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

[Stoic123]

Are we going to buy or have we peaked?

I’ve had the last 3 H & B advent calendars, and this year’s just seems too similar to past years. And 2 of the new things are a hair mask and a face mask I know I won’t use. Having said that, I cracked last year when they reduced it. I just really like the idea of having something more substantial to open than chocolate.

I love that hairbrush - and to think I nearly regifted it!
@DollyDaisyDo I've had the H&B one twice (not last year though) and I think it is fantastic value for money as is the M&S one. M&S has makeup whereas I don't think the H&B one ever does so it depends on what type of products you like to use.

Thanks for the new thread @Stoic123.

I went for F&M when it was first announced so I'm obviously not going to buy anymore advent calendars this year until you lovely posters start finding all the reduced bargains at which point I will crack and buy another 4 like I did last year.

I've also had the HB one for the last two years and have had some great things from it (love the wet brush, love the weleda skin food and more!) but had a peek today and won’t get it this year as it’s a bit repetitive.

I've ordered the Liberty as I've saved for it throughout the year via their beauty drop.
Just managed to get 20% off the cheaper body shop one for Dd12, that what she wanted and we've had a rough few years so I'm going all out this year. Want to get DS9 the Lynx one but seeing if I can get any bargains on that one. DH, well, I've have to see if any any money left!

Totally peaked. I was completely submerged in advents last year and loved them, been a top tier Space NK member for several years. But now? Meh. It’s so samey and well, just crap. I’m cutting right back on my beauty spending and sticking with what works. I’ll probably feel a lot better for it.

I hope the beauty companies are reading these threads. Most of us are sick of the same old tat being marketed as ‘premium’.

Fenwick is doing a 12 day calendar with 15 products: https://beauty-detective.com/fenwick-beauty-advent-calendar-2023/

At £165 I think it's expensive for what it is.

Thanks for the new thread @Stoic123

@Dee1224 can you link the WET hair brush? Sounds like it may be good for my curly girl.

The Fenwicks looks a bit disappointing - Augustine Bader, Benefit cleanser, mascara and a scrunchie are all DoDs for me. I had their one last year once it was reduced, and actually really liked it - small sizes but quite a few brands I hadn't tried before and a Frederic Malle 10ml.

If the Bioeffect is the same size, it was utterly itchy - literally lasted a week, 3 ml I think.

*Titchy... damn auto correct. It wasn't itchy at all, it felt good but too small to really treat properly.

I thought the Space NK one looked quite good, I might go for that.

https://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/wetbrush-go-green-mini-detangler-green-60051031

This is the one I have @Stokey - you can get bigger ones, (also at HB).

I have a similar brush by Mark Hill. It is good and i have promised my DD one.

Whilst I’m tempted by the H&B advent calendar I must resist. I have so much beauty products to use.

I would love a rituals one though!

Thanks for the new thread.
I just don’t know. So much angst

The heady carefree calendar buying days of 2022 seem like a lifetime ago

I’m going for space nk. There is enough stuff in there I know I like, plus some things I’m happy to try, that I can overcome the dods. (Agree with a PP about retinol products, who is dabbling around with multiple brands in tiny bottles?! - that’s not how retinol works!).

i just got the space nk gwp by accident (had to reorder a bunch of stuff and got to the minimum spend) and despite it all being teeny tiny rubbish my heart did leap a bit when I saw it all in there so I guess I’m not totally fatigued yet!

I’ve gone for Holland & Barrett. Looks interesting enough to be worth a go, and it’s at the cheaper end.

i think im leaning towards the HB one - is it likely to sell out in the next week or so? I'd like to wait until the next credit card bill!

I didn’t get it last year, but the year before it sold out scarily fast - people might be less desperate for entertainment than they were in 2021, though. And have less spare cash.

I think the year that it sold out scarily fast was the year that M&S didn't do one - so everyone who was after a cheap calendar went for H&B instead!

Usually it sticks around a bit longer

I was thinking that must be a full size EGF serum. I have no idea how they're getting near the £791 value if not

I was waiting to see what was in the Fenwicks calendar, but it looks disappointing. I've got the Harrods fragrance, and will probably go for Liberty. Depending on what's in Jo Malone, I may have this as a combined birthday and xmas present from my husband.

I got the Mac one last year and really liked it. (I also got the Charbonell Et Walker one which definitely undid any good I did with the Mac one). I don’t really like experimenting with my skincare regime too much so make-up specific ones are better for me.

Fenwicks is disappointing too, although I seem to remember it wasn't great last year. Curious to see what's in Boots tomorrow

Liberty normally do a 20% off day in october (not sure if its only Bbembers) so im hanging off til then

Ooh I didn't realise that! I'll hang on until October before I order Liberty in case they do that again.