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

[Coniferhedge]

As you were everyone!

Wow, I love the House of Fraser calendar

@HagridHair I really don’t rate Charlotte Tilbury products- fund the make up drying and doesn’t last long.

I have ordered the Molton Brown one, only because I love their products and know that I will like and use everything in it.

I have had the White Company one in the past and loved it. Has a lot of full size products. It is sort of samey each year though - so probably wouldn't get it again.

I bought Lumene last year with a code but in addition to a multibrand calendar as I wanted to try a range of the products after hearing good things about them. I opened it earlier this year, I didn’t open it as an advent calendar. Sizes are small but it’s mainly facial skincare, where sizes of products tend to be smaller. Rituals is mainly body care, where sizes tend to be larger. I’m glad I tried it as it’s another brand I can tick off an the products were nice but I still prefer my long term favourites. I enjoy trying new products every now and again but products would have to be amazing for me to change my usual products.

I bought rituals this year, not as an advent calendar, but just to try the products in their range, so have already opened it. To be honest, I don't rate it and wouldn't buy it again. There are some nice products in there, and the candles smell lovely, but for bath and body products, most things are very small and will only last a couple of uses. There are also a few 'body mists' in there which smell like body sprays that I would wear as a teenager in the 90s. I don't mind as I wanted to try the products, but I wouldn't buy it again. I think you're far better off buying gift sets or full size products of things you want.

@HagridHair you can probably get Liberty and Charlotte Tilbury for the price of Jo Malone! Personally I wouldn't get CT or JM as I don't think that they are very good value - you're better off just buying the products that you like from the brands.

Am I right in thinking Selfridges is out today? There's nothing in the website ?

Charlotte tilbury did some great offers for Black Friday last year. I got a mystery box end some other stuff, lots of freebies that made good gifts. If you're just wanting to try CT I'd recommend waiting for those rather than getting the calendar.

The bobbi brown calendar looks nice.

I think I've decided not to get one but there's a good chance I'll end up buying M&S especially if I see it in store

House of Fraser available to pre-order now beautyadventcalendar.net/house-of-fraser-advent-calendar-2021/

It is mainly small sizes but at €144 that's a bit more acceptable. The drawers of disappointment for me are the false lashes (dd would take though), the nail varnish, the eye palette and the wash-off cleanser.

I'm now throwing this into the mix. So it's either CB, which is more expensive, bigger sizes, more items and similar number of DoDs vs cheaper by about €100, smaller sizes.

Is anyone else disappointed that the HOF calendar has proper products in it?!

@toffeeshock

Is anyone else disappointed that the HOF calendar has proper products in it?!

Yes, very disappointed. Shame I don’t have a cat to check the size of the contents against 😀

@toffeeshock

Is anyone else disappointed that the HOF calendar has proper products in it?!

Was just about to say, I'm so disappointed that HOF isn't as good as the 2017 one

@toffeeshock

Is anyone else disappointed that the HOF calendar has proper products in it?!

Took me a minute to get that

Yes, not a funnel or tub of glitter in sight. Although the eyeshadow palette is pretty crap looking.

I thought the HoF and Flannels ones had quite a few overlaps and so did some digging; they have indeed been curated together as they are both owned by Fraser Group (formerly Sports Direct). Sadly that puts me off them a bit…though I do still shop at my local HoF!

@OchonAgusOchonOh, I quite like the eyeshadow palette as I really rate Natasha Denona eyeshadows…in fact, I already have the one included in the Flannels calendar.

@AprilLady - I quite like the eyeshadow palette as I really rate Natasha Denona eyeshadows

It's the colours I'm not so keen on but good to know they're good quality.

That's interesting @AprilLady

Have to say that neither HOF or flannels appeal to me. I'm also put off by the makeup colours.

@MidnightMeltdown, yes, the bright red lipsticks in particular are not for me. I did wonder whether the Flannels one in particular was aimed at a younger demographic than my middle aged self.

Thank you @Ponks I’d never heard of pip box before.

I’ve settled on body shop for November, H&B for December and should lumene go in the sale I’ll get that for January. And I won’t feel guilty about being a greedy little pig because it’s been such a shit year

I agree about those red lipsticks on those of us of more mature years. HoF lipsticks are much better colours than the Flannel ones.

I’ve just bought a MAC mehr lipstick, and now it seems to be in loads of boxes

@Jooox gold plan and yes we deserve treats.
I don’t mind a red lipstick but I don’t go out much in the evenings anymore 😳 like a box set and 🍷

I only really like natural pink shades on my lips so all the offering are a bit too bright or dark for me. I’ve never been able to pull off red!

@toffeeshock

I only really like natural pink shades on my lips so all the offering are a bit too bright or dark for me. I’ve never been able to pull off red!

Yeah. I got a red Mac one last year or the year before that supposedly suits everyone. It doesn't.

HoF is surprisingly good. Small sizes but decent price point. Sad about the lack of funnel tho