I don’t understand beauty product advent calendars

[Notcontent]

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.

I don't use a load of products so BAC aren't for me either.
DD loves all the make-up and skincare . The M&S one wouldn't be her thing (I always check the contents beforehand) .

She likes high end make-up (Urban Decay / Too Faced/ Kat Von D )
Bath and hair products from Superdrug /Lush/ BodyShop

So I do her BAC myself (this is the 2nd year ) she loves it , but Bloody Hell , it's hard work

I start in Oct buying bits , then wrap in tissue paper , ribbon and a 1-24 number.

So far this year , things like Leighton Denny crystal nail file , Burts Bees handcream, BB showergel, BodyShop face mask, Rituals foam gel, Huwwah lip balm...... (and more I cannot remember)

Things she wouldn't go out and buy herself , but some she's hinted at .

I don't know the £££ value but its part of her overall Christmas present pile .

I had the M&S one last year but it was a waste as most of the products were items or colours I would never use. I offered the majority to teenage DD but she wasn’t impressed!

DD has just come pottering downstairs in her Montague Jeunesse 7th Heaven Foot Sock+ Hand Mask treatments (she looks -in her words- like a 'Demonic Mickey Mouse ' crossed with Marcel Marceau )

Yes I’m a bit puzzled by the appeal of these too, but it would be boring if we all liked the same. Actually I think my skin would react badly too if I tried loads of different products on it.

"Yes I’m a bit puzzled by the appeal of these too"

I would be puzzled if there was a whiskey tasting calendar because I hate whiskey, but as you say it takes all sorts.

I have very even tempered skin, and the only thing it has reacted to recently was the dreadful Moringa cleansing greasy muck balm by Emma Hardie which brought me out in spots.

Thousands of women enjoy these beauty calendars so there is clearly a demand for them.

I’ve I had the m and s one for the last 3 years and see it as a bit of a treat and a low cost opportunity to try brands and products I’d never normally try.

I bought the Holland and Barret one this year for half price in their sale (£35) and it is absolutely amazing. The products are full size and most come with a money off or discount coupon. They have the 12 days of Christmas one still available on sale at £15 and I think it’d make a lovely gift.

Today’s was a full size 50 ml pump Dr Organic Dragons blood collagen moisturiser. Some great products and I can see myself using all of them. Compostable cleansing wipes, konjac sponge, Nails Inc varnish, Burts Bees lip balm, face mask, can’t remember what else. If I had to choose between this one and the M and S I’d go for the Holland and Barrett one.

You wouldn't be puzzled by a whiskey advent calendar though, you'd sensibly think "I don't like whiskey but other people do".

It's the first year I've had one - DH was buying a suit in M & S so treated me to that one.

I'm really enjoying it. It gives me a chance to discover new brands, but I don't feel I've wasted my money if there's something I don't like. For instance, I have discovered the Pixi Glow Rose Tonic which is lovely and I will repurchase in the full size. I would never have tried that had it not been for the calendar.

Anything that I don't like, or just won't use, I am putting aside in my samples box and I will make up little parcels for gifts during the year. We also do a donation of unused skincare/makeup/bath and body stuff to a women's refuge through work, so I will pop bits in there as well. I do that with a lot of Gift with Purchase items that I won't necessarily use (wrong colour etc.)

I would have absolutley no interest in a BAC either.

I'm intrigued by all the 'stuff' people put on their skin. And then all the storage space said 'stuff' needs and the clutter it brings. And the cost. And the the resultant lack of miracles on my skin. It all baffles me.

But a Biscuit Advent Calendar (BAC). Not that's one that would interest me . C'mon fancy biscuit makers!

My DH bought me the John Lewis one this year and I love it. They are all high quality brands which I would normally never buy full size and risk hating it. And they are mostly skin care rather than makeup so it suits what I need.

I had a Body Shop one last year and it was great - I used the miniatures all year for travel/giving birth.

I got the Rituals one on sale and was really pleased with it. One cheeky day - a nail file! - but mostly good stuff and a few bits I would buy again.

Sitting on the couch next to my Mom. Dads Army is on and she is crying with laughter. She is making me beam.

Sorry last post is on wrong thread