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Original poster

Anyone disappointed with beauty advent calendars?

82 replies

Holdingtherope · 18/12/2019 07:37

First world problem, I know but I have hated the Amazon beauty calendar after loving a couple of years ago. The Elemis one is ok and has a full size marine cream I’m worth £80 but the rest is tiny samples and then the green superfood range which I don’t like.

Anyone else? What was the best one this year?

OP posts:
Branleuse · 18/12/2019 07:51

Ive got the M&s one. Im really impressed.
I got it a couple of years ago and its better this year. Had loads of full size products and most I like

dudsville · 18/12/2019 07:58

I've never understood advent beauty calendars. I have specific skin needs. If I wanted to try new products and can't get a tester/sample then I'd rather pay to try the product I want rather thanhave loads of things I don't or will only use once. Advent calendars seem to me to be like paying for advertising products I may not be interested in. I always click on the threads to see what people get in case I'm wrong. I've come to the conclusion that I'm clearly too specific in my preferences to benefit from then.

Branleuse · 18/12/2019 08:00

Well its pretty good value if you like a lot of the products, but I can see why you wouldnt if you have very specific skin needs

Writersblock2 · 18/12/2019 08:26

I’m enjoying most of them this year. Holland & Barrett is spectacular and Latest in Beauty has been up there for me.

Original poster
Holdingtherope · 18/12/2019 08:56

Does anyone else have the amazon one?

OP posts:
OldGrinch · 18/12/2019 08:59

I have the Look Fantastic one which I got for £64 as a monthly beauty box subscriber and that's far above any of the others in terms of quality and value for money. Also got M&S one and though it was a bit Meh

thedevilinablackdress · 18/12/2019 09:37

I'm disappointed that they exist at all.

BringMeTea · 18/12/2019 09:53

Happy with my Lumene. Sorry for your disappointment devil.😐

Thesuzle · 18/12/2019 09:57

My first ever one is finally being shipped and due Thursday. . It’s the Beauty Expert one, which I only plumped for as it was £70 instead of £450, not that I can believe that really !! Can’t remember what’s going to be in it either

supercee · 18/12/2019 10:00

I'm still on the fence with the Grazia one. Feel most have been sample sizes and I'd have been really pissed if I had paid full price for it.

Bansku19 · 18/12/2019 12:42

I liked Birchbox one. It had all sorts of products. I have M&S too and it's ok.

Not sure what to do next year. I think I wait until they are half price but at that point M&S is sold out.

AlwaysOnAbloodyDiet · 18/12/2019 12:47

I love the Debenhams one. It was only €45 (£40)? (half price offer) and
has

spoiler

Spoiler

spoiler

spoiler

a full sized MAC lipstick that costs €20ish, a €5 gift card and lots of other great brands and sizes.
I love the little treat & surprise each morning.

dontgobaconmyheart · 18/12/2019 13:08

I'm not a fan of them, but was gifted the amazon one- it's fine but I prefer to use stuff I've looked into, that suits my skin/hair needs or colouring. The packaging waste in all those little bits is frustrating too. Would much rather have just had the money. Some of the calendars are a small fortune and I'd rather just buy things myself to the value, and them be things I really want.

How much it's 'worth' as an RRP is a bit meaningless if you wouldn't buy it anyway, or are using stuff up rather than loving using it.

fairygodbaker · 18/12/2019 13:57

How much it's 'worth' as an RRP is a bit meaningless if you wouldn't buy it anyway, or are using stuff up rather than loving using it.

This exactly. DP bought the Liberty London one last year and half the products are either barely used or used 'just for the sake of it' since she doesn't even like them all that much!

ReginaGeorgeous · 18/12/2019 15:07

Following, I've never had one but might treat myself next year so it would be good to hear which ones S&B posters rated and which ones they didn't.

BlaueLagune · 18/12/2019 15:08

I like the Arran Aromatics one. It was £50 and has lots of shampoos, conditioners, shower gels etc, all stuff I can use.

MrOnionsBumperRoller · 18/12/2019 16:00

I've had the M&S one every year since it came out and this year has been the first dissapointing year for me. Don't think I'll bother next year.

TattiePants · 18/12/2019 16:24

It spoils some of the surprise but I watch all the unveiling videos on YouTube before I buy. I only choose ones that include products that I use already or want to try that are equal to the purchase price of the calendar then everything I receive after that is a bonus.

Queenofthebrae · 18/12/2019 16:28

I have the Boots no.7 one. I'm mostly happy with it but was a bit annoyed when two days (not consecutive days) instead of the actual product was a voucher to go in to store to collect product! Felt a bit conned as as far as I could see there was no reason not to put the products in the actual calendar.

Beadstar · 18/12/2019 17:04

I also watch the videos before making a decision, Tattie. I forget most of the contents by the time December comes around anyway.

I don’t think you can make a decision on which one to get next year now as contents vary; two years ago I went for Look Fantastic and loved it but it wasn’t for me this year.

Writersblock2 · 18/12/2019 17:18

I look online before too. I can’t remember the contents, but it guarantees I will like most of the items!

Chickydoo · 18/12/2019 17:31

I am loving the Liberty Calendar. Some great products. The Ren night cream is excellent, will buy again. Also like the no rinse hand wash, the Vitamin C powder and the hair mask.
Overall a great way to discover products that I wouldn't even know existed.

CocteauTwin · 18/12/2019 17:35

I got the M&S one last year, but was put off by the amount of waste, so didn't buy another this year. Although some of the products were lovely, some were of no use to me at all. I'd rather spend my money on something I specifically need.

Ohyesiam · 18/12/2019 17:36

I'm disappointed that they exist at all.

^ my thoughts exactly

Chewbecca · 18/12/2019 17:37

Pleased with my Debenhams one.