Beauty Advent Calendars 2020 - Part 2

[Housewife2010]

Best time of the beauty year.

So I’ve got a Rituals calendar for Dec & DH bought my theWhite Company one for Christmas which I’m saving for Jan.

Lots of people are asking me what I want for Christmas & I genuinely haven’t got a clue. Wondering if a more beauty focused advent calendar would be fun... any recommendations?

Please can we make it a multi-advent calendar swap thread? (can't remember how last year worked). I already know I'll have a few swaps, but would rather swap them for something from a different calendar if possible.

Elle vs Space NK? I know there’s a bit of a price difference, but which would you go for?

Personally I’d go for Space NK. That’s partly because I don’t really like Bella Freud. I think the design of the box and collaboration with her is very emperor’s new clothes. (I trust that’s not a spoiler, it does say it’s designed by her right up front!) I also think Space NK there’s some really good products. Both those reasons are subjective. An objective one is that I think it’s better value for money.

Yes last year there was one thread for all calendars

I've gone for LF but my other favourite was Elle. I know there's a price and value difference but I was much more excited by Elle than LF.

It depends on what you're interested in though so if you don't mind spoilers have a look what's in them.

I looked at loads and have forgotten what is the calendars I ordered now.

@EatPrayYoga do you mean you were more excited by Elle than Space NK? You put LF but also said you went for that one so I’m guessing you quite liked it or did you order it before the contents reveal?

I’ve just bought the Amazon one. I think it’s great value. I’m also trigger happy and addicted to beauty calendars. But I or DD will use everything in the Amazon one between us.

DD has mock GCSEs coming up in Nov and has half term soon. As a daily reward for revising, I’m going to fill one of my old beauty advent calendars with various treats for her and I’ll write an encouraging message for each window. I’m going to keep the calendar and present it to her every day so she can’t cheat

Space NK is better but also double the price - Elle have discount codes.

There are 2 items I completely do not want to even try in Space NK Vs 10 in Elle
There are 5 items that are on my wish list to try in Space NK and would have purchased myself at some point vs nothing I had on my wish list in Elle. There are things that I either tried and love or already have in Elle so it's not like there aren't some great choices!

I think if you are going to buy one at current price cost it's good to go over the products and see what will you actually make use of, what will be fun to try.

Also Space NK seem to be nearly sold out

It’s personal preference. I had the budget to get a luxury one but went through the contents and there weren’t many products in the Liberty/ CB/ Space NK etc that I’d actually want so I have them a miss. Went for Elemis instead as I know I’ll use all the products, plus Lumene and Look Fantastic, as out of the multi-brand calendars that was the one that had the most products that I would actually want and use.

@Annasgirl

So sad guys, I only found out this week that M and S are not doing the Beauty advent calendar - this was my treat to teen DD and myself every year and if ever there was a year that we needed it, it was this year. Can anyone recommend an alternative in a similar price range (ie under €100) with similar types of items? I loved the selection in the M and S one and the mix of skin, hair and make up items.

I looked at them all and bought the ASOS one, its the most similar to M&S in my opinion but better, and whilst its £75 you didn't have to spend to buy it - plus more full size items.

Same with me @Butterymuffin I have a 12 day and a full advent already and would like another if there is a surprise bargain to be had..:

Yes sorry I meant I found Elle more exciting than Space NK. LF and Elle were the two that appealed to me most even taking account of the price difference (I would have bought one of the more expensive ones if I thought it was worth it)

But as foli said it's personal preference as to what excites you and there are certain make up and skincare brands that reel me in

I get quite excited about make up even though I don't need any!

Yes, my favourite ever moisturisers are Dermalogica ones which I have bought for many years and are as boring as it gets but I do like to mix it up to make myself feel more pampered! I wouldn’t buy a Dermalogica calendar because I’ve already discovered my favourites and buy them in large sizes (i.e. 100ml moisturisers).

I've already opened my espa one and am using all the products. I love it.

Keeping space NK for December though!

The ESPA one looks so beautiful. I am so tempted by it. The Clarins one from Selfridges is also calling to me, but I might buy it for my dear friend who loves beauty and pampering products but doesn't spend anything on herself.

Looks like Space NK is sold out now, I was just wondering whether to go for it ...

ESPA was the one single brand one calendar I was tempted by but all the products seemed to be minis so I didn't take the plunge but I still wouldn't rule it out as I love ESPA but haven't tried much of it

The Rituals advent calendar is available at boots.com plus you get £10 worth of points when you spend £60 this weekend

Here's the giant L'Occitane calendar. It's £490! www.beautyqueenuk.co.uk/2020/10/loccitane-giant-advent-calendar-2020.html?m=1

Gosh, you'd need deep pockets for that L'Occitane one at £490! I have to say in previous years I got just as much pleasure from their £50 one.

Here's another l'Occitane calendar. It's so lovely and reusable. £160 for £230 of products. I do expect to have at least double the value in products though. www.beautyqueenuk.co.uk/2020/10/Loccitane-reusable-advent-calendar-2020.html?m=1

At the price of the L'Occitane big calendar I would like far more value! Yes, double would be good. Not that I would ever spend that on a calendar.

It's a lot for an advent calendar but seems to be full size products