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

[Coniferhedge]

As you were everyone!

Last years was the H&B re-useable cotton bud
After struggling the open the bloody thing , I was "Eh"?

I've looked at the H&B contents (no spoliers) and I think I'll pass this year .

DD doesn't like coconut and I don't like lavender and I fear these feature very heavily in ethical/heath shop toiletries .

But I'm going to follow all the A/C threads .

Reusable cotton bud

I’ve managed to avoid getting a face roller so far, although StiffyByng’s post makes me feel I might be missing out after all!

Mine are just items like eyeliner or mascara, that I won’t use (don’t wear eyeliner, only use waterproof mascara).

One reusable cotton swab? I would like some reusable cotton round pads though. www.roseinc.com/products/reusable-makeup-pad-10-count

Is there a thread for Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s new brand?

Well I’ve ordered ASOS and I think the biggest drawer of disappointment for me will be this rock thing. It’s called a gua sha? The bumph says it’s a facial wand or something. Not for me. I’m sure someone far more enlightened than me will come along and tell me what it’s for, but I can’t even think of an alternative use for it.

@Coniferhedge

Well I’ve ordered ASOS and I think the biggest drawer of disappointment for me will be this rock thing. It’s called a gua sha? The bumph says it’s a facial wand or something. Not for me. I’m sure someone far more enlightened than me will come along and tell me what it’s for, but I can’t even think of an alternative use for it.

Paperweight?

I don’t see what gua sha adds above the facial massage techniques I learned from Lisa Eldridge. She shows how to use your knuckles and palms to massage your face like the contours of the gua sha. Obviously if you don’t have the hand dexterity, it’s helpful, or if you put it in the fridge maybe?

I have a roller which I bought when Soap and Glory doing 3for2, it came as the “free” item. I like how cool it feels but it doesn’t get into the nooks and crannies of my facial tension, or create flow for lymphatic drainage. Shelf decoration now!

Lucky you @gratedbeetroot

I've had two rollers AND a gua sha in previous years - all have been swiftly passed on via eBay, along with items from other drawers of disappointment.

I wasn't very impressed with the mirror in last years H&B either. I wouldn't have minded if it was a slimline compact that I might keep in my handbag, but it was just a chunky mirror with no cover. Not the sort of thing that I want to carry around, or that I have any kind of use for.

Gua sha = face scraper. I already have two. One jade or rose quartz one, can't remember which, in a Birchbox, and a plastic one (shame on them!) in a Glossybox. It was a key part of my decision making this year that I did not want a third gua sha.

Next is my choice as it has fewest drawers of disappointment for me, e.g. black eyeliner, false lashes, tanning products, and pointless tools. Just waiting for Wednesday so I can order.

Oh yes, false eyelashes. I am a mother in her mid-40s with a social life mostly consisting of post-work drinks with colleagues and weekend play dates with like-minded parents. I do struggle to see at what point I could bring out the false lashes without derision or confusion resulting.

I’d never even heard of a gua sha before seeing the contents of the ASOS calendar!

I won’t go for an expensive one for the sake of it now I’ve decided against Space NK. If none of the calendars yet to be revealed excite me then I’ll stock up on EL ANR and treat myself to a few full sizes of products that I would have wanted to try in the calendars. And maybe get a bath bomb calendar too.

And yes, I have never worn false eyelashes either, and have no interest in tanning or highlighting products. Or candles. Or hand cream. Calendars tend to contain quite a few of the products I’ve mentioned (including eyeliner and mascara) so the other items have to really make up for it!

Has anyone seen/heard anything about the Charlotte Tilbury one this year yet? Unfortunately I’m a sucker for everything she does and I’m tempted to get one of hers this year

The ASOS gua sha is apparently adventurine. I think I will use it as a paperweight. I’ve decided it looks like Kermit the Frog’s amputated foot.

Does anyone at all anywhere genuinely think these stones are anything other than cheap fillers/‘saw you coming’ rip offs?

I'm now tempted by the Rituals AC after hearing you lot talking about it on here. I've only ever tried one of their products before (a body scrub from last years look fantastic).

Not sure that I need 4 mini candles though...

@Coniferhedge

The ASOS gua sha is apparently adventurine. I think I will use it as a paperweight. I’ve decided it looks like Kermit the Frog’s amputated foot.

eBay them like with the other stuff? Did you get a good price @MidnightMeltdown?

Just joining on from the other thread in the hope one of you will get some advance warning of the M&S advent calendar so I can needlessly purchase that to go with my ASOS one

The reusable cotton bud in last year's H&B calendar has remained unused 😝 but the mirror was actually great as been using it for doing Covid tests

I'm going to pass on H&B this year. Shame as was going to buy one for Jan now I have Rituals for Dec...just not inspired at all by the contents this year!

I don’t know if I’m being picky but all the ones I’ve looked at so far I’m just not convinced on.

I’ve just been looking at the Cult Beauty and the word glow features far too often in the product list!

@BakeOffRewatch

I can't remember now. I think I got rid of it in a lot with other items from drawers of disappointment. I doubt anyone would have bought it if I'd sold it on its own - not worth the hassle or postage, and I don't think many people want them for free, never mind paying for them!

I'm also not convinced on any of them
I actuysee Next have quite a few beauty boxes generally for £20 and worth £80+
I just ordered one for my friend and I might order the pregnancy one for myself rather than any of the advent calendars that just aren't clicking for me.

DH did say he'd buy me the m and s one though :)

Cult beauty did a goodie (goody)? bag after Christmas last year, I think it might have been January. There was a minimum spend but I remember thinking it was far better than the advent calendar because you’re choosing your own products and getting the goodie bag of treats. I think there were even more products than in the AC.

I was looking at the Next get ready to glow box as a gift for someone but the handwash put me off. Handwash isn’t much of a gift - and a Baylis and Harding one at that. Does anyone know how often they bring out new boxes?

My final pairs of decent everyday knickers are starting to fray but I'm holding out buying more until we know about the M&S calendar 😆