Beauty Advent Calendars 2023 Part B - have we chosen...or not?

[Stoic123]

Are we going to buy or have we peaked?

Gah, I just realised that Space NK sent me a personal code for 15% off the advent calendar - the day after I already ordered it!

I spoke to customer services and asked them whether they could refund 15% off the calendar that I've already ordered so that I don't have to return it, and they've agreed to do that.

I think that they've sent offer codes to customers who purchased their calendar last year so worth checking your emails if you did!

I think that LiB heard your call @Housewife2010

Is this the one?

beautyadventcalendar.net/style-beauty-advent-calendar-2023/

Oh interesting @MidnightMeltdown

Initial thoughts are 5 masks seems a few too many and there are a couple of product on there that I already have and barely use - Votary toner & Sam McKnight - but it's good to see the selection.

Yeah I'm not big on masks. I have so many already to use up!

I think that it's quite a good selection, but not sure that I'd want to pay £175 for it. I think that they will struggle to compete with Sephora in this price bracket.

LiB doesn’t interest me.

It was one of my favourites last year but there’s nothing grabbing me this time around.

It's interesting that it's £24 cheaper than last year. The value is also less. I guess that, like Cult Beauty, they are responding to the fact that they had to discount to shift them last year.

There's an Elle calendar too. Apologies, not sure whether this one has already been linked:

adventcalendar.co.uk/elle-advent-calendar/

I like the fact that Elle contains Bare Minerals, but again, I don't think that it's competitive enough in this price range.

I’m also not a huge mask fan (never seem to have the time/remember to use them!!) but LiB could be a potential for me as I’m keen to try the Tatcha cream and there are a couple of other things in there that I buy/use anyway like the living proof dry shampoo and Aveda leave in. That said, I agree with PP who have pointed out that it’s not hugely exciting for £175!
This is the first year that I’ve not found a calendar I instantly love/“need” to have so it feels very strange and almost like we’re all just trying to pick the best of a bad bunch!! 🙈

It's funny @Squishmymallow I was looking at a pic of the first ever CB calendar that bought back in 2019 and remembering how much hype there was over it.

Looking back now, it looks terrible for £200! So many tiny samples! I think that we've learned to expect a lot more, although I guess that the novelty factor was there before.

@MidnightMeltdown great point! Our standards are very high now!

I’ve gone full circle on CB this year from initially completely writing it off to now having it on my “maybe” list along with LiB. I need someone else to make a decision for me I think!

I'm definitely leaning towards Liberty after a few years where I defected to CB ( this is my main birthday official calendar - last year I went rather mad on the sale ones too)
Cosmetopia put me off with the hair slides & bracelet, but the fragrances, Byredo lipstick, Luna & Votary are pulling me in. Day 25 is appalling, but I just got a full size still sealed Ormonde Jayne from a Latest in Beauty box, so I could ask my daughter to slip that in.
Also interested in Selfridges, but waiting to see the lipstick shades.

@MidnightMeltdown I remember the hype of the first CB AC & where I was when I received the email that it was available. (Yes, I know I am sad! 😂). I wasn't keen on the small sizes. I bought it the next 3 years & loved it.

Not at all, it’s been a tough year.

Answering for a friend.

I have 2 ACs, possibly getting another.

New to the AC community.......if people have numerous ACs do they open them all in December or maybe start in e.g. October if they have 3 ??

I usually get two - LF and Glossybox most years, and open what I think will be the least exciting (Glossybox) day by day, then rip open the LF one on Christmas Day, as it’s usually the best present I’ll get, even if it is from myself…

This year I’m aware of all the luxury ACs I didn’t know existed before I found Mumsnet and am looking at their contents, when previously I just bought blind, wanting to be surprised. I joined the Liberty Beauty Drop specifically as a savings account for their AC, and it’s still the most likely contender this year, although I barely have half the cost in my BD account.

M&S looks the best value for money, particularly as I find it easy enough to spend £30 or £40 on socks to qualify for it.

Thank you @TheFlis for the link to M&S calendar. That helps to decide that I don't want it, there's more than a half of products that I won't use.
The same with H&B, too many oils and masks. I still have lots of shite left from the previous two years of H&B, with useless rollers, coffee scrubs etc. Sigh.
That leaves No.7.

Slightly disappointed with LIB . Where are the candles this year? I love a good candle and so many advents seem to be missing them out. Also only piddly 25ml bumbum creams in every advent.
I think the sizes are good in LIB (except the bumbum cream!) it’s just the mix of products is lacking. Too many masks and I hate anything tanning/tinted
I am slightly interested in ELLE I would like to know what the sizes are and exactly what is in there as this has a Tatcha item I would like to try plus quite interested in the Champo and it has a candle!
But I agree overall they are all a bit meh and I may skip it completely this year

MavisMcMinty
Your Christmas Day approach sounds wildly decadent!

My boots Calendar arrived today. I’m not sure what to think of it. It seems so much smaller and lighter than Space NK last year.

I think I'm a bit disappointed overalls. The only one that jumped out as a must have was Harrods fragrance. I think I've decided to get Liberty and use my beauty drop credit. My husband is getting me Jo malone for my combined xmas and birthday present, and i will probably get M&S as well. I bought the Neals Yard calendar for my daughter last year, and may get it for her again as she loves their products.

I saw the House of Fraser crackers, but wondered if they are doing a full advent calendar this year. I've not seen details of aqua di parma yet, but have details of all the others been released now?

Doesn't it? But it is two layers so more space efficient.

I remember last year that many women were saying they found amazing bargains on Tik Tock. I was dubious about them being genuine. Admittedly, I have never used Tik Tock. Has anyone here bought via that platform? If so, what was your experience?

Does anyone know if the revolution calendar was discounted last year? It’s currently £48 and I can get 20% off so just wondering whether to order now at that price or hold out a bit longer?

@Georgieporgie29 I got it for DD1 and feel like I spent around the £40 mark so probably not a bad deal.