Controversial take on beauty advent calendars...

[nanbread]

They're really shitty for the environment.

Tiny bottles = more plastic used

Stuff people don't want - wasteful

Excess packaging compared to buying normally, eg some come in individual cardboard boxes too

Excess in general - who needs a new beauty product every day for 25 days?

I loved it when I got one about 4 years ago but I decided not to again as it seemed a bit overindulgent.

Thoughts? Does anyone make a more ethical one? Do you care about that aspect of them? (Puts on hard hat )

Least controversial opinion ever 🙄

Up there with “am i the only one who hates fake nails?” (No). “Am I the only one who doesn’t drink alcohol?” (No). Etc etc

I haven’t got a beauty calendar this year but I usually get one and I’m not buying the waste arguement. I’ve bought a handful of products after trying them from a calendar and falling in love with them. We’ve had such a shitty 21 months I’d never knock something that brings a bit of joy. I think you’re just virtue signalling @nanbread - unconvincingingly.

I got the Liberty calendar - it doubles as bauble storage which meant I didn’t need to buy a plastic box

Well there’s plenty in between your beauty advent and buying a special box - you wouldn’t have to buy a plastic box you could repurpose any box.
I think people are very good at rationalising wasteful behaviour when it’s something fashion or beauty related or otherwise a treat. We’re all supposed to say “ yes buy another coat” “ yes you need another lipstick” “ yes you need more shoes” and to say otherwise is seen as being a party pooper. I’m certainly not immune to the pressure myself and not perfect but I’m trying to reduce my purchase of new items and single use plastic. My issue with beauty advents is that I sincerely doubt everyone uses everything that comes in them and it pushes this agenda of more stuff rather than buying one fantastic thing and using it until it’s gone. I don’t expect many to agree on S&B though… it’s like the Christmas thread… hardly the model of restraint.

I got one this year for the first time ever, my dh surprised me with it, after seeing it reduced. My usual beauty routine is soap and moisturiser. I don't buy anything else, I don't have tons of products to use up. I'm very much enjoying trying new serums and things and it is an absolute treat for me. I don't feel at all guilty, I use a heck of a lot less than most of the female population all year around, exclusively buy second hand clothes, furniture and tech, I don't eat meat etc. I am thoughtful about almost everything that I buy so let me crack on in peace with smearing 5 different products on my face every evening until they are gone.

And just to add so far I will use every single thing that I have gotten in it except the lipgloss which my dd was more than happy to relieve me of.

Not remotely controversial or original, and no thanks, I don't need to demonstrate I've looked at their sustainability to get your approval.

It was reported earlier this year that 20 companies globally are responsible for 55% of the world's single use plastic waste. It would be a better use of your time to campaign for them to change their ways. Please come back and share your efforts on that front if you're already doing this. Or maybe start a new thread about it? I'm sure we'd all feel better to know that you're playing your part and not just virtue signalling.

I agree OP, and still have a few bits from my M&S one about three or four years ago that I've never got around to using. I considered one of the nail polish ones but it really is better to buy what I want instead and not end up with colours I wouldn't wear or already own.

Apparently some people can’t have this conversation without resorting to snarkiness. I for one need to do better.

I got bought a molton brown one a couple of years ago from my hubby as a treat but yes as you said I didn’t like a big chunk of them and they had these plastic bauble shape shower gel containers that I couldn’t get the damn stuff out off!

I admit to getting rid of a few of advent items and family didn’t want them and I kept a couple for travelling! It was a waste of money but my hubby thought he was doing a lovely thing (which he was, I was so excited about it) but in the end some of it ended up in landfill which I was gutted about!

i have no idea if stores offer you a glimpse/testers into their contents before buying the calendar as hubby bought mine online but I wouldn’t buy another expensive one again (except maybe gin 🤣)

I have bought a nice wooden one now which hubby fills up for me in secret ( he puts things in he likes 😆)

I think Christmas itself produces loads of rubbish. The same as anything you can do it more sustainably.

I got my mum the F&M one, because I knew she would use it all. She loves trying new things. The box is lovely and matches Christmas decor and I planned on refilling it every year with other things. So the box would be reused year on year.

I have one and again, all will be used and the box reused.

