Beauty Advent Calendars *spoiler alert - contents discussed within thread*

[ithoughtisawapuddycat]

Is it too soon for a thread on these? I remember last year they were all coming out or going on sale in September so not too far off.

I got the spacenk one last year and it was first ever beauty advent calendar and I loved it. Still using some of the products and have gone to purchase at least five items in full size, two of them multiple times.

This year I'll get the spacenk one again but might also go for the cult beauty as well.

Title amended by MNHQ to alert folk to the presence of spoilers within the thread.

What do people think about the latest in beauty style AC?

@Zeeza I think the LIB calendar is a contender this year; really nice mix of products and a good and relatively unusual mix of brands/products when compared to many others. It rates quite well on my spreadsheet and is on my short list - I think if the Trish McEvoy eye liner had been my go to Deep Aubergine shade, it would have tipped it into a definite for me.

I'm a bit tempted to buy a perfume and get the Liberty GWP instead of an advent.

@Zeeza I think that LIB looks good. I like the idea of a full size boy smells candle.

I won't be buying it though as there are too many repeats for me. I've already had/have:

• Bamford pillow mist - and I don't need more pillow mist!
• Olaplex - don't like
• Escentric molecules - in F&M
• Exfoliate - had several times
• Murad cleanser - nice enough but had before
• Christophe Robin - like this but already have
• Summer Fridays - have in stash
• bum bum cream - think we've all had these!
• Lixir skin - have one on the go

I really don't want another black eyeliner either, or a hair oil as I have greasy hair

If there weren't so many repeats I would have considered it

Ahhh sorry - don't know what happened to my list!

I think that Birchbox is the best in the £50 - £100 price range

Aside from the gua sha and the golden comb!

I won't be getting it though

Quite like the Birchbox and could use comb, not sure about the stone thing but it’s not too expensive so could tolerate that…

At least the comb comes with a conditioner, rather than a drawer of its own

Ah ok, not so bad if it comes with a conditioner

I've just watched a Liberty unboxing and I'm really tempted to go for that one. The lipstick shade looks good and the blue mascara does at least come in a drawer with other items!

I love this time of year!
Really like the look of Liberty this year and Net-A-Porter (but why does it have to be ugly black). Where is Harrods?? I need to know so I can make my final decision.

Haven't had Liberty for a few years but I absolutely love the box. It feels so special and luxurious. I had Harrods last year and it was amazing.

I am really tempted by Birchbox, but I also want to know what's in John Lewis. I'm hoping the reveal will be soon?!

I'm in the same boat! Come on Harrods !!!

Looking at Liberty (again haha) am I right in thinking that this is the first year that they’ve had boxes of varying sizes? Must definitely help with products they can put inside.

@Zeeza i like the look of LIB. There’s a lot in there that I would be happy to try/use, but I’m not fussed about the skincare. As others have said, there’s too much in the way of exfoliators in the calendars this year. I really, really don’t like exfoliating / acid products, or anything that leaves my skin so stripped of natural protection that I have to layer on sunscreen in winter! Seems counter-productive to me. I want something to nourish my skin during the colder months. On the other hand I’d love a nice gentle cleanser or two. Is it me, or is there a lack of cleansers in calendars this year? (maybe a sign of the times and also of what is to come, that non-essential exfoliating / peeling products aren’t shifting as well as hoped).

Happy with my F&M still. Not the most exciting calendar but I know I will happily use up almost everything in there. Could still be tempted with another if the price is right. If LIB were to go down to around £150, or if Liberty do the ‘£10 bonus for every £50 you spend thin again) I might be tempted. Meanwhile waiting for JL and Harrods………

if not JL I might get Liberty. Had another look at the GWP which isn’t that exciting. Fortnums is so Christmassy though but has sone repeats and I’m not keen on the hand sanitise, noble isle, Margaret Dabbs …

Has anyone had anything from Birchbox to Ireland? They don't do duty paid but they say that if you are charged duty/tariffs, they will reimburse you. How does that work?

Has anyone heard anything from H&B calendar?

@MidnightMeltdown Watching unboxing was such a good idea. I've now watched Liberty and Fortnums and they are both much more appealing to me.

It was really helpful having the rrp next to the produce (£45 for 55ml bath oil!, £85 face mask though ...!!).

But I think they are both good value for what I need and will use. Not sure how to choose, could justify both (DH would buy one as my Christmas present) but then I couldn't get JL really.

Liberty beauty bags at Christmas also tend to be good.

Rambling now - but Fortnums and Liberty are both back surprisingly in the game.

The unboxing was very useful, thanks for that Midnight.

@PomRuns

You're welcome ☺️

I always try to watch an unboxing before buying when possible, as I find it easier to get a sense of the sizes.

I'm quite visual and can find it hard to get the full sense of what I'm buying from just reading through a list. Items often look smaller in photos too.

@MidnightMeltdown where did you see the unboxing? I had a look on Youtube but could only see ones that were listing the items and showing a picture, rather than an actual unboxing where you can see the sizes.

@OchonAgusOchonOh

There's one on this page:

reallyree.com/liberty-advent-calendar-whats-inside/

Thank you.If you spot one for cult beauty, I'd love to see that.

I haven't seen one for CB @OchonAgusOchonOh

There are a some for F&M and space nk on YouTube

Watching the F&M is what prompted me to buy it!

There are 4 options from l’occitane. The refill looks particularly interesting - it’s the products of an advent calendar without the packaging, for you to put in your own empty advent calendar from previous years. Haven’t seen any other brand do this!

(still don’t think I’d get it though)

Thanks. Not interested in Space NK and F&M don't ship to Ireland. I'm currently leaning to CB but Liberty isn't ruled out yet. I also quite like the look of bitchbox

Waiting list for H&B calendar

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/advent-calendars/beauty/?icmp=HPSAMM_ADVENTWAIT