The main thing I've learned is that the only beauty advent calendars worth the money are the UK ones. I probably won't buy one, but it seems like you're better off splurging for the big shipping bill than trying to get your money's worth from US calendars. When fashion magazines were popular, I used to splurge on UK ones - I was so jealous, they got free gifts every month - mostly coupons for free minis from different stores. Plus really decent coupons. All the US ones did was take my money lol. I think British consumers are slightly better at demanding quality & not as easily impressed by a brand or the amount spent.
PLEASE EVERYONE understand something, all these samples are normally FREE or cost next to nothing to the dept. stores. I owned a high-end cosmetics store for many many years and would get "hundreds" and I mean hundreds (from every manufacturer) of samples/deluxe samples/full size items for promo at no cost. SO... what does that tell you? Unless those calendars are sporting full size items, walk away! It's free revenue to the dept. store, other than the box. Lauren you make me giggle, love your channel!
the teeny tiny samples just feel insulting even if it’s “worth” a lot. it feels like they’re saying “here you go, POOR. this is how much luxury you can afford”
I feel like getting tiny samples of skin care that I can never afford (sorry La Prairie) and are not enough to actually make a difference (you need 6 weeks worth of product minimum) is pointless. It would leave me feeling both broke and not properly hydrated. I would rather have mid range products I may actually splurge on at some point and enough to see if they work. These feel like a bit of a grift.
Dear you are truly a living example of “ I’ve tried these so you don’t have to”. Love it! My shopping impulse is getting fulfilled by your videos and thank you!
Something I'm realizing as you discuss "value" is it's not synonymous with cost. A tiny skincare product for a $300+ cream or serum adds no value to your life because it's used up too quickly, isn't enough to see skin changes, and samples aren't worth trying for products you never intend to buy. At least tiny makeup is going to last a while.
What you're talking about is subjective She is simply giving us the objective value, which is helpful because subjective will vary person to person and usually can decide for yourself
@@MilasPuppies She gives both. She’s absolutely discussing the value each item brings to her. And obviously that’s subjective, but it’s probable that when the most expensive items in a box are tiny skincare that it’s the least added value for most people.
@diamondinmyeye6160 there would be no way for her to comment on subjective for everyone though. Mayne might like the opportunity to try something expensive evening little and may not make the difference it's supposed to. Still could feel like a treat. My point is just it would be impossible for her to generalize so she speaks from her experience. The value re cost is helpful for those qho still would purchase luxury boxes regardless of if they will get enough product to see a true difference.
I like to imagine that Dr Barbara is a mad scientist in a gothic castle, but also not a real Dr ...just a wildly delusional woman who's phenomenal at marketing!
You can get a 6oz bottle of Hado Lobo hyaluronic acid with both small and large molecular weights, separate or mixed in one formula) for about $35. It’s fantastic. PLEASE do not spend $320 on a bottle of hyaluronic acid because they use the term “small molecule” in their marketing 😂 That entire Barbara storm line is such an overpriced grift.
@agnieszkaszmidt4292 Idk what it is about Hada Labo. The name seems simple enough. But I've seen people write it as Hodo Lobo, Hado Labo, Hoda Lobo, Hodo Labo. Just waiting for the day someone starts calling it Mordor or some shxt like that. What's going on
East Asian beauty is killing it without the pretense of all these Euro brands. I swear some people think that being German/Swiss/French gives them the right to price everything sky high, using either the "scientific lab, wow" or the "ooh, it's French" image to puff themselves up. Gimme J and K beauty any day.
@@Maialeenit could be autocorrect doing it's magic, as seen in what it just did 😅 its, you stupid bot. Seriously, I can see a Goth friendly cosmetics line called Mordor.
Oof...ok so, clearly the UK advent calendars are the way to go! Great series, thanks for doing the lord's work finding the few gems amongst all the holiday grifts 😂🎄
Once you are done opening all your advent calendars, you should do a video on how much of each sample /product you got. It would be interesting to see what was the most frequently included product!
Saks Fifth Ave has amazing GWP sets that they offer with beauty purchases. Lately they have given 30+ samples in a nice tote bag or travel beauty bag. And some travel sized products. Many of the samples I have received were in that advent 😂. And my SA gave me that Initio sample set for free.
I was shocked to see all the sample sizes! I feel like if I’m spending that kind of money, I would do it to have full sizes. I guess I would care more about that than the brand names they included. Might just be me though cuz I never try luxury anything 😂
You reminded me of the time I got a free sample of lamer from Nordstrom. It was one of those little of those little packet sample. The best part was my bestie and I sharing it and acting stupid about how it forever changed our skin. 😂. They need to put enough in the advent calendar’s that you can use it for a month or something so you know if you like it??
