General “Waifs and Strays” Beauty Advent Calendar opening thread

[AprilLady]

As last year, I suggest we use this as a general beauty advent calendar thread for everyone with beauty calendars that may not be covered by other threads or who prefers a general thread. I’m opening FM, Harrods and M&S this year, and will aim to post on both this and the M&S threads.

Please can no-one post any spoilers before 7am on the relevant day.

Just over a week to go. I’m really looking forward to it!

It's not a very strong perfume and it doesn't have any staying power. I've just sprayed it again and I just can't smell it

Rituals is a nail file which for me is redundant as I get my nails done every 3 weeks at a salon!

Oooh, I like Floral Street perfumes! My favourite is Iris Goddess. That definitely has staying power

I'm pleased with the tea too. I don't normally drink rooibos but I don't mind it and chai flavour sounds nice for this time of year.

As JustLikea says, JL is Floral Street in Arizona Bloom. It smells very strong to me! I only did one spritz and it’s really strong. I like it, it’s unusual, though more of a summer scent. Will be nice for taking away.

ASOS is We are Paradox Repair 3 in 1 conditioner.

@AprilLady thanks! I got feedback that training went well and I was very patient so I don't mind it being recorded!

Tried my blueberry eyeliner and it was easy for a novice like me to apply! Let's see if it's still there at lunch or if it's slipped off into my wrinkles

Got micellar water in my Lumene today. Not 100% what this is or what stage of the routine this goes in? I will do some googling.

M&S hand lotion. Will use as a body lotion.

I like the sound of the moisturiser. It's a gel one. It's pretty small but it says to use a peanut size dollop so should last a bit.

My "posh"calendar envy coupled with feeling quite underwhelmed with M & S and Decleor so far means after (finally!!) getting a notification that Liberty were opening their beauty drop club this am I have signed up.

Plan is (what is it they say about all great plans? ) to spend NOT A PENNY on beauty next year whilst I'm subscribed and use my stash up (I'm a bit embarrassed at how much I've collected and not used this year in various boxes - why oh why do I hoard them? ) and ONLY purchase something that's a) essential and b) can't be replaced from what I have now. The 4 pretty boxes I'll get from Liberty in the mantime should satisfy my magpie tendency's.

Then hopefully when Liberty release their advent calendar next winter I'll just splurge using my "banked " ££. Or use it towards some lovely treat things when there is a good GWP.

Quality not quantity is my mantra for next year.

already has cramp at the prospect of sitting on my hands for so long

That sounds like a sensible plan @tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz You might have convinced me to do the same.

Space NK was a Dermalogica face wash.

Joox keep me on the straight and narrow

Good morning all, I start my holidays today so feeling very cheery ... apart from needing to go and have my covid test for flying to Ireland tomorrow ...
Today Rituals village is a small bar of soap, very happy with this as I like to bring my own soap to hotels (in case I dont like theirs). And museli is fruit of the forest.

Just realised I forgot to post yesterdays, it was a Jing foaming shower gel and almond and vanilla museli.

JL is Liz Earle Instant Boost skin tonic. Used this range many years ago and it didn’t do much for my skin back then but I’ll use this after removing face masks etc.

ASOS is the Deep Sleep body cocoon. I already have and use this - and I love it! I’m not a big fan of the spray because I forget to use it but if I put some of this body cream on before bed I always have a really great sleep. So I’m very happy to have another tube as a back up.

Hand cream in FeelUnique today, I have never heard of the brand but it will get used eventually.

A yummy dark chocolate orange and almond Kind bar in Degusta which will make a nice morning snack today!

Good day today:

Iconic mascara Harrods, full size. This is actually my HG mascara; I like a small wand and I don’t get panda eyes (Currently using a sample of Chantecaille Faux Cils which I have previously liked, but really isn’t working for me atm)

Espa skin polish F&M and also full size. Appears to be an exfoliator to be used a couple of times a week. Not a product I’ve tried before, so good too.

Autograph lip balm M&S 2021. I think the colour of this will suit me, so very happy.

Black eye pencil M&S 2018. Sigh

12:4 M&S 2021. I think after not doing one last year, M&S really put thought and effort into this year’s. Less repeats, more useful stuff. So far, I think M&S have really nailed it this year!

Very lippy day today. Bare minerals lipstick in Honesty and tinted lip balm in a similar colour in M&S. Love the colours so am really happy with both.

@AprilLady - I agree with you re M&S. It's definitely interesting to do the comparison between the 2 years. Unless 2018 wins the rest of advent, 2021 will win hands down.

@FaoinDrualus - welcome home in advance. Hope you have a lovely time. Are you bringing the rest of your calendars with you? I'm not so bothered about the rituals but I would hate to suffer muesli envy withdrawal.

JL - a Liz Earle toner - I'm not a fan

Boots No 7 - The obligatory black eyeliner - DD will love it - I prefer dark brown which I have plenty of.

Degusta - a snack bar which looks delicious

definitely @tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz I reckon between us we can make it to at least the 2nd of January!

Space Nk is Rose inc blush divine, a lip and cheek colour.

@OchonAgusOchonOh. I have my negative test cert and now set to fly! Hurray!! Just the actual trip to get through now.
I will not be bringing my calandars!! I will pick up the Rituals where I left off, on 18th Jan. The müsli will probably be eaten when I get back ... before the New Year dieting starts
I have an M&S waiting for me in Ireland, so will join in the opening of that one from Saturday ... but will probably rip through days 1-17 tomorrow evening over a Baileys coffee

[quote FaoinDrualus]@OchonAgusOchonOh. I have my negative test cert and now set to fly! Hurray!! Just the actual trip to get through now.
I will not be bringing my calandars!! I will pick up the Rituals where I left off, on 18th Jan. The müsli will probably be eaten when I get back ... before the New Year dieting starts
I have an M&S waiting for me in Ireland, so will join in the opening of that one from Saturday ... but will probably rip through days 1-17 tomorrow evening over a Baileys coffee [/quote]
Oh no. I'm gutted.

You could always make up some flavours just to keep me happy.

@FaoinDrualus have a brilliant time

A word of warning on the cereal bar from Degustabox. I’ve still got a chip in my front tooth from eating one of that brand’s bars a couple of years ago. Be careful!

Have a fab time @FaoinDrualus! I’m jealous. Always loved flying back home to Dublin for Xmas.

@Peridot1 bizarrely I was going to come on earlier to say that the nuts are luckily soft enough not to break or hurt teeth. Mine was anyway. I was hesitant to try it just in case it was too hard but it wasn't.

That’s good to hear @JustLikeaJingleBell! Might give it a go then. I couldn’t believe how hard the one I had previously was.