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

[OvaHere]

New thread for when the old one is finished. We rattled through the last thread being a chatty bunch.

Everyone welcome to chat about beauty and/or share bargain finds.

My CEW beauty box should come tomorrow - looking forward to it, excellent value at £120. A little (big?) christmas present, from me to me.

Mine too. Although I was hoping it might arrive today. A really good one to end the year on, I wouldn't have bought it at the full price.

Steeling myself for a much lower buy year now. I've got a few days with the house to myself after xmas and I'm going to attempt some kind of inventory and system of using up and a bit of decluttering. I know I've got way too many mini gwp size stuff but lots of that will be under 10ml of product so I need a plan to use or pass on.

I've been putting it off because no doubt it will scare the pants off me. 😂😬

Safe to say I won’t be getting the new Cult Beauty edit as either doesn’t appeal or I already have the items.

My resistance wasn’t so good with the Sephora sale and picked up the Summer Fridays Holiday Trio and the Kayali Sweet Obsessions miniature set earlier , both had 33% reductions.

I got the sweet obsessions kit too, and a 10ml devotion.

With 10% kayali discount as one of my 2 named discounts, pls £5 credit the whole lot cane to £71!

Planning similar here @OvaHere, there will be a spreadsheet.
I do so enjoy shopping for new things. The idea of going on a no buy/low buy does not fill me with joy. Hopefully once I see how many of each category I have, I can shop my stash instead and not feel too deprived.

My faves of 2025 are deeply unsexy and quite cheap. There's not many new items.

Top item
Biodance cera nol gel toner pads.
I have rosacea and these are amazing. Feel red flush coming on usually in winter and over heating pop one on each cheak and it's gone. And even better rosacea can stack up and your skin gets worse but woke up this morning and no sign of the flush. I've got some other pads I haven't tried yet so they might have same effect but these are tried and tested.

Joint top
Red light mask - redness gets worse in winter then fades but it didn't this year so went back to research and these came up. I already owned 2. Zutta and Stylpro which also has infra-red. These make a difference and also make skin look better. I've been slacking last 2 weeks and I can tell the difference. The stylpro was on LF for £70 very recently and I did my research so I'm confidence it's a good one. I since got Beautypro for the yellow and don't recommend that due to the battery pack being a well known dud. The Zutta is now cheaper on Amazon I've seen it at an amazing £65 but doesn't have infrared but would be better for acne blue light than the stylpro as it has a stronger blue light. I use mine when I wake up which is always before my alarm, slap on for 10mins before getting up.

2nd
Q+A azelaic acid. If you're looking for a serum that gently exfoliates and has nice soothing ingredients and amazingly only £7-9 try this it's fab. I've got the PC from Liberty advent and prefer Q+A. I'd imagine it's very good for spots too.

3rd
Drowning in cleasers but really like Clever soaps sulfur deeply unsexy but just leaves my skin clean, not tight and might help with rosacea, not 100% sure but it just works as a cleanser for me. And I'm drowning in expensive Algenist, Votary, elemis cleansers and this just works.

4th
La Roche Posay cica plast baume - recommending this if your skin is sensitised been a bit stripped or weather beaten. Nice, nothing anti-aging but solid get your skin back cream.

GOATS
Ren (cry) Dark spot sleeping cream - don't have dark spots but how often do you put something on and then next day go ooh wow. This is probably the product I've bought most of. Got it as a mini in an M&S box and they got a lot of purchases on the back of it.

Dr organic Manuka mask - if you're looking for a clay mask that doesn't dry out but pulls out the crap this is perfect.

Duds.
Dud of the year Medik8 Vit C SPF moisturiser - god this made my skin look terrible like I'd put butter on it. Just no.

Niod modulating glucosdes - impressive ingredients promises so much, does nothing. So sad.

Niod SMDS or something spray - product might be good but it's like putting your face in a car jet wash. It's assault, why not have a spray that mists.

Other faves
OTO pillow mist -fab combined with a sleep supplement I no longer use Nytol.