Also - I love that EL eye cream and that size sample lasted me for WEEKS. I even purchased the full size twice before moving on to try other things, the texture is just excellent to me.
I swear 111 skin does not actually sell in places like Nordstrom's or Neiman Marcus or wherever, but was created to be a beauty box brand. So they can pump up the value of their beauty boxes, claiming you're getting 125 value with this one item, but nobody's really buying that in reality. No one. That's my theory anyways.
I got a face mask in a GWP and it was the most disgusting texture. It was not paper, the whole mask was gummy, and there was no product 🤨 I couldn't stand it for more than a minute on my face before binning it.
Right? I tried a few moisturizer samples from beauty boxes and thought they were fine, but nothing special. I was more impressed by the Tatcha moisturizers, and they come in nicer packaging.
My hair is always the texture of salt-sprayed hair! I look terrible with straightened hair but i get it done whenever my hair's long enough because it feels so silky & nice! Everyone wants someone else's hair lol...
I love these advent unboxing videos! I totally agree with you. I picked the Selfridges advent calendar this year and I really love it - that Lisa Eldridge lipstick! I was also lucky enough (finally) to get my hands on the much sought-after Harrods fragrance advent calendar which was not easy as they are so limited. It took several nights of late night online stalking. I feel like both of these calendars were the pick of the bunch this year - they both offered great value and nice variety.
I enjoyed each and every advent calendar you presented to date even the cheapies! It’s fun watching you go through them and telling a bit about the value and the product. But yeah, SELFRIDGES for sure got em beat. Good job girlie!
i am pretty sure that olaplex no 8 is meant to be used along with another one of the products but i forget which one. like its only for specific hair needs and not really a general item like any of the other products.
I think 111 Skin’s entire business model is just making expensive products to inflate the value of gift sets/subscription boxes/advent calendars, that kind of thing. I’ve never seen anybody talk about buying anything from them on their own. Most of the reviews I’ve seen give me the impression that they’re not quite bad enough to warrant being detectively terrible but they’re also not worth going out of anyone’s way to purchase either. So if they’re putting water and mica in a serum and calling it, a magic elixir for $300 they’ll probably get away with it and it’s kind of genius 🤦🏼♀️😂 Anyway, I am nothing if not cynical Lol but I do get offended by sample sizes in expensive luxury advent calendars like this! It might be more offensive than the 111 skin stuff!
this series is so helpful in crushing any bit of fantasy i've had bout advent calendars....thank you for taking one for the team & really sorry for your loss of money...omg girl i'm so glad no one is taking any money from me on these trash!
💯💯💯 I will say it's a win/win for her. Even if she "loses" money on the calendar, she makes a good amount of $ for the video itself. So is she really losing?😂😂 It's brilliant! You have amazing content, helping your audience not waste their money, you also make money with the video/brand deals/companies send you items to review, you can keep all the products for yourself, give away as gifts to friends/family, sell them online, or do a giveaway for your subscribers🥰
Last year Bloomingdale’s advent had a full size Lelabo liquid balm in Tonka 25, Travel size Ex Nihilo Fleur Narcotique, Travel BLVGARI Spettacolore, Travel Memo Marfa, Travel MFK Baccarat Rouge, 3 sampler set of PDM Delina and 3 sampler set of Creed. But folks reviews and comments said they didn’t like all the perfume. So now Bloomies has switched things up this year. I ended up getting last years for more than half off prob due to all of the perfume. I wish they would just come out with a separate fragrance advent calendar.
It’s been so entertaining watching your reviews of these this year. I feel like you have enough experience with them now to only buy the ones you think might be the absolute best value in 2024 - if you decide to do more of this next year. It’s a lot of money for you to spend so I hope you don’t feel pressured to repeat all of these next year. Bleh Saks was such a mini calendar, f that noise
I just don't understand how the us advent calendars cost so much. For a little more get the uk calendars. So many full sizes and such a better deal . I got sufferages, cult beauty and space nk. They were amazing
I remember the days when the brands and department stores generously gave out these sized minis for free. 😂 Barney’s GWP fall beauty bag was pretty much on par with one of these advent calendars. The corporations seem to be getting stingier each year.
