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Original poster

General beauty advent calendar discussion and swap thread

991 replies

AprilLady · 29/11/2020 15:10

Like many others, I’m looking forward to starting my Beauty Advent Calendars on Tuesday. With no M&S calendar or thread this year, I thought it might be fun to have a general beauty advent calendar discussion and swap thread. I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts about the calendar they are opening, whatever it is.

I suggest though we comment only on content from current or previous days, so as not to spoil the surprise for those opening one day at a time.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
163
LarsErickssong · 03/12/2020 19:09

@FlyingByTheSeatof

Maybe if they reduce the price of the Degustabox I'll get it for January.
That's a good idea, I work in tax so January is hell-ish and the office is normally full of cakes/sweets/lunch time pizza deliveries etc to keep us going which I will miss WFH but this could be the answer!
happytobemrsg · 03/12/2020 19:50

I’ll contact Joe & Seph to get my commission Orcadianrythyms

I’ve never heard of Degustabox & that’s my favourite biscuit brand! Yum! The orange ones are amazing.

Cocopogo · 03/12/2020 21:24

DD has the vegan version of Joe&sephs popcorn, today was salt and pepper. Like salted popcorn so plain like polystyrene but with pepper on.

Snowplop · 03/12/2020 22:40

@OchonAgusOchonO

Sounds more like instructions for an epoxy resin.....

I agree. I'm scared to let it anywhere near my wrinkles.

usertemp1010 · 03/12/2020 22:40

@FlyingByTheSeatof

Maybe if they reduce the price of the Degustabox I'll get it for January.
I'm thinking the same after reading the posts here!
Snowplop · 03/12/2020 22:46

Day 3 Amazon brought a festive-ish Nails Inc polish called Fear of Missing Out. It reminded me of the M&S polishes of previous years. Excuse the hastily painted thumb...the things I do for MN.

Jury is out so far on this calendar. It wasn't much - £45 I think on a Treasure Truck discount - so I'm not expecting luxury. The interesting thing is that I didn't really scan the contents before buying so I have absolutely no idea what else is coming.

Also have HB and am happy - the hyaluronic serum today is extremely sticky though.

General beauty advent calendar discussion and swap thread
Ponks · 03/12/2020 22:56

@Snowplop that's a lovely colour!

Pomegranatespompom · 03/12/2020 23:06

I think I’m going to have to get rituals next year. The lumene looks good too so maybe those 2 instead of my normal Liberty.

Pomegranatespompom · 03/12/2020 23:06

Thanks for all the photos.

OchonAgusOchonO · 03/12/2020 23:25

@ Snowplop - I agree. I'm scared to let it anywhere near my wrinkles.

Grin
FlyingByTheSeatof · 03/12/2020 23:53

I like that colour @Snowplop I always wear bright colours on my toes and would definitely wear that

BookShark · 04/12/2020 00:28

I'm also looking the look of Rituals. I discounted single brand calendars as I thought it would be less fun, but I'm impressed so far.

Come on N-a-P, you've still got time to redeem yourself!

MiaN · 04/12/2020 07:24

from the skinstore today

Molton Brown 30ml Eucalyptus Bath & Shower Gel -mini & NEST Amalfi Lemon & Mint Mini Votive Candle

It's lovely to get two products and both will be loved.

Cult beauty is my favourite so far this year

Ponks · 04/12/2020 07:29

Lumene today is a curl mascara, which I'm very pleased with and looking forward to trying. The wand is very thin and rubbery, nothing like any mascara I've had before.
Didn't realise yesterday's lip balm had a Moomin on! Very sweet.

Talisin · 04/12/2020 07:32

Nars matte lip pencil today from Fenwicks. I’m a bit out of practise with anything other than lipbalm after the last nine months!

PalacePaper · 04/12/2020 07:32

I've got a gorgeous smelling shower gel in H&B this morning, 250ml so I presume full size. Very happy Smile

I looked for the popcorn calendar yesterday @happytobemrsg as yours looks so delicious and I think DD and I would love it. They've sold out Sad so I was contemplating the vegan version but sounds like it's not great @Cocopogo - one to put on the list for next year...

Original poster
AprilLady · 04/12/2020 07:34

Very happy with today’s contents. N-a-P is a full size eye cream from Pai, that I haven’t tried before. F&M is the lovely but £££ Chantecaille Rose de Mai cream. I’ve had a 5ml sample before, which I loved. This is 10ml. As 50ml costs £185 Shock it’s a decent sample size.

General beauty advent calendar discussion and swap thread
OP posts:
OchonAgusOchonO · 04/12/2020 08:21

I was a bit concerned by the shape of the lumene door today, in case it was a black eyeliner Grin. It's a mascara, which will always get used. I'm very excited by the CEW item. It's a Dr. Barbara Sturm serum. It's a brand I haven't tried before but like the look of. Tea is jasmine green, which I love.

General beauty advent calendar discussion and swap thread
BookShark · 04/12/2020 08:41

Agreed, much happier with today's N-a-P offering - much more in line with my expectations, and looking forward to trying it as it's not a brand I've come across before.

Snowplop · 04/12/2020 08:41

Thanks @ponks and @FlyingByTheSeatof I'm liking the colour today - very festive.

Nip and Fab 100ml in Amazon today which I will use occasionally so that's good. Gorgeous shower gel in HB. A great day for both.

I'm liking the sound of Lumene for next year.

General beauty advent calendar discussion and swap thread
Butterymuffin · 04/12/2020 08:45

That serum sounds lovely @OchonAgusOchonOch. I am a fan of nice serums.

I wonder why subscription boxes and advent calendars so rarely include eye make up remover, given all the eyeliners and mascaras? You'd think it would be an easy staple item to put in.

OchonAgusOchonO · 04/12/2020 08:46

I'm liking the sound of Lumene for next year.

I'm certainly enjoying it so far. I was a bit wary of a single brand calendar, which is why I got it as a second one but am very happy so far.

OchonAgusOchonO · 04/12/2020 08:52

@Butterymuffin

That serum sounds lovely *@OchonAgusOchonOch*. I am a fan of nice serums.

I wonder why subscription boxes and advent calendars so rarely include eye make up remover, given all the eyeliners and mascaras? You'd think it would be an easy staple item to put in.

I am a fan of nice serums

Me too.

Absolutely agree re the eye makeup remover. I got a boots one a while back that doesn't agree with me at all (dd benefited) so I really need one before I end up back in the office in February and start wearing makeup again. Unfortunately, I didn't think of getting one with my "let's pretend we care" credit from LF. Maybe they'll give me some more.

If I'm using a cream cleanser, I just use that, but most of the ones I got recently in calendars/boxes have been wash-off ones so not really suitable for eyes.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good, gentle one?

bigdecisionstomake · 04/12/2020 08:56

@OchonAgusOchonO I had the Barbara Sturm calming serum in a Cult Beauty Skincare Edit box earlier this year and it's really lovely. Perfect to put on after an acid toner to calm the skin down.

JL a bit underwhelming today - a tiny 7ml primer. It is bare minerals though, a brand I haven't used much so good to try something new.

bigdecisionstomake · 04/12/2020 08:58

@OchonAgusOchonO Nivea gentle eye make up remover is my go to. Not expensive and works well without any irritation. Don't need to rub with it which I like.