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Original poster

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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Martinisarebetterdirty · 30/09/2021 08:34

Flannels used to be like Matches - it was a Northern stockist of different designers (was in Newcastle and Manchester, maybe also Leeds), they sometimes have brilliant sale bargains. Just for those of you who don’t know it - as you were Smile

gratedbeetroot · 30/09/2021 09:22

Flannels has been Flannels here for many years (around 20 as I have a Prada bag I bought there in my early twenties).

gratedbeetroot · 30/09/2021 09:23

(I’m in Wales)

Jooox · 30/09/2021 09:25

I’m still stuck on what to get. Disappointed to miss out on the lumene discount too.

Not sure whether to hold out for others to be discounted. Is that likely based on last year?

But then what if they all sell out 😩 I don’t think it’s supposed to be this stressful Grin

gratedbeetroot · 30/09/2021 09:37

Lumene was on a few sites with a discount last year. Allbeauty had it at a good price and you could use codes on top, I’m not sure about this year.

Housewife2010 · 30/09/2021 10:08

There was 20% off the Lumene AC on Feelunique this week. Has it finished?
Latest in Beauty will be revealed tomorrow. I bought it for the first few years when it was one of the only ones around but I've found better ones for the last few years. The You Beauty details are out now.

MidnightMeltdown · 30/09/2021 10:49

I think that Lumene will almost certainly be discounted again. I had a look at it when it was on offer and it seemed overpriced for the size of the products. This should be around the £60 mark IMO. I'd be surprised if they shift them at full price.

SuperStarRose · 30/09/2021 11:16

I wasn't impressed with Lumene products. They do nothing for my skin.

Jooox · 30/09/2021 11:31

Yes the Feel unique discount has ended, sadly.

It’s interesting you should say that @MidnightMeltdown because my search for discounts led me to find last year’s lumene calendar on sale for 60€ after Christmas (now out of stock of course).

It kind of taints it for me to know I can get something much cheaper in a few weeks. Makes me feel I’m paying more than something is worth.

Could be a good option for those wanting a January calendar though?

OchonAgusOchonOh · 30/09/2021 12:22

@SuperStarRose

I wasn't impressed with Lumene products. They do nothing for my skin.
The only one I liked was the skin tint. The medium was too pale, except during the depths of winter, so I ordered the dark too. I mix the two of them in different proportions depending on the time of year.

Most of the other products were all right but I wouldn't bother re-buying, although some of the moisturisers were too light for my more mature skin.

MidnightMeltdown · 30/09/2021 12:27

@Jooox

That's funny. I'm curious about lumene as I haven't tried any of their products before, but when I looked at it I didn't think that it looked like it was worth more than the rituals calendar, which is under £60, so I bought that instead.

I think that they're pushing their luck with the price. The sizes are small, and as with all calendars, they'll always be some products that people don't want/like. I think that a lot of the single brand calendars are overpriced tbh, which is why I don't normally buy them. It benefits the brand to have people try their products as they are likely to repurchase things they like. They need to consider that they are giving out samples, not full sizes, and people want a significant discount for buying in bulk.

SuperStarRose · 30/09/2021 14:48

I think if you have young skin in your 20's that doesn't require strong actives then it's a very nice clean line to use.

I'm on the cusp of getting wrinkles so am using stronger more active ingredients which work in my skins favour.

My JL AC last year was full of fantastic products I'd wanted to try and they worked exceptionally well.

This year I'm so torn between AC as none have quite what I think I want or need. But that's the point isn't it to explore different ranges yet still I'm perplexed Grin

Jooox · 30/09/2021 16:21

Very good points @MidnightMeltdown

You’ve convinced me to go for a multi brand AC.

Fingers crossed for some discounts in the next few weeks. I’m noticing many that were sold out instantly last year are still in stock.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 30/09/2021 17:19

[quote MidnightMeltdown]@Jooox

That's funny. I'm curious about lumene as I haven't tried any of their products before, but when I looked at it I didn't think that it looked like it was worth more than the rituals calendar, which is under £60, so I bought that instead.

I think that they're pushing their luck with the price. The sizes are small, and as with all calendars, they'll always be some products that people don't want/like. I think that a lot of the single brand calendars are overpriced tbh, which is why I don't normally buy them. It benefits the brand to have people try their products as they are likely to repurchase things they like. They need to consider that they are giving out samples, not full sizes, and people want a significant discount for buying in bulk.[/quote]
I agree with you on that.

I got it last year with a very good gwp on beauty bay (I think). I'd had a glass or two of wine and was on here where everyone seemed to be buying it that evening with the gwp so it didn't take much to persuade me.

I definitely wouldn't go with a single brand if it was my only calendar because they tend to be a bit boring and poor value.

Tanaqui · 30/09/2021 17:50

Just a different experience- I'm 50 and Lumene is good on my skin! But I agree single brand calendars are somehow less fun.

AprilLady · 30/09/2021 21:14

@Jooox and others that may be interested; there is a site wide discount on Feelunique: SAVEBIG20 that works for the Lumene calendar so it is still effectively 20% off (there is also an additional Lumene free gift included).

That said, I agree with the comments above that the single brand calendars are generally much less good value than the multi-brand ones.

Jooox · 30/09/2021 22:55

Oooooo just as I’m throwing in the towel on Lumene @AprilLady draws me back in with an offer Grin

I’d ideally like a mixed AC but if limiting to cruelty free only (ruling out those with contents owned by companies selling in China), that leaves:

  1. H&B
  2. Body Shop
  3. Lumene

Any I’m missing? I need to start a spreadsheet.

Jooox · 30/09/2021 22:56
  1. Boots No.7
AprilLady · 30/09/2021 23:01

@Jooox, Grin

Ponks · 30/09/2021 23:28

@Jooox I think the Pip Bix advent calendar is cruelty free.

Ponks · 30/09/2021 23:29

Pip Box!

HagridHair · 01/10/2021 00:51

Has any ordered the jo Malone one?

HagridHair · 01/10/2021 00:51

Anyone*

HagridHair · 01/10/2021 01:37

Tbh it's between jo malone, Liberty and Charlotte tilbury but Charlotte tilbury is only 12 items for £150 which is steep! When you could have 12 extra for £50 more from Liberty 🤔

BunnytheFriendlyDragon · 01/10/2021 05:58

The House of Fraser looks good especially if you like make up.

I think the latest in beauty does too.

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