco quite a few times and never seem to have any major issues. Any disputes I’ve raised have been upheld, I’d suggest looking to see if you could use Quidco next time.

I shopped in real life yesterday! and bought some 20% off things at John Lewis - an Aerin perfume (Wisteria), a Nars multiple (Swing) and a Nars powder blush (Sex Appeal, god I wish they’d get over themselves a bit and update the ‘naughty’ names). The Nars counter was price-matching another retailer — Boots maybe? — and also doing a little GWP of two minis, which turned out to be Laguna 2 bronzer and Behave powder blush.

Happily playing with all of it now! But I’m keeping the Aerin tucked away to open at Christmas as a self-gift.

That’s a good haul! I’ve not tried the Aerin perfume but I’ve heard of it, I need to do some sniff testing.
I agree on the Nars name front, I bought bargain gift sets for my nieces last year and then realised they were unsuitable due to the names so had to gift something else

I'm not sure if this has been posted?

Selfridges Ultimate Beauty Kit 🛍️💄https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/product/selfridges-the-ultimate-beauty-kit-2025-worth-465_R04535721/ I wouldn't mind trying the perfume but there's not enough there to tempt me to buy.

Having purchased quite a few items, and knowing many of you have too... no judgement 😅 But I'm in need of new makeup brushes. Can anyone recommend a high quality set please?