Hi, I too have thin poker straight blonde hair and one trick I find works quite well is talcum powder I shake some on the hair at the roots just under and over my parting, rub it in and wait for about 5 minutes before brushing, a bit like dry shampoo but more effective X
Yes I use lip mask. I chew the chapped skin off my lips and then they are raw so they need all the help they can get. ( I have always been a lip biter, anxiety)😬
Got molton brown in a sample 3 years ago. I have dry skin and every shower product made my skin dryer (i tried a lot). This one is the only one that is not drying for my skin. Also tried a lot of fragrances and the result is the same. Now i only use molton brown
Britain won over the U.S. Selfridges was best of Britain. Neiman-Marcus was the best of U.S. I would have been most happy with the fragrances and votives, then the eye products (creams, shadows, mascaras). But, the samples of skin creams, serums, and masks are not enough product to know anything more than what they feel like, not if they offer any results. I agree 100% with you that better bang for the buck can be had by shopping individual items and asking for samples. Your reviews were great! Thank you!
The la mer cream is interesting because they’re skirting around luxury by using their cheapest produced cream that many get confused with the original formula but the original formula contains no silicone or dimethicone. The soft cream does which makes it a lower end in terms of ingredient quality in comparison to all of their other products. The average person may just see la mer and be excited but nieman knows what they’re doing.
Cleansing balms are supposed to be done with a second cleanse. It's called a 2 step cleanse. So you use the balm to remove the makeup (hence why it's oily and very good for waterproof mascara) and then do you second step which is your soap based cleanser. And then after that your skin care.
I really love sample size stuff BUT when I run out and cant afford to by the full size is where I get disappointed. I love sample size lotions because I will use them on my tattoo lol.
Enjoy your videos. I have no hair either. For years when I went to a salon………almost every stylist ask me if I knew how thin my hair was. Their tip dropped significantly. I’m 60…….inches know what my hair is like. Any way I’m a new subscriber. Love you opening this calenders.
1. I think the brands pay the department stores to have their products featured in the calendar. 2. I work in a department store and these samples are absolutely free, just ask! 3. I love these videos and your honesty!!
I do too. I didn’t care for any of these advents and I bought all of mine from the UK accept for the Bluemercury advent. But when she brushed by the BioEffect EGF serum I gasped. 😂. Don’t sleep on this serum.
The deodorant has sodium bicarbonate in it. You should use it only daytime and wash it off in the evening, trust me... I used something similar 24/7 and my armpits were so irritared, peeling and red. 😅
Hello. Thanks for all the advent calendar reviews! It's exciting to see what they all have. The Neiman Marcus one would be my favorite out of the bunch but I would not purchase any of them lol. Just not my cup of tea. ❤
Granted you use a scant of eye cream so small samples aren't shamed. BUT!!!! If you receive a larger size of cleanser it's kinda equal cuz you use a dollup. Cheap!!
I'm so glad you took one for the team and ordered these so we don't make the mistake of doing so. It's crazy how brands/stores get away with advertising these as such good deals when it's obvious that they are just getting rid of all the samples/free gifts they didn't get rid of throughout the year. sure, IN THEORY, the products are nice but no one is going out of there way to purchase samples...
I used a lot of high end eye cream including Lamer, and for AGING Skin I think Estee Lauder eye gel is one of the best out their with continuing loose withen 1 or 2 samp,samples, you will notice e the firming effect, then when you stop using it is when yougo back because you realize it really works...I will say with your young skin such as yours, you will not notice, but for aging skin, start around d 35 or 40 years old and ever stop. I have used it for YEARS. CHRISTMAS 🎄
They may be nice products occasionally, but I can’t believe all those free samples that showed up! I feel so bad for you that you spent so much money. Thank you for letting us know what to expect.
As an American living in the UK, I didn’t become addicted to beauty Calendars until I moved here. 😬 The US one’s were always disappointing.I’ve been here many years, and the colour story didn’t always hit but, does the Esteé Lauder Christmas case still Rock?
I got a 70$ Douglas calendar for 57$ and that also has samples. It has travel size perfumes, full lip liner, Mac lipstick and expensive nail polish, for me it's worth it. These look like that calendar.
Thank you for this series, ive been watching with bated breath 😂. The uk calenders do seem to be much better. Did you check if France have any? Oh, I'm impressed with how much you are trying so hard to pronounce french words and names prooerly. If you would like some tutelage, I volunteer 🙋♀️ 😂 😘😘💖💖🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅 p.s. i would love to see, in say 6 months, a small bin of all your sample empties 😂😂😂😂😂
Guerlain is the brand that pioneered the meteorites face powder that looks like coloured balls. That might ring a bell. The brand is quite old almost 200 years.
