Marks and Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar 2017

It has been a week since the launch of the Marks and Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar and it's been quite a week!!! 'Tis the season to treat your loved ones but we all get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas working extra hours, planning the perfect gifts and just getting ready in general! It's important we remind ourselves that we need a little TLC and it's okay to treat ourselves!!

What better way than with a Beauty Advent Calendar!!! Gone are the days of opening the little cardboard door and seeing what shape little chocolate you got. It's the 21st century and we have certainly upped our advent calendar game!! 

Imagine coming home from a long day of work or college, you got drenched in the rain, missed your bus, forgot your lunch and your phone died. It totally wasn't your day. But imagine how much better your day would be if you came home to a nice little treat whether it be skincare or beauty related!! You could give yourself a face mask or go to sleep excited thinking about wearing that new lipstick the next day. (That's not just me, right?)

You're probably here because you saw my previous post, (if not, what are you waiting for??) about my Top Ten Cruelty Free Advent Calendars!! 

The Marks and Spencer advent calendar was mentioned and to be completely unbiased and honest, it's my favorite. 

Here's what it says on the website:

"The ultimate treat for any beauty lover to countdown to their most gorgeous Christmas ever., Worth €339, our show-stopping Beauty Advent Calendar contains 25 pampering face, body, hair, make-up and sun care surprises from cult brands you won’t want to miss."

If you didn't know, I work as a Beauty Adviser for Marks and Spencer and I LOVE my job. One of the many perks of my job was that I had the absolute honour of receiving most of the Advent Calendar contents about a month or so ago so I've been able to try out the products and gain a proper opinion and knowledge on them. Guys, this does not disappoint.

There honestly is not a single product that I don't like. I love the perfect harmony between skincare and cosmetics!! This is the absolute perfect way to try out new products and not committing to a full size!!

Let's start with price. The Advent Calendar is worth a whopping €329!!!! BUT when you spend €40 on clothing, home ware and beauty, you can purchase the box for only €40!!!! 

Need to stock up on socks and underwear?

Are you out of your coveted Pixi Glow Tonic?

Want to start your Christmas shopping early?

There is no excuse to NOT get this amazing deal and treat yourself because let's face it, you deserve it. 

I personally do not know the running order of the products and would not spoil that for you so don't worry!!! The order I have done this is in is completely random!! I wanted to take this opportunity to use my knowledge of the products to help you better understand what you were getting and what to expect from the products!!! 

Alpha H Liquid Gold Rose

This product has CHANGED my skin!!! As soon as I get a break out or any kind of acne I pop some of this bad boy on a cotton pad and put it on the breakout and the next morning it has either reduced in size drastically or it is gone!!
It is an amazing chemical exfoliator to remove dead skin cells and speed up the cell renewal process. You all have to give this a try!
I know you're all on this Rose Gold trend with me too!!  

Ameliorate Skin Transforming Body Lotion

This is a body lotion that can help firm and rejuvenate your skin!! So, if you have any cellulite or anything like that it will help your cause!!

Autograph Hydrating Primer

This has been my FAVOURITE primer especially for this time of year!! First of all, you only need a pea size so the mini has lasted me about 1.5 months and I wear makeup like 5 or 6 days a week!!
It is so cooling and refreshing on the skin!!
It has 'thirsty skin complex' to help lock in your skin's moisture. This has become a major must have for me this winter and has changed the way my foundation looks!!

Balance Me Radiance Face Oil

First of all, the Balance Me facial oil you will receive is the Rose Otto one!! The smell is next level!!
My favorite part about this product is the roller ball application. It's like a massage on your temples and it feels SO good!!
I have a little bit of a love/hate relationship with oils but I am just obsessed with this application method!!

Diego Dalla Palma Ciglione Mascara

This is one of the full size products you receive in the beauty box! It retails for €22 which is half of the price of the advent calendar so can we talk about value???
It's a great mascara for volume with it's full brush applicator!!

Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm

This mini cleansing balm retails for €13.50 that you can find in the travel section at M&S!! It is our best selling cleanser and is a very sought after product by customers!!
I think it's wonderful to try this bad boy out before shedding a lot of cash buying the big mama size!!
I've gotten a lot of questions on how to use this product so this is how I use it: as it is a balm, I scoop out a small amount and rub it inbetween my hands and just massage my face. I then rinse it off and if I'm wearing a lot of make up I will repeat the process.

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara

You will receive a travel size version of this mascara and it has been very quickly becoming my favorite! I love having a mini mascara in my handbag at all times just in case and I think it's great for travel!!

Filorga Meso Mask

Filogra is a luxury skincare range that we carry in our stores. This mask helps your skin's radiance and can help with wrinkles. As it is a mask it's a treatment that you would do once or maybe twice a week. I love masks as a little treat for my skin!

