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

999 replies

Coniferhedge · 12/09/2021 13:22

As you were everyone! Grin

OP posts:
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Luvacuppatea · 25/09/2021 16:04

Is there anywhere that shows the sizes of the M&S products? There’s a few I like / know I will use, but the calendar won’t be good value to me if the stuff I want is just sample sizes.

BunnytheFriendlyDragon · 25/09/2021 16:33

There was a really good Elemis deal on QVC last year. Worth keeping an eye on that.

I remember. I'm quite a fan of QVC and I remember we discussed it on last year's thread (I NC every few months)

QueefofSheena · 25/09/2021 16:49

M&S hair stuff reminds me of 2018, I was totally bald through chemo and the first thing I opened on 1st Dec was a hair product in whichever AC I had that year. I found it hilarious

JulesJules · 25/09/2021 16:54

Oh no, the H&B I ordered for D1 at university hasn't arrived, despite Hermes saying they've delivered it. The 'proof of delivery' is a photo of a pile of boxes in the porters lodge - no names or anything identifying - could be anything. H&B are just saying 'it's been delivered' arghh.

Coniferhedge · 25/09/2021 17:42

@chloechloe @cookingisoverrated I want the Lumene calendar so I’m waiting to see if any deals or GWPs appear too! When does Look Fantastic usually do a GWP? Is it usually a set time or just random?

OP posts:
Housewife2010 · 25/09/2021 18:03

[quote Coniferhedge]**@chloechloe* @cookingisoverrated* I want the Lumene calendar so I’m waiting to see if any deals or GWPs appear too! When does Look Fantastic usually do a GWP? Is it usually a set time or just random?[/quote]
Are you signed up to Feelunique's loyalty scheme? You can choose two favourite brands and get 10% off them. Around your birthday you get a 20% off code. I have a winter birthday and bought myself the Lumene calendar one year from Feelunique using the 20% off birthday code and other codes they'd sent me.

cookingisoverrated · 25/09/2021 19:03

Lumene is currently 25% off at FeelUnique....

LookdeepintotheParka · 25/09/2021 19:08

I also noticed some of the sizes aren't listed for the M&S calendar @luvcuppatea

The products are actually better and more useful than I was expecting so might consider it as I do need a few boring things from M&S Grin

OchonAgusOchonOh · 25/09/2021 19:22

@Eaumyword

Funny you say that about glass nail files! I got the teeny tiny Leighton Denny glass file in the I think M&S 2019 calendar. Thought oh rubbish, but it's actually pretty good!
That was the one I got but it was definitely before 2019. I'd say 2016?

M&S are very repetitive though.

IToldYouIWasFreaky · 25/09/2021 19:29

@LookdeepintotheParka

I also noticed some of the sizes aren't listed for the M&S calendar *@luvcuppatea*

The products are actually better and more useful than I was expecting so might consider it as I do need a few boring things from M&S Grin

Yeah, I am interested to know too. After my initial disappointment, I realised that my usual day cream - the Pure one - is in there. Full size is £16 so if it's a decent enough size, it might make sense to get it, especially as DS needs new school trousers which would make up the qualifying spend. So, I'm back to not ruling it out yet...
indignatio · 25/09/2021 21:24

Tell me when
Well, I had been strong, no advent purchases, when you came along with Decleor +++, and I crumbled. Thank you

HeyDiddleDumplings · 25/09/2021 21:49

@indignatio

Tell me when Well, I had been strong, no advent purchases, when you came along with Decleor +++, and I crumbled. Thank you
Me too!!
tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 25/09/2021 23:30

Ha! So happy to enable you!!! 😊

I was a bit Confused when a pp said it's not great value but looking at the contents and the actual full size products I'm ok with it. Plus the value of the gifts plus discount make it worthwhile for sure.

JustWhatIAlwaysWanted · 26/09/2021 14:11

Finally, some news on M&S! Until now I think I was still a bit suspicious it wouldn't actually happen, but an actual contents list is better!

Downside first. It is a bit predictable and some of the old stalwarts crop up yet again - Eyeko Black Magic eyeliner, really? Although I seem to be one of the few people who actually get on with Eyeko mascara so I don't mind that.
Upsides - it also has nice quality items I will use. While 3 hand creams is a lot, one or two will always make decent presents for others so won't be wasted. And it's £40! The £30 qualifying spend is also fine by me - will easily be covered by stocking up on tights, underwear, socks, school uniform items and anything I might choose as a Christmas present for someone. So I will be buying, and will pass on or regift the items I don't like.

