General beauty advent calendar discussion and swap thread

[AprilLady]

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.

Mini Laura Mercier Rouge Essential lipstick from Fenwicks today. It’s very cute and a lovely colour but why do lipsticks two days in a row?

Mirror from H&B. Underwhelmed!

I haven’t updated on DD’s Arran one, so far some small bottles that’ll be good for travel if we can ever go anywhere again. Shampoo, conditioner, soap and shower gel. All perfectly nice but I think I’ve been a bit spoilt by the Rituals one.

Mini NARS lipstick in Tolede Satin this morning in JL - happy with that. I love skincare more than make-up but nice to have something I probably wouldn't have bought myself. Can have a play today as it's a weekend.

Definitely a bath and body theme today. F&M continues to deliver - with a very full drawers of three Noble Isle products in decent sample size. N-a-P is a soap, looks okay, I’m happy to try it.

Lumene is an under eye concealer today. Looking forward to trying it as I think their makeup is all about having a natural glow, and I definitely need that!

A mirror from H&B zzzzzzzz

The bodyshop was a sheabutter soap bar.

ASOS is a First Aid Beauty (FAB) cleanser today, full size I would say..never heard of the brand but will give it a try!

I'm okay with the soap, at least it's a more reasonable size than the teeny tiny shampoo and conditioner! F&M is impressing me so far April, definitely one to look out for next year.

Was anyone pleased with their H&B mirror today?!

The Degustabox was better though, a jar of lime tequila marmelade

I like the mirror too. I needed one for my handbag. I really love F&M this year so far. Three gorgeous products in one box. I also got Liberty as I had coveted it for so many years but so far so disappointing.

Ok, update, the ASOS FAB cleanser has a really acrid smell, not for me at all!

If anyone knows it and likes the brand you can have it gladly!!

DD(12) has swiped my HB mirror and Mavala mini (Velvet) already! I don't own many nail polishes, being a devotee of Dior Nail Glow, but I already have that Mavala shade. It's a lovely nude.

@IToldYouIWasFreaky I have a sudden hankering for lime tequila marmalade on toast. That sounds like a wondrous thing! Please report back when you've tried it.

From CEW, a retinol night serum from the Organic Pharmacy. Very excited by this.
Lumene is an under eye concealer, that I'm also very happy with. Tea is Earl grey - better go and buy a lemon.

This thread is so helpful. So far I think I’ll take a break from Liberty and try decide between rituals, lumene and F&M - think I can justify 2.

@AprilLady - that's lovely to get multiple things in one drawer.

@IToldYouIWasFreaky - I'm not a major fan of marmalade but that sounds tempting on a slice of thick toast.

@Retailqueenie I had that cleanser in ASOS last year and thought it smelled like baby sick or something! I tried it for a while but gave up cos it was so unpleasant.

Really pleased with Space NK the last couple of days, Hourglass Ambient lighting powder yesterday and Drunk Elephant F-balm today. I also have the 3D Rituals calendar and every day has impressed me so far.

ashmts omg yes! It’s baby sick!! Tonnes of it on EBay so I think many feel the same! Disappointing they put it in 2yrs running.

It really is foul. 😝

@IToldYouIWasFreaky I was just coming on to post that today's Degustabox for me is strawberry daiquiri jam! Yours looks great too.

Delighted to get a new under eye concealer in my Lumene calendar; I've used it before and quite liked it.

A cute little Laura Mercier Rouge Essential lipstick was in today's Fenwicks calendar box ... looks very pretty ... might gift it to my daughter in her Christmas stocking.

Todays offerings are a lipstick from JL which is a perfect colour for me, yay. And a mascara from Boots No 7 which is always good.

I'm enjoying the Degustabox updates and loving the daiquiri jam and tequila marmalade as todays offerings.

Lots of varied items everywhere again today.

I used the ASOS cleanser this morning... didn't really get the smell of baby sick but did think that it's quite creamy and seemed to leave a bit of a layer on my skin... I'll carry on using it though as it's a useful enough product

Nespresso today was Odasio. Another strong one.

Rituals. Sakura hand balm. Cherry blossom scent and 70mls. One for my stash as I already have one on the go.

Today’s offerings were

White Company - Fir Tree candle - smells so wonderfully of Christmas
Rituals - hand balm - my hands really needed this! Very happy
Popcorn was yum too! Lots of cinnamon

@Babysharkdoodoodood I have the rituals cherry blossom body cream and I absolutely love the smell of it.
I only use it on my arms at night and Nivea on the rest of me so it lasts longer