Formula Innovate Radiance Reveal Peel

This peel is a gentle exfoliate that will remove dead skin cells and improve the skin's radiance. It's another treatment that I wouldn't use every day but would be a nice lovely treat for your skin! 

Gatineau Melatogenine aox Advanced Rejuvenating Cream

This is a rejuvenating cream that also improves the skin's radiance but unlike the previous products, it's a cream so you could use it daily!

Korres Wild Rose Advanced Repair Sleeping Facial

This product has been one of my most used skin care products from the advent calendar. I personally love skincare that I can leave on overnight because I feel like it's a great time to treat your skin for a long period of time. Your skin is repairing itself and having a break from makeup so it's a great opportunity to treat your skin!
I use this nearly every night and have noticed a difference in my skin's texture and radiance when I wake up in the morning as opposed to when I don't use it.

Leighton Denny Exclusive Glitter Nail Polish

This is a full size limited edition nail varnish that retails for €17.50. I can't even deal with the glitter. I'm obsessed.

Nails Inc Exclusive One Coat Gel Nail Polish

I couldn't find a picture of this!! It's a gorgeous gold shimmer shade and is full size as well, retails at €17.50.
You'll have to trust me on this one!!!

Nuxe Prodigieux Shower Oil

I LOVE this product. I think the concept of a shower oil is really cool. It smells amazing and is very moisturizing on the skin!!

Percy & Reed Session Hold Hair Spray

This is one of the best hairsprays I have used!! It holds my curls without being sticky or hard. The mini size is perfect for my handbag and traveling. We do sell it in the travel section so if you like it, you can purchase it again!!

PUR Correcting Primer Illuminate & Glow

This is my FAVORITE primer for my no make up days. It makes the skin look so dewy and glowy and just gorgeous. It has a small amount of shimmer in it but not so much so that you look like you're covered in glitter!

The difference between wearing this under my makeup and not wearing it is something else! It's a must have primer for dewy skin. 

Ren Instant Firming Beauty Shot

This product is to help lines and sagging in the skin. I personally apply it where there might be smile lines around my mouth, on my forehead and around my eyes.

Rodial Dragon's Blood Sculpting Gel

The sculpting gel is designed to improve the firmness of your skin.

Rosie for Autograph Amazing Radiance Body Glow

This is a slightly tinted shimmer lotion (that I can even pull off when I'm pale). It's perfect to apply on your legs or arms when you want just a little extra sparkle!!

Shay & Blue Blood Oranges EDP

I know scents are very subjective and people prefer different scents but I am yet to come across someone who did not like this one!!
It's the perfect balance of being fruity without being too sweet and cheap smelling.

Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick

I've included a picture of me wearing the lipstick. I love it!!
It lasts ALL DAY which is great when you're busy like me!!
It's a gorgeous light nude pink shade.

M&S Cosmetic Bag

Full Size Ultrasun Ultralip

Lip care is important and I don't know if you have ever had sun burn on your lips but IT HURTS. So, please use this when you're on holidays!
It has SPF30

Look Good Feel Better Sculpting Sponge

I have used several different beauty sponges and this one is my favorite!!! I love the shape, it has the tear drop on the top perfect for getting around your eye and I use the flat top side for around my hairline so not to get foundation in my hair!!!
When applying foundation on myself I ONLY use this sponge. I find the finish so flawless and just cannot go without it!!
I think this sponge lasts much longer than a Real Techniques sponge, where it doesn't start to fall apart and break.
I also never used a beauty blender or real techniques sponge dry, this is the only sponge I can use dry and still be happy with the application!
I also want to briefly touch on that this is an amazing company that help women and young girls battling cancer. I think that is absolutely amazing

Pixi by Petra Liplift Max- Honey Sheen

This is a lip gloss that has plumping agents in it so you will get a tingly sensation. This shade is the nude shade and is just absolutely gorgeous in my opinion.

Formula Absolute 8 Hour Ultimate Sleep Cream

This is the Marks and Spencer brand Formula Absolute Ultimate Sleep Cream. When it first launched, it completely sold out across all stores and was very popular when it relaunched.
It's hypoallergenic and paraben free. It's suitable for even sensitive skin types!
It's supposed to make it look like you've had 8 hours of sleep even when you haven't. It is worth the hype and I think it's a great way to try it by getting the mini in the advent calendar! 


To finish off this post, I just want to let you all know that there are 26 items and you will receive 25! As far as I know, it's between the Ultra Sun lip balm and the cosmetic bag!

If any of you purchase this let me know!! I hope you enjoy it!!
-Love, Emily xx