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.

[BunnytheFriendlyDragon]

I think the one I'm signed up to is just online @toffeeshock

I get a text every day with a deal

[Cailleach1]

I love the look of the 'By Terry' advent calendar. However, By Terry is not cruelty free any more as it is sold in China. I'm wrestling with myself about it, but probably won't buy. One could equivocate that the products which are sold in Europe aren't tested on animals, just the ones sold in China.

Maybe safer to just stick with Lumene, though.

[BunnytheFriendlyDragon]

I love the look of the 'By Terry' advent calendar. However, By Terry is not cruelty free any more as it is sold in China. I'm wrestling with myself about it, but probably won't buy. One could equivocate that the products which are sold in Europe aren't tested on animals, just the ones sold in China.

I would reason that's they choose to sell in a province where they have to test on animals so they are not cruelty free (not that I am fully cruelty free but trying to be)

[Offredismysister]

Harrods arrived, box perfect. I have opened every drawer & checked the contents & it’s all fine. I’ll remember what’s in drawer’s 1 & 25 but other than that I won’t.

[paradyning]

Anyone tried using the Space NK GWP code AFTERDARK1? It's not working

[Bavarois]

@paradyning I've just used it and AFAIK it worked. Just waiting on my confirmation email

Really need to stop the beauty spending now. I've got 3 advent calendars, got the recent Cult GWP and just got the Space NK GWP. It's getting ridiculous now

[clary]

OMG you people! Well I needed underwear for everyone for Christmas stockings and I always get it at M&S so...somehow the AC jumped into my basket.

Well I can follow the opening thread now. But in fact my not so stupid plan is to open most of it before Christmas and use as gifts - I have just added "something from M&S calendar" to four people on my list, so that's only £10 a head. There will be something there for all I am sure.

I mean I could do this with any AC but I am treating this one, as it is such a good price, as specifically bought with that in mind. Woo hoo ticked off several gifts there :D

[paradyning]

Got it working now thanks!!

[OchonAgusOchonOh]

@clary - OMG you people! Well I needed underwear for everyone for Christmas stockings and I always get it at M&S so...somehow the AC jumped into my basket.

I know. Dreadful enablers, aren't they (or we)?

Clever idea with the christmas presents. My one is all mine.

[PomRuns]

I purchased 3 (sister, best friend and me) think it looks the best one yet.

[notangelinajolie]

I had another pathetic excuse of an email from CB yesterday afternoon. It was literally the same words in a different order. I sent a stinging email back. They won't win, I am relentless when it comes to consumer rights.

On a good note, I've checked JL and GB and everything is present and correct.

[HowToMurderYourLife]

I emailed them last night asking for my money back @notangelinajolie. Will see how long it takes them to respond. I won't be letting it go either! They have had more than enough time to sort it out by now.

I don't expect many are going to roll over and let them steal £215. So there is nothing to gain by dragging it out. They are just making more work in having to answer the angry emails!

[LoveLabradors]

Another warning re cult beauty. I had a couple of edits to send back (I foolishly reordered them as the day after first order there was a free gift) - and realised in both orders there were no longer any returns forms and free post labels. I emailed them and they sent me out a new form and cut out label that had no mention of free post on it. Bear in mind that their website still categorically states free returns (I’ve screen shot it) - I emailed them and got a poor excuse that it would work once at post office for free. Just been and surprise it didn’t work and the postmistress came over and said categorically in no way was it a free post label. So I’ve just paid £9.99 for pleasure of return. I’m going to claim it back off them no matter how long I have to battle with them. I knew they would tank with the hut group. I’m furious.

