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Original poster

Beauty gift fatigue

52 replies

friendlyflicka · 27/09/2019 18:11

I am the most committed beauty product lover. Always have been. Love Selfridges make up hall more than anywhere except Libertys. Always want expensive products however stingy I am in other areas of life.

About 5 years' ago my sister bought me Libertys Advent Calendar when they were just in the beginning stages. It was so lovely. I was having a particularly horrible time, and opening luxury item every morning kept me going.

But fast forward several years, and now, when September comes and there are gifts with purchase and then all the advent calendars. I have done gift with purchase - Libertys - loved it. And was going to get calendar. But feeling rather full of disgust. Like I have eaten too much. Too self indulgent. I can now imagine the calendar coming and not feeling huge amounts of joy. Just a kind of addiction to purchasing them because they are there.

So I have cancelled the calendar. Just wondered if anyone else felt the same. That there is too much out there and it makes me feel a bit ill at myself...

OP posts:
Original poster
friendlyflicka · 27/09/2019 18:12

Not in a million years saying I am giving up expensive beauty products BTW. Just find the beauty advent calendars all vying with each other, a step I don't want to take anymore.

OP posts:
Shitonthebloodything · 27/09/2019 18:20

Yeah, I know what you mean. I've always bought the m&s one but I'm wondering if it's worth it this year.

PusheenLovesPizza · 27/09/2019 18:22

Know exactly what you mean. Have loads of stuff to use up. Going to do that instead. It’s just so incessant now.

MrsMaiselsMuff · 27/09/2019 18:32

If you've got any bits you don't want, can I suggest donating them to women that can't afford even basic toiletries? You can give them to a food bank, a refuge, and there are other projects set up just for Christmas.

Also, if you've saved money not buying the calendar, could you donate some toiletries? Twenty pounds gets twenty shower gels, toothpaste, all the things we take for granted.

I'm not judging your spending, we all deserve treats, but I'm hopeful you'll share your fortune with others that can't.

LaPampa · 27/09/2019 18:46

I think I prefer the idea of buying a couple of full size treat purchases and donating the rest of the money

Original poster
friendlyflicka · 27/09/2019 19:33

@MrsMaiselsMuff I already send stuff I don't want to woman's refuge. This is my one indulgence that I actually can't afford myself...just addictive

OP posts:
lotusbell · 27/09/2019 21:49

Consumer Sickness!

PersonaNonGarter · 27/09/2019 21:53

Yes, OP, this exactly, exactly.

I am grossed out by those advent calendars, and all the ‘New this week’ ‘Must Have’ ‘OMG [clickbait ad]’

It’s like a festival of waste and marketing and hype and disposable joy/depression cycle.

DreamingofSunshine · 27/09/2019 21:54

I agree, I'm happy with the liberty gift with purchase and I don't need 25 more random but lovely beauty gifts.

Pinkdoor · 27/09/2019 21:59

Yes I agree. I am using up my many many many samples/gifts with purchase/advent calendar crap and not buying any more stuff. Done with it

Peridot1 · 27/09/2019 21:59

Advent calendars have gotten utterly ridiculous. I’m not sure when the beauty ones started really. I first bought one 3 years ago. M&S. And the following year.

I didn’t bother last year. Too many things I don’t use. The packaging is so wasteful too.

Last year I bought one product I actually wanted instead. Don’t even need that this year so am going to book a facial instead.

woodhill · 27/09/2019 22:01

I've still got stuff to use up but may still buy one and do Christmas gifts for dds with some products

ChickenyChick · 27/09/2019 22:02

I bought one, once

Loved it

But hate the waste of it

Mindless consumerism is falling out of fashion, and that is a good thing, really

Or maybe it’s just me, maybe I am old and grumpy and no lotion or potion will change that Grin

IceniSky · 27/09/2019 22:05

I bought one two years ago, and loved it but just keeping thinking of all the packaging and waste and energy used to produce them and decided I didn't need one.

I've always wanted the Liberty one, but i guess sometimes it's good not to click and buy what you want, and just admire from afar.

Loopytiles · 27/09/2019 22:06

Isn’t there a beauty product horde thread on here, all about using stuff up?

CarWreck · 27/09/2019 22:10

I had the M&S ones two years in a row, and later was given a Birch Box subscription and after that a GlossyBox one (I prefer the BirchBox btw!). Along with other GWPs I have enough and don't intend to buy beauty calendars for a while.

I think they're good if you genuinely haven't had much experience with beauty products and need to just try out a lot of stuff. I had some great stuff in the calendars that are now my go-to (eg the Eyeko liquid eyeliner, one of the lip tint things, etc) so I don't feel I need to try more.

I also found that there were some specific products I wanted to try in the calendars so have done that now.

I have found better skin products by samples and testing and don't think I'm going to get any better.

I've basically got everything I need.

(The last Glossy Box had Colgate toothpaste, and antibac hand gel ffs!)

Original poster
friendlyflicka · 27/09/2019 22:31

Glad I am not alone. Think it might be a trend that is going into overkill

OP posts:
ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 28/09/2019 06:55

I loo at all those little bits of plastic and I think, do I really need it?

Also, there is always bits that fester at the bottom of my makeup bag, and the perfume is never the one I like and the lipstick is never flattering.
I only ever got two Marks boxes but an well and truly over.

Also, smithing thing that puts me off is when various influencers stars unboxing them, so it makes me think, fuck just how many have you given away? Not paying for that.

PersonaNonGarter · 28/09/2019 07:27

I think the ‘12 Days of Christmas’ thing is particularly weird.

No one is opening these from Christmas to Epiphany, let’s be honest. It’s just 12 samples, boxed.

dudsville · 28/09/2019 07:31

I never got on board with those calendars. My skin type is specific. Why would I want random things?

EmpressJewel · 28/09/2019 08:08

It's a bit like those 'free gift with purchase' promotions you get with premium make up brands. It all looks pretty, but don't end up using half the items.

I like the idea of a beauty advent calendar, but I probably would only use a couple of the products, so it would end up being a waste. Plus, they are super expensive for what they are.

Brightermornings · 28/09/2019 08:15

Me too. Was going to buy the m and a calendar I've had it the last 3 years. Had a sort out of all my beauty products few weeks ago. It's ridiculous how much I have!!

ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 28/09/2019 08:21

I only do the GWP if really need two products from the brand and if the golf is useful.

Something Clinique do moisture surge minis, and I still use the little bronzer I got as GWP.
All my mascaras are the minis from the gifts, I don’t use a lot of mascara and I tend to worry about old mascaras after a conjunctivitis episode.

But I’d rather buy one product and then ask for specific samples instead of buying something I don’t need and ending with samples I don’t need or want.

Original poster
friendlyflicka · 28/09/2019 09:24

You are all much more sensible than I am. Taken me about 4 years to come to these conclusions. And I have liked all the very expensive serums, but I can't say that I have loved one more than any other.

OP posts:
Elllllle · 28/09/2019 09:40

Not just gwp or the calendars but also the amount of shit I buy off the back of advertising. Ugh.