Beauty Advent Calendars 2021 Part 2: The Curse of the Drawers of Disappointment *Spoilers included*

[Coniferhedge]

As you were everyone!

NAP does look good. I like the perfumes, make up bag and room sprays. In an ideal
world I would be invited to fill my personalised calendar and choose my favourites from CB, Space NK, NAP & JL. That would be my dream...

If anyone loves nail varnish then Barry M have one for £40 but it's only 12 days.

Having just sorted out all my GWP goodies, I've decided I'd better use up all my skincare and not get an AC to add to that stash! Has anyone seen any detail of the Diptyque calendar? I've not had it before but love candles and scent so seems a good bet, if not the kind of cost-to-value deal some of the others have.

Intriguingly, this image on Really Ree's roundup of ACs shows what looks like a Diptyque calendar (bottom centre) but there's no mention of it!

@Housewife2010 I think that you're thinking of Fortnum and Mason with the room sprays, perfume and makeup up bag. I've already ordered that one

NAP is still top of my list @MidnightMeltdown although I am hoping Harrods, fenwicks or another will blow me away.

@DrRamsesEmerson

Still looking for Degustabox - there isn't anything on their site yet. Has anyone seen any hints about when it might be available?

I am a Degustabox subscriber and I think that last year we got a leaflet in one of the autumn boxes about it, before anything appeared online. My September box should arrive in the next few days so I'll update here if there is any info.

@MidnightMeltdown You're right. I'm going to go and have another look at NAP now.

Chantecaille have a 12 door calendar for £335! I bet it's very beautiful though. www.beautyqueenuk.co.uk/2021/09/Chantecallie-12-daysofbotanical-beauty-advent-calendar-2021.html?m=1

NAP looks like good sizes and good value to me - despite there being a couple of dud items.

Can't see ASOS anymore so wonder whether that has sold out already. If so, it doesn't seem like enthusiasm for beauty calendars is dropping.

I think that JL might sell out quickly this year.

[quote Housewife2010]Chantecaille have a 12 door calendar for £335! I bet it's very beautiful though. www.beautyqueenuk.co.uk/2021/09/Chantecallie-12-daysofbotanical-beauty-advent-calendar-2021.html?m=1[/quote]

I like the fact that some of the proceeds will be donated to environmental charities, but it doesn't say how much. For me this is too expensive for a 12 door calendar.

@MidnightMeltdown

NAP looks like good sizes and good value to me - despite there being a couple of dud items.

Can't see ASOS anymore so wonder whether that has sold out already. If so, it doesn't seem like enthusiasm for beauty calendars is dropping.

I think that JL might sell out quickly this year.

ASOS is OOS - I’m not surprised given the site-wide discount and then codes working on top! I wonder if they’ll restock.

JL is top of my list now and I’ll get M&S too (as long it’s roughly the usual price).

Charlotte tillbury just released an advent calendar

@gratedbeetroot

Probably also because other calendars in the ASOS price bracket (look fantastic etc) are disappointing this year. Wonder whether LF will get reduced.

I really loved the Byredo handwash from Liberty a couple of years ago - been meaning to buy more actually.

@Maranello I had Diptyque last year. Lovely, although quite a few boxes had tree decorations I think I've lost (and apparently they're meant to spin in candle heat but I didn't know that until just now!). Candles and scent were lovely and I enjoyed the calendar.

I also loved the Living Proof dry shampoo. JL has a mix of things I love and things that make me feel so overall my reluctance to get a premium calendar remains. I do wonder if I've just reached saturation point with spending money on Drawers of Disappointment. Feels like I may not be alone on that on this thread.

[quote MidnightMeltdown]@gratedbeetroot

Probably also because other calendars in the ASOS price bracket (look fantastic etc) are disappointing this year. Wonder whether LF will get reduced.[/quote]
True. I got LF a few years back but it hasn’t appealed since.

I’ve never subscribed to any beauty boxes so I have missed trying many of the products that are often dished out, and I only tend to repurchase my must have products during the year, so I’m happy to spend the money on a calendar (or two!) once a year, to try out new products (and it’s a bonus when they contain some products that I already use!).

Wonder whether LF will get reduced.

I'm currently subscribed to LF - using up my Glossy credit! - so if they do any offers on the calendar I'll share here. Nothing so far, in spite of the daily emails with offers for everything else

Great - thank you @JustWhatIAlwaysWanted

I've just ordered the H&B for D1, to go to her university address - we are taking her back to university at the weekend. I'll probably send her the Degusta box one too - does anyone know from last year when that's usually delivered? It would be ideal if she can open it with her housemates in Nov, ending on 25th, that's when they do Christmas as term finishes on Dec 4th.

@JulesJules I ordered the Degustabox one on 2nd Nov last year, and it was delivered on Nov 26th. The window they originally gave me when I ordered was Nov 11th - 25th .
If they follow the same timescales as last year, it might be a bit tight for your DD

Are there any mixed brand skincare-only calendars? I am not a makeup wearer, so have avoided them so far.

Ideally I would like a calendar version of Caroline Hiron’s kits. I know she’s not universally loved here but her kits are great value (if a bit samey with the brands featured - eye roll at REN)

Is there something else I should check out?

Ah thanks @IToldYouIWasFreaky I'll think about that then - maybe they could open 4 windows a day or something. There are 6 of them in the house. Was it worth getting would you say?

Definitely worth getting, and it would be great for housemates to share, I think. Lots of biscuits, chocolate and snacky things but also cooking ingredients. There was curry paste, sea salt and a jar of marmalade that I haven't opened yet!

@ShangPie, Mintd are apparently doing a 12 door calendar for the first time. Like their boxes, I think it will focus on high end skincare. No idea whether it will be good value though - will have to wait and see when details become available.

I quite fancy the invisibobble calendar

Thanks for the heads up on Chantecaille @Housewife2010. The brand is pretty pricey itself so 12 products for £335 is pretty good, depends how big and what they are though! I love their limited edition products. Their India collection is divine, and it’s £50 a palette.

I tried to look for more details on the Chantecaille and came across this article which mentioned some brands doing advent calendars I hadn’t seen mentioned here yet Dr Barbara Sturm (£405) and By Terry (£169). www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/christmas/g32295/luxury-advent-calendars/