Beauty chat - freebies/gifts with purchase/offers THREAD TWENTY TWO

[OvaHere]

New thread. Welcome back everyone. It's taken a while to get through the last due to how busy the advent threads have been.

All the holiday releases are coming out now and Black Friday is looming. So take a seat and buckle up. 😊

I’m so sorry @LondonToSurrey2024. Is it ok to ask what your son’s name was? These threads are warm and cosy, please post as often or as little as you feel you can.

Oh @LondonToSurrey2024 my heart is absolutely breaking for you 💔 Sending loads of love and hugs your way. These threads are full of kindness and support and provide a bit of relief and distraction for many of us, one way and another. Self care and sparkly bits are always a good idea when the world get too tough.

Yes, we named him Sterling Alexander, we've had great support from the hospital, friends and family but reading up on beauty threads is a great way to get out of my head.

Thanks for all of the eye mask offers! We just got home and I looked in the mirror properly and realised it's my eyelids that are swollen, so I'm not sure there are any masks that will sort those out!

Maybe some ice roller balls like these

https://www.boots.com/botanics-ice-rollers-10319014

A gel eyemask that's been in the fridge should help.

@LondonToSurrey2024 So sorry for the loss of your baby boy, Sterling Alexander ❤️Sending love and strength your way.
I’m glad you have the right kind of support around you during this difficult time, and that these threads are a nice distraction for you.

I also have a stash of masks which I’d be happy to send your way. And as pp said, pop them in the fridge and it will help to reduce the puffiness

How are people getting CBAFF work on the edits? Tried with the luminous skin and the perfume but it doesn't work.

Heartbroken to hear about your son @LondonToSurrey2024. When I had a traumatic time with baby, I did full make-up everyday, it’s a great distraction and the process of putting it on and taking it off is a routine and meditative in itself. And a bit of “well I feel completely broken but at least I’ve got the outer alright”. So I totally get it. Cry all you need to and fall apart x And don’t put off the trauma therapy because it really really helps

It was only active for a day or two. I missed out at the time. I actually use the Medik8 serum every day and would have loved to get the edit at a discount.
Maybe they’ll reduce them later?
Someone said they got a discount code on TikTok but I haven’t had any luck there.

Thanks for the response and so sorry for your trauma. The bereavement midwife spoke about trauma therapy and said she actively encouraged it so I will definitely give it a go. I know writing it down will be painful but I'm going to do a baby journal as I did one for my daughter too, and I feel that it may help.

I'll definitely be keeping my skincare and makeup routines as it will feel like having my game face on, even when I'm crying inside (and out!). Although I may have to avoid the heavy eye make up for a while or I'll be able to do a true test of what is actually a good setting spray and waterproof, if it can take all of my crying 😅

This is truly heartbreaking @LondonToSurrey2024I am so, so, so sorry you are going through such a terrible time and I am sorry about your baby boy. I hope with all my heart you can get as much support as possible and try to navigate the immediate future in a way that doesn’t put more sadness on your heart and soul.
Life can be such a cruel mistress.
Although I cannot recommend a specific eye mask that actually works (they are all pleasant to use but I am yet to discover a magic one), I find a cold milk eye compress is very good at reducing swelling and also irritation and tiredness. Just soak cotton wool pads in cold milk and place over closed eyes whilst you lie down for 10-15 minutes. You can get large cotton wool pads at some supermarkets.
Camomile tea is also soothing if you are vegan or allergic to milk.
I hope these threads bring you a temporary release from the difficult time you are going through. I am sending you the warmest hugs ever.

I’m so sorry to hear of your loss @LondonToSurrey2024 - I hope that you are getting support irl x

@LondonToSurrey2024 bless your poor wounded heart . My darling nothing I can say will help , but welcome to the loveliest spot in the world . We will look after you through all things beauty . We can’t ease your pain or your sadness . But we can distract you if you want us too . We are crackers let that be said and swing from one set of crazy to another . But if you need a place to escape like so many others who are going through the worst of times I have found my people . Welcome welcome . I’ve just watched strictly so if you get it I’m doing this in the voice of Jo Jo who is my inner voice of love 🩷

I had older kids at the time too, and did the whole I don’t have the time, emotional capacity to do intensive therapy and relive this in therapy, but when I went to trauma therapy a year later they said I was basically reliving it everyday anyway with flashbacks which retraumatises you, still living in “that” moment, because your brain doesn’t deal with it. And then I felt so much better, and slept better and could start to feel glimmers of happiness in the present moment again. So yes don’t put it off!

I’m so sorry to read this - you must be going through a terrible time. If I could give you a massive hug I would. Take all the time and all the self care you need and more. I hope you find the fun and joy from these threads that I do in difficult times. Take care of yourself.

@LondonToSurrey2024 another stranger who is thinking of you at this terrible time. I would also encourage therapy when you feel ready. Grief and trauma can surprise you at unwelcome times I have found. It’s not a linear road, but I hope this favourite corner of mumsnet will provide some moments of distraction as you travel along it. X

Thanks all for your comments and sorry for derailing the thread!

I was also wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a good sharpener? I often use lip liner and eyebrow pencils, I do prefer the ones that are just retractable and don't have to sharpen just for ease of use, but I have got some pencils in edits or from other brands that I like now and that need sharpening. I have a bobbi brown sharpener that works okay but I always like to have a backup and wondered if anyone has any suggestions?

I just have a cheap sharpener from elf but don’t know if there are better ones!

I have one from zoeva that’s very good.

I have an old double no 7 one. I also use a VB one for my VB pencils. Don’t know how necessary that is but they come with one so I use it 🤷‍♀️.

Mine are from Superdrug. The trick is in rotating the sharpener not the pencil.

I also have a Zoeva one which is good. I put my pencils in the freezer for a bit before sharpening, it seems to result in less breakage (an old tip from Jackie magazine 😁)

Obviously i went for a whole kit to get the pencil sharpener, rather than just buying the sharpener itself 😂

https://zoevacosmetics.co.uk/collections/kits-1/products/vl-eyeliner-pencil-safari-discovery-kit-ts

@keepincool it was a wise decision- I think the pencils are fab.

I've got a NARS sharpener I bought to make up an order for a gwp on SpaceNK. It's actually pretty good and is one that collects the sharpenings so I don't have to do it over a bin.

@keepincool seems a reasonable decision to me 🥰

I have a few vb ones so I use those.