Fortnum & Mason Advent Calendar 2023 opening thread

[narniabusiness]

I’m hoping you’ll join me to discuss the Fortnum & Mason advent calendar. As is usual shall we wait until 07.00 to discuss that day’s gift?

@narniabusiness hope you had a good few days away! I'm happy to continue with the photos as long as you don't feel I've taken over? Very type A of me!

Today we have Kure Bazaar Bubble Vvee. It's a translucent pink nail lacquer apparently. I rarely get my nails done due to work, so this will be nice to use in summer. A bit too subtle for Christmas I think

I’m happy with this, will be trying it later. Tried the sleep mask last night and had a lovely nights sleep!

This was one I’d forgotten about. I’m interested in whether this is better for your nails? I find mine start to look poor if I wear nail varnish regularly, not that it will stop me at this time of year. The gold sparkles are coming out soon.

I’m a bit meh about this one as I’m a gel nail girl (or horrible nail biter!) but my daughter will be pleased with it I’m sure.

Day 13 - a duo of Acqua di Parma shower gel and body lotion, both 75ml. I'm happy enough with this, I've had these before in a different scent and they did last quite a few showers.

I feel like we must be due some higher value drawers soon?

I chose this calendar because it has lots of bath and body products so I’m happy with these, particularly since I haven’t tried this fragrance before. I think all bar two days I now have no idea what’s going to be coming up. Exciting!

@narniabusiness I chose it for the same reasons. I've had a beauty calendar for a few years now (the past few years more than one...) so I've got quite a collection of skincare, hair and makeup products and they take so long to use up(/I hoard them). Plus you find your favourites quite quickly I think, so I don't feel I need to try any more exfoliators etc as I know what I like!

I use bath and body products more generously for some reason so it's been a good choice for me. I've been following the Harrods and Vogue threads and they seriously don't look as good as I expected. I considered both and have had a lucky escape with F&M I think. I'd have liked to see threads for Selfridges and Sephora but don't think there are any.

Today’s F&M candle smells of orange and spices so ideal for burning over Christmas. Pretty pot too. I’m pleased with this one.

I love candles and this pot is gorgeous, so I'm happy with this too.

This is gorgeous! I know my mam would love it so I'm going to give it to her as a stocking filler.

25ml cleanser today. Lots of these on eBay already so not sure that bodes well

’So you’re going to moan about it and then use it anyway?’ was my DHs accurate summary of my opinion of today’s item.

@narniabusiness Lol! Well we can't have it going to waste. You first though, I'm not sure I like exfoliating cleansers - especially ones with gritty bits in it which it looks like this has.

Not a fan of exfoliating cleansers either but you never know, sometimes having to try stuff you’re like, oh actually that one….

tried Ortiz bath salts last night - good!

Dr Sally Perazo on TicToc is opening hers daily. She's hilarious and I always try to beat her each day in opening.

Mystery solved! Today is the day cream version of Cult51.

That’s exactly what I thought - glad I didn’t imagine it! Looking forward to trying this, some of the reviews are amazing and I love the mask from day 1.

I’ve tried the grainy cleanser this morning and I quite like it, even though it’s ‘grainy-er’ than anything I’ve used in years. It seemed a bit greasy but felt lovely afterwards. Will definitely use it.

Just slapped on the cult51 day cream - I’d forgotten how lovely this smells!

Oooh this is a good one. I love the oxygen mask so am excited to try this.

Sorry for the late photo - I had a lie in today!

Yes when you were discussing it I definitely knew we had two Cult 51 products and that the day cream was still to come, but I really didn't want to spoil it! This is a great size (50ml), it was a 20ml we got in 2021. I'm in two minds about using it as I didn't get on with it back then, but I'm also lazy and know I won't get round to selling it..! Let me know what you all think of it, the oxygen mask has been popular (still haven't tried it - always reluctant to try new things this time of year in case I break out/react and am blotchy for Christmas parties)

A dinky (15ml) of perfume- Poom Poom by Maison Matine. It’s a light floral with a bit of fruit, vanilla and sandalwood too. Pleasant spring fragrance but possibly a bit generic? I like the illustrations on the glass bottle.

I’ve done a quick ‘value so far’ calculation and I’m up to £520. I don’t recall what F&M claimed the value of the contents was, if indeed they did. The big ticket items are the Cult 51 for which I added in the cost on QVC (which was cheaper) and the eye serum.

Right... So I have another AA bath oil in Revive today. Is that right, or should I have got something else?

Yes that’s right. I remember there being two included in the contents list. Luckily I think this is a really good product, but this calendar isn’t proving to be as exciting as I thought it would be. Judging by the lack of traffic on this thread I’m guessing I’m not the only one.

I love AA - I’m still happy with F&M calendar this year but agree think possibly a shade under previous efforts contents wise.