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Original poster

Beauty Advent Calendars 2023 Part E - Last Buying Thread Till Doors Open

694 replies

Stoic123 · 22/11/2023 20:57

Roll up, roll up for bargain spotting and anticipation.

This is a thread to discuss the buying of beauty calendars and not the opening of them. There may be general discussion about contents of a calendar but please do not share information about what is behind a specific door you've opened. Thank you

OP posts:
Thread gallery
29
Original poster
Stoic123 · 17/12/2023 20:10

@Possimpible - I think the order/sequence of products makes a bigger difference than people expect until they start opening. @Puravida23 mentioned not peaking too soon and sometimes too many similar products appear in a row.

I've found that JL calendars are a better-than-expected experience because whoever curates them orders the products really well.

OP posts:
Possimpible · 17/12/2023 20:13

@Stoic123 that's true, I know in past years we've had people getting like sparkly eyeshadows on the Monday before Christmas, after the parties are all over! Some thought about the order does make a huge difference

Summerdew · 17/12/2023 21:29

Loving my space NK one, sadly away for a few days and forgot to bring the relevant drawers with me. I don’t think the actual packaging is as good as it has been in the past, and definitely not as good as f and m or net a porter ones. The boxes are a bit flimsy and some are stacked so that if you pull one out the one above drops down. First world problems I know, it’s just not as good as I’ve had before design wise (products are great though and it’s a minor irk).

Doubleraspberry · 18/12/2023 01:25

Anthropologie is a nice selection of stuff. Nothing hugely thrilling but a departure from the repetitiveness of some of the other calendars so I’m enjoying that.

Housewife2010 · 18/12/2023 06:20

I'm really enjoying Anthropologie. I was pleased to get the Stories No 1 scent yesterday (the back of the AC said it would be Stories No 2 which I'm not keen on. )

mrsjg · 18/12/2023 06:40

I didn't bother with one this year but next year I'm buying the Elemis advent calendar. I had the Boots one before for and feel like upgrading. I'm already saving for it, and will have £200 by the time it's due out. Hopefully it won't be that much more 🤞

Emmmmz9 · 18/12/2023 07:30

@mrsjg I’m regretting not buying the Elemis one too! On my list

Peridot1 · 18/12/2023 09:48

I have enjoyed following the waifs and strays opening threads. Some of it has been quite funny. But I haven’t bothered looking at other threads as I don’t have the calendars so I’m not really interested. I think I’d just get envious!

I said on another thread that next year I think I will avoid the early threads and just order the Liberty one with my beauty drop credit without looking at the contents. I like the surprise element.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 18/12/2023 09:54

Peridot1 · 18/12/2023 09:48

I have enjoyed following the waifs and strays opening threads. Some of it has been quite funny. But I haven’t bothered looking at other threads as I don’t have the calendars so I’m not really interested. I think I’d just get envious!

I said on another thread that next year I think I will avoid the early threads and just order the Liberty one with my beauty drop credit without looking at the contents. I like the surprise element.

Yes, I agree re waifs and strays. Snag tights were a particular highlight.

Original poster
Stoic123 · 18/12/2023 20:16

Agree that the Snags have been a real highlight.

Also think that I'll leave buying threads to someone else next year and aim for a total surprise - though have enjoyed these threads a lot.

OP posts:
HollyGolightly4 · 18/12/2023 21:28

I think we should have just kept these threads going with what we all got!

Doubleraspberry · 19/12/2023 00:16

Housewife2010 · 18/12/2023 06:20

I'm really enjoying Anthropologie. I was pleased to get the Stories No 1 scent yesterday (the back of the AC said it would be Stories No 2 which I'm not keen on. )

I did get the No 2, which is a bit strong for me, so you were lucky there!

CountryCob · 20/12/2023 10:16

Hello everyone, my Cowshed has been nice to have but a bit tame, it is a nice size to be repurposed into an advent next year though. Next year I fancy John Lewis and did see a yankee candle advent marked down in the shops which I might put away for next year if it is still there when I go in on Friday. Which advent tempts people next year based on this year's performance?

