Beauty Advent Calendars 2021 - contains spoilers *titled by MNHQ at OP's request*

[Coniferhedge]

Can’t see a thread so I thought I’d start one. Yes, it’s unbelievably early, but I noticed Glossybox have already revealed their Advent Calendar contents for this year. Saw this reveal on YouTube this morning:

Have to say it doesn’t wow me, but there’s plenty of time and many more Advent Calendars to come, I’m sure!

@MidnightMeltdown I meant to sell but didn’t get round to it. I’d be happy to post to anyone who likes it.

[quote PomRuns]@MidnightMeltdown I meant to sell but didn’t get round to it. I’d be happy to post to anyone who likes it.[/quote]
I like it. I’d happily pay the postage if you’d like it to go to a good home?

@PomRuns what a kind offer.
I sadly also can't wear Santal - it's too 'heady' for me.
I also have FOMO on the F&M calendar - just waiting for Liberty...
I used to buy loads from cult beauty but they've stopped emailing me as I haven't purchased since Feb .. now paranoid I'm going to miss out on the calendar!

Jo Malone AC has been announced now too. £325.

Decleor is available on their website now for £120, worth £417 and it looks lovely. Six full size, 14 deluxe size and 4 sample size so not bad in terms of sizes. They are currently doing a free gift worth £52.10 on all orders over £90. It's an Anti-Aging on the Go gift set. Difficult to see what's actually in the gift set.

www.decleor.co.uk/essential-oils-lab-christmas-advent-calendar/5051858765189.html#

I was very tempted but unfortunately they only ship to the UK so saved from myself .

I've never used decleor. I'd be tempted by Elemis if they do one but I don't find single brand calendars very interesting and the products are often mini. I nearly got ESPA last year but didn't for those reasons.

@BunnytheFriendlyDragon

I've never used decleor. I'd be tempted by Elemis if they do one but I don't find single brand calendars very interesting and the products are often mini. I nearly got ESPA last year but didn't for those reasons.

I generally prefer mixed brand too. I got Lumene last year and, while it was nice, overall I was a bit underwhelmed.

I love Decleor products though so could be tempted once it's available on a site that ships to Ireland, particularly if I can get a free gift with it (that's how I ended up with Lumene last year - the temptresses of mn spotted a free gift with it on Beauty Bay).

@BunnytheFriendlyDragon

I've never used decleor. I'd be tempted by Elemis if they do one but I don't find single brand calendars very interesting and the products are often mini. I nearly got ESPA last year but didn't for those reasons.

There is a waitlist for the elemis one - uk.elemis.com/advent-calendar-2021-sign-up?gclid=CjwKCAjwyIKJBhBPEiwAu7zll7-ZKDjmuuhzS8B9eoX_Q0iJ0g7PxyjsDimeOwB_6vL59eIddFX5choC_kcQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Really Ree has the Elemis calendar details.

Lovely as it looks, I personally prefer a multi-brand calendar - I think the single brand calendars feel a bit samey.

@BunnytheFriendlyDragon - Last year there was a lovely Elemis beauty box on QVC. I'd never used QVC before but someone on here put a link up to the beauty box. It was great - all full size stuff. Might be worth keeping an eye out this year too.

Just an idea for those that are interested. Me and my sister are making each other a beauty/lifestyle advent calendar this year. £100 budget, 12 items and 12 chocolates (to increase the quality of items) and we each get to give the other a list with 3 item/brand ideas and 3 things to stay away from. Eg I said yes to facial skincare, Rituals and hair conditioner/masks and no sheet masks, eye liner or lipstick/gloss. We each have a pretty good idea of what the other likes. We’ve both had beauty advent calendars before and also glossy/birch box subscriptions and feel there is always a couple of generic items (eye liner! Nars blush! Ect) so thought this would be worth a try!

@KeyWorker - that's a lovely idea. And no black eyeliner!

KeyWorker this'll be year 4 of me making my DD Advent calendar .

I used bits from the H&B last year (about 19 of the 25 suited her) and some things I bought elsewhere .
My daughter (and me but I'm not a make up fan) will only use cruelty free +not sold in China so a lot of research first .
And I'm pi*sed off that some of my previous favourites have now started selling to mainland China , so off my list .

