Beauty Advent Calendars 2021: Paul & Joe and Barry M Part 1

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I said I would probably keep you updated on the Paul & Joe Makeup Collection 2021 (or advent calendar) as I opened it.  So here's my first part, days 1-8, I'm super impressed already.  Much like the last one I bought in 2019, there's been a mix of their makeup and skincare so far and something utterly adorable!  I also bought another beauty advent during Cyber Monday.  After including it in my list of 20 beauty advent calendars on the blog, back in October, I've been thinking I'd rather like it.  So read on for that too.   

Day 1; Pink zipped cat pouch.  I seriously love anything P&J, the packaging is just right up my street, so I get particularly excited at exclusive bits like this that you can't buy separately.  

Day 2; Sparkling Foundation Primer 001 (10ml).  This was in the 2019 one too, it's so pretty to look at and aren't these bottles divine?

Day 3; Lip Lacquer Limited 001 (6.5ml).  I've worn this already, wasn't quite sure what it would be, a liquid lipstick, a gloss?  It looks a bit lighter in my swatch than it did on my lips, but I wore it over lipstick.  I hadn't noted the sparkles until I looked closely at my swatch.  It's got a glossy finish, I'd personally class it as a pigmented lipgloss.  

Day 4; Compact L02 (Lamb).  Drumroll, this is the one I wanted!  I have this thing for vintage lamb illustrations and this is one of the cutest I've ever seen, plus I love the colour of the compact too. 

Day 5; Powder Blush in 012 (4g) to be used with the lamb compact.  I didn't realise how sparkly this was until I shone the torch on my phone on it and wowzers, it twinkles like crazy.  I took these photos on my phone though, so couldn't turn the torch on at the same time, but I did capture a couple of slightly sparkly ones.    

Day 6; Moisture Lotion (25ml).  I haven't tried their face lotion yet as it's a slightly newer product, keen to see what it's like.  I just love the shape and detail on these bottles.  

Day 7; The Oil (25ml).  I did get this in the 2019 calendar and it smells so delicious.  I really loved it and have to admit to keeping all these empty bottles as they were too pretty to part with once they were finished!

Day 8; Cream Eye Color in 002 (6.5ml).  Sorry I forgot to swatch this, I'll do it when there's daylight and update the post.  There's some sparkle to it.  I love this bunny illustration, it says "all of them witches" and was on their hand cream last year, which I stockpiled because I loved how it smelt like chocolate and the tube too.  Should I admit to not wanting to throw my multiple tubes of those out either? Even although they're squeezed to bits!

Here's the updated swatches of the cream eyeshadow. It's very pigmented. The shimmer isn't noticeable as glitter chunks, more just a slight metallic tone overall. You have a couple of minutes to work with it before it dries down completely. I'd use the teeniest amount and add more if necessary as it covers very well with a very small amount.

The other advent I bought was the Barry M Nail Paint one.  It's just a 12 day calendar, so I'm opening it on the even days to make it last.  Day 12 appears to have a whole host of treats, but otherwise there's a full size nail polish in each day.  I felt my nail varnish collection could do with a little updating and this was just too good a deal to refuse. 

Day 1; Limited Edition Nail Paint in Blue Frosting (GNP82).  This is what I like to see in advent calendars, as annoying as it is to not be able to buy again if you like it, it's nice to get something exclusive that can't be bought.  My worry was this would be filled with shades I already had, so it was off to a good start.  It's very Elsa this shade isn't it?  

Day 2; Crystal Rock Textured Nail Paint in White Moonstone (CRNP5).  So this is a regular one, but I don't have it already.  It feels quite festive despite not being a limited shade.    

Day 3; Green Origin Basecoat & Topcoat (GOBTC).  I personally appreciate getting this, actually it's the one I'm currently using as a base coat anyway as my usual ran out and I thought I'd give this a try.  I really like it, goes on smoothly, dries quickly.  I use a different top coat, so can't review it for that purpose.  

Day 4; Air Breathable Nail Paint in Scarlet (ABNP2).  I haven't tried this range, it's a very festive looking red cream, no shimmer or pearl.  Less orangey than it looks here.     

I have to say though, the doors are an absolute nightmare to open on this calendar.  The Paul & Joe one is really easy, they practically fall open.  However the perforations on this one just aren't great so the card rips and I get the rage at that, but the alternative is poking my thumb nail in the whole way round to attempt to cut it myself.  Defeats the purpose of having nicely painted nails 🤣