Beauty Advent Calendars 2021 Thread 3 - Decisions Decisions! (Spoilers included)

[Peridot1]

Hope it’s ok to have started the thread as we seemed to run out of the last one a bit quickly! And I was really enjoying the thread and reading everyone’s thoughts.

I started reading the first one determined not to buy one this year.

Currently I have the Rituals one and have just ordered the Origins 12 Day one for the 12 days of Christmas!

Let the chat and decisions continue!

Regarding sorting and sorting like others I have my stash sorted into bags of cleansers, toners etc. Now that travel is back on the cards I will use them up that way.

I could feel myself wavering on not buying another calendar. I had the CB last year and really liked it. Definitely could be convinced by the Fortnum one this year. But I went through my stash last night. I definitely do not need any more skin care. Probably until 2023! Except maybe cleansers and I’ve just ordered 3 new ones and I have two unopened. I think I’m a hopeless case.

Thank you SaigonSaigon for that tip. It looked as if the advent calendar was eligible even if it wasn't for the code on the H&B website. Quidco were brilliant when my "save £20 at Ocado" didn't initially track a couple of weeks ago. I've taken a PDF of the offer terms just to play safe.

Long haired teen DD is getting into skin care, but not make-up, so this will make a good Christmas treat (especially if I have saved £15). I might have to sub/swap some of the more mumsy products.

@Peridot1

I could feel myself wavering on not buying another calendar. I had the CB last year and really liked it. Definitely could be convinced by the Fortnum one this year. But I went through my stash last night. I definitely do not need any more skin care. Probably until 2023! Except maybe cleansers and I’ve just ordered 3 new ones and I have two unopened. I think I’m a hopeless case.

I was tempted to buy NAP, but I went and had a look in my stash and reminded myself how many products I already have, that I only have one face, and that beauty products expire. It definitely helped remove the temptation.

@HowToMurderYourLife - Oh I hope they bring that edit back for your poor turtle

Poor turtle will have to settle for the More Glow one. They're not doing the self care one after all. Maybe supply chain issues?

I think people sign up for the updates but won't necessarily want it.

Exactly @MidnightMeltdown! I only have one face. Every year I say I’m not buying any more until I’ve used everything up. And yet……. Somehow I buy more!

@LaBrujaPiruja

79,997

I guess it depends on what you want/need. For me, NAP, JL, Space NK and Liberty are much better than CB (in terms of products I use or want to try). My only problem with Liberty this year is that it feels it is the same as last year’s. And the year before last…

79,996

I signed up twice - work and private emails - to make sure I don’t miss it

But I’ve stupidly got an appointment at 10am that morning to choose the windows for our new house. Shall I send DH on his own 😀?

Yes I signed up more than once I think as I kept forgetting whether I had or not! I would imagine it could be as low 10k still being interested which still seems a lot but no idea how many they make?

I reckon that CB must make a lot. More than department stores. They specialise in beauty, ship worldwide (I think), and it's in their interest for people to try products that they may potentially repurchase.

I was about to say that space nk always seem to have a lot of calendars, but looks like it's sold out again.

I think that 'stock' for some companies (e.g. John Lewis), may be limited by how many they can physically ship in one go, rather than how many calendars they actually have, which is why they keep coming back in stock.

I'm on the CB waitlist but won't be trying to buy. Went with Fenwick instead, and it's already arrived.

I'm sorry to see another Liberty calendar had all its contents stolen ... wonder how Liberty is going to be handling that going forward as it's clearly not a one off issue.

I’ve also been thinking about how many calendars are made available. I would guess Cult Beauty sell between 1000 and 5000 calendars (they are giving £40k to charity from the sales, at £10 per calendar that would be 4000 calendars, which sounds plausible?).

One of the limitations may be how many items the brands are prepared to supply to them for the calendars. I don’t actually know how it works, but I’m guessing there are negotiations between the calendar providers and the brands about what goes in - if they are being given stock at very reduced prices there is probably a limit to how many items the brands are prepared to give.

I suspect AB virtually give their Rich cream away, which is why it is in all the calendars!

@AprilLady

I’ve also been thinking about how many calendars are made available. I would guess Cult Beauty sell between 1000 and 5000 calendars (they are giving £40k to charity from the sales, at £10 per calendar that would be 4000 calendars, which sounds plausible?).

One of the limitations may be how many items the brands are prepared to supply to them for the calendars. I don’t actually know how it works, but I’m guessing there are negotiations between the calendar providers and the brands about what goes in - if they are being given stock at very reduced prices there is probably a limit to how many items the brands are prepared to give.

I suspect AB virtually give their Rich cream away, which is why it is in all the calendars!

Yes I think you are probably right with about 4,000 I was thinking 2-5k in my head.

If anyone is interested JL is back in stock. Checked 5 minutes ago & placed an order.
Feeling somewhat guilty as also have Space NK.
Looking forward to a lovely December

@BurningTheToast I'll be signing up as soon as the next wave opens, it feels a bit too good to be true in a way. Let us know how the first box is!

Pleasantly surprised with my ASOS beauty box. LOVE the CT lipstick, it's a real everyday shade for me (fair skinned, reddish brown hair) so hoping to get the full size for Christmas.

The face mask is another winner - went on super smoothly this morning.
Only real dud is the red eye shadow palette.

@AprilLady

I’ve also been thinking about how many calendars are made available. I would guess Cult Beauty sell between 1000 and 5000 calendars (they are giving £40k to charity from the sales, at £10 per calendar that would be 4000 calendars, which sounds plausible?).

One of the limitations may be how many items the brands are prepared to supply to them for the calendars. I don’t actually know how it works, but I’m guessing there are negotiations between the calendar providers and the brands about what goes in - if they are being given stock at very reduced prices there is probably a limit to how many items the brands are prepared to give.

I suspect AB virtually give their Rich cream away, which is why it is in all the calendars!

I reckon that somebody at net a porter over ordered on overpriced gua sha stones that they can't sell, which is why they keep palming them off in their advent calendars...

I reckon that somebody at net a porter over ordered on overpriced gua sha stones that they can't sell, which is why they keep palming them off in their advent calendars....

[quote plantingandpotting]@BurningTheToast I'll be signing up as soon as the next wave opens, it feels a bit too good to be true in a way. Let us know how the first box is!

Pleasantly surprised with my ASOS beauty box. LOVE the CT lipstick, it's a real everyday shade for me (fair skinned, reddish brown hair) so hoping to get the full size for Christmas.

The face mask is another winner - went on super smoothly this morning.
Only real dud is the red eye shadow palette.[/quote]
I thought that too, but it's Liberty and so I had more confidence as I buy from them fairly often. I thought it might be a way of softening the blow of the GWP which can get a bit spendy. Although that's because for me it's an excuse to be a kid in a sweet shop!

The Liberty subscription boxes are worth about £75 each and are sample sized. I'm expecting there to be very small amounts of expensive products, but it will be a nice surprise in the post.

I've ordered Glossybox. I didn't mean to get another one (already have H&B and Rituals, though I'll share Rituals with DD - she was keen to have a soap/bath one). Now definitely won't buy M&S, it didn't look as good as Glossybix even for half the price.

Just got off work to find I've missed Space NK, damn. Anyone know if that will come back again? I will be trying for CB then I think

@Stokey

You can sign up to be emailed when space nk is available, so I'm thinking yes.

@HowToMurderYourLife yes it was obviously tampered with. Usually I don’t open them until December so would have left it! But the selotape had been cut down the middle which was the only opening. DPD handed it to me like no problem! I’ve seen a few people have the issue on Twitter too