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.

Ah see I like a lippy. The CB calendar had a Victoria Beckham one which I love and the MAC one in the JL calendar was a surprise hit for me. Wearing it today.

I don't really want a bronzer tho. A smudgy eyeliner in a different colour would be nice - those VB ones in dark green or navy look good.

I deffo do not want a hand sanitizer tho yuck and also no interest in dry shampoo (why?)

I love her reviews. They are so honest.

Also not fussed on sleep sprays (one reason for not getting F&M this year - the repeats are the things I didn't use last year!)

That said, I did get a great This Works hand cream for sleep which was ace. Sure that was in an AC but not sure which. Must RP.

I didn't like the lipstick in last years cult beauty calendar. It was extremely pale, and I'm olive skinned. I wouldn't mind a lipstick in a berry colour but I don't like nudes or pillar box reds like the one in Look Fantastic, and that's what they tend to include. Probably the shades that are hard to shift!

Come Christmas, of course you will 😉

I found a good coffee bean on on Etsy for my DH last Christmas.

@clary See I loved the Living Proof dry shampoo in a calendar (think it was Space NK 2020) and have repurchased many times. I now also use their normal shampoo and conditioner. It's not the most exciting or festive drawer to open but it's been a good way to introduce me to the brand, which I guess is the companies' goal.

I'll be avoiding anything with Prai stuff in it (the upper arm cream in m&s last year was quite good but wtf to specific arm cream 🤣)

Also agree about lack of interest in pillow mists, sleep sprays etc

I really want mini fragrances, body lotion, soap, shower oils but no makeup.

Depending on the state of our finances after we've budgeted for the frightening hike in energy bills 😬 I think I'll try JL this year or failing that will be Rituals or M&S depending on the contents.

I just got the Aldi version for £2.99 the other day, then went back on Saturday on got more. Not quite as good as Living Proof, but an acceptable dupe.

This is an interesting little piece on this year’s in Marie Claire. I couldn’t justify much more than the cost of M&S. I have other weaknesses e.g my monthly sewing subscription box!
www.marieclaire.co.uk/beauty/beauty-advent-calendars-39069

Any calendar with Avant is automatically off my list. I don't like or trust that brand.

Has anyone ever had the White Company one? I'd like a calendar with lots of body care, home fragrance etc. rather than make up.

I've had it before. I liked it as the products felt quite luxurious but they were small. I don't think there was one item that wasn't deluxe size or whatever it's called. It's a nice way to try the products and the scent, but going forwards, if I had the money, I would just choose the specific WC products I like. I also missed the variety that you only get in multi brand calendars

Hi all. Can any of the Irish people here answer a question for me about Space NK? The responses from customer service are not answering my question and are contradictory.

Does Space NK ship duty paid or will I have to pay VAT, duty etc in Ireland?

If the Space NK calendar is good this year, I would like to get it but not if I'm going to be hammered with VAT and tariffs.

@Babysharkdoodoodood I just use Batiste for work etc if I don't care that much, is the Aldi one better than Batiste?

Space NK has all charges included for Ireland we don't have to pay customs.

Brilliant. Thank you.

I don't know why they couldn't just tell me that.

@OchonAgusOchonOh I had it last year. It was so great. I’m still using a lot of it. I do remember following the Cult Beauty thread here though and preferring what they got, and they got multiple items some days.
I do recall that quite a few of us were annoyed that some of the items clearly said “free sample” on them. I know they are generally teeny sized samples, but it was quite another thing to actually blatantly state that on the product. I’ll be checking the contents and sizes a lot more carefully this year.

I ordered from the .ie website. No customs etc.

I still remember your issues with Look Fantastic from the year before that and it was always put me off.
I’ve read their contents reveal this year and it’s not very appealing anyway. I’m a sucker for the luxury ones 🤦‍♀️

Sorry, the website is .com, but I shopped in €

Last year I abstained, but bought a drunk elephant trunk which was awesome.

Previously have had F&M. Thinking of going for one of the candle or fragrance ones this year.
But I'm in the US in December so might just re-route the budget to a Sephora splurge.

@CorneliaStreet me, it was amazing and I loved it. Said to DH this morning that I definitely want it again at some point but not this year

Thanks @TheDuchessOfMN. Good to know that about the samples.

Could you expand?

What is everyone's budget?

Mine is £40-70 / could do one or maybe two such as m and s and Holland and Barrett

F&M looks far too similar to last year so I'll skip that. Hopefully get Liberty using my Beauty Drop points and maybe CB.