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

[OvaHere]

New thread. Welcome oldies and newbies.

I'm expecting this thread to be busy as we head towards both advents and autumn releases.

There's a dedicated advent thread for advent calendars here to keep up to date with reveals, waitlists etc.
www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5549187-beauty-fragrance-advent-calendars-infochat-2026-spoilers?page=32&reply=153745800

Who is anticipating the harrods fragvent release next week? My money's that it will go on sale very quietly on Monday morning. I'm imagining they won't be wanting to launch it on a Sunday? And will sell out in about an hour so - fastest fingers first!

Heartened to see that there are loads from last year still on ebay at inflated prices so those resellers who bought loads are left with unsellable stock.

@mooshkymoo I also got the Prai deal, so thank you. I went for the upper arm cream as I’ve been unhappy with the creasing that’s starting, and it gets good reviews.

@IDontHateRainbows I like the PK elasticizer but I’ve never bought it at full price, I don’t need to because so many people hate it that I’ve managed to pick up a few on Vinted 🤣

I don't mind elasticizer so much as a treatment - if it was the same thing in a different bottle with a different name on I'd probably be raving about it but it just seems to be in every gwp or beauty box going so I have elasticizer fatigue!

My prediction is Monday morning too. It was the first Monday in August last year.
I really don’t need it but know I will be desperate to grab one!

@Thelifeofawife i used the ageless arms crème before. Not sure it did anything other than a regular moisturiser but it was light and easily absorbed and knowing it was for that area made me discliplined about using it there.

Yep, I'm expecting a quiet drop on Monday too. I'm kinda hoping it's Monday, I don't fancy constantly checking the app all week 🙈🤣 It will go super fast I think, despite loads of people saying they're not getting it.

Did you think the cream in the sparkly jar was thinner than their usual neck cream, or is that just my imagination?
I’ve nearly finished mine and to be honest I’m a bit disappointed it’s not made any difference at all.

Agree. Most of the people on social media saying it's not great this year will still attempt to buy it IMO.

The one I had before the sparkly jar wasn’t the plain one IIRC. It was a peachy colour, might have been called Prai Gold? It pilled a bit and I think it was probably a bit thicker.

My plan when I finish the Prai is ROC Retinol Stick, unless I find another Prai lurking in thw stash (entirely possible!)

New Look Fantastic edit also has a full size Elasticizer 😵‍💫 https://www.lookfantastic.com/p/beauty-box/the-iconic-beauty-edit-worth-over-200/17691451/?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&affil=thggpsad&kwds=&thg_ppc_campaign=22660076052&adtype=pla&product_id=17691451&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=22660076052&cq_con=&cq_term=&cq_med=pla&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22669849102&gbraid=0AAAAAD-fXiop4_yAun1XRZZXPy0dostUh&gclid=CjwKCAjw7KvTBhA6EiwAWnutYT_TsUWJUBNPZY6v0v99gy5fU9Y270QokKxYLB-MlmWrj7es1UQFYxoCcssQAvD_BwE

For anyone still on speaking terms with M&S, the 50% sale is now general access!

Yes, there should be a rule that if you don't love it, you're not allowed to buy 🤣 I wonder if they'll ever do what Spacenk did last year and give people time slots to buy it first. Although, I think Harrods are too chaotic for that. I wouldn't be surprised if they actually don't know when they'll drop it. It'll just be when the system works 🤣

...and there are lots more products in the main sale.

I quite like this edit and a year ago I'd have probably bought it but I need to be choosy these days.

I think it will just drop. After last year I don't think they'll make an announcement so Mon/Tue is my best guess but it could literally be anytime in the next week. It's doing my head in tbh. 😂

I agree @OvaHere
Too many repeats of what ive already got and £65.

I’m starting to feel the same about Sweed mascara too. In everything and horrible brush!

Same! Haven’t tried it (sweed), but the fact it’s in everything has put me off it. I’d be worried it was super old stock and crumbly. Happy to be put right though.

I’ve just been giving the Harrods Scent Seeker perfumes a sniff and I thought I’d like Deep Lotus but I really don’t - Lust in Paradise is lovely though!

I tried the Sweed mascara once but I don't know why people like it. It gives me panda eyes. I think people who have long naturally curly lashes can get away with a lot more mascara wise though. I've sold so many of them for a few quid on Vinted as they seem to be in loads of edits.

I've just purchased the mask for £12 and it still added the free gift at checkout. I've also purchased some Pixi blusher and bronzer in the online sale

I'm in M&S now. A lot of the online beauty offers, including the Pixi and Prai ones, don't seem to be available in-store.

JL advent reveal https://beauty-detective.com/john-lewis-beauty-advent-calendar-2026/

That's an easy no from me.

I've just posted this in the advent calendar thread. The Harvey Nicks waiting lists are open too. It's a no from me too for the JL. It's just not exciting enough. I will, of course, analyse it still.

It's really boring.

There's also a new mystery box at FTF. I think Verden diffuser, This works mini spray and no idea the box. https://beauty-detective.com/face-the-future-wellness-mystery-bundle-2026/

That's good to know @keepincool as I have put a few sale bits in my basket but am instore later too... maybe I will just check out online while I can!