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.

@Dailyhandtowelwash - I don't know was it the same one I had, but there was one I had that needed to be topped but looked like a twisty one. I managed to break it twisting it before I Googled it.

I was defeated by a perfume in glossybox last year. I could not get it open, despite having 2 degrees in engineering! Someone on the thread figured it out and put me out of my misery.

I’m not sure. I think most of us broke it somehow!

Bit like this?

www.marksandspencer.com/smudge-stick-waterproof-eyeliner-0-28g/p/hbp22330795?color=SMOKE

I'm another with minimal interest in cosmetics (which was one of my reasons for getting Net A Porter as it seemed more about skincare) so very definitely up for swaps - especially if it's black eyeliner!

@Dailyhandtowelwash - I’m not sure. I think most of us broke it somehow!

Mine was different to that - a bit thicker. But really, it shouldn't be that hard to sort out an eyeliner.

@Dailyhandtowelwash yes that was it!! I liked it before it broke

@Dailyhandtowelwash I remember that pencil too. Mine actually did work, and I used it as a cheaper version of my go to Bobby Brown gel eyeliner.

@rubabayaga, great to have another N-a-P person on the thread. @BookShark has it too.

I don't know why anyone is complaining about An Post. Brilliant company. I just got a text to tell me my CEWUK beauty box is ready for collection in the local post office. They got it on thursday in the UK and have it ready for me within 3 working days.

Now I need to get dh to fill a calendar for me and I'm good to go tomorrow.

I have Rituals and Space NK. Haven't seen dedicated threads for either so far? If there is one can someone point me in the right direction please?

Really looking forward to opening them tomorrow. They've both been upstairs for weeks, almost caved and opened a door last week but I resisted.

Is anyone else trying to use up stuff to make space for new things?

I have two (oops) moisturisers than are almost done, a face mask that I am working on and a really old mascara that I deffo need to ditch 😂😂

@clary

Is anyone else trying to use up stuff to make space for new things?

I have two (oops) moisturisers than are almost done, a face mask that I am working on and a really old mascara that I deffo need to ditch 😂😂

It would be no harm but I think I've left it a bit late. There's a limit to how many times a day I can put on moisturiser etc.

I suppose I could start wearing makeup for my zoom meetings but I only have 1 a week at the moment and I wouldn't like to shock the poor lads by suddenly turning up in makeup. I'm definitely not compromising on dress code. It's still a fleece and joggers for me.

Just picked up my CEWUK box from the post office. I may need to adjust my plans to use all of it for an advent calendar. Everything is full size and a good few of them won't fit into any of the boxes I have.

I bought some sacks for the kids christmas presents and there's a spare one so I might put everything into that and do a lucky dip every day instead. Alternatively, I could go through the other stuff you enablers convinced me to get recently and make up 24 items that way. Decisions, decisions.

@clary

Is anyone else trying to use up stuff to make space for new things?

I have two (oops) moisturisers than are almost done, a face mask that I am working on and a really old mascara that I deffo need to ditch 😂😂

I am the most buffed, moisturised, deep conditioned, sleep sprayed, perfume sampled and face masked I have ever been!

@ashmts

I have Rituals and Space NK. Haven't seen dedicated threads for either so far? If there is one can someone point me in the right direction please?

Really looking forward to opening them tomorrow. They've both been upstairs for weeks, almost caved and opened a door last week but I resisted.

I have Rituals as well. Just spent an hour (!) setting it up with the fiddly lights and stickers. I don't think there's a dedicated thread (yet).

@CupboardMonster - I am the most buffed, moisturised, deep conditioned, sleep sprayed, perfume sampled and face masked I have ever been!

@Babysharkdoodoodood - that looks gorgeous.

Loads of people bought rituals so I'd say there should be a dedicated thread. Do come on here too and share.

@Babysharkdoodoodood oh heck, an hour?! I haven't done that bit yet, will make time tonight! Thanks for the heads-up. Looks fab though, can't wait.

Getting quite excited now! Ochon and CupboardMonster, the M & S calendar got me hooked on the Percy & Reed balm, I posted about finding a cheaper dupe, but no look so far!
Also trying to use up stuff before the H & B calendar. Advice says you shouldn't use a mascara after 3 months. Can cause infections apparently, so good excuse to bin it and make room. I luffs the M & S calendar, but seems to be the rules that you get a black eyeliner every year :)

@SpongeBobJudgeyPants - I ignore the advise on mascara and I've never gotten an eye infection. I usually have 2 on the go as when I'm in work, I put makeup on in the office to avoid traffic. I don't even want to think when I started the current ones.

Fair enough Ochon. Worth knowing. Have you found a substitute for the Percy balm, or do you buy it anyhoo?

@SpongeBobJudgeyPants

Fair enough Ochon. Worth knowing. Have you found a substitute for the Percy balm, or do you buy it anyhoo?

No, I haven't found a substitute. I buy it occasionally but don't use it all the time.

Long time lurker here.

I finally signed up as I've got a Space NK calendar to cheer myself at the end of this awful year and I want to join in the fun!

I will be opening LF in December and the surprise Yankee Candle one from DH. Saving my No7 one for January.

Popping in to say I will steer clear of here in case anyone's opening Birchbox this December as I'm saving mine for Jan. Unless no one is of course!

Are swaps being done here or on a separate thread? I have a Percy and Reed Wonder
Balm that I've used once and decided wasn't for me (pre Covid) so would be releasing that into the wild if 'tried once only' items were acceptable to anyone. I will have sealed items too (including the ubiquitous black eyeliners..)

I actually like a black eyeliner, I’m hoping for some good make up items this year

@HedgieHog

I actually like a black eyeliner, I’m hoping for some good make up items this year

Stampede in the general direction of HedgieHog who disappears under a pile of black eyeliners