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

[OvaHere]

Time for a new thread, our first in a MN Community Group. We've chatted and purchased beauty bargains so much we've become a literal tribe! 😂

In other news PLouise was out of the gate with ridiculous speed announcing the first advent calendar waitlist in April.

In celebration I thought I'd try out a poll. It runs for 7 days, there was only 6 options so comment in the thread for those that come under 'Other'.

As always, welcome back long standing beauty bargain hunters and hi to anyone new who would like to join. Usual caveats about the threads being bad for you wallet still apply, but enjoy anyway. 🤗

I love the deluxe loyalty scheme especially when its double points, where else can you get £20 for £100 spend? And stacks with discounts too so if you wait for a 20% off event after getting the points during double points event they are practically paying you to take stuff off them

The new WA Hydrobalm Lipsticks are lovely. They feel really nice and have a slight stain so reasonably long wearing. The darker colours aren't as full on as they look as they can be sheered out or built up. The magnetic lid is a nice touch too. They're expensive but they do at least feel premium.

I always wondered why there was a special option for deluxe on the phone, an actual human voice is an absolute luxury these days!

@openended I really like the Merit blush and lipsticks. They’re very easy to use. Lisa Eldridge Velatura Balm is popular also but I don’t love the case it comes in. Lisa Eldridge eye shadow palettes and cream eye shadow. Westman Atelier Super Loaded Tinted Highlighter (cream) is also lovely but pricey. Very subtle and not easy to over do. I generally think cream formulas are better as you get older… Does she need brushes? I really love my Saie ones. They’re great all rounders.

I've had a reason to phone 2/3 times and always got more or less straight through to a person. In a world of chatbots it is indeed a premium perk.

@openended the new RMS eye palettes are lovely. They're all a satin/slight shimmer finish but surprisingly flattering on older eyes.

@openended - might not be your mum’s thing but Dior will personalise certain items, e.g. the lip glosses.

You can get the LE rouge experience lipstick case engraved too if you buy on the site. That would be a nice 60th gift. Refillable too.

https://www.lisaeldridge.com/products/toasted-rouge-experience-refillable-lipstick

Here are my April purchases. I think I actually managed to buy a bit less than usual, but nowhere near the no buy I was supposed to be doing. I did have £15 of CB credit to use, so that helped a bit.

Lush shower subscription box (5 products)
BOJ Green Plum cleanser
Tocobo cica suncreen
Anua heartleaf sunscreen
1 full size and 3 mini body creams from Future Primitive
Sukin shampoo & conditioner
Ordinary alpha arbutin serum
Ordinary argireline serum
Byoma phyto mucin serum
Krave hemp cleanser mini
1 litre of Pantene conditioner (because the price finally dropped on Amazon)
Aussie Hair Insurance leave in spray (because DD nicked the one I already had but hadn’t tried yet. My secret wardrobe stash has been discovered!)

Phew! Mine has arrived today too. Really nice selection, I'm glad you're pleased.

I purchased quite a few boxes from Style Korean in April - they are a bit of a weakness but I will resist the upcoming Dearest Box - https://beauty-detective.com/stylekorean-dearest-box-2026/

I have made one May purchase and succumbed to the SNK Blush and Glow edit. Thanks @OvaHere - you swung it for me 😊

Edited to correct typos and a ridiculous autocorrect

@OvaHere Happy birthday month! You got some great choices from SNK!

For mine a couple of months ago I got a Skin Rocks moisturiser, there was another option but this was the best one for me. They had also sent me a postcard with an offer of a free candle for nearing Deluxe status and I got a GWP with my order and a discount so it was a great haul.
I was actually disappointed recently that I
couldn’t think of anything to get when they offered double points.

I didn’t know that about the CS, that really is a luxury! And after my CB debacle, I’d say it’s worth every penny spent with SNK!

If anyone in here uses no7, there’s a sale on over at the no7 site.

Oh I didnt know we have a phone line 🤣

I tried the evidens mask this evening from the harrods advent. I like it and my rosscea prone skin has coped ok. I can tell a difference in my texture as well. May be a first use wonder but will see. £200 though, pricey.

Id definitely go with mz skin. 😍

Oh dear, I’m not even sure I can remember list my April purchases….

SK Mint Besties box (which is massive) plus a whole bunch of other stuff I threw into the order to get the value up to free postage.

