Lookfantastic Advent Calendar 2021 Review

I have enjoyed this year's advent calendar from Lookfantastic. I don't think the products are exceptionally great, but because I didn't expect too much and I happened to need hair care stuff at the moment it was ok. Also, my skin's been very good lately, so it has made me more free to choose what I throw on my face. Also 2021 is the first year I searched for the calendar's contents beforehand and spoiled myself. But the good thing is my memory is very bad and during the two months I waited to open the boxes I had forgotten the most.

I am a bit disappointed the calendar didn't have Molton Brown shower gel like usual. 

Would I repurchase Lookfantastic advent calendar? I don't know, this one was a gift, like all my calendars, thanks to my partner. This year I tried to find another calendar to ask for, but couldn't find one with the same price range and surprise element. I wanted to love Feelunique calendar, but it had too many items I have already tried and didn't like. I also wanted to love MAC calendar, but in the end there were only a few items I really wanted from it, and I could purchase them separately. Which I haven't even done yet so clearly it isn't too important.

The 2021 advent calendar cost 95 € and the claimed full value is 475 €. So interestingly, 25 € less than last year. Of course the value is not the whole point, pricy item is not necessarily good. And I do think they claim too high value considering the products are either minis or clearly overpriced like Avant. 

The 2020 advent calendar cost 95 €. Lookfantastic claims the full value is about or even a bit over 500 €. Year 2019, the calendar cost 89 € and the value claimed was 455 €.

The 2021 calendar had 25 boxes, 5 make up, 10 skincare, 5 haircare, 5 bath and bodycare. Compared to earlier calendars this year had more haircare and less make up. Wonder if it was easier to source in the middle of pandemic or if they thought that people are not wearing make up right now because of masks.

The 2020 calendar had 25 boxes, 8 make up, 10 skincare, 1 haircare, 6 bath and body care.

The 2019 calendar had 25 boxes - roughly 8 make up, 11 skincare, 2 haircare, 4 bath and body care.

Yay

Nars Blush Orgasm Mini

What surprise! I just bought 2 full size blushes from Nars in Taj Mahal and Sin and now got a mini Orgasm. I don't think I would have bought this one myself but damn is it such a pretty pink shade with golden shimmer. The same goes for last year's LF calendar's Natasha Denona Mini Blush Glow Duo with the pink (golden coral) blush - I never would have bought it myself but now I love it... 

Caudalie Vinosource-Hydra S.O.S Intense Moisturizing Cream

I have a soft spot for Caudalie! But because of the price rarely buy their products myself. I bet I will like this cream, so far I have liked everything from Caudalie that I've tried (few products only though!).

Bioeffect EGF Serum

I really like this serum! LF calendar had it before too. This time the bottle is even smaller though, last time it was 5 ml and now only 3 ml. So you can imagine it is very tiny. 

AHC Hydrating Essential Real Eye Cream for Face 

I needed a new eye cream so good timing. Also, I have heard about this product a lot so I am curious to finally try it.

Omorovicza Facial Polish 

Quite a rough scrub, I have to be very gentle when rubbing my face, but seems effective as well. At least I noticed that my face was smoother afterwards for a day. Didn't notice breakouts. Wasn't too excited about the polish when I opened the box, but actually find it now good and useful!

Philip Kingsley Elasti-Styler 5-In-1 Treatment

Tried once already, seems like a nice product, not too heavy but hair feels definitely smoother. Philip Kingsley seems to have good products for dry hair!I have gotten 2 mini Elasticizers from LF calendars so it wasn't a surprise that the same brand was featured again.

Ok +

Delilah Lip Line Long Wear Retractable Pencil Buff

First thought that the lip liner was too pink but actually it is a nice nude! Long lasting as well. I really do like it. I did also like the eyebrow pencil from Delilah that came from last year's calendar. Seems like a good consistent brand, a bit expensive though at around 20 € for lip or eyebrow pencil.

Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturizing Cleanser

Interesting cleanser! At the moment I'd rather get mystery cleansers than moisturizers because I have found so many nice moisturizers already and cleansers are more risk free to try. Because they work or don't work and stay on skin only for a little while.

Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave-In Treatment 

Looks like an ok product, currently with dry hair I use everything I get. 

