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!

[Charlottemh]

I really wanted the Cult Beauty one last year but it had sold out before I could purchase it. Going to try really hard to get it this year, if the contents are still good! I had the Space NK one last year, it was a good mix of skincare, 'stuff' (candle etc) and make up. Was also helpful for realising what definitely doesn't suit me - for instance the CT Pillow Talk lipstick looks awful on my skin tone.

[Ponks]

Although I have to say that I won't be buying any advent calendar that includes Nars Orgasm blush or This Works sleep spray. So bored of these.

[Bananaman123]

I think its a great way to try new brands before buying full sizes. Loved trying loccitane, rituals and lumene and now know what I like and dont.

The body shop and soap and glory were good to stock up on travel sizes. I wasn't a fan of decleor, just doesn't suit my skin.

Glossy box was much better in previous years. It seems full of the same things in their boxes.

[LastSummerHere]

Glossybox looks terrible this year. Just a very lazy, unimaginative curation. Like a PP I'll give any calendar a pass that has Nars Orgasm Blush...and also Eve Lom Cleanser, This Works Pillow Spray, Eyeko eyeliner, a jade roller, Laura Mercier loose powder and Queen of Hungary Mist.

I looking forward to seeing what's in Cult Beauty and Space NK. Last year I had the French calendar Oh My Cream and Sniph to make a change and to get some different products and I really loved them both. I also had Liberty which was ok but not sure I would repurchase.

[clary]

YY to all the people raving about the H&B one, it was really good - I got it for DD and bagged anything she couldn't use.

I got Look Fantastic last year and mine got here Ok but I know there were massive issues. It was good value tho with some really nice things. CB looked excellent as did the F&M one. decisions, decisions...

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

H&B was was lovely . I took the night cream (too heavy for DD) and the solid shampoo/conditioner ( DD doesn't like coconut)
The Tumeric shower gel was gorgeous

And there were money off vouchers inside the doors if there was a product you'd want to re purchase .

[OchonAgusOchonOh]

@LastSummerHere - Like a PP I'll give any calendar a pass that has Nars Orgasm Blush...and also Eve Lom Cleanser, This Works Pillow Spray, Eyeko eyeliner, a jade roller, Laura Mercier loose powder and Queen of Hungary Mist.

That should give you plenty of choice

[LastSummerHere]

😂 I will probably end up with a tea calendar...although might go for something like Diptique this year as I'm moving house and am dreaming of beautiful candles tastefully displayed.

[AprilLady]

@LastSummerHere, agree that Glossybox looks terrible this year. The best that can be said for it is that it has a nice mix of make-up, skincare, bath, body etc. Just a pity none of the items are actually interesting or exciting.

For those considering H&B, and who want to see what’s in it, details of the content for this year are here: beautyadventcalendar.net/holland-barrett-advent-calendar-2021/

[AtillatheHun]

I had Liberty last year after usually having M&S or look fantastic. It was incredible- definitely worth the extra ££ - seriously high quality and only one or two disappointing products.

[JustWhatIAlwaysWanted]

I do hope M&S will relent and do a proper calendar again this year. It is a banker and the 12 day thing they eventually did last year is far less good and overpriced.

Other contenders for me: Look Fantastic (I was one of the lucky people who got theirs on time), Birchbox which has has some more unusual things in it before, Feel Unique, Latest in Beauty. The L'occitane recyclable one this year is a gorgeous design - fabric pockets with flowers on. It's £160 so above my usual budget but I am tempted. Agree the Glossybox one doesn't wow me.

[PrincessConsuela12]

I got the ASOS face & beauty advent calendar last year, I was really pleased with the variety & have used almost all of it. Hoping to get another this year.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a men's beauty / skincare calendar?

[OchonAgusOchonOh]

[quote AprilLady]@LastSummerHere, agree that Glossybox looks terrible this year. The best that can be said for it is that it has a nice mix of make-up, skincare, bath, body etc. Just a pity none of the items are actually interesting or exciting.

For those considering H&B, and who want to see what’s in it, details of the content for this year are here: beautyadventcalendar.net/holland-barrett-advent-calendar-2021/[/quote]
Just had a look at the H&B one. It looks fab. I don't think they ever had it on the Irish H&B site last year so I got it from the UK one but it looks like they're not shipping to Ireland anymore. Total bummer. Dd has had it the last 2 years and loved it. Hopefully they'll have it in Ireland too.

[Eaumyword]

Ooh that H&B one looks good! They do have the ubiquitous (and for me, completely pointless!) facial roller though!

[Deux]

Thanks for the thread. I’d looked for details of the H & B one the other week and could t find any. It’s my favourite in terms of usability. Between me and DD we use everything in it.

I got the M and S winter box last year and it was excellent. I think it was all full sizes. I kept a couple of items and used the others as part of Xmas pressies for mum, MIL and niece. So it was good value.

[ArsenicNLace]

I love the Boots No7 one. Get it every year. Great value for money and love the contents. Although do now have several pairs of tweezers!

[BunnytheFriendlyDragon]

Thank you for the links to H&B. It looks good and different to last year.

[DrRamsesEmerson]

Thanks for this thread, I’ve put myself on the list for H&B. It was by far the best of last year’s for me - I liked Rituals but I’m still using up the stuff, and Arran Aromatics and Amazon were both a bit disappointing. (I may have gone a bit overboard last year, with lockdowns and nothing to look forward to.)

[Eaumyword]

I loved last year's Rituals (the more basic version.) I got Arran Aromatics and that was for me, complete pants. I couldn't smell them properly (I admit that will be my ailing sense of smell, I like strong smelling toiletries) but they were like a Travel Inn bathroom set
I'm talking myself into Jo Loves as B'day/Xmas to self and H&B.
Has anyone had the Jo Loves calendar or her products? I used to love early Jo Malone, but at her prices, it needs to be flipping fantastic!

[Skinfulnappies46]

Have been saving £20 per month from January for my Advent calendar otherwise could not afford a lovely one. Think I will chose Cult beauty or Space NK going by last year .

[IToldYouIWasFreaky]

Signed up for the H&B one. I love the variety of products you get! A couple of things that I know I won't use but that's mainly down to being fussy about hair stuff and I can pass them on to DS or my nieces.
Not a beauty one but I definitely need to get the Degustabox calendar again..that was a massive hit last year!

[mintylovely]

Yes! Hooray! I had F&M last year and loved it. Reminder that for non beauty the degustabox calendar was outstanding!

[mintylovely]

Ha! Great minds @IToldYouIWasFreaky

[Theseptemberissues]

I skipped one last year and missed it! Would like to splash out on either cult beauty or space nk. I’ve had the ASOS one a number of times which had always been great value for the price and the Charlotte tilbury which I loved, however as we’ve had 18months with little to no socialising I’ve got drawers full of barely/unused makeup still to get through so definitely leaning more towards skincare focused ones this time.
Always love these threads!

[DrRamsesEmerson]

Ooh, I’d forgotten the Degustabox one - read about that on here and planned to try it this year! Thanks for the reminder.