Samples or gifts with purchases (small sizes) are given away in their thousands every year. So not sure how an Advent calendar is worse. Get rid of the packing in a responsible way.

Like anything, they can be terrible for the environment and a waste of money. Or you can mitigate that.

Not sure why there are several threads hating on Advent calendars in particular.

Also, op, I find it quite funny that you had one. Now you decided you don't like them, they are irresponsible?

This is not exactly a hot take, is it? FMCG items with lots of packaging are generally bad for the environment.

At least with an advent calendar the enjoyment is spun out for at least 25 days.

I had one two years in a row, then realised it wasn’t for me long term. Although it felt lovely to have a little treat daily and I did get to try some things that I otherwise wouldn’t have, I didn’t use all of it and I don’t like waste nor ending up with a lot of clutter. I treat myself with mindful moments daily instead. It was fun a couple of times but that was enough for me. I’ve become much more minimal over the past several years, in all aspects.

I don't want to be a model of restraint - after a crappy few months, I'm enjoying the treats - judge away all you want.

I don't like sample sizes for the same reason

@PegasusReturns, 10 10 ml bottles will definitely use more plastic than one 100 ml bottle

Oooh how controversial!

You'll hate me, I've bought the Huda one which I think is coming from Dubai.

Your husband sounds lovely @Dogmum40!

I’m too fussy with skincare stuff to find enough in a beauty advent calendar. I had a thread asking what the fuss was about and some people agreed. It’s just another way to sell us stuff, like the Christmas Eve boxes. As if we need more stuff at Christmas, we’d be better off having one in June.

I think if people choose well and use or find a home for all the bits it’s not so bad. It’s just if people buy them because they seem a good idea but then get left with loads of crap.

I just think they're a rip off. Never mind the environment.

Advent calendars are a bit of a con full stop now. I saw a skinny whip one that contains 25 bars and cost £10. You can buy a box of five bars for a quid in B&M, so buy 25 bars for a fiver.

@IvorCutler

Your husband sounds lovely *@Dogmum40*!

It is his idea of treats that I’m supposed to like! (11 years married and 13 together and unfortunately Star Wars Lego mini figure isn’t one of them which he definitely knows after this long but he loves them 😂) I do get mini chocs and booze too so shouldn’t complain that 12 are secretly for himself 😆

Here we go again. I don’t think it’s possible to make such a generalised statement. I get one every year (Cult Beauty this time) and generally go for the high end ones which have full sized products. The calendars keep me stocked up for most of the year so I don’t need to buy anything else - surely one big delivery is better than lots of smaller purchases, whether online or traveling to the shops? The empty boxes were given to a friend who was delighted to use them as ACs for her kids.

@Dogmum40 🤣 it’s the thought! My husband once gave me a sonic the hedgehog game on our anniversary. I don’t play video games! He’d obviously left it until the last minute and it was the only shop open.

No idea why you couldn’t have just joined the other thread but anyway. I get several to use throughout the year. Get ones I know I’ll like and use, nothing gets wasted, worse case the very odd thing finds another home with someone who will use it. Mine usually last me 12 months for skincare and basics such as eyeliners etc so I don’t need to buy any full size products during the year. As I said on the other thread I couldn’t care what anyone thinks, it suits me, it ‘sparks joy’. The end.

[quote IvorCutler]@Dogmum40 🤣 it’s the thought! My husband once gave me a sonic the hedgehog game on our anniversary. I don’t play video games! He’d obviously left it until the last minute and it was the only shop open.[/quote]
I got given a SW giant Lego set and some WiFi speakers (that he wanted ) for one of our anniversaries, I obviously made him pay for that big time 😆

Actually I think to a degree that yes, you are really only in a position to judge how sustainable another persons spending/consumption habits are if you can hand on your heart say your carbon footprint is pretty much zilch.

Until that point - people in glass houses and all - I think it's best to assume people are generally doing the best the can when they can, and not be a smug knobber.

Also, op, I find it quite funny that you had one. Now you decided you don't like them, they are irresponsible?

On the contrary I think some of them look great fun and I'd probably really enjoy having one but then maybe feel guilty about it. I can see the appeal, but choose not to get one.