Percy & Reed Wonder Balm

The same as above - looks like an ok product, will use. Quite many similar hair products though!

Christophe Robin Cleansing Purifying Scrub 

Scalp scrubs are always welcome! This one has sea salt. I tend to have an oily scalp and other scalp problems like oily dandruff sometimes. But, like I have said, after I got permanent curls my scalp&hair has been a lot better and easier to manage! Because my hair is not flat against my scalp anymore and it is processed so it's damaged&dry which is great compared to oily&straight.

REN Clean Skincare Overnight Glow Dark Spot Sleeping Cream 

As a brand REN is not really on my radar. I do like their aesthetics and products seem good, but I still feel uninterested, maybe because they promote themselves as "clean" and "natural" and they are not affordable (to me). But I will use this cream and I'm pretty sure I will like it!

Avant Skincare Sumptuous Glycolic Acid Hand Balm

Hand cream is pretty much always ok, but a bit boring thing. I don't think there is much glycolic acid in this cream though, it is almost the last ingredient in the list. Also the value is supposed to be closer to 100 euros. What a scam, but I will use this cream and I think it will be basic.

Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash

I like receiving facial washes to try! As a brand Elemis hasn't been a good match for my skin before. But I can try again.

Ok -

Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate

Shiseido as a brand is expensive and interesting, and Ultimune is one of their bestsellers I gather, but for me it is not exciting. It is a serum/essence/hydrator and according to ingredient list, is not worth the price tag. But I bet it is an ok product.

Rodial Dragons Blood Sculpting Gel 

Not really exciting product but doesn't look bad either. Expensive. Consists mostly of dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, etc. silicone derivates so it is basically a smoothing primer gel. Nothing wrong with that. I don't believe it will do much for my skin but will try!

Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray 

Hmm, instructions say "Requires blow-drying to activate". I am lazy and blow dry once in a while sooo... Probably will just spray this to my hair and see if it does anything.

Iconic London Illuminator Original

Very tiny bottle! But it's ok. The shade looked initially dark but blends into my skintone well. At the same time I love receiving something popular like this to play with (because I never would have bought it myself) but I also feel like it's a waste because I am not a highlighter person generally so maybe I will just forget it and then trash!

Illamasqua Hydra Setting Spray

Will try this setting spray like I've tried many before! But it seems I never do quite like them. Or take them into my daily routine. But I do have hope that I will find the one I like and that works for me!

ESPA Clean & Green Detox Mask 

Looks interesting, but I am usually too lazy to use masks. Probably, because I usually I do not notice enough difference so that it would be worth my time and effort. But the mask looks nice, it has kaolin and some oils etc. Kaolin is good for oily skin after all.

Meh

Rituals The Ritual Of Sakura Candle

Bleh, no candles for cosmetic calendars, please. I highly dislike the scent as well. Too strong. I will try to give the candle to someone and will trash if no one wants it. I also disliked the Sakura body scrub from Rituals from last year's LF calendar. This is the exact same scent. The scrub wasn't scrubby enough for me either and left a layer of slime on my skin and took forever to try to wash it off afterwards!

ThisWorks Stress Check Mood Manager

What an amusing concept, a scent that helps sleep or reduces stress. The actual scent is not bad actually, reminds me of walking into furniture store or similar. Apparently it is an essential oil blend of Ylang Ylang, Neroli and Patchouli. But as an item this is useless. I wish they would have put in some popular mini perfume instead.

BubbleT Bath Bomb Rhubarb&Custard

Still do not own a bath tub. And when I have tried bath bombs in hotels, I find them a bit disgusting actually. Usually I do not like the fragrancies and water just feels dirty. 

Balance Me Beauty Sleep Hyaluronic Mist

So. A mist that you're supposed to spray on your hands and chest and it smells like lavender, chamomile... and is supposed to help you sleep. I highly dislike lavender scent (unless fresh lavender still growing in a flower bed). Yuck! Will trash unless someone wants this. Why put 2 stress manager/beauty sleep mists into one calendar? But at least ThisWorks mist doesn't smell bad. Just put mini fragrances or floral shower gels or something!

Diego Dalla Palma Khol Kajal

Yet another black kajal, every year. Still doesn't suit me, dark brown looks better.