A great video always I like 👍 I have really fine and oily hair too I've been watching the blowout Professor here on RUclips and I got the shampoo and conditioner in the other products he has recommended on his product list and I am really impressed with how my hair feels nice and light and clean even after 2 weeks I am noticing a huge difference 💙💛❤💚💜
Since you are US based, did you get charged shipping and customs fees for the UK calendars? If so, I think that should also be factored in to the total cost of those (customs' duties and fees can be brutal sometimes, lol).
I bought several UK calendars Space NK - No Tax, No Duties, No Shipping over $50. Liberty - No Duties, No Shipping over $200. Cult Beauty - No Duties, No Shipping over $50 Selfridges - No Duties (when I ordered), No Shipping (with the Global Package $50 a year)…but now there are duties added to my new shipments…😢
For that natural deodorant-it has sodium bicarbonate, which is baking soda (the chemical name for it). If you’ve had bad reactions to natural deodorants before it might have been the baking soda, which really isn’t a good thing to be leaving on your skin. It can cause irritations and burns.
I would love to see if you went in to one of these stores and got samples from the counters! I would contribute to a go fund me for you to shop the counters so you will have purchases too. ! For science
If you haven't seen it, THIS is the Luxury Advent Calendar video to watch... these just don't compare!! - ruclips.net/video/7njlzEtE9ro/видео.html
The main thing I've learned is that the only beauty advent calendars worth the money are the UK ones. I probably won't buy one, but it seems like you're better off splurging for the big shipping bill than trying to get your money's worth from US calendars. When fashion magazines were popular, I used to splurge on UK ones - I was so jealous, they got free gifts every month - mostly coupons for free minis from different stores. Plus really decent coupons. All the US ones did was take my money lol. I think British consumers are slightly better at demanding quality & not as easily impressed by a brand or the amount spent.
I am shocked because 95% of these I am getting for free in douglas or sephora when I buy my regular stuff. Such a rip off
Lauren you're amazing I really like watching you
It's much better to buy one nice eyeshadow palette, a full sized lipstick and one or two bottles of skincare for a total of $225 than 25 mini samples.
PLEASE EVERYONE understand something, all these samples are normally FREE or cost next to nothing to the dept. stores. I owned a high-end cosmetics store for many many years and would get "hundreds" and I mean hundreds (from every manufacturer) of samples/deluxe samples/full size items for promo at no cost. SO... what does that tell you? Unless those calendars are sporting full size items, walk away! It's free revenue to the dept. store, other than the box. Lauren you make me giggle, love your channel!
Very good advice! 😅
It’s so frustrating!
Most samples even say somewhere on the bottle "Not for individual sale" so what are theses compagnies doing literally selling samples!!
the teeny tiny samples just feel insulting even if it’s “worth” a lot. it feels like they’re saying “here you go, POOR. this is how much luxury you can afford”
Hahahahaha “And MERRY CHRISTMAS, little orphan!!”
😂😂😂
I feel like getting tiny samples of skin care that I can never afford (sorry La Prairie) and are not enough to actually make a difference (you need 6 weeks worth of product minimum) is pointless. It would leave me feeling both broke and not properly hydrated. I would rather have mid range products I may actually splurge on at some point and enough to see if they work. These feel like a bit of a grift.
Yes, 'sample swipes' are not small sized products!! You're right, there should be at least a couple of weeks worth of trial...
Apparently my ups guy uses La prairie serum! 😂😂😂 I was like ok bougie boyyy
@@myrandajohnson7214How’d you know though? I feel those bougie products are mainly for bragging rights.
Dr Barbara Sturm comes to mind 😒
Facts. La prairie is so not worth it. It's a lot of perfume and not a lot of actives.
I do love “it’s giving Sephora 100 points perks” as shade 😂
You should keep all the sample bottles and make them into Christmas ornaments for your tree in the background next year😂
I love this idea for her hahaha
A wreath
💀
Dear you are truly a living example of “ I’ve tried these so you don’t have to”. Love it! My shopping impulse is getting fulfilled by your videos and thank you!
Something I'm realizing as you discuss "value" is it's not synonymous with cost. A tiny skincare product for a $300+ cream or serum adds no value to your life because it's used up too quickly, isn't enough to see skin changes, and samples aren't worth trying for products you never intend to buy. At least tiny makeup is going to last a while.
What you're talking about is subjective
She is simply giving us the objective value, which is helpful because subjective will vary person to person and usually can decide for yourself
@@MilasPuppies She gives both. She’s absolutely discussing the value each item brings to her. And obviously that’s subjective, but it’s probable that when the most expensive items in a box are tiny skincare that it’s the least added value for most people.