It does cost ££ and takes time but it forms part of her present anyway . Rather than me buying her a load for Christmas she'll get the AC , nice item on 1st and 24th , and something like a gift voucher on the Big Day .

And no black eyeliner

@OchonAgusOchonOh I remember you from last year. I have NC since last year but was around due the Elemis qvc deal. It may even have been me that posted it as I'm often on about qvc! I only used the marine cream did they first time after I got it in my LF calendar so probably was t as fussed before then but I really like it!

Looking at the calendar I think I might just keep an eye out for another deal of a few of the full sizes.

@BunnytheFriendlyDragon - your recommendation was much appreciated .

I'm still going through the stuff I got last year as I ended up with a ridiculous amount. I got the Elemis from QVC, the lumene calendar, which came with a free gift of a beauty box of stuff, the CEW female founders edit which I used for my calendar, €70 worth of stuff I got on LF as compensation for my calendar going astray and the LF calendar itself which finally turned up, even though I had been refunded.

I'm only getting one this year. I promise.

I used to treat myself to the M&S one - glad they had a break last year as the last one of theirs I found a bit meh

Likely to buy one from their this year ,

Last year toyed with Jo Loves, Jo Malone & Liberty but decided not to in the end

Instead I bought the Jo Loves limiter Christmas "box" - can't recall what it was called that came with mini candles, shower gel, lotion and room spray - cost £135 - beautifully packaged and I loved most of the contents

@70isaLimitNotaTarget Same boat re products claiming to be cruelty free yet selling in China. I've just made another expensive mistake, been looking for a new eye cream for a while and ordered Filgora to try after reading posts above, checking reviews and product description confirming not tested on animals but so disappointed when realised, too late, that they sell in mainland China too. My own fault for not doing the extra check first but they shouldn't be able to claim to be cruelty free.

If you go into business making calendars put me on your list please!

I like Jo Malone and Jo Loves, but the calendars have never really appealed to me. I think it's partly because I don't want want to spend that much money on a single brand, but also, with single brand calendars, I find that the value of the contents often isn't that much higher than the cost of the calendar.

If I'm buying a calendar, then I want the value of the contents to be at least 2 to 3 times higher than the amount that I'm paying for the calendar, else I might just as as well go to Jo Malone and pick out a few full sizes of my favourite items instead of dropping £325 on a calendar.

I guess that part of the draw for me is the value (although I fully appreciate that with some calendars, the 'value' is artificially bumped up by a few very overpriced items. Avant hand cream, I'm looking at you....).

@TheWeeDonkeyFella @70isaLimitNotaTarget - I don't understand the connection between selling in China and cruelty free? Does cruelty free not refer to the development process, testing etc?

@OchonAgusOchonOh I'm still using moisturisers from the calendars, the ESPA one as might night cream (from LF) and the doctor something cram for day from H&B. That makes me want to get one this year with some decent full sized face creams!

It was good to try them too. I don't love the ESPA but I did love the Elemis. QVC seems to have deals on it quite often but I think the christmas one is we especially good.

I only plan to get one too but I think I'll want to get the M&S if there is one.

I think China had mandatory animal testing on some cosmetics. Not sure if it's still the case. But I think if a brand was selling in China then it meant they were testing on animals.

@BunnytheFriendlyDragon - I only plan to get one too but I think I'll want to get the M&S if there is one.

Same. I only got it once as it's a bit similar across years but had thought about getting it again last year.

I think China had mandatory animal testing on some cosmetics. Not sure if it's still the case. But I think if a brand was selling in China then it meant they were testing on animals.

Didn't realise that. They definitely shouldn't be able to claim cruelty free then.

@Laaaaa

What's up with Avant. I got the stuff In cohorted box snd loved it. Can't believe Elle is still around!

I was going to ask this too. I’m intrigued as to what another poster meant when they said they use cheap ingredients and rebrand them? They do seem to be trying very hard to market themselves as a luxury brand though! Don’t think it’s working either 😂

Why wouldn't Elle still be around?

Re: the China thing, I thought that China had recently stopped the requirement to have cosmetics imported there tested on animals, but I could be wrong.

Re China, the link here contains an interesting flowchart on when testing is required:

ethicalelephant.com/understanding-china-animal-testing-laws/

It looks like IF it is not a new product AND it is not made in China AND it is only sold online or in Hong King OR it gets a relevant approval, then animal testing is not required.