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.

@AprilLady my understanding from a bit of googling is that you use it as an overnight serum. There were a few reviews saying it made skin flaky though, so maybe start with every other day and then build up to daily in case you react to it.

Must say, N-a-P has really stepped up (failure to get in touch about the leaked rosewater aside) and I've got a lovely stash of different things to try. My skin will be a-maz-ing!

Amazon - sleep mist.
HB - de-stress roller ball.
I'm not delighted by either of them but they'll be used by someone in the house I'm sure.

Today's Amazon = a Sanctuary sleep spray. My top Amazon items have been the Nip Tuck glycolic toner and the jelly illuminator. Apart from those cant say much of it has over excited me this year which is a shame as I really liked lots of it last year. Definite low points this year = Biore strips, make up sponge (both repeats of last year) and not really much use for a factor 50 suncream in winter. I will also be trying to dissuade DH from getting me one next year.

@Snowplop - I like the tisserand one. Dd went though loads of that during the leaving cert (A-level equivalent in Ireland). She was still stressed but it did take it down a notch😁

Fenwicks gift today is a very decent 30ml sized tube of Rosalique 3 in 1 Anti-Redness Miracle Formula that I’ve wanted to try for ages so I’m happy. The card says ‘If only someone had introduced it to poor Rudolph - perhaps he would have joined in more reindeer games.’

Amazon has been quite hit and miss.

Top things: Elemis toner, jelly highlighter and this works body moisturiser.
Bottom things: sponge, boire strips, mavala nail polish (due to the colour)

Going asos or next for next years calendar.

I like today’s sleep spray. They do nothing for your sleep in my view but wafting them around feels bouji

What I will say for Amazon is loads of it is full size (unlike M&S) and the make up has been good. Even brown lippy which is a nice apricot nude when applied thinly

I thought of you all as I applied my black eyeliner today

@CupboardMonster

DH is beyond happy with today's degustabox offering.

Good to hear that the Sisley product is lovely @Ponks look forward to trying mine.

Yep! DS and I don't eat meat do DP gets this one all to himself and he's very chuffed! I was really considering the Amazon calendar and probably would have got it if the price came down so it's really interesting to read the feedback. It always looked like a bizarre mix of brands and product to me...bit hit and miss

Tier 4 and a black eyeliner, not a great day today!

The bath crystals from yesterday smelt amazing (JL) and nice packaging too but I'll regift as rarely have a bath

For anyone still in the market for very late calendar buying, the Grazia 12 day one is now down to £75 on the Glossybox site until tomorrow if you use the code TREAT.

@Butterymuffin I ordered this when it was £80 and have just had a despatch email for it. It looks pretty good value for money so fingers crossed. Can't decide whether to start opening it on the 26th or whether to hang on to it until January.

Nail varnish from No 7 AC. A mushroom colour aptly called 'Porcini'. And the eye eyeliner as already mentioned from JL. I wish it was their mascara because I love the one that usually comes in AC so I look forward to that as some might their black eyeliner.

@Ponks I'm glad you like the face mask I'm looking forward to trying mine.

I will get H&B calendar again next year because it's good value. I am not going to get the bodyshop because it's but samey and half of the stuff I gave to dd.

@OchonAgusOchonO Good to know about the Tisserand; I have three DCs going through GCSEs in the next few years so I may need an industrial sized one for myself!
I agree with your point @GaryTheDemon about the generous sizes in the Amazon calendar. HB has lots of full sizes too.

@Snowplop - my youngest is doing the leaving cert this year and is so laid back, he's horizontal. Definitely me that needs it this year! The older two just got on with it so no major stress for me.

@Snowplop, @OchonAgusOchonO, this year is okay, but next year this time I will have one DC doing A levels, one doing GCSEs, and one preparing for 11+ and senior school entrance tests. Think I might need to do splurge on the Jo Malone or Diptyque calendar to relax and distract me

I had one doing leaving cert and one junior cert (GCSE equivalent) at the same time. Poor dd who was doing junior cert was totally neglected. She told us not to start pretending we were interested just before her results came out

@AprilLady and @Snowplop - I recommend . Forget the aromatherapy.

@secretlyhappy

I will get H&B calendar again next year because it's good value. I am not going to get the bodyshop because it's but samey and half of the stuff I gave to dd.

I'm not getting the Bodyshop one next year either. I've had it 3 years running and have realised the can get a bit samey from the same brand. I was a bit fed up of the ever present bath lily and exfoliating gloves with whatever Bodyshop giftbox you buy too! Does anyone actually use them?!

I've currently got DS going through the hell that is the SW London 11+ process. Has definitely involved wine - and it's not over until mid-February. But it's also part of why I wanted to treat myself to a nice advent calendar - between that and Covid, it's been a tough year. I may also have over-compensated with DS's presents - the pile is rather large...

F&M today is a mascara. Not tried the brand before, and really pleased that it is full size, so another good item.

N-a-P is another pricey full size product, a lip serum. I was a bit sceptical about this, but reviews suggest it is aimed more at improving dryness and texture than at lip plumping, so I think a will give it a go.

@BookShark, my sympathies. I’ve been lurking on that thread as it’ll be us going through that next year. Hoping we’ll be back to normal assessments though, not this year’s Covid version.

ASOS is n-circadian night mask... looking forward to trying.. 50ml so decent size too..

That looks good @Retailqueenie , Indeed Labs always worth trying.

Linemen was a pot of gel mask today. Next year I'm going for one of the multi brand calendars, probably Space NK, to get more variety.

John Lewis is a sample size of Irresistible Eau de Parfum by Givenchy. This is our third fragrance so a bit disappointing. I need to find a calendar that's more skincare based next year I think.