@diamondinmyeye6160 there would be no way for her to comment on subjective for everyone though. Mayne might like the opportunity to try something expensive evening little and may not make the difference it's supposed to. Still could feel like a treat. My point is just it would be impossible for her to generalize so she speaks from her experience. The value re cost is helpful for those qho still would purchase luxury boxes regardless of if they will get enough product to see a true difference.
@@MilasPuppies When did I ask her to? I was making an observation based on her commentary.
For me the only thing those small little baby samples are good for is for patch tests. To see if I'm allergic or if my eczema will reject it.
I like to imagine that Dr Barbara is a mad scientist in a gothic castle, but also not a real Dr ...just a wildly delusional woman who's phenomenal at marketing!
I'm pretty sure all of that is true 😂
Well she helped invent the Vampire Facial, so mad scientist isn't far off....
I think she knows what she's doing and her customers are the delusional ones.
Next year I’m getting all my advent calendars from the UK!!!!! I got the Harrods one this year and I loved it
You can get a 6oz bottle of Hado Lobo hyaluronic acid with both small and large molecular weights, separate or mixed in one formula) for about $35. It’s fantastic. PLEASE do not spend $320 on a bottle of hyaluronic acid because they use the term “small molecule” in their marketing 😂
That entire Barbara storm line is such an overpriced grift.
*Hada Labo
@agnieszkaszmidt4292 Idk what it is about Hada Labo. The name seems simple enough. But I've seen people write it as Hodo Lobo, Hado Labo, Hoda Lobo, Hodo Labo. Just waiting for the day someone starts calling it Mordor or some shxt like that. What's going on
East Asian beauty is killing it without the pretense of all these Euro brands. I swear some people think that being German/Swiss/French gives them the right to price everything sky high, using either the "scientific lab, wow" or the "ooh, it's French" image to puff themselves up. Gimme J and K beauty any day.
@@Maialeenit could be autocorrect doing it's magic, as seen in what it just did 😅 its, you stupid bot. Seriously, I can see a Goth friendly cosmetics line called Mordor.
@@Maialeen in my case, it was autocorrect that changed it
Oof...ok so, clearly the UK advent calendars are the way to go! Great series, thanks for doing the lord's work finding the few gems amongst all the holiday grifts 😂🎄
Once you are done opening all your advent calendars, you should do a video on how much of each sample /product you got. It would be interesting to see what was the most frequently included product!
So far nothing has touched the Cult advent calendar. I enjoyed the Macy one Love the series ❤
Cult and Selfridges.
Saks Fifth Ave has amazing GWP sets that they offer with beauty purchases. Lately they have given 30+ samples in a nice tote bag or travel beauty bag. And some travel sized products. Many of the samples I have received were in that advent 😂. And my SA gave me that Initio sample set for free.
The box from the Neiman calendar would be good for storing Christmas ornaments in.
I was shocked to see all the sample sizes! I feel like if I’m spending that kind of money, I would do it to have full sizes. I guess I would care more about that than the brand names they included. Might just be me though cuz I never try luxury anything 😂
You reminded me of the time I got a free sample of lamer from Nordstrom. It was one of those little of those little packet sample. The best part was my bestie and I sharing it and acting stupid about how it forever changed our skin. 😂. They need to put enough in the advent calendar’s that you can use it for a month or something so you know if you like it??
Also - I love that EL eye cream and that size sample lasted me for WEEKS. I even purchased the full size twice before moving on to try other things, the texture is just excellent to me.
Ooohhhhh, I'd be bent. This is why I don't get surprise bags or advent calendars ... They almost always suck! 😢
I swear 111 skin does not actually sell in places like Nordstrom's or Neiman Marcus or wherever, but was created to be a beauty box brand. So they can pump up the value of their beauty boxes, claiming you're getting 125 value with this one item, but nobody's really buying that in reality. No one. That's my theory anyways.
I got a face mask in a GWP and it was the most disgusting texture. It was not paper, the whole mask was gummy, and there was no product 🤨 I couldn't stand it for more than a minute on my face before binning it.
Yes! And the products are jarringly average
Right? I tried a few moisturizer samples from beauty boxes and thought they were fine, but nothing special. I was more impressed by the Tatcha moisturizers, and they come in nicer packaging.
I work in a boutique that has them for full price! The only item that sells are the eye patches 😅
lauren: THIS IS SO TINY
me: THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID (every single time) omg
My hair is always the texture of salt-sprayed hair! I look terrible with straightened hair but i get it done whenever my hair's long enough because it feels so silky & nice! Everyone wants someone else's hair lol...
