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Original poster

I don’t understand beauty product advent calendars

39 replies

Notcontent · 13/12/2018 19:53

The teenage me would love them. But - surely the problem is that most products are not suitable for everyone - the wrong shade of lipstick, a cream that’s too rich, etc.

OP posts:
EdWinchester · 13/12/2018 19:56

I don't know. I have the Clarins one and so far there has been only good stuff. No dodgy makeup.

Grace789 · 13/12/2018 20:01

I love them it gives you a chance to try new products in travel size, which would be expensive to buy in full size without knowing if they're any good. It's also lovely to have a little treat every day

SuperstarDJ · 13/12/2018 20:05

First year I’ve bought one and I’m really liking it so far (M&S one). The products are all a decent size rather than crappy small sample size and by good brands - gives me a chance to try new products that I’d either never have discovered or wouldn’t want to pay full price without trying first.

costacoffeecup · 13/12/2018 20:25

I like the idea but I always end up with stuff I use a couple of times and forget about.

Saying that I got the liz Earle hot cloth cleanse thing today and it's brilliant so I'll definitely buy a full size of that. It's good for trying things you wouldn't usually think of using.

The M&S one is really good but I didn't want to spend £70 this year to get it. My lovely friend bought me a boots one though.

GrannyJillS · 14/12/2018 04:59

I've always seen them a con by companies to clear old stock

CarolDanvers · 14/12/2018 05:04

@EdWinchester is that the 12 days of Christmas calendar? I've got that one but they didn't seem to have the 24 day one that try sold the last few years,

Mercurial123 · 14/12/2018 05:05

If you love beauty products they may be a good deal. I'm low maintenance and only use a few products. So wouldn't be worth it for me.

MiaN · 14/12/2018 05:18

I think they are great way to try products but it's not reasonble to expect to spend 35 gbp and get 25 products that would suit. Some won't suit and there will be waste.

ImogenTubbs · 14/12/2018 05:38

Isn't it a cheap way of trying things out if you are a person who is into beauty products? And if you know something is not for you you can give it away. I got my sister one this year - it has some very decent stuff in. She loves beauty products!

Calvinsmam · 14/12/2018 05:49

I had a marksies one last year and loved it. I bought full sizes of the korres overnight cream and liquid gold.
I didn’t buy one this year as I didn’t like the look of the products (and it comes out my Christmas present budget from my dh and is rather have more presents)
Instead I got a deal on brand alley which was four birch boxes for £15 including delivery. Going to open them Christmas Day.

shearwater · 14/12/2018 05:58

They are not for me either. I tend to have beauty products I like and trust and just use the same ones unless something changes about them, and just use one creme, shampoo or mascara at a time until it's used up then I buy a new one. Having lots of little half-used samples around would be bothersome.

CountFosco · 14/12/2018 18:20

I've always seen them a con by companies to clear old stock

No, they are loss leaders. People end up buying full size bottles of their favourites.

tobee · 14/12/2018 18:23

I like the lottery of it! Grin

I've got the amazon beauty box this year. I got it last year for the first time. Last year's wasn't bad, but, so far, this has been better.

A580Hojas · 14/12/2018 18:30

I don't either. I use simple moisturiser and Superdrug bb cream with a bit of concealer so I don't think I'm the target audience.

Now, I've heard tell of a cheese advent calendar this year! I'll definitely be dropping heavy hints to dh about buying me one of those next year Xmas Smile.

Skinfulnappies46 · 14/12/2018 20:46

I love mine. I have had the M and S one now for 3 years, of course you will get a couple of dud items but it’s a lovely surprise every day especially if you aren’t used to treating yourself !

FinallyGotAnIPhone · 14/12/2018 20:51

I bought one for the first time from M&S this year. I’m no beauty product guru but it’s a bit of fun. My kids enjoy opening the boxes each day for me. Plus there’s a good thread on Mumsnet discussing it Smile

ThePortugueseTart · 14/12/2018 20:57

If you don’t like, I guess you don’t buy!

I’ve had the M&S one for the last 3 years. I enjoy a little treat each day in December. Trying new products is fun. I pass on anything that’s not for me to my teen or my mum!

TeaAddict235 · 14/12/2018 22:37

Agree with @GrannyJillS, I watch a few girls on You tube who buy and open them up pretty much from the end of November, so that you know what is inside already. And one of them mentioned that in one of the calendars very few of the items were new or up and coming brands. She complained on her channel and basically showed that some of the products had been around for years (in the case of one product), she even used the make up dating website that tells you the age of the product, and it showed that most of the products had been manufactured in some cases a year ago. One company got back to her and sent her tonnes of goodies, but she said as well that sometimes smaller companies are used to basically distribute the items (magazine freebies, subscriptions etc) and so this was also one of the means. Another lady on You Tube in Germany was saying that she was unimpressed as she had an advent calendar that she had picked up from the UK and items that she was getting were not new in Germany. And I could see that happening.

MiaN · 15/12/2018 08:01

I don't expect all products are new. Some can be old on the market but new to me, plus 25 products for 35 pounds - I fully expect not to like all.

I think it also depends on the expectations. I don't ever recall reading a promise form M&S that all products will be new. I am ok with that. If you want to try all new - perhaps just buying them when they come on the market suit better. for 35 gbp, you can try one or two new :)

If you aren't into trying new beauty products it really isn't for you. Products I don't like I very quickly bin or give away

floribunda18 · 16/12/2018 04:03

The Sainsbury's cheese advent calendar is unfortunately quite boring. Not even any Stilton in it. Cheddar, Red Leicester, Wensleydale, Jarlsberg, Edam, Gouda, Applewood. Nothing horrible but not very interesting either. Save your money and get a nice lump of Stilton.

SapphireSeptember · 16/12/2018 09:05

I buy the Makeup Revolution ones. I wait for the to be on offer though. Grin I got a bronzer from it the other day that I actually like! It's light enough to use as a highlighter (even though I'm quite pale) and is a pretty bronze-y pink colour. The MUR lip advent calendar has revealed some interesting shades I've never used (what I'd call bronze if it was a flat colour, in lipgloss and lipstick form, I actually really like it!) I could have done without a cheap plastic mirror, but I've figured out what I can use it for as I'm not worried about it breaking.

Trills · 16/12/2018 09:11

Most thing are not right, it's true.

But I've paid £35 in order to get to try out 25 small things that normally only come in "£15-£45 per item" size, and that I'd never risk trying out at that price.

If I strongly like one or two things, and find some of the others OK, that was worth my money.

bananasandwicheseveryday · 16/12/2018 11:04

I have a few tried and tested items that I use and which I would be unlikely to find on a make up calendar. I don't use nail varnish, I have to be careful about face creams so, to avoid disappointment I usually buy the L'Occitane one, as that is filled with body products and handcreams that I do use. I like to put the mini sets together and take on holidays.

Didsomeonesaybunny · 16/12/2018 11:24

Oh I love them. I got the Liberty and Diptyque and their gorgeous. In the Liberty calendar there are only one or two products that I wouldn’t use and I often buy the full sizes after I’ve used up the tester. It’s a great way to try out products without having to spend the full up front cost

LoniceraJaponica · 16/12/2018 11:31

That's why DD and I share it. Most of the products seem to be targeted at my age group, so I have benefitted from it more than DD has.

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