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

[Coniferhedge]

As you were everyone!

@TheDuchessOfMN

We (EU) are very limited this year *@MountainDweller*

DH ordered HoF for me last week but got an email this morning saying that unfortunately, it’s unavailable for delivery. It’s frustrating that they had it advertised as available

Oh no! That was the one I was thinking of getting as I've gone off CB.

Are you in Ireland, as sometimes they treat us differently to rest of EU?

I'm now strongly leaning towards one or two of the CB beauty edits and topping them up with a few other bits to make my own.

The HOF calendar contains a nail polish which I expect is associated with shipping restrictions.

Oooh I didn't know Liberty did one. Is it hugely spendy? Is it toiletry-based or do you get gorgeous Liberty branded bits like silk scarves, photo frames, pens etc? I love just walking around and looking and the ambiance of that store although (dare I say it) not quite as much as I did before their refurb. I used to love their sales when I was in my 20s, first working in London and could pick up quickly little odds and ends in bargain bins. Sorry, gone off topic x

I was holding on for CB but now I’ve changed my mind. It’s got some samey products like Nars Laguna and Strum that I’ve had before. I have some lovely products like tanning lotion left from last years SpaceNK. And think this year I might just prefer skincare. What do people think of Elemis calendar? Or another better calendar just for skincare?

@OchonAgusOchonOh Yes, I am! ☘️

My JL calendar has arrived! It’s very heavy.

@HarrietsweetHarriet It is beauty products - you can see it here - beautyadventcalendar.net/liberty-advent-calendar-2021/

@HeyDiddleDumplings

I was holding on for CB but now I’ve changed my mind. It’s got some samey products like Nars Laguna and Strum that I’ve had before. I have some lovely products like tanning lotion left from last years SpaceNK. And think this year I might just prefer skincare. What do people think of Elemis calendar? Or another better calendar just for skincare?

I had Elemis last year, just because I fancied trying more of the range - I love their papaya mask. I enjoyed using the products and I’m glad I’ve tried them all but I wouldn’t repurchase. It turned out that the mask is the only star product for me.

@toffeeshock that’s interesting! I do really like Elemis, but am only drawn to a few of their ranges. It’s a lot of money if I don’t love it!

It was worth it for me because I did use all of the products - unlike multi brand ones where there are always make up items that I won’t use. I just didn’t find any new holy grail products (probably a good thing!).

@MidnightMeltdown

The HOF calendar contains a nail polish which I expect is associated with shipping restrictions.

I don't want the nail polish. They could take it out of mine.

There is a summary (and I thunk a ranking) of the multi-brand calendars here beautyadventcalendar.net/best-multi-brand-advent-calendars-2021/

@TheDuchessOfMN - we can have a support group for us poor, disadvantaged EU citizens.

@OchonAgusOchonOh You know, I was just driving and thinking to myself of all the advent calendars that were available to us last year. If only we had known that so many of them were for the last time !
There will be certain Christmas songs that will be particularly poignant this year 😂😂😂

I looked at BT, but it’s just far too expensive. I would prefer to spend €300 choosing my own items.
I think I will treat myself to a Cult Beauty box too, and I have SpaceNK, so really can’t complain.

Have fun choosing yours

Is it a customs issue then? That couldn't be solved by a MNr buying one on your behalf, extracting the prohibited things, and sending it on to you. I guess you've already considered that?

@OchonAgusOchonOh

I expect that HOF didn't realise the problem until it was too late, which is why you were able to order it initially.

You don't normally see space nk and cult beauty putting nail polish and perfume in their calendars - probably for this reason. They are more experienced with shipping procedures for beauty products.

[quote MidnightMeltdown]@OchonAgusOchonOh

I expect that HOF didn't realise the problem until it was too late, which is why you were able to order it initially.

You don't normally see space nk and cult beauty putting nail polish and perfume in their calendars - probably for this reason. They are more experienced with shipping procedures for beauty products.[/quote]
Plus I think many of them (e.g. Look Fantastic, Beauty Bay etc) have EU bases too so they can ship from the EU.

