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.

A red lip liner today, probably one of the things that won't get used

I feel the same about the single sheet mask in Harrods. I very rarely use them and don’t like the feel of slimy clingy masks on my face. I think this single mask is a pricy one though & costs over £20!

Day 5 Boots unlimited: Ren Overnight Recovery Balm. These richer night creams aren't so much my thing. Plus some Ren products have been great, but then I started to react to the glow tonic and had to stop using it. I will consider whether bits of drier skin I have would be worth trying it on.

@fivebyfivebuffy @pinkchampagne1 same for me with those items. Sheet masks rarely fit my face properly 🤔

Pengaligon’s is The Coveted Duchess Rose fragrance and it’s gorgeous. Glossybox is Kate Somerville Goat Milk and Papier is a lovely big bookmark. The Papier calendar feels like an enormous treat.

Asos today is a trial size exfoliator from Grown Alchemist. Not a brand I've heard of but online reviews look good. Pleased with that one.

Bonne Maman is pineapple and passion fruit jam, which sounds lovely.

And DD got a hat for Hermione.

Hmm...single use sheet mask. I feel let down, Harrods! Is it bad to say I'm glad it's an expensive one? I will make sure to use it (although I dislike them) and truly believe I will look incredible afterwards!

Was hoping for a good un today. The Laura Mercier powder yesterday wasn't one I was too excited about either...although if people say it's good I'll give it a go. I have something similar from previous calendars that sits not being used.

These face masks usually come in a pack of 5 and cost over £100! 😮
I wasn’t excited by yesterday’s powder either and have already sold it on Vinted. Hoping we have got most of the disappointing doors out of the way now!

Grown Alchemist face scrub in ASOS, felt very luxe in the shower this morning, so a win!

I'm away for work but DD(11) insisted that I brought my box with me to open here and I'm glad I did!

Grown alchemist is lovely, I like their hair care and hand cream

I'm in agreement with all the sheet mask haters. Horrible, slimy things.

I'm also in agreement with the Grown Alchemist lovers. I've liked everything of theirs I've tried.

My Grüum calendar has finally arrived. Only 5 days into advent. Very poor CS as they haven't replied to my emails. I won't be in a rush to order from them again.

So the big question is do I start opening now or keep it for jadvent?

@OchonAgusOchonOh I am so glad it’s arrived - but rubbish they have not responded to you, I bet they are inundated with messages as it was always going to be a risk dispatching them that late especially with it been around Black Friday - it almost but me off ordering it at all

I have Space NK and am very happy with the Medik8 product. Just popped on to say that I have been using the Grown Alchemist exfoliator (from a 2023 advent) and am very happy with it. It's very fine but super effective.

Jo Malone - Velvet Rose and Oud intense

Bare Minerals - Ageless Retinol

Dermalogica - Skin Smoothing Cream

Another good day here. Now I’m going to scroll back and see what delights everyone else has got this morning.

@bigdecisionstomakeI'm also using the exfoliater and really love it. Only negative is trying to get the last bits out as the tube is metal.

Day 5 Jo Malone - Velvet Rose & Oud cologne intense. I love to wear rose scents from time to time but not enough to justify buying a full bottle so I'm always happy to get a mini. This goes well with a body lotion I've been trying to use up too (Urban Apothecary Oudh Geranium), which is a bonus.

My day four:

Cult Beauty: Shampoo and conditioner set by Sam McKnight. It's supposed to be volumising and god knows my hair needs a bit of volume!

Bird & Blend Tea: 'Dozy Girl' - chamomile, lavender and rose. I think this sounds nice and I look forward to a cup this afternoon.

Agree with everyone else on the rubbishness of sheet masks. I had one in a Harrods advent calendar once and didn't get a lot from it. Couldn't believe the price of them!

Very jealous of the Jo Malone calendar, love the sound of today's rose and oud. Maybe one year...

Day five! I don't seem to be able to edit it, but obviously this is day 5!

Day 5 on TreatBox, a pressed flower keyring. It's nice but not really my style and I don't need one. I'll donate it, I'm sure someone else will love it.

Day 5 Rituals is the Ritual of Sakura anti-perspirant. Sakura is my favourite scent. I already have one of these but it's nearly empty so happy with another one even though it's not a very exciting day.

Vogue today is: https://www.lookfantastic.com/p/murad-essential-c-overnight-barrier-repair-cream-50ml/14024020/?affil=thgppc&kwds=19959388920&thg_ppc_campaign=754314205&adtype=&product_id=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD-fXioOxR16IySwcw8Ev1ktcF71o&gclsrc=ds full size which I am pleased with, I like Murad as a brand.

I used yday’s serum last night and it was nice, a little goes a long way but the smell was a bit herbal for me!

I am most envious of the Space NK calendar, looks great so far

Sheet masks work better with a reusable silicone sheet mask on top.
It looks absolutely awful, I'm not exaggerating. You must never, ever wear it near any other human beings.
It is a flexible thin silicone mask with ear loops you attach to your face over the normal cellulose sheet masks.
It keeps the treatment mask in place and you can get on with other stuff.
I've got mine from amazon but lots of places sell them.
I also bought a lot of plain cellulose masks from Amazon. I use these to make my own masks by soaking the paper in a particular serum for an intense treatment or for home made masks which are too runny/watery. Then put the silicone mask on top to keep in place.
I haven't found a way to keep neck sheet masks in place.
Yes, I know, you're supposed to lie down and relax when you use a face mask. I'm to impatient and want to double task doing something useful at the same time.

I'm loving the Fortnum's tea and biscuits and would definitely get that again. It feels like a real treat for either my morning or afternoon cuppa each day. And easy to take into work on the days I'm in the office.

On the Grown Alchemist exfoliating wash, do we think it would be ok for acne-prone skin? It's my 12 year olds calendar and she's quite spotty at the moment - though combination skin with dry bits too. I'm wary of anything too harsh as she's so young but I guess she could give it a go.

I take it all back about Gruum. I put a bad review up on trustpilot and they have since been in touch with me to say they have issued a full refund.

While not as impressive as HN in terms of initial response to a problem, I am impressed that they seem to have at least investigated and they will hopefully have learned from this (i.e. ship internationally earlier as customs is a pain). I will definitely give them another try as I do like the one or two things of theirs I have tried previously. I've also updated my review to say they have resolved it, which is, I think, only fair.

Glad it worked out @OchonAgusOchonOh !

In my Next AC, I got a Bobbi Brown full sized eye shadow stick in Bark, a very dark brown but once it's blended it looks good 👍🏻