General “waifs and strays” beauty advent calendar opening thread

[AprilLady]

As in previous years, this a thread for those opening Beauty Advent Calendars not covered by specific calendar opening threads (though also happy for contents of those to be shared here too).

As previously, it will also be fun to hear about other calendar openings - food, jam, socks anyone?

Please do not include spoilers before 7am on the relevant day. Please also avoid dropping hints or spoilers about future contents if you have opened the calendar in advance.

I’ll be opening the Vogue and Selfridges calendars this year. Really looking forward to Day 1.

Giant tub of Faith in Nature hair mask in H&B today. I’ve still got several other hair masks in my stash - there seems to be one in most beauty advent calendars - so it may take me a while to get round to it. I have short hair so they get used fairly slowly!

Boots R&R

I have a large reusable cotton pad today. I use about 6 cotton pads when I use micellar water so I'd need loads of these.

Day 21 Harrods is a Rodial Dragon’s Blood eye gel which is apparently a cooling gel to refresh and hydrate tired eyes. Very happy with this, my tired eyes can do with all the help they can get!

It’s Day 21 already!

Vogue: A mini Foreo UFO device. I’ve wanted to try this for a while, so very happy with this.

Selfridges: Another never heard of brand and product: True Fiction eye pencils in Black, Red and White. At least I think they’re eye pencils. Has anyone used a white pencil before? What for? These come with a sharpener in the lid itself, which is interesting.

@AprilLady interested to see how you get on with the Foreo. I got a pink Foreo Play in the (I think) Elle advent calendar last year and it's still sat on the side in my spare room waiting to be used. It's a little disconcerting as because of the name, colour and design it looks a little like an oddly shaped vibrator....

I have just had a white liner from VB Beauty and it's used in the lower water line to make your eyes look larger/whiter apparently. Haven't tried it yet but have seen it used in makeup tutorials and it does seem to work.

No7 today is a nail & hand cream - bit boring. Lancôme is an Idole body cream which smells lovely.

@bigdecisionstomake I really love that Sunday Riley oil - I use approximately 2-3 drops after a more water-based serum, and it hasn't ever caused pilling issues with my makeup. Debating whether I'll re-buy when it is finished, since it's rather expensive, but it lasts for ages using it the way I do, so potentially worth it.

Day 21 Diptyque: Pomander votive.

This is another one I've not tried before so hurrah!

I’m way behind on sharing my refill updates. ‘Highlights’ include a packet of polo mints and a half used tube of hand cream taken from my desk that I spent a good week looking for and convinced myself must have never existed.

I think it peaked at the self assessment reminder.

LF today is primer. I don't tend to wear foundation as it all cakes and flakes these days. So this may not be for me. The teen might like it.

Ciate is called Peppermint. It's more pale blue than green. Another fairly summery one.

Day 20 of my sisters homemade calendar was a £10 Costa card; she knows I like going out for coffee.

Day 21- these pretty stud earrings from Accessorize.

Lancôme today is a teeny tiny bottle of Idole perfume. No7 is a sheet face mask. I’ve never used one of these so I’m keen to give it a go.

Day 22 Harrods is a teeny Dermalogica Pre-cleanse. I haven’t used this before but it looks like it’s basically an oil to be used as a first cleanse. As I’m already a keen double cleanser (although usually with a balm for first cleanse) this will be used and I’m keen to see how it performs but shame it’s so small…

Day 22

Vogue: Travel size Sam McKnight hair mask. It is a new product and not one I’ve tried before. I’ve already finished the Sam McKnight shampoo and conditioner from the Selfridges calendar and did really like them, so happy to try something else from the brand.

Selfridges: Full size Gisou hair perfume. I don’t normally use hair perfumes but this gets good reviews so happy to give it a go.

Photo now attached.

@Pinenu your calendar has gone downhill somewhat 😅. Clearly filling 25 days was just too hard…

@lookingforMolly your sister has done an amazing job!

@bigdecisionstomake thanks. I will let you know when I try the Foreo. And will give the white eyeliner a try on the waterline.

By Terry Calendar

• Day 20 All Over Oil - Travel Size that I've taken to the Hygiene Bank with other stuff.
• Day 21 Hydra Powder Mini - although small, this is really cute and portable so I'm happy with this.
• Day 22- Baume de Rose Le Stick Levres Lip Crayon - a stick version of their signature lip balm. Reviews not so good as the orginal. It's ok but just a bit gimicky.

Travelling to family so opened last two windows today. Nothing that delighted. The cost of the calendar was £138 and the value of 'good' products for me (i.e. wanted to try/useful) was £162. I normally get better value from calendars so By Terry won't be on future list. Merry Christmas everyone.

Day 22 Boots No 7 Restore and Renew

This lovely eyeshadow brush

It's exactly what I need actually. The shape is perfect so will slot nicely into my makeup brush collection.

Boots Premium

Day 21 - lip and cheek pencil. Way too dark for me. Will see does dd want it.

Day 22 travel size Arkive conditioner to go with the shampoo from day 3. Pleased with this although I would have expected to get it a bit closer to the shampoo.

Day 22 Diptyque: Baies votive.

Another one that isn't a favourite but I like it so it'll be used and enjoyed.

H&B was a Vitaskin serum. Happy to have another serum to try, and I haven't tried much from Vitaskin before - didn't rate their eye cream but I haven't yet found an eye cream I do rate.

Day 22 - my sister has got me Boots No7 Protect & Perfect Intense which is my favourite moisturiser!

We all love your Sister

Obviously she loves you so you're pretty special too

Ah thank you @Mirrormeback I think she made the advent calendar to try to cheer me up over December as it's been a difficult year as our mum died in September.

I've bought her some fashion & beauty gifts for her Christmas presents which are a River Island gift card, fluffy socks, Lancôme lip gloss & Urban Decay eyeshadow.