I'm not sure this is even a brexit issue as there were always problems with certain products being shipped internationally if it involved airmail.

@LizzieMacQueen

Is it a customs issue then? That couldn't be solved by a MNr buying one on your behalf, extracting the prohibited things, and sending it on to you. I guess you've already considered that?

Hadn't thought of that option! The problem with that though is it becomes very expensive as you pay UK VAT, Irish VAT and, if it's over a certain amount (€135 I think), duty. You'd want to really want it and to be honest, none of them are appealing to me enough for that.

We used to be able to get around it in the past by using companies that provide a UK address and then forward it on, presumably without looking too closely at the contents.

That said, I'm not convinced nail varnish is prohibited as I've bought it from the UK before and the company I often buy from in Ireland ship to the UK.

[quote TheDuchessOfMN]@OchonAgusOchonOh You know, I was just driving and thinking to myself of all the advent calendars that were available to us last year. If only we had known that so many of them were for the last time !
There will be certain Christmas songs that will be particularly poignant this year 😂😂😂

I looked at BT, but it’s just far too expensive. I would prefer to spend €300 choosing my own items.
I think I will treat myself to a Cult Beauty box too, and I have SpaceNK, so really can’t complain.

Have fun choosing yours [/quote]
I agree re BT.

I'm definitely leaning towards the CB boxes and making my own now. There are two of the boxes that I like most things in and I can top up with a couple of things I like from the CB or HoF calendars. And of course add in a black eyeliner...

Thought I'd have a look at some of my favourite brands as this beauty advent calendar is quite new to me (I don't get out much). Origins has one for £60 but only includes 12 products and I thought the idea is having a surprise each day of December. Also it says the worth is about £90 so doesn't feel like that much of a bargain compared with others mentioned on this thread. Neal's Yard and Aesop don't seem to do them. I love their products but can't afford to buy them usually. If I'm lucky I occasionally get something as a gift or, if I'm feeling particularly confident I might pop in and ask for a sample or two if I'm passing a store. I'm not really up to speed with all the brands and acronyms mentioned above in the thread, I'm probably a bit older than the usual demographic and I live in the middle of nowhere so rarely get into a department store. I read about new products but prefer to see in the flesh or try a sample before spending a lot. I would like a brightening cream / tinted moisturiser like Nars or Charlotte Tilbury but don't feel confident choosing the right shade online...too spendy for me to make a mistake on the shade.

@HarrietsweetHarriet

Thought I'd have a look at some of my favourite brands as this beauty advent calendar is quite new to me (I don't get out much). Origins has one for £60 but only includes 12 products and I thought the idea is having a surprise each day of December. Also it says the worth is about £90 so doesn't feel like that much of a bargain compared with others mentioned on this thread. Neal's Yard and Aesop don't seem to do them. I love their products but can't afford to buy them usually. If I'm lucky I occasionally get something as a gift or, if I'm feeling particularly confident I might pop in and ask for a sample or two if I'm passing a store. I'm not really up to speed with all the brands and acronyms mentioned above in the thread, I'm probably a bit older than the usual demographic and I live in the middle of nowhere so rarely get into a department store. I read about new products but prefer to see in the flesh or try a sample before spending a lot. I would like a brightening cream / tinted moisturiser like Nars or Charlotte Tilbury but don't feel confident choosing the right shade online...too spendy for me to make a mistake on the shade.

Lots of us oldies on here

This is a really good website for information on the different calendars. I know what you mean about choosing shades though. It's really hard without a sample first.

@HarrietsweetHarriet

I think the idea of the 12 day ones is to open on the 12 days of Christmas between 25th and 6th Jan.

We probably all need one of those too

[quote MidnightMeltdown]@HarrietsweetHarriet

I think the idea of the 12 day ones is to open on the 12 days of Christmas between 25th and 6th Jan.

We probably all need one of those too [/quote]
What a good idea!

Another member of the oldies club here @HarrietsweetHarriet 😊. Love beauty advent calendars and live in hope of finding the elixir of eternal youth in one 😂