Before we get deep into the details, if your looking for a bunch of different advent options then this is the wrong blog post, I'm sorry. I will specifically be discussing the advent calendar I opted for this year, why I chose it, and various other bits 'n' bobs.
Get yourself a cuppa or some munchies and lets get down to business...
Every year I get super excited by the advent calendar build up and of course, you have to be on the ball early if you want to get yourself the best one that offers good products and is worth the coin. I read many blogs and watched so many YouTube videos across September and October to find one which aligned with my needs as well as my purse.
Now, if you have been wrapped up in the seasonal advent hype before than you are well aware of the craziness that surrounds it #TheHypeIsReal. Some of the more extravagant calendars are on the pricey side and let's just say, I'm a student and a single parent who is in no position to be spending over £80+ on an advent calendar, no matter the product value contained inside.
Last year I purchased the Revolution makeup advent calendar and I was pretty satisfied, I had used their individual products and palettes and still do now. Most of the products in the Revolution calendar were good quality and usable, besides a few random lipstick shades, and the price point was good (I managed to grab it for £25). However, this year after a lot of reviewing and even after they released a few different options, I was disappointed with the products available. This left very few options for a decent cheap calendar and the Revolution makeup one was meant to be my strong contender!
I came across many different calendar options from Glossy Box, Harrods, Charlotte Tilbury, NYX, The Body Shop, ASOS, No7 and many more.
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Many surpassed what I was willing to spend and those within range had products I wouldn't really use, I also thought to myself while searching "you have wayyy to much makeup anyway", finding an internal excuse.
I came across a review video for Holland & Barrett's 25 Day's of Natural Beauty, instantly I was intrigued because I never really thought about Holland & Barrett. Considering I already had loads of makeup, skin care seemed like a good alternative option and I had used a few of their products before but not much on a beauty scale. By the end of the video I was sold and went to my nearest Holland & Barrett the next day to get one and there was only two left, it also has a 4.8 star rating online. Now I can't lie, I opened one of the doors to the Jade face roller because I was super excited about it, then realised I could have easily slid the tray out of the bottom (I'm ditsy). Obviously, Holland & Barrett is a natural health and well being store so the products are all naturally made and vegan friendly. I am very pleased with my purchase, besides a few of the items like any calendar but overall, it contained loads of good products which I can't wait to try out, bring on the 1st December. After looking over the products, I boasted about it to my cousin to the point I ended up going with her the next day so she could get the last one left in the store. I was discussing the calendar and the Hyaluronic Acid with my cousin when a random lady was looking over and then asked if there was more calendars but there wasn't however, she did end up purchasing the Hyaluronic Acid Serum #MarketingSkills.
I have purchased a couple of the items inside the calendar individually and have been using them, so far so good. The Holland & Barrett Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid Serum (worth £14.99 for 30ml) is one of my favourite products and the calendar also includes a full size bottle inside. I use it twice daily, once in the morning and once before bed, it has been 3 weeks since I have started using it and I already notice the difference in my skins appearance. I would recommend this product because not only is Hylauronic Acid great for re-hydrating your skin, stimulating collagen and improving its overall appearance, this one is all natural and doesn't contain some of the extra unneeded ingredients that some brands are including in their products.
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I have been using my Jade Facial Massage Roller after applying the Hyaluronic Acid, I was most excited about this product anyway as I am a gemstone/crystal lover and I have wanted one for some time.
Whilst purchasing the Hylauronic Acid Serum in my local store they had a few of Beauty Kitchen's Seahorse Plankton 5 Minute Miracle Mask, it is included in the calendar (worth £5.99 for 6ml) and I managed to grab the exact same one for just £1 on sale (the full product size is 60ml for £15.00). I have only used the product once and it left my face feeling really smooth with a glow yet, I think I would have to purchase the full size product and use it regularly to see any long term benefits. It does have a smell I can't quite explain, for some reason coral comes to my head, like as if you was to sniff some ocean coral. That sounded more normal in my head but either way it felt nice on my face.
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A product that did catch my eye and I cannot wait to try is the Elifeixr Push-up Buttocks Sculpting Gel (worth £15.99 for 150ml), the fact it is pink is a bonus for me. The one included in the calendar is 40ml which works out to approximately £3.20. I'm intrigued to know if it actually works and I'm not expecting to get a Kardashian booty over night or anything but, I am thinking this combined a few butt exercises might work wonders. It is meant to help improve cell renewal and protect collagen by shaping, smoothing and firming the buttocks area.
The advent calendar has so many different items which I am going to list with the product size as well as prices, a couple of the items are exclusive to the advent calendar so I couldn't source the exact prices of those.
Fruu Watermelon Lip Balm 4.5g - £2.99
Weleda Skin Food Light 30ml - £7.95
Dr Organic Mini Aloe Micellar Water 75ml - £5.99 for 200ml
Holland & Barrett Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid Serum 30ml - £14.99
Holland & Barrett Jade Facial Massage Roller - Exclusive
Sukin Mini Facial Scrub 50ml - £2.55
Miaroma Festive Blend 10ml - £8.00
Beauty Kitchen's Seahorse Plankton Miracle Mask 6ml - £5.99
Trilogy Hydrating Mist Toner 20ml - £3.50
Holland & Barrett Lavender Sleep Mask - Exclusive
Dr Organic Mini Rose Body Wash 75ml - £6.49 for 250ml
Faith in Nature Lavender Hand Soap 100g - £1.99
Naturtint Mini Hair Spray 50ml - £2.86
Salt of the Earth Roll On Deodorant (Unscented) 75ml - £3.99
Miaroma Sweet Orange Essential Oil 10ml - £6.99
Natura Siberica Hand Cream 30ml - £2.99
Elifexir Push-up Buttocks Sculpting Gel 40ml - £3.20
Dr Organic Manuka Honey Rescue Cream 50ml - £9.99
Ecodenta Coconut Toothpaste 100ml - £6.99
Holland & Barrett Muslin Cloth - £2.25
Weleda Skin Food Light Lip Balm 8ml - £6.95
Ambience CBD Body Oil 50ml - £11.99
Dead Sea Spa Magik Hair Serum 25ml - £3.79
TRUE Skincare Mini Super-food Exfoliator 15g - £11.99 for 25g
Beauty Kitchen's Abyssinian Oil Facial Concentrate 30ml - £8.99
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The total price for all of the above products equates to approximately £118.94. This does not include the exclusive items or the products which state the price for a larger size then what is available in the calendar.
I paid £35 for the advent calendar so I basically saved over £80, and they are all products I am looking forward to trying out and using in my routine.
Added bonus: I discovered when watching the review video that each advent door has a discount code for the product inside, this is a nice touch and will definitely encourage me to purchase more if I get on well with the products. I know for a fact I'm going to use that butt sculpting code, don't judge me!
If you use any of the products or purchased the Holland & Barrett Advent Calendar I would love to know what you think. Unfortunately the calendar is sold out online but you can still get it in stores so, check your local shop as soon as you can, trust me it will be worth it!
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