I love these advent unboxing videos! I totally agree with you. I picked the Selfridges advent calendar this year and I really love it - that Lisa Eldridge lipstick! I was also lucky enough (finally) to get my hands on the much sought-after Harrods fragrance advent calendar which was not easy as they are so limited. It took several nights of late night online stalking. I feel like both of these calendars were the pick of the bunch this year - they both offered great value and nice variety.
The chokehold Augustinus Bader has on these advent caldendars 💀
The sample of the $16 sponge sent me 😂😂😂 I almost coughed up a lung, been binging this series as I’m recovering from COVID
I enjoyed each and every advent calendar you presented to date even the cheapies! It’s fun watching you go through them and telling a bit about the value and the product. But yeah, SELFRIDGES for sure got em beat. Good job girlie!
I have the cult beauty one from uk and I’m estatic with it so far
I got the cult one last year and chose the Selfridges one this year and I'm not sure if it was the right choice.
It’s a WHOLE lotta packaging. And that is about it. Seriously! It’s mostly paper.
i am pretty sure that olaplex no 8 is meant to be used along with another one of the products but i forget which one. like its only for specific hair needs and not really a general item like any of the other products.
The MAC advent calendar was the best one I’ve seen this year.
So excited for advent calendar week! I have a Nespresso one 😂 But maybe a beauty one next year!
The Nespresso one sounds awesome to me 😂 at least you'll probably be happy to use everything you get!
They always fall short ... Same with surprise bags. Small samples n products that didn't sell or are a hair away from expired!! 😵
Oh a Nespresso one sounds amazing! I am hoping to get some sort of crafting/knitting or something one.
Omgggg where did you get the Nespresso one?! Sounds fun!
@@MagpiegigglesFrom the Nespresso website
I think 111 Skin’s entire business model is just making expensive products to inflate the value of gift sets/subscription boxes/advent calendars, that kind of thing. I’ve never seen anybody talk about buying anything from them on their own. Most of the reviews I’ve seen give me the impression that they’re not quite bad enough to warrant being detectively terrible but they’re also not worth going out of anyone’s way to purchase either. So if they’re putting water and mica in a serum and calling it, a magic elixir for $300 they’ll probably get away with it and it’s kind of genius 🤦🏼♀️😂
Anyway, I am nothing if not cynical Lol but I do get offended by sample sizes in expensive luxury advent calendars like this! It might be more offensive than the 111 skin stuff!
Their eye gel is fantastic. I’ve been using it for several years. Does not melt my eye makeup. It really hydrates without creasing or sliding around.
The stuff I’ve tried too has been so average
I do like that one serum in the black bottle
I love seeing advent calendars! My big pet peeve is when they include samples as part as the value.
this series is so helpful in crushing any bit of fantasy i've had bout advent calendars....thank you for taking one for the team & really sorry for your loss of money...omg girl i'm so glad no one is taking any money from me on these trash!
💯💯💯 I will say it's a win/win for her. Even if she "loses" money on the calendar, she makes a good amount of $ for the video itself. So is she really losing?😂😂 It's brilliant! You have amazing content, helping your audience not waste their money, you also make money with the video/brand deals/companies send you items to review, you can keep all the products for yourself, give away as gifts to friends/family, sell them online, or do a giveaway for your subscribers🥰
Last year Bloomingdale’s advent had a full size Lelabo liquid balm in Tonka 25, Travel size Ex Nihilo Fleur Narcotique, Travel BLVGARI Spettacolore, Travel Memo Marfa, Travel MFK Baccarat Rouge, 3 sampler set of PDM Delina and 3 sampler set of Creed. But folks reviews and comments said they didn’t like all the perfume. So now Bloomies has switched things up this year. I ended up getting last years for more than half off prob due to all of the perfume. I wish they would just come out with a separate fragrance advent calendar.
It’s been so entertaining watching your reviews of these this year. I feel like you have enough experience with them now to only buy the ones you think might be the absolute best value in 2024 - if you decide to do more of this next year. It’s a lot of money for you to spend so I hope you don’t feel pressured to repeat all of these next year.
Bleh Saks was such a mini calendar, f that noise
I just don't understand how the us advent calendars cost so much. For a little more get the uk calendars. So many full sizes and such a better deal . I got sufferages, cult beauty and space nk. They were amazing
Korean beauty knocks these US boxes OVER!! The best US beauty box in my opinion is Blue Mercury. Very nice!
I remember the days when the brands and department stores generously gave out these sized minis for free. 😂
Barney’s GWP fall beauty bag was pretty much on par with one of these advent calendars.
The corporations seem to be getting stingier each year.