[OchonAgusOchonOh]

@LoveLabradors

Another warning re cult beauty. I had a couple of edits to send back (I foolishly reordered them as the day after first order there was a free gift) - and realised in both orders there were no longer any returns forms and free post labels. I emailed them and they sent me out a new form and cut out label that had no mention of free post on it. Bear in mind that their website still categorically states free returns (I’ve screen shot it) - I emailed them and got a poor excuse that it would work once at post office for free. Just been and surprise it didn’t work and the postmistress came over and said categorically in no way was it a free post label. So I’ve just paid £9.99 for pleasure of return. I’m going to claim it back off them no matter how long I have to battle with them. I knew they would tank with the hut group. I’m furious.

You did better than me at returning.

I mistakenly ordered the same lipstick twice (meant to order a different colour the second time) so decided to return. No free return from the EU but as one of the lipsticks was free I figured I'd pay to return.

I spent about 30 minutes carefully packaging it up so that it wouldn't be damaged and in the hope I would squeeze it in as an envelope rather than a packet and so save on the postage.

Off I trotted to the post office. Queued up, waiting for the two people in from of me to have long, in-depth conversations with the postmistress (small village, conversation is compulsory). She asks me what's in it so she can do the customs declaration. I tell her it's a lipstick only for her to inform me that it can't go through the post due to the aviation rules.

We then have a long conversation (while the next person in the queue waits patiently until it's their turn to have a long conversation with her) about how it's strange that the couriers get away with delivering it and how loads of people have received creams and stuff in the post but can't return it.

Ah well, dd now has an extra item for her stocking. The postmistress and I are in agreement that I shouldn't tell her it was free.

[notangelinajolie]

@HowToMurderYourLife I wish I'd done that now. I gave them a choice. A confirmed delivery date (sad as I am I still want the calendar)
or my money back. And then quoted a consumer law at them.

@LoveLabradors good idea to screen shot everything. I'm going to do that now before they delete my account for being that customer

[clary]

I'm so sorry so many of you are having issues with CB :(

My calendar arrived the next day but it's not acceptable to give such varying customer service.

Have people's JLP calendars arrived OK? Looking at it I think it was a genuine dupe for CB for less money.

[notangelinajolie]

@clary

I'm so sorry so many of you are having issues with CB :(

My calendar arrived the next day but it's not acceptable to give such varying customer service.

Have people's JLP calendars arrived OK? Looking at it I think it was a genuine dupe for CB for less money.

My JL came the next day. It was for me.

CB was for my DD's birthday present. I think I'm going to give her my JL one.

DH says he will buy me the Rituals one so I won't be left with nothing.

[Cailleach1]

I know I'm like a stuck record - but does anyone have Lumene, and is are the products as lovely as they look? Even products which are not from the calendar.

[clary]

@Cailleach1

I know I'm like a stuck record - but does anyone have Lumene, and is are the products as lovely as they look? Even products which are not from the calendar.

I had Lumene last year and it was really nice. No variety of course but still good. A lot of moisturisers (not looked at this years) and a small amount of makeup.

I really loved the vitamin C range and have RPd a couple of items.

[OchonAgusOchonOh]

@Cailleach1

I know I'm like a stuck record - but does anyone have Lumene, and is are the products as lovely as they look? Even products which are not from the calendar.

I got it last year too. It was a bit samey so I wouldn't have liked it to be my only calendar.That said, the products were mainly lovely and I have bought the foundation again. Sizes are quite small though.

I think if you can get it at a discount or with a gwp, it's worth getting. I'm not so sure it's good value at full price.

[PomRuns]

@OchonAgusOchonOh loved your story - so funny !

[OchonAgusOchonOh]

[quote PomRuns]@OchonAgusOchonOh loved your story - so funny ![/quote]

[xmasturkey]

JL has 15% off on some calendars. Milton brown is 20% off.

[PomRuns]

That’s very interesting info @xmasturkey

[LastSummerHere]

Just ordered Harrods! Checked on the off-chance it was back in stock after missing out on Tuesday and it is! So that's me finished!! FIVE calendars!! And I was saying how meh I was about them this year!! I have to be in the lead, surely?? Rituals, White Company, M&S, Harrods and Net a Porter. I'm going to share them with my daughters as five is a bit ridiculous.