Liberty 1875 most I've ever spent on a fragrance but after been let down by unisex scents I loved this and bought the whole thing.

Honourable mensions

You lot, Beauty detective, Vouchercodes (got some serious vouchers coming my way), Beauty advent.

Vieve complexion balm - I'm still figuring out best way to put this on but it's a great colour match and soft matt not dewy.

Lisa eldridge pin concealer.

Set of face poofs I bought in a plastic stack jar for £6 from Asda (part of xmas stuff with face sponges and hair bands which I've not tried). Seriously Huda etc selling them for £8 each. They're no different, I've got both.

Wrist bands when washing your face, always seem to get water running down right hand which ends up on my boob area. Why? This stops them.

@Hicupping Fellow rosacea sufferer. I like the Biodance Gel pads. I've got the oink ones though - may have to try the ones you mention when I run out. I think I've got that NIOD spray but not opened it yet. Your description doesn't bode well. 😂

@MrsBnow12 @IDontHateRainbows was also tempted by a Kayali set and the Valentino Roma set in the Sephora sale. I've told myself no though.

@DidILeaveTheGasOn also not filled with joy at a low buy but I need to do it. I'm telling myself my reward will be a bit of leeway (and space) for next advent season.

I’m very impressed by all your memories. I was reading thinking wasn’t the M&S summer bag last year … I don’t think I could come up with a list, except Glow Recipe Toner and Slip silk pillow case have both stopped the spots on my cheekbones, as I went through a bout of hormonal acne - mostly cysts on my chin but some blocked pores on cheeks and sideburns area, I’m a side sleeper so thought change of pillowcase might help.

@IlovePond I’ll DM you on the Dear Polly!

I love reading these. My discoveries:

1. davines shampoo bars, esp as stocked by CB
2. Lancome holiday set leading to the palette and regenerie cream, which I will save pennies for as it works so well for me
3. sandalwood as a major fragrance note
4. Beauty of Joseon SPF
5. Space NK shower gel Carribean Shores - lovely and what I think SDJ should be

Boo hiss to squirt foam shower stuff which doesn’t clean.

55% off P Louise 12 Day Advent Calendar down to £50

https://plouise.co.uk/collections/wonderful-world-of-p-louise-advent-calendar/products/p-louise-12-sleighs-of-christmas-bad-bitch-advent-calendar-2025

I've loved reading everyone’s round-ups so thought I’d add mine.

Favourite bargain
Also the Lancôme Holiday Box (thanks Ova 😊). I was genuinely surprised at how big the cream pots were, decent sizes, not tiny samples. I managed to get it at the bargain price and mine is also currently sat under the Christmas tree waiting to be opened 🎄

Favourite edits
I love the John Lewis Refined Luxury Beauty Box and I'm so glad I eventually managed to get one. I’ve been using the full size La Prairie cleanser ever since and it’s still not even halfway through. The La Mer night cream was such a gorgeous treat and I also love the Hourglass powder.
I wasn’t a fan of the Jo Malone fragrance, but I did like that they included three different ones and I absolutely fell in love with the Acqua di Parma. I’ve just started using the Shiseido moisturiser and it’s gorgeous, I also really like that it has SPF 👌 I’ve yet to try the Sisley hair product.

I picked up quite a few Cult Beauty edits this year, but two were particular favourites because they included Bioeffect. It’s such an amazing serum but so expensive that I always love it when it turns up in an edit.

I'm also counting the Harrods Fragrance Advent Calendar. Last box to open tomorrow (sob) 🎄 I’ve actually liked 10 out of the 11 scents I’ve opened so far, which I’d definitely call a success. It’ll be a bonus if I also like tomorrow’s. In monetary terms it was an amazing value too.

Favourite skincare discovery
The Clé de Peau eye cream, this is absolutely beautiful, but sadly very expensive. Fingers crossed it appears in more edits because it really impressed me.

