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Original poster

Which Advent calendar won’t you be revisiting next year?

51 replies

EachandEveryone · 26/12/2023 19:38

The Space NK one was such a bad choice it was hateful really. So many face moisturisers not enough make up, no nice bath shower products, one plain body cream. Oh, and a candle that smells of fag ash and mud. Never again. The best bit about it was the big box of treats you got if you ordered it in a certain time.

which one did you like/wont buy again?

OP posts:
itsnothingoriginal · 26/12/2023 19:59

What a shame OP

I had M&S this year and thought I'd made a bad choice initially as there were quite a few duds. It definitely redeemed itself towards the end and I was pleased with it - good value for money overall. Would probably buy it again next year.

TattyBaubles · 26/12/2023 20:03

Look Fantastic wasn’t a patch on the 2022 version this year. I won’t buy it next year.

homehaircut · 26/12/2023 20:04

Definitely not Elemis again. I don't know much about the brand and the products were generally small with no instructions on use. I've read elsewhere that the amount of product in the calendar wasn't enough to trial the different 'skin systems' properly to see any improvement or decide which was right for you. On the other hand, Sephora was great (quite a lot of full sizes from known brands) and cheaper.

FinallyFinalGirl · 26/12/2023 20:21

Harrods. Around five or six seriously excellent items but the rest were crap that I gave to my daughter. She loved them...things like Kylie Jenner lip gloss and pocket size Living Proof Dry Shampoo.

Also Jo Malone. Very disappointing. I really didn't like a lot of the scents. Some of the so-called unisex ones were very masculine to the point they were like aftershave. I even hated one or two like the Silver Birch one.

I had one from the French Pharmacy that my husband bought me....it was brilliant. I loved it. Great products, an amazing perfume in it, beautifully and individuality wrapped gifts...reminded me of the awesome Sniph calendar firm a few years ago. Will definitely buy it next year.

WonkyFeelings · 26/12/2023 20:22

Parker. Rubbish.

WonkyFeelings · 26/12/2023 20:22

— Papier —

FinallyFinalGirl · 26/12/2023 20:26

EachandEveryone · 26/12/2023 19:38

The Space NK one was such a bad choice it was hateful really. So many face moisturisers not enough make up, no nice bath shower products, one plain body cream. Oh, and a candle that smells of fag ash and mud. Never again. The best bit about it was the big box of treats you got if you ordered it in a certain time.

which one did you like/wont buy again?

I bought my daughter this one and wasn't impressed at all. The calendar was the flimsiest and most horrible packaging. She loved the contents but I felt embarrassed at seeing and feeling just how thin and cheap looking it was.

FinallyFinalGirl · 26/12/2023 20:27

And even the GWP was crap I thought. Tiny samples.

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 27/12/2023 14:44

What is GWP?

OP posts:
FinallyFinalGirl · 27/12/2023 15:37

Gift with Purchase.

Mallani · 27/12/2023 16:07

Was a bit meh about the Harvey Nichols one, overall. Too many weird perfumes (though I did love one and added it to my Christmas list). Also am slightly grossed out by the idea of the goat milk face cream & haven't opened it yet.

WildFlowerBees · 27/12/2023 17:27

I didn't buy one this year for the reasons so many of you have stated. I looked at the contents of many of the popular ones but wasn't impressed. I think calendars have had their day. Really expensive and out of 25 items probably 5-6 decent ones.

Fluffypuppy1 · 27/12/2023 17:52

I wouldn’t buy another beauty product one again. I had a Fenwick one Christmas 2022, which had some lovely products, but they’re just not big enough sizes to see if they work for me.

I bought a Diptyque one this year, which was beautiful, and far more practical for me as I will definitely use the candles. I will most likely buy the Diptyque one again next year.

Lifeasiknowitisout · 27/12/2023 17:55

Can I ask which candle was in the space NK one?

i didn’t buy one this year. I couldn’t find one I thought I would like.

The perfume ones I have seen on SM looked fairly good. I love perfume for happy to try as many as possible, even if I end up not liking them.

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 27/12/2023 18:00

God it was awful called Boy Smells

OP posts:
headcheffer · 27/12/2023 18:03

M&S. It's just so samey year after year!

3kidsaremorethanenough · 27/12/2023 18:08

Rituals. Lots of teeny candles, a plastic egg timer, teeny tiny samples not worth £169 that's for sure

Lifeasiknowitisout · 27/12/2023 18:09

EachandEveryone · 27/12/2023 18:00

God it was awful called Boy Smells

I have had their polyamberous, it was gorgeous. But I got their ‘ash’ candle in the Space NK 2 years ago. But I can’t remember exactly why I didn’t like it.

Thethruththewholetruth · 27/12/2023 18:31

White company. Loads of hand wash’s and tiny room sprays. A couple of big candles but I didn’t like the Xmas day one so was disappointed. Last time it had bath oils etc so won’t buy again. Not worth the £175 cost!!

Possimpible · 27/12/2023 18:45

@Lifeasiknowitisout it was advertised as Boy Smells Hinoki Fantome (I didn't have the calendar though). I've had that one before from a different calendar and quite liked it. DH likes a smokey, fireside type candle. People on the Space NK thread really didn't though... Everyone's different

I had F&M this year and I probably won't get it next year as the contents are very similar every year. It was good this year as I have a huge stash of make-up and skincare from previous year's calendars, so I didn't want any more exfoliants/mascaras/lipsticks etc. It was more bath and body products.

namechangedforthisone35 · 27/12/2023 18:47

MAC. Nicely presented but 70% of it was lipsticks. Only one mascara.

Meanoldlady · 27/12/2023 18:55

I had vogue and boots premium. Loved them both!

I agonised over the vogue one for weeks because it was so hideously expensive but I have absolutely loved it and used everything, there were some really properly indulgent treats like cashmere bed socks, jewellery and a foreo gadget that ive used everyday but would never have bought myself. Will definitely repurchase.

FinallyFinalGirl · 27/12/2023 22:26

Meanoldlady · 27/12/2023 18:55

I had vogue and boots premium. Loved them both!

I agonised over the vogue one for weeks because it was so hideously expensive but I have absolutely loved it and used everything, there were some really properly indulgent treats like cashmere bed socks, jewellery and a foreo gadget that ive used everyday but would never have bought myself. Will definitely repurchase.

I didn't want that as socks are something I would never, ever want as a gift. Plus I have most of the other items and don't want repeats.

One calendar I'm definitely coveting is Diptyque. I'm buying it next year.

FinallyFinalGirl · 27/12/2023 22:33

Mallani · 27/12/2023 16:07

Was a bit meh about the Harvey Nichols one, overall. Too many weird perfumes (though I did love one and added it to my Christmas list). Also am slightly grossed out by the idea of the goat milk face cream & haven't opened it yet.

Don't be daft. That cream is lovely. Goat's milk has the same pH as your skin so is pretty perfect for everyone.

Tilllly · 27/12/2023 22:41

I had a body shop one last year and loved it

So I got it again this year- all the same products
Identical
Every single one

Total let down