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

[OvaHere]

We set a record with the last thread. Just 2 weeks from start to finish!!!!

So here's the new one and we're now in double digits.

As always everyone is welcome to join even if you've just been lurking, but like those kids on the back of the school bus your Mum warned you about, we are a bad influence.... 😈

@OvaHere - not yet tried the cleanser but completely agree on the serum - I am using it, but without enthusiasm.

(Although how much enthusiasm is required for using serum, I don’t know 😹)

The cleanser is similar to the Skin Rocks Cream Cleanser. I'm using it up in the shower as I like to keep one face cleanser in there. Won't be a RP. I didn't love the Skin Rocks one either. It's not bad just a bit meh and not what I enjoy in a cleanser.

Re the tubing mascara - more bad reviews than good so that's decided it.

https://www.no7beauty.co.uk/p/pro-artist-thats-a-wrap-tubing-mascara-8-5ml/15804789/

Re: Stackers - again!

It may be worth keeping an eye out on Vinted/eBay if you want the box but not the Boots items, as I have noticed a few appearing for sale recently, (no doubt due to the Boots promotion).

I also heartily recommend the Vlando organiser as an alternative. I bought a brand new one for a bargain price recently and really like it.

Thanks for that @OvaHere - I will pass that one on, then.

I think most of the bad reviews are from people who don't realise it's a tubing mascara.

I'm currently using it, got it in a 3 for 2 plus £10 off. It's fine. Not too exciting but then tubing mascaras aren't really, they'll never give you the same length and volume as a normal mascara. So it's fine for a tubing mascara, no particular complaints.

For those that have the Patrick Ta blush from the Cult Beauty advent, is it dark or can you apply it lightly?
Does it look more scary in the packaging like the Gucci plum blush?

I’m using the “100% biodegradable” BeautyPro Squalane anti-aging mask from the Jarrolds Good Vibes Within edit which is still available. https://www.jarrolds.co.uk/departments/beauty/gifts/good-vibes-within-box I assumed biodegradable meant it would degrade like food but it will still take 5 years to degrade. Have to be so careful about what beauty marketing actually means. https://www.beautypro.com/products/nourishing-squalane-sheet-mask-olive-extract “The sheet mask uses our NEW 100% Biodegradable Packaging. Once opened, our new eco pouches begin to biodegrade immediately, taking just 1% of the time compared to traditional plastic. That’s 500 years down to 5 years with no trace of microplastics in the soil or sea! This environmentally friendly biodegradable material can be disposed of in general waste, recycling bins and home composts - it will biodegrade in all environments.
The sheet mask itself is constructed with bamboo fibres, which not only minimise skin sensitivity but also makes the mask biodegradable.”

I had a moment this week where I was on the high street and saw TK Maxx and thought oh I have an order to pick up! 😳 I bought the malachite Spectrum brush set for £19.99 plus click and collect fee. I only really wanted the eye brushes and am happy with the price I paid. Do people rate these brushes for face application? Still £55 on John Lewis with good reviews. https://www.johnlewis.com/spectrum-10-piece-malachite-brush-set/p109370500

Of course now I’m looking at the Boots x Stackers thinking I need somewhere for all the brushes.

I’m thinking about spring makeup. I think I’d like to get both the Byredo eyeshadow palettes and have eye shadow be my thing for spring.

@IlovePond what is the EL serum you use?

My beautiful daughter is obsessed with Dr Jart skincare products, she has such sensitive skin and these really suit her.

Does anyone have any codes or offers they know of? I would like to surprise her with a gift set, as she’s so lovely (been an absolute rock since her dad died). Thank you.

Grown Alchemist Restorative Hand Cream Vitamin E + Orange Peel 65ml is £4.28 at All Beauty with code TREAT.

https://www.allbeauty.com/p/grown-alchemist-restorative-hand-cream-vitamin-e-orange-peel-65ml/17409806/

VT Cosmetics Mild Reedle Shot 50 2-Step Mask 25g is £1.18 with the same code. There are lots of good offers, including K-beauty brands.

https://www.allbeauty.com/c/offers/sitewide/

I ended up selling mine on after trying lighter shades in the range. They are very pigmented (although the two newest shades are less so) so I figured this would just be too much for me.

I suppose you can apply anything lightly but PT blushes are some of the most pigmented ones on the market.

@Sminty2 They’ve got some Dr Jart sets on offer at Sephora.co.uk at the moment.

I think Spectrum brushes are nice. Not my very favourites but decent especially when you can get them on sale.

Weirdly I don't think all Spectrum brushes are equal though. I have a pink and purple one that came in a beauty box and it's a really fab cheek brush yet I have the same shape brush I bought in a different kit that doesn't perform as well. Looking at them you'd say they were the same brush just in different colours.

I haven't tried the Malachite ones but I think it was one of their more expensive lines.

Thank you so much! That’s brilliant.

Does anyone use Beauty Pie? I've been sent a referral code and wondering if it's worth joining - and if so, should I go for the £59 or £29 per year membership?

Late to the party! But what website are you guys talking about?

Don't you usually get a free trial period? I did when I signed up, I'm sure it was quite a few weeks/months. Gives you time to try a few things out then decide whether to pay for a membership.

I was undecided whether to keep my membership again but I did in the end as there's a few things I do really like. Their candles are really nice and good value. I got a free one when I renewed membership.

They do free shipping weekends every few months so if there's anything I want I mostly wait for those.

I really like their huge bottles of Happy Face centella cleanser and caviar sleeping mask.

Edit - they have a luminous under eye concealer in a pot which is good too.

Did someone mention a coming Space NK GWP? I need to buy something and wondering whether to wait to qualify for this

It's a make up gwp so the spend will have to be on make up I expect.

https://beauty-detective.com/space-nk-makeup-gift-with-purchase-2026/

Welcome. Can you explain a bit more? We chat about every beauty website under the sun. 😁

What is this, how do I use it? At which point of skincare routine? I bought a bundle of toners from Vinted, after seeing how much the Glow Recipe toner did for my skin. I’ve never understood or used toners prior to that. I was just going through my stash for stuff to bring in rotation and I’m not sure if this is a toner or a cleanser. https://thenimetyou.com/products/living-sea-cleansing-tonic

That’s interesting that you have two brushes that look the same but perform differently. It is hard to tell with Spectrum as their price range is huge across ranges. I was looking at this 25 brush set that has excellent reviews, as it’s the fine detail eyeshadow stuff I don’t own at all. The set is £160. https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/p/spectrum-collections-kjh-25-piece-set/13313227/ Thought I’d try the malachite set at £19.99 first but from what you’re saying they won’t necessarily tell me if the more expensive one is good.

@BakeOffRewatch that KJH set does look lovely and I would expect it to be at that price.

I don't think the pink and purple one I have is an expensive one. It was in a LF subscription box I think. It could just be that they use more than one manufacturer for their ranges therefore there is a subtle difference in quality?