General “Waifs and Strays” Beauty Advent Calendar opening thread 2024

[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).

Carrying on the traditional from previous years, it will also be fun to hear about other calendar openings - Degusta, jam, escape room anyone?

I know there are mixed feelings on this, but many of us would really appreciate it if spoilers are not posted before 7am on the relevant day. Please also avoid dropping hints or spoilers about future contents if you have opened the calendar in advance.

Posting pictures of contents is also always much appreciated.

I’ll be opening the Space NK and Harrods calendars this year. Really looking forward to Day 1 tomorrow.

Today’s old Rituals offering was another min candle and the Shiseido was a tiny pot of moisturiser- very pretty bottle but sooo small! I lived life on the edge and opened another door of last year’s WS bargain sock calendar - robins today!

That's reminded me I haven't posted my Rituals offering today. It was a very tiny pot of glow mask and a sand timer - I presume to time the length the mask should stay on for.

That sounds like fun @OvaHere

Our P&W has been missing the info cards for the last two days so your posts have been helpful!

It's different. Even though I did watch an unboxing months ago I'd totally forgotten this one.

If that's all the rock sweets that were in the box, that's pretty poor imo, @Ponks

There was someone who had an escape room calendar that I was really excited about. Any updates on that would be very welcome.

Yes that was it! And apparently retails for £2.99 just for that tiny box of 5 sweets!

@Doubleraspberry @CordeliaNaismithVorkosigan the cheese calendar sounds fantastic. Definitely one to watch out for next year for me.

Conpletely off topic @CordeliaNaismithVorkosigan I’ve just done a full reread of the entire Vorkosigan series, which I haven’t done for some years and thoroughly enjoyed. It reminded me just how amazing Bujold is when she is at her best. Sadly, though, it also reminded just how much of a disappointment the final book (Gentlemam Jole and the Red Queen) was. If anything, I found it even worse this time round than when I read it when it first came out. Have you read it?

That’s pretty poor @ponks. That would be a carefully rationed one sweet each for our family.

Day 4 of Lego Star Wars (cat not included).

We have the Degustabox (well DH does) and he was similarly disappointed. even if they were nice sweets that's about 20p worth!

Sorry not been updating on this thread but have been following sporadically. Meant to post my home made AC – so far two nice face masks and then 2 x The Ordinary products – a bit basic. Feel like I have saved some better stuff till later!
(I put this together myself you understand so no one else is to blame)

Like @OchonAgusOchonOh I would also like more deets on the escape room calendar.

Next - 25 days of Advent

Pai Ceramide Face Oil 😀

Off into the office today so an early start for me so might save it to use on a day I am working from home.

I am looking forward to seeing what everyone else has on Day 5

Candle from F&M
Aveda mask from M and S

A solid day. Candle smells very nice.

@Greyrockin hope you are enjoying?

ASOS looks fab as does space NK. Wish I had purchased the space NK one - maybe a contender for next year.

Day 5

Harrods: Single sheet mask (111skin). Another meh day. I realised a little while ago that I simply don’t enjoy using sheet masks. I don’t like the sensation of having something wet and clingy on my face. Far prefer masks which you apply as creams etc.

SpaceNK: Continues to impress with a full size Medik8 Hydra B5 intense serum. This has been in beauty boxes before, it’s a quality product.

FM Tea: Breakfast blend today. Really enjoying these.

Another full size from Space Nk and mini hairbrush with 1 silk scrunchie from Harvey's. Happy with both but SpaceNK is taking good lead.

5 days 6 full size products from SpaceNk

Day 5 of the Lookfantastic calendar is a Glow hub Gen gleam lip plumping gloss. It's in a pink shade. This probably isn't something I would use but I have a niece who might like it so will pass it on.

@AprilLady I'm so envious of your F&M tea calendar! The packaging is so beautiful.
After yesterday's sweet disappointment from Degustabox, we've got....chocolate wine! I mean, I love wine, I love chocolate....just not sure I'm going to love them together, but I'll give it a go

@Roundaboot i have had chocolate wine before and I thought it was brill

I have - I think I’ve read everything she’s ever written. The one I found most disappointing in the series was actually Diplomatic Immunity (Ekaterin is wasted, after Bujold’s used her point of view so effectively in the previous two books). But I agree Gentleman Jole is quite a weak entry.

We've had the Exit Room escape room advent calendars before. They're quite fun but also quite time consuming. We generally found we didn't have time to do them every day so would do a few days at a time at the weekend. I think we've still got a half completed one from last year somewhere!!

Victoria Grey Tea and biscuits from F&M today and two Juliette Has a Gun perfumes and a Boy Smells one from Space NK fragrance. I'm looking the fact that the Space NK seems to have 2 a day.

Do we have any favourites so far?

I am surprised how much I liked the Trinny products in Harvey Nicks advent as I had very low expectations for some reason. I tried the hair mask from Space Nk advent but I guess I need to use it few times to see if there is benefit from it I wouldn't buy Erba Pura - the perfume in Harvey Nics, but I am very happy to have the 15ml.

Few products I don't really need but have gifted, and few boring but useful but overall happy

@AprilLady that tea callendar look fab!

Well, today's treat was carmex...I mean, I needed a new one, but it wasn't thrilling 🤣

Joining the fun here if it's ok. I have an LF calendar but substituted a few drawers that I didn't fancy with some other items. Fortunately I did the substitution a while ago so the contents are genuinely a surprise.

Today's is a substitute, and month-ago-RandomAnonName did good, with the mini Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. This was a freebie when buying the full size version as part of DD's Christmas.

My household also has the Degustabox and the Boots MacMillan one but neither has been opened today. I suspect the chocolate wine will be tossed with disdain my way...