I like to see Christmas as an extended thing over the month, as the day itself is often taken up by present opening, cooking, eating, speaking ty relatives and so on. I really enjoy having a small treat to open each day and that for me makes Christmas more than an array of gifts on the 25th that I would open in a hurry and not have time to appreciate. So welcome back M&S - a familiar model, sure, but it works for me.

QueefofSheena · 26/09/2021 15:44

I think I read somewhere that all Eyeko mascaras are tubing, is that right? I don’t actually mind them.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 26/09/2021 15:51

@QueefofSheena - I think I read somewhere that all Eyeko mascaras are tubing, is that right? I don’t actually mind them.

What does tubing mean? Despite being in my mid-50's, I'm still pretty clueless Smile

ajandjjmum · 26/09/2021 16:14

[quote OchonAgusOchonOh]**@QueefofSheena* - I think I read somewhere that all Eyeko mascaras are tubing, is that right? I don’t actually mind them.*

What does tubing mean? Despite being in my mid-50's, I'm still pretty clueless Smile[/quote]
Glad I'm not the only one! Grin

Bellabluea · 26/09/2021 17:08

I’ve just read the whole thread! I bought myself the Charlotte Tilbury AC, saved myself £20 with blue light card. Got DDs a fidget one, a Harry Potter one, and two Yankee candles ones (they love them). Needed something for DH so thanks for recommending the degusta box.
I’m now trying to force myself not to get myself another one Blush
Looking forward to December now!

lindyloo57 · 26/09/2021 17:38

Housewife I agree no more prai neck cream, I brought 2 jars, they were on offer, didn't notice any difference.

Coniferhedge · 26/09/2021 17:45

@Housewife2010 Thanks for that. I am in the Feel Unique loyalty scheme. I’ll keep an eye out for the discounts, I don’t purchase often though, so might have missed some.

OP posts:
lindyloo57 · 26/09/2021 17:50

Anyone find the stilla eyeliner from m&s calendar the worst I've ever used, it just smudges in 10 minutes of putting it on.

QueefofSheena · 26/09/2021 17:59

Tubing mascaras dry into little tubes which mean they don’t smudge/run as easily. I think Grin

MarbleRunaway · 26/09/2021 18:52

I really want an advent calendar. I’ve had one (only ever one) for the last five years and I adore getting a little treat throughout December when I wake up. I love the build up to Christmas more than the day itself.

DH said he would buy me one up to £250 so I have the full choice really, but I’m not happy enough with any to justify that spend.

  1. should have at least five products I’m really excited to try

  2. should have no more than five products I probably won’t use

  3. should have no more than 5 products I already have, either unused or barely used.

Not a single one meets that criteria - yet last year I was spoilt for choice!

I think they’ve gotten VERY repetitive. I can’t justify that spend on something that isn’t going to give me a little bit of joyfulness most days I open it!

StiffyByng · 26/09/2021 19:23

@MarbleRunaway

I really want an advent calendar. I’ve had one (only ever one) for the last five years and I adore getting a little treat throughout December when I wake up. I love the build up to Christmas more than the day itself.

DH said he would buy me one up to £250 so I have the full choice really, but I’m not happy enough with any to justify that spend.

  1. should have at least five products I’m really excited to try

  2. should have no more than five products I probably won’t use

  3. should have no more than 5 products I already have, either unused or barely used.

Not a single one meets that criteria - yet last year I was spoilt for choice!

I think they’ve gotten VERY repetitive. I can’t justify that spend on something that isn’t going to give me a little bit of joyfulness most days I open it!

I can’t be as precise as you but I know what you mean. I do wonder if we are seeing the start of the decline of beauty calendars if the companies continue to recycle the same old stuff?

I am really torn as I was going for M&S so I’d have something, and the qualifying spend would be easy to achieve through needed things, but it doesn’t inspire me. I will really miss the fun of having something every day but nothing else really does it for me.

Giftwithpurchase · 26/09/2021 19:39

I think the Eyeko might actually be a tubing mascara so that's good news - thanks to pp who suggested this!
Tubing mascaras are great as pp say they coat your lashes in a tube and they don't smudge and are waterproof yet wash off easily with only water
M&S possibly back on the cards now ..