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!

[quote OchonAgusOchonOh]@festivefuschias - tried the sleeping mask last night. Instructions are to put it on as the last item in your routine and then to rinse the following morning.

It felt quite nice last night but my skin was a bit tight after I rinsed it so I'm not so sure of it. I wonder do you really need to rinse?[/quote]
Thanks for your thoughts. I’m not sure you’d really need to rinse thought could you use your usual cleanser as usual? Feeling tight after rinsing doesn’t sound ideal.

That should have been though, not thought.

I think once you try the NARS pencil you can’t really mistake it for a lip liner! Unless lip liners have changed from those that were around years ago - can’t say I’ve owned one for many years!

Do the Space NK items say free sample on them?! if they do then I think that’s poor. This calendar isn’t cheap, nothing about it is free. They could at least have arranged deluxe sample sizes. But as I said on the JL thread, that’s why I didn’t go for Space NK in the end - the tiny sizes.

@festivefuschias - I’m not sure you’d really need to rinse thought could you use your usual cleanser as usual? Feeling tight after rinsing doesn’t sound ideal.

Possibly but I don't bother cleansing in your morning.

Ah ok. I’d probably try not rinsing and see if you can keep the benefits of the mask going then.

@festivefuschias

Ah ok. I’d probably try not rinsing and see if you can keep the benefits of the mask going then.

Yeah. That's what I was thinking.

If anyone is still looking for a Jadvent, the NAP advent calendar is now 30% off, as is the 12 day Chantecaille one (also on the NAP website).

@festivefuschias yes they say free sample on the back of each tube. Poor form.

I've just looked at the back of my Sisley items which are 10ml and they do indeed say free sample on the back. Mine did both come in a free winter beauty box so that's ok but yes I'd be a bit disappointed if it was in an AC.

Saying that though the Sisley items work wonders on my skin and the 10ml does last a while for me. It's great for skin like mine that's just tipping over the edge and starting to show its age in a sudden and alarming way

Day 22 ( 3 days to go!)

Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm Harrods. This looks really interesting, one I haven’t tried before. Once I got beyond the mist that used to appear everywhere, I found some really great products from this brand, so have high hopes for this.

Galinee Face Vinegar. F&M. Definitely full sized. I’m not sure about something labelled vinegar for my face, but reviews are good. It’s supposed to be a relatively gentle toner.

This works stress-check roll on . M&S 2021. Another one DD will enjoy far more than me, so it will go to her.

Stila eyeliner, brown. M&S 2018. This is a colour I use, so happy.

2018 definitely catching up;
13.5:8.5 to M&S 2021

Scientist eye cream. Another new brand to me. It promises amazing things. I'm currently still slowly making my way through last year's eye creams so it will be a while before I get to it.

I like the roll on things and it smells lovely.

@OchonAgusOchonOh

Scientist eye cream. Another new brand to me. It promises amazing things. I'm currently still slowly making my way through last year's eye creams so it will be a while before I get to it.

I like the roll on things and it smells lovely.

Autocorrect error.

Scientia, not scientist. Although I'm sure scientists were involved in its development.

JL is fresh soy face cleanser.

ASOS is a generously sized bottle of le mini macaron nail and cuticle oil and a pretty sparkly nail file.

Space Nk is Augustinus Bader rich cream and a sample oil.

Anyone who has the NAP calendar. How are you finding it? I have the JL one and I've been loving it but SO tempted by NAP 30% off the calendar. Worth it? Shall I order for January?

Yep, NAP calendar is very very good imo. Almost tempted to buy another!

Ordered 😬

I was very tempted by the NAP one originally and would definitely go for it at that price. Except they won't ship to Ireland

@rosiebl good decision NAP calendar is fab I've been really pleased with nearly all the items so far good sizes too! x Enjoy 😊

Do you think the products in the NAP would keep until next year? Thinking of buying it now for 2022.

@Jooox

Do you think the products in the NAP would keep until next year? Thinking of buying it now for 2022.

I've still got stuff from 2 years ago and it's fine. If you're not opening anything it will be fine.

@Jooox, yes, as long as the products stay sealed, I’d be very surprised if they weren’t still good in a year’s time.

Day 23: The photo is quite close up, it’s actually all fairly small sizes today:

Barbara Sturm anti- aging serum Harrods. Good to get a different serum to try from a high end brand.

Olverum body oil F&M. A change from the usual bath oil, which I love. Hoping this will be good too.

Formula night cream. M&S 2021. One of the staple products that I think appears every year - It’s definitely already appeared in the 2018 calendar. Fortunately I like it.

Autigraph highlighter/bronzer. M&S 2018. Not sure if this is a highlighter or bronzer. Either way, unlikely to be used by me, unfortunately.

So point to 2021 as it’s something I will use:

14.5 to 8.5 with only 2 days to go!

JL is a full size aromatherapy associates de-stress bath and shower oil - really happy with this, it’s another reason I bought this calendar.

ASOS is a gorgeous Iconic London eyeshadow palette in warm and blushing. Four gorgeous eyeshadow colours.

@AprilLady

Day 23: The photo is quite close up, it’s actually all fairly small sizes today:

Barbara Sturm anti- aging serum Harrods. Good to get a different serum to try from a high end brand.

Olverum body oil F&M. A change from the usual bath oil, which I love. Hoping this will be good too.

Formula night cream. M&S 2021. One of the staple products that I think appears every year - It’s definitely already appeared in the 2018 calendar. Fortunately I like it.

Autigraph highlighter/bronzer. M&S 2018. Not sure if this is a highlighter or bronzer. Either way, unlikely to be used by me, unfortunately.

So point to 2021 as it’s something I will use:

14.5 to 8.5 with only 2 days to go!

I got a Barbara Sturm scum last year and really liked it.

I love body oils. You definitely did well today.

Unless 2018 is so amazing in the last 2 days that you give it 3.5 points each day, 2021 has it.