(Strangely, not from SK):
Beauty of Joseon eye cream
BoJ niacimide serum
BoJ bran and honey face mask

LE rose madder blush (not sorry at all, although I think I prefer the WA, but this is lighter/more subtle and I love the texture)

Roche Posay gel SPF50

Boots Prime primer / spf
Boots Prime face wash
Boots No7 glow serum

• a massive gwp makeup selection (does that count?) Eye pencil sharpener (£2.50 for dd to get a free tubing mascara I wanted to try)

3 x Medik8 peptides serum

Cult Beauty sun edit

Debenhams Female Founders edit (twice!!)

M&S glow edit (but I’m returning that, so it doesn’t really count)

m&s “invisible seam” knickers for the gym
1 pair Adidas
1 denim waistcoat Anthropologie
silver trousers Anthropologie
black dress Anthropologie
2 x leggings Gymshark
ridiculous sparkly skirt Debenhams

None of the clothing was needed but Anthropologie stuff was end of sale and I love it all, gym clothes I can always justify and I’m still undecided on the ridiculous sparkly skirt from Debenhams

Gosh, that is quite a lot when I already had a full stash, isn’t it?

(edited to add in medik8 serum. Am sure I’ve forgotten something else)

I did go with the MZ. It's on it's way already. 😁

I’m 61 and the things I like are:

Trinny eye2eye cream shadow in Wisdom and Magician - just great neutrals for daily wear.
Victoria Beckham eyeliners I love them all. I also really want the Eye Wardrobe in Orchid when it’s back in stock
Hourglass mascara in Espresso
Laura Geller powder foundation thing - they’ve got an offer on at the moment for a set of stuff at a good price. I like that it’s not heavy and cakey.
I’m very keen on Code 8 lipsticks and glosses. And their eyebrow pencil.

Those are the things on heavy rotation at the moment!

Has anyone found any working codes for the FTF Easter Mystery Bundle?

Morning,

April haul was higher than planned - partly courtesy of folks on here and partly better than expected bonus.Debenhams Niche Fragrance Edit, Boots New & Trending Box (arriving today) Benefit bronzer/blusher minis (Hoola, Willa and Shellie), Urban Decay eyeliner, £5 CB perfume samples and 5ml Marfa by Memo that was going for £2 plus P&P on eBay. I love Marfa so was a swoop to stock up.

Fragrance edit was probably least successful - nothing really wowed and I really didn't need it. Benefit minis were most successful - I used to stack with samples/get CB points but am really enjoying (someone recommended Willa on earlier thread - lovely colour). I've culled my unused blushers so am back down to 4 in total inc 2 new minis (novice level).

I also needed to replace nearly out shampoo/conditioner (usual expensive brand-Amazon had 36% disc) and bought a Debenhams Female Founders edit for friend's birthday. I bought myself the FF edit in March and am loving the Decree serum so I will buy another one for me this month. No other spend plans and no wishlist- I should probably avoid this thread but enjoy the enthusiasm.

On clothes front in April - Vinted Lee Checked Shirt for £2 (a success).

Space NK has the Orchid wardrobe back in stock.

There’s 20% off make up at the moment as well.
I was tempted so just had a look but I’m put off that you have to purchase a case separately.

The only thing I’m considering at present is another YSL loveshine lipstick in a different shade, but I’m even holding off on that as I have so many lip products to get through already and the discounts come along so often.

For those who bought the Dior lipstick recently, how are you finding it? I’m still to take the plunge as I’m undecided on which shade to get. I was going to buy 2 to make a set but wasn’t sure if it was worth it

Any ideas what’s in the FTF bank holiday mystery bundle? Looks like the moisturiser might be AB but can’t work out the Vit C.

I think this - Neostrata 15% Vit C serum
www.facethefuture.co.uk/products/neostrata-15-vitamin-c-pha-serum

I was fairly good in April.
Aveda heat protect and smooth infusion styling cream £60 (with code).
The No7 range you are enabled me to buy. So far I’ve tried the primer, I like that it’s spf 50 but other than that think it’s average, not a rot purchase. £30 ish also got the GWP but will
will donate to my sister.

Clothes
Trousers Zara £30
Cotton top H&M £12
Top Hush £65

Do you keep track of your products? I’ve just counted my perfumes - 45 and some are big bottles. I’m going to spritz away but sadly can’t see when I’ll be able to justify buying more any time soon - sad times.

Quick stock take - Cleansers 7, serums 7, face creams 16 , eye products 4, hair (embarrassing amount due to quest for bouncy blow dry) plus lots of opened and sundry products.

Not sure if this is hoarder or amateur levels.