Housewife2010 · 20/12/2023 10:24

I've saved last year's bargain Cowshed for Jadvent. Last year I had the bargain (£20!) Bare minerals AC for the 12 days of Christmas and it was a lovely way to ease into the NY.

Dee1224 · 20/12/2023 12:26

I think I will return to Rituals next year @CountryCob - I am really liking the ‘cheapest’ 2022 one that I picked up in February this year at a bargain price and saved for this year.

Super disappointed with M&S this time, so will probably swerve that next year.

I have decided to save the last six socks in each of my WS ladies and men’s calendars until next year - DH and 2x adult DS have had two pairs each and that’s quite enough for now. I have opened five of mine and will save number 6 for Xmas day. I was going to gift some, but they don’t have tags and are very thin, so not suitable for presents really. I am thrilled with them for what I paid, but they were not worth the original price of £40 imo. Will be interested to see if they go to half price in a future sale, (in which case, I heartily recommend them!)

Possimpible · 20/12/2023 19:12

@CountryCob Which advent tempts people next year based on this year's performance?

I don't really think this way, every year is different. Some calendars, like John Lewis, are very similar every year but some are quite different. For example Latest in Beauty was excellent last year but rubbish this year IMO. So I won't make my decision until I've seen 2024's contents. I will be interested in Selfridges and Harrods though, I've never had their calendars but I think they're in the running for next year if they're decent.

Growlybear83 · 20/12/2023 19:30

On the basis of what's been in my calendar so far, I'll definitely be tempted by Liberty again next year, and maybe harrods or Space NK. Jo Malone has been lovely but I'll probably have the Jo Loved calendar instead next year to get some different fragrances. I've been so pleasantly surprised by Lumene - even though most of the pots are quite small, I've really liked everything I've tried so far and I think it was really good value as I got it reduced. I would never buy the M&S calendar again - even for £40 I think it was very poor value for me.

itsalongwaybackfromsorry · 20/12/2023 21:35

I'm loving my John Lewis calendar; first time I've had it, plus got it with the discount.
Loved my Liberty calendar last year, but wasn't as impressed at the contents/price this year which is why I passed on it.

Possimpible · 20/12/2023 23:17

Funny how Space NK was widely regarded as the best this year, but the opening thread has been quiet and people are saying they're bored of it

OchonAgusOchonOh · 20/12/2023 23:31

Possimpible · 20/12/2023 23:17

Funny how Space NK was widely regarded as the best this year, but the opening thread has been quiet and people are saying they're bored of it

Really? I thought it looked like a rehash of last year's CB. I wasn't at all impressed with the look of it.

Possimpible · 20/12/2023 23:57

OchonAgusOchonOh · 20/12/2023 23:31

Really? I thought it looked like a rehash of last year's CB. I wasn't at all impressed with the look of it.

Show quote history

Well neither was I, I went for F&M, but Space NK sold out first and lots of posters were keen on it on the earlier threads

Summerdew · 21/12/2023 08:21

I’ve got space NK, it’s lovely. I’m really happy with it. There wasn’t a thread so I went on the general waifs and strays one and stayed because I was interested in everyone else’s days. Definitely made the right choice for me this year.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 21/12/2023 08:50

Summerdew · 21/12/2023 08:21

I’ve got space NK, it’s lovely. I’m really happy with it. There wasn’t a thread so I went on the general waifs and strays one and stayed because I was interested in everyone else’s days. Definitely made the right choice for me this year.

That's good you're enjoying it. I had CB last year and it was just too similar to that.

Summerdew · 21/12/2023 09:26

That’s fair, it’s why I haven’t had F and M for the last two years, felt too similar. I had an old net a porter one last year (from the year before in the sale) so ready for this one!

TragicMuse · 21/12/2023 12:58

I've mostly enjoyed Look Fantastic. There are some good products and it's fun. I'm less enamoured with the presentation - the tissue just folded in the bottom of the drawer and being quite pointless.

I think I'll save my BD money and have Liberty again next year possibly. Or save hard and go for something really special!

The Ciate nail varnish has been brilliant though. I've really enjoyed that! And such a bargain!