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.

Oh wow, just catching up with the thread and am surprised that the ASOS box sold out so fast - that beats the CB calendar! They can't have had many boxes!

The next editors box was much better IMO, and that took a few days to sell out.

My drawers of disappointment would always be eye liner and mascara as I can’t wear them.

Does anyone know if the Net a Porter calendar has been released yet? At about 11am it wish still saying not yet available on the search page but around 3 that had disappeared but when you clicked on it it said not available to purchase. Worried this means I missed it and it sold out. Been holding out for this one and will be gutted if I missed it.

@HowToMurderYourLife

Does anyone know if the Net a Porter calendar has been released yet? At about 11am it wish still saying not yet available on the search page but around 3 that had disappeared but when you clicked on it it said not available to purchase. Worried this means I missed it and it sold out. Been holding out for this one and will be gutted if I missed it.

They tweeted on the 6th to say it’s sold out

@Snally82 I think they rowed back on that. I read it would be 11 October. Customer services told me an email would be sent to subscribers when it launches so don't lose hope, not yet. That was told to me after that 6 October tweet.

Ohh I hope so!

Noooooooooooooooo!

Oh how gutting. I’ve been checking daily and it said coming soon until earlier today.

Oh well hopefully I will get the cult calendar. Bet that goes out stupid fast too probably when I am stuck in work with no phone. Wondering if I should just order the flannels one as they do a decent NHS discount on top. Can’t really afford 2 but worry I will end up with none. Oh for 2 years ago when the SpaceNK one hung around long enough to combine with their Christmas GWP!

Oh fingers crossed then.

Here's a tweet they sent on the 7th.

@supadupapupascupa thanks! I use olaplex so that’s £26. I’d like to try a le labo despite they’re so small but they’re £60. Tje scrub and the demarological would be another £60. And the voucher. So I’d be close to £150 in items I’d like.

Neck and décolletage cream is always a drawer of disappointment for me. I don't really see the purpose of it. I automatically rub my regular moisturiser into my neck, and the forgotten neck creams sit around unloved.

@MidnightMeltdown

Neck and décolletage cream is always a drawer of disappointment for me. I don't really see the purpose of it. I automatically rub my regular moisturiser into my neck, and the forgotten neck creams sit around unloved.

Mine used to lie around collecting dust till I actually used one (prai) and I was embarrassed to admit to myself that it made a noticeable difference in tightening and smoothing the skin on my neck.

Does anyone know a site/video that does honest reviews instead of telling you how fantastic/ what good value they all are?

Leaning towards F&M I think but the products are a bit obscure (to me anyway) so would like to know a bit more!

Just found Cosmetopia. She's put me off F&M quite successfully. Her top 3 are Space NK, NAP & CB in no particular order!

@Stokey fleurdeforce on YouTube has just released her annual video. She doesn't really go through all the contents tho - just a high level view - her top two are Space NK and CB. Liberty doesn't feature nor M&S. She rated Next and JL. It's so personal tho isn't it?!

@Stokey, Cosmetopia is great. Recommend this from last year if you want a laugh:

m.youtube.com/watch?v=nvT60KC9UgY

I don’t always entirely agree with her though. I’m okay with getting generous deluxe/travel sizes rather than just full sizes, and my rather more mature skin concerns are a little different to hers. But she is refreshingly honest and clearly isn’t being paid for reviews.

@WaterScarf

I can't say that I've noticed any difference from the ones that I've used, but I tend to donate the most expensive ones to my mum as she's always complaining about her neck! It might be that I'm not quite at the age yet where neck creams are needed.

NaP Twitter answers on the calendar really are hopeless. It gives a very poor impression of the brand and is putting me of purchasing (if it actually becomes available).

Cosmetopia is brilliant. Like AprilLady, I don't always agree with her reviews, but I love the fact that she gives an honest opinion. I totally agree with her about brands sending out tat like jade rollers etc and sample sizes. I think she's younger than me though and looking for different types of products (for acne prone skin etc). I'm sure that she'll love a candle and room spray in 10 years time 😂

I generally think that space nk and cult beauty are designed for younger people (cult beauty in particular tends to have oil free products and things for spot prone skin). This is why you tubers tend to love them - because most are quite young. F&M and NAP on the other hand are targeted at an older age group with more anti ageing etc.

For those still waiting on M&S they've updated their page with a countdown and now hinting at the contents - but don't get too excited yet, its just a lot of little boxes no details: www.marksandspencer.com/c/beauty-box

That's a good point @MidnightMeltdown. She did point out that F&M had 9 lifestyle products though which I do agree sounds a bit many. I'm mid 40s and have never used a room spray! Also my kids don't really need the sleep spray and calming balm, they're pre teens so actually any oily cleanser would be great for them. Her colouring is similar to me too and I do agree about not being able to wear nudes - think the VB pout is in one of them that really wouldn't work.

I feel like every time I'm close to making a decision, I go back to the drawing board!

@MidnightMeltdown

I generally think that space nk and cult beauty are designed for younger people (cult beauty in particular tends to have oil free products and things for spot prone skin). This is why you tubers tend to love them - because most are quite young. F&M and NAP on the other hand are targeted at an older age group with more anti ageing etc.

I'm nearer 50 than 40, and my skin is really oily!

Some of us older people do need things for oily skin as well as anti-ageing stuff.

I think the value really depends on what you’d use. You could have the most positive impartial review but if they’re not products you’ll use or enjoy then it’s not good value. I went through each calendar myself working out the value only of the products I know I’ll use/ love. I then looked up product reviews of products that I didn’t know. I.e. there is a calendar that has a facial moisturiser that at first glance looked great for my skin type but when I looked up reviews they weren’t great at all.

The videos are good for seeing the products though, rather than just a list. I watched one unboxing recently and the girl was lovely but had never even heard of Liz Earle Skin Tonic and didn’t know what to do with that or EL ANR so I couldn’t take anything she said seriously - but it was worth it to actually see what you get.

@RockaLock, yes, I’m now the other side of 50 and still have oily/combination skin. It’s my teenage DC who need the anti-acne stuff though.