Definitely try the Harrod's advent calendar next year, I loved mine this year.
Wow, what a nosedive that Needless Markup calendar took!!!
Lmao "the box doesn't even light up" - you're a joy to watch
Hi, I too have thin poker straight blonde hair and one trick I find works quite well is talcum powder
I shake some on the hair at the roots just under and over my parting, rub it in and wait for about 5 minutes before brushing, a bit like dry shampoo but more effective
X
I absolutely love this series!!!!
Aaaaaaa I'm so excited to watch this and all upcoming videos!
I love your eye makeup. It looks so pretty.
So were we all sat patiently waiting for Lauren to get another Augustus cream? We all knew it was coming!
I really enjoy your views on the advent calendars because they match mine! Dinky little sizes.
Yay!!! So excited 😂😂this is the best Christmas gift ever for me. On both channels too 😊😊
You should make a video after you open them all to see all the duplicates across the calendars and what is brand heavy.
Yes I use lip mask. I chew the chapped skin off my lips and then they are raw so they need all the help they can get. ( I have always been a lip biter, anxiety)😬
If youre into skincare the one from Dermstore is worth it!
I never want this series to end 😭
Hi - 45:05 can you please tell me the Prada name of the perfume? thank you
Got molton brown in a sample 3 years ago. I have dry skin and every shower product made my skin dryer (i tried a lot). This one is the only one that is not drying for my skin. Also tried a lot of fragrances and the result is the same. Now i only use molton brown
"this will be perfect for when I cry" sets down for later...😂❤❤
What eyeshadow are you using? That pink/champagne/rose gold looks so beautiful on you
Britain won over the U.S. Selfridges was best of Britain. Neiman-Marcus was the best of U.S. I would have been most happy with the fragrances and votives, then the eye products (creams, shadows, mascaras). But, the samples of skin creams, serums, and masks are not enough product to know anything more than what they feel like, not if they offer any results. I agree 100% with you that better bang for the buck can be had by shopping individual items and asking for samples. Your reviews were great! Thank you!
I used to scoff at $20 for the LaNeige lip mask pot, which does last sooooo long...$17 for ONE and it's super creepy & weird?!?!?!
The la mer cream is interesting because they’re skirting around luxury by using their cheapest produced cream that many get confused with the original formula but the original formula contains no silicone or dimethicone. The soft cream does which makes it a lower end in terms of ingredient quality in comparison to all of their other products. The average person may just see la mer and be excited but nieman knows what they’re doing.
Cleansing balms are supposed to be done with a second cleanse. It's called a 2 step cleanse. So you use the balm to remove the makeup (hence why it's oily and very good for waterproof mascara) and then do you second step which is your soap based cleanser. And then after that your skin care.
❤❤❤ love these
Im so stoked about advent calendar week! Whoohoo! 😊
Oh my gosh, I am legit so excited! 😭😭😭 You are spoiling us this year! I watch both your channels, so it's double the fun. 🥰🎄🎁🤶
In my jammies with my blanket and Christmas tree cozied up and this is the perfect video! 😊
I really love sample size stuff BUT when I run out and cant afford to by the full size is where I get disappointed. I love sample size lotions because I will use them on my tattoo lol.
Enjoy your videos. I have no hair either. For years when I went to a salon………almost every stylist ask me if I knew how thin my hair was. Their tip dropped significantly. I’m 60…….inches know what my hair is like. Any way I’m a new subscriber. Love you opening this calenders.
Your videos are my comfort watch ❤
1. I think the brands pay the department stores to have their products featured in the calendar.
2. I work in a department store and these samples are absolutely free, just ask!
3. I love these videos and your honesty!!
I actually looove the bio effect product!! You only need 2-3 drops and this size lasted me a couple of months 🥰 even the full size is pretty small !
I do too. I didn’t care for any of these advents and I bought all of mine from the UK accept for the Bluemercury advent. But when she brushed by the BioEffect EGF serum I gasped. 😂. Don’t sleep on this serum.
@@anicac4424 hahah exactly!! The UK advent calendars are better but this product is the MVP of that box 🤣
The deodorant has sodium bicarbonate in it. You should use it only daytime and wash it off in the evening, trust me... I used something similar 24/7 and my armpits were so irritared, peeling and red. 😅
Could just be you. I'm using Deo with baking soda. And my pits aren't red n irritated
@@SarahK86a lot of people are sensitive to topical baking soda
Any chance you got ahold of the Bluemercury advent calendar? It sold out so fast and I couldn’t get it but i’m dying to watch an unboxing.