Favourite makeup
At the moment it’s the Patrick Ta blush duos, Lisa Eldridge sparkly lip glosses, KIKO holiday eyeshadow duos, and the Guerlain foundation. I received a sample of the Guerlain at the H Beauty carnival, fell in love, and then managed to pick up a full bottle from Escentuals in their Black Friday deal, who definitely won Black Friday for me this year.

Haircare discovery
The Oribe Gold Lust oil. I can genuinely see and feel the difference when I don’t use it, which says everything.

Bodycare
I picked up the Bioeffect body serum on offer and loved it, it's fast-drying but incredibly hydrating 😍

Perfume faves of the year
I’ve gone all out on perfume samples, edits and advent calendars this year 🤣 and discovered some real loves. Current favourites are Guerlain Ambre Samar, Chloé Le Parfum, BDK Gris Charnel, and several of the PDM fragrances, which are all new discoveries for me this year.
I’ve also really liked Rude Oud from the Harrods calendar. I was nervous about this one but tried it on the 10th and got some on my dressing gown, now every morning since I can still smell it and it’s gorgeous. Wayyy too strong for day to day wear, but I do really love it.

Worst buys
Sadly the Ouai shampoo didn’t suit me at all. I love the leave-in conditioner and the oil, but the shampoo dried my scalp out 😔
Also the Sunday Riley Auto Correct eye cream was a definite no. It stung my eyes and made the outer corners really sore, so that one had to be binned 😩

Thank you to @OvaHere for keeping up with these threads, and everyone for posting beauty bargains. I love it, even if I have skinted myself since joining 🤣

Happy Christmas all 🎄✨ Hope Santa is kind to all and brings you all some amazing beauty gifts 🎅😍

@JoRaRaRa I forgot the LE Sparkly Gloss in my round up. Definitely a fave. I ended up getting the Kensington Plum one too with SNK vouchers when they came back in stock.

Thanks for your great post @JoRaRaRa - I always enjoy reading about your finds!

Thanks also to @OvaHere for the thread and to everyone who contributes!

Santa - aka me - is bringing me the LE pink sequin lip gloss. When it came back in stock online last week I did a C&C and splashed out for a gift box. It’s under the tree and I am looking forward to opening it!

LF have some good 50% offers on now.

Yesterday I bought a full size Color Wow Raise the Root for £10 with discount plus £5 voucher I'd had for a while. A back up product so not exciting but I use it when I blow dry.

I’ve just been on LF too and I had some sort of 25% code, plus there seems to be a free 30ml of the Kate Somerville Goat Milk cleanser when you spend £70.

I bought a couple of useful backups (inc. the Clinique hydrating jelly, which I love but it maybe feels a little overpriced at full price) plus a new lipstick: Guerlain Kiss Kiss Tender Matte in the plum shade. Excited for that, I’m very grateful for the modern/soft matte trend! Glossy lips just look wrong on my face no matter how lovely the product.

Lately I’m finding that my purchases are more effectively triggered by a good discount than an edit. I guess that’s a natural outcome of past edit purchasing that has led to stash overflow.

I bought some massively overpriced but reduced shampoo and conditioner from LF! I might go back in for things in my wishlist if I don’t buy anything else over the next few days!

Which brand ? And enjoy !

@BlueLimes - Grow Gorgeous - desperately trying to improve my hair 😿

I’ll be interested in your feedback. I think you also tried Act and Acre?

I did @BlueLimes - that leaves my hair quite soft but doesn’t seem to be doing much else! I’ll feedback on the GG!

My CEW edit arrived. It's like a beauty lucky dip. Very pleased with it and a nice way to round out my ridiculous year of beauty. 😂

Some of it will be gifted so not keeping all of it.

I would just like to thank @OvaHere and all the other knowledgeable folk posting on here for all the recommendations and offer details. I have learned lots and grabbed a few bargains on the way. I hope you all have a lovely Christmas.

House of Fraser have 20% off gift cards of £100 plus. The gift cards can also be used at Flannels. I’m buying some for future beauty box purchases.

Merry Christmas, everyone and thank you for all your contributions. Big thanks also to @OvaHere for keeping the threads going x