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M&S Beauty Advent Calendar 2023 Opening Thread

782 replies

TokyoSushi · 30/11/2023 23:08

Roll up, roll up, there doesn't seem to be an M&S thread that we can find yet, so please join in to discuss here!

General rules: please don't disclose what the product is until after 7am on the day that it's due to be opened. No spoilers, if you want to open in a different order then go ahead, but please only discuss the product on or after its specific opening date here!

Happy opening everybody, enjoy!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
29
Sluj · 17/12/2023 08:48

One of these is a deep mask conditioner then? Does that mean it's meant to stay on for 20 minutes or something? If so, which is it?

Yogaandchocolate · 17/12/2023 08:50

Useful for travel but disappointing to have another very similar product. I was hoping for more given the size of the box today!

MrsWidgerysLodger · 17/12/2023 09:15

Sluj · 17/12/2023 08:48

One of these is a deep mask conditioner then? Does that mean it's meant to stay on for 20 minutes or something? If so, which is it?

The Elastistyler one. (Pink Label)

LivingDeadGirlUK · 17/12/2023 09:24

Dissapointing, should really have had both in one box.

Ilikeyoursleeves · 17/12/2023 09:32

Todays is a bit meh

weyaye · 17/12/2023 09:47

Ahhh so mine isn't a mistake then.

Growlybear83 · 17/12/2023 09:55

I'm so disappointed with this advent calendar and most of the contents have gone straight into the charity box. I'm struggling to work out how the contents can be worth £340.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 17/12/2023 10:00

Growlybear83 · 17/12/2023 09:55

I'm so disappointed with this advent calendar and most of the contents have gone straight into the charity box. I'm struggling to work out how the contents can be worth £340.

But they definitely seem worth £45, so it does feel decent value to me.

NashvilleQueen · 17/12/2023 10:14

I do think they could have just put all three PK in one big box because it feels very underwhelming

AprilLady · 17/12/2023 10:27

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie@Growlybear83 I agree it’s still very good value for £45. One way of thinking about it is that you have paid £1.80 per item. Pretty much everything has been worth at least that, and quite a few items rather more. Of course, if none of them are things you’ll use, then it won’t personally feel great value to you.

The “value” challenge for the high end calendars is quite different - I’ve paid £14 (!) per drawer for my Vogue calendar, so expecting a lot more from it.

Houseplanter · 17/12/2023 10:30

This is the first beauty calendar I've had. I've enjoyed it.. of course there's been a couple of things I've not wanted, but other women have and that's fine with me. I've enjoyed giving them away too.

I'd have preferred more make up and less creams and potions, but again that's picky

As for value, 3 of the products that I've been pleased with have easily covered the £45 so the rest are a bonus

Tangomango1 · 17/12/2023 10:33

I am happy with today's!

The M&S calendar is such good value & always gives me a chance to try out something new so I am very pleased with it! Some days you dip in & some days aren't the best but overall I always enjoy opening it every morningSmile

clowniform · 17/12/2023 11:27

I received this as a surprise gift which may skews things, but agree it seems decent value for money. There's only been one real wow for me (P&R hair not!oil) to 3 genuine stinkers (frosty gold things) but I'm most irritated by the excessively huge boxes, which seem to be designed to match the one holding the full-sized REN cleanser (which I wouldn't even use, grump grump).

Buster27 · 17/12/2023 11:28

I'm happy enough with today's, although do agree they could have all been in one box instead of taking up 3.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 17/12/2023 11:33

I'm over the moon with this for £45. It's a total bargain. I'm not keen on PK stuff, but I'll chuck it on my hair anyway, or take on holiday. Have absolutely loved some of the things I've received, and DD has really enjoyed opening it each day for me (and nicking anything that takes her fancy)

I shall miss it when it's finished.

DD will probably also end up with the case to store stationery in.

Growlybear83 · 17/12/2023 11:35

Even taking the actual price, rather than the value, it's still very poor value for money for me so far as there are only three things that I will use, although I realise that this might change over the next few days. By contrast, I've only had one thing that I definitely won't use in my Lumene advent calendar which I got reduced for a similar price. I've also got the Liberty calendar, which, although it's much more expensive, is much better value for money for me as there has been very little so far that I will give away and it's generally been full of really lovely products.

jojom10 · 17/12/2023 12:30

I've been really pleased with the calendar this year. I always buy it but I think the contents this year have been great and terrific value for money. I haven't liked everything but they can't please everyone with every product.

ExpensiveDecorations · 17/12/2023 19:09

I think it's great value for money, there have only been two things I won't use so far (lipgloss and brow gel).

NeedWineNow · 17/12/2023 19:26

I think it's been worth the money. The Clinique bits and the full size REN cleanser are the highlights for me as they are all things I've used before or use regularly. I can take or leave the PK shampoo/conditioner but they are good sizes for weekend breaks so won't be wasted.

Original poster
TokyoSushi · 17/12/2023 19:53

This is about my 4th year of M&S, it's been ok, but I haven't loved it like I have done previously.

I might save up a bit and get a 'better' one next year...

OP posts:
Possimpible · 17/12/2023 21:21

I think, if you buy blind and don't check the contents, you have to accept that you've taken your chances and you might end up with a lot of stuff you won't use. If you check the contents and then buy it, I'm not sure why there would be any surprises/disappointments. I didn't get M&S this year as the contents didn't appeal, but I've had it in the past and discovered things like Alpha H Liquid Gold, Formula sleep cream, Eyeko eyeliner, all of which I still use, so you might be surprised by the products if you try them.

BlowingAway · 17/12/2023 23:07

It's certainly not up to the standard of my Liberty one last year, but then I wouldn't expect it to be.
I do think the tiny shampoo and conditioners should be together in one box.

Refurbishmentino · 18/12/2023 07:04

Ooo I like todays! I do love a bit of L’Occitane 😁

Aitchtee · 18/12/2023 07:11

Yep happy with todays and a great size too!

greencheetah · 18/12/2023 07:17

Very impressed with today’s hand cream. Full size and good quality product.