Hello. Thanks for all the advent calendar reviews! It's exciting to see what they all have. The Neiman Marcus one would be my favorite out of the bunch but I would not purchase any of them lol. Just not my cup of tea. ❤
Granted you use a scant of eye cream so small samples aren't shamed. BUT!!!! If you receive a larger size of cleanser it's kinda equal cuz you use a dollup. Cheap!!
3:37 I have never heard of salt hair spray 😂😂😂
I would love to get an advent calendar for myself one of these years but I agree that some of the little samples is very off-putting 💙💛❤💚💜
Plz get the Ulta ones!
I have the one ounce Barbara Sturm serum, and it is the best! I have to win lotto to repurchase though.
I'm so glad you took one for the team and ordered these so we don't make the mistake of doing so. It's crazy how brands/stores get away with advertising these as such good deals when it's obvious that they are just getting rid of all the samples/free gifts they didn't get rid of throughout the year. sure, IN THEORY, the products are nice but no one is going out of there way to purchase samples...
I used a lot of high end eye cream including Lamer, and for AGING Skin I think Estee Lauder eye gel is one of the best out their with continuing loose withen 1 or 2 samp,samples, you will notice e the firming effect, then when you stop using it is when yougo back because you realize it really works...I will say with your young skin such as yours, you will not notice, but for aging skin, start around d 35 or 40 years old and ever stop. I have used it for YEARS. CHRISTMAS 🎄
Do you like the Hour Glass P4imer better then the Tarte smoothig primer In a jar?
She’s an advent calendar psychic,,,,,,, 😂😂proven to guess and predict products in the US OR UK 🌸🩷😂😂😘
Yeah . Thx Lauren, it hasn’t been the season for me, and you cheer me up quickly .. 🎉🎉❤❤❤
They may be nice products occasionally, but I can’t believe all those free samples that showed up! I feel so bad for you that you spent so much money. Thank you for letting us know what to expect.
As an American living in the UK, I didn’t become addicted to beauty Calendars until I moved here. 😬 The US one’s were always disappointing.I’ve been here many years, and the colour story didn’t always hit but, does the Esteé Lauder Christmas case still Rock?
I got a 70$ Douglas calendar for 57$ and that also has samples. It has travel size perfumes, full lip liner, Mac lipstick and expensive nail polish, for me it's worth it. These look like that calendar.
Thank you for this series, ive been watching with bated breath 😂. The uk calenders do seem to be much better. Did you check if France have any? Oh, I'm impressed with how much you are trying so hard to pronounce french words and names prooerly. If you would like some tutelage, I volunteer 🙋♀️ 😂 😘😘💖💖🎅🎅🎅🎅🎅 p.s. i would love to see, in say 6 months, a small bin of all your sample empties 😂😂😂😂😂
Guerlain is the brand that pioneered the meteorites face powder that looks like coloured balls. That might ring a bell. The brand is quite old almost 200 years.
A great video always I like 👍 I have really fine and oily hair too I've been watching the blowout Professor here on RUclips and I got the shampoo and conditioner in the other products he has recommended on his product list and I am really impressed with how my hair feels nice and light and clean even after 2 weeks I am noticing a huge difference 💙💛❤💚💜
Since you are US based, did you get charged shipping and customs fees for the UK calendars? If so, I think that should also be factored in to the total cost of those (customs' duties and fees can be brutal sometimes, lol).
I bought several UK calendars
Space NK - No Tax, No Duties, No Shipping over $50.
Liberty - No Duties, No Shipping over $200.
Cult Beauty - No Duties, No Shipping over $50
Selfridges - No Duties (when I ordered), No Shipping (with the Global Package $50 a year)…but now there are duties added to my new shipments…😢
@@anicac4424 Thank you for the rundown!
50:32 That Estée Lauder renutriv stuff is actually expensive.
I have some old vintage Vogue magazines that look like that calendar 😊
For that natural deodorant-it has sodium bicarbonate, which is baking soda (the chemical name for it). If you’ve had bad reactions to natural deodorants before it might have been the baking soda, which really isn’t a good thing to be leaving on your skin. It can cause irritations and burns.
I would love to see if you went in to one of these stores and got samples from the counters! I would contribute to a go fund me for you to shop the counters so you will have purchases too. ! For science
😅😂 the revive eye mask! Omg I have so much sample that I got for free when I purchased something I WANT to buy. I really enjoyed the video, thank you!
Thank you for going through all these… I did buy the Saks one and have enjoyed it. I buy it to try new things…not for the value though.
Oh hell yeah, ADVENT CALENDAR WEEK!!