I wanted to do some mini-reviews for the products in my Douglas Advent Calendar because I figured I’d do something for the holidays. I won’t be posting daily updates, I will probably just make weekly posts so that it doesn’t become too boring. I will also compare this year’s products with last years’ products to see if the calendar has gotten better or worse and I will also calculate the price to see the value. Personally, I loved my last year’s calendar so I hope I won’t be disappointed.

I bought the Believe In Angels Advent Calendar, which is sold in Douglas stores and online and it contains Douglas products, but also products from other brands. What I noticed right from the bat is that the brands’ variety is smaller than last year’s so there may not be so many new things to try out.

The calendar costs 139 lei – 30,8 euros – but I got it for 20% off, so I paid only 112 lei – 24,8 euros. Which is already not bad for 24 products because it means I paid only around 1 euro for a product. Now let’s get started.

Daytox Active Charcoal Pell Off Mask

This is a 10 ml sample size. I can’t find the product on the Romanian website, but I would say it has probably about the same price as their clay mask, which is 79 lei for 100 ml so 10 ml would be 7,9 lei – 1,7 euros.

Daytox is a German brand that has just skincare and body care products. I tried some of their stuff in the past and quite like it, but not so much as to purchase their products again. This is a black charcoal mask that is supposed to be applied in the T-zone and then you peel it off after 25-30 minutes. I did exactly as the instructions said and it didn’t hurt at all. It was not like those scary charcoal masks you see on Instagram. I wouldn’t say it did wonders for my skin, but it dried out a small pimple I had on my forehead, so that’s great. I also think it did a good job on the nose, at least much better as those charcoal strips I tried from Biovene.

What I got last year

For the 1st December I got a mini IsaDora Ultra Matt Liquid Lipstick in the shade Nude Attitude. It was one of the worst lipsticks I tried, very drying and the colour made my lips look like poop. And I’m not even kidding. The mini lipstick had a value of 3,72 euros.

Even if the lipstick was more expensive than the mask and more exciting at first glance, I like the mask more because it’s actually useful. The 10 ml tube is enough for 3 or even 4 applications if you use it only for the T-zone.

Douglas Volume Obsession Mascara

This is a full-size product – held here by my trusty advent helper Scotty the Reindeer – and it’s sold for 49 lei –  10,8 euros. It’s in the colour black and I’m very happy to get it because mascara is one of those makeup products that I use all the time, even if I have a very light makeup. I wouldn’t say it’s the best volumizing mascaras I’ve ever used and I probably won’t buy it because there are plenty of other cheaper alternatives, but I’m glad I have it.

What I got last year

For the 2nd of December, I got a Douglas Collection mini makeup sponge, worth around 3,6 euros, that I still have and use from time to time. I just don’t apply my makeup with sponges that often because I prefer brushes or my fingers – yeah, maybe it’s gross for you, but I just do my own makeup and I make sure I’m very clean.

This year’s advent calendar was better for this day as well, because I like the mascara more than the sponge and the product is also more expensive.

So far, I would say that this year’s advent calendar is great. I’m totally not disappointed because I like the products I received in the first days. The total value so far is 12,50 euros.

I’ll be posting my next update after I’ve tested a couple of other products, probably on Wednesday or Thursday.