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.

I’ve tried quite a few Neom candles and oils and really rate them. Have you tried real luxury? It’s a lovely fragrance.

M and S - Clinique cleansing balm. I really like this, handy to have a travel size.

Fortnums- Blanche Bete. I’ve had a spritz, not sure, might be too woody for me.

Day 7 and we have a cleanser from First aid beauty. I've seen items from this brand pop up in beauty boxes but haven't tried it. I'm happy with the Lookfantastic calendar so far, bar one item it's so far at least contained stuff I will use. Hopefully it continues like this.

Harrods Day 7 - Cle de Peau Serum - 7ml..

Looks like a sample but this product is actually available to buy in this size (£31). Like @AprilLady says, worth a try. I'd never buy this at RRP.

Curious rather than excited.

@ConradKnightSocks and. @Cyclingmummy1

Joining in Neom conversation. I used to be really impressed by the candles but much less so in the last few years. I wonder if proportion of essential oil is now lower.

Vogue today- a £99 foreo cleaning device:
https://www.foreo.com/luna-play-smart-collection?srsltid=AfmBOor5qGdroaGkku7siYAWLaqHPy_7Y_MRBQpwSSPeiOpSMMGETSa4

need to figure out how to use it!

Me and DS open our AC's together so as it's the weekend I'll be waiting until nearly lunchtime for him to appear. Tempted to peek. 😂

Yesterdays Rituals was a body mask. Very small tube - I doubt the contents will cover my generous expanse of skin.

I'm not terribly impressed with the AC so far, I like Rituals and will use most stuff up but don't think I will buy this one again. The glow mask could have been a wow day if it wasn't the tiniest of tiny pots.

@Stoic123 @BlueLimeRun Funnily enough, I do like the oils (and have one of those diffuser things that puffs mist into the air!) but find the candles disappointing. I should have said that it's the Neom candles I find particularly overrated.

I had one in an advent calendar a couple of years ago too and was excited but found not much fragrance. Interesting thought about there being less essential oil content. Maybe I'll have to try again with BlueLimeRun's fragrance recommendation!

I have meant to update on my self-made calendar in a lovely F&M box.

I have had 2 x face masks inc an Eve Lom one; eye gels (hmm) and 2 x The Ordinary products (also hmm). But a goodie is the Byredo lippy that was in last year's Liberty, and today a couple of minis in a Rhianna lip gloss.

So I tend to leave my AC products to sit and be admired till end dec but I have decided to use the self-made ones NOW after all that's the idea.

<dons fancy lipstick to go and pick up Christmas tree> :)

Today's goodies:

Cult Beauty:

Saie Glow Sculpt 5.8g - Multi-use cream highlighting blush.

Have heard of this brand but don't think I've ever tried anything but them. It's a nice full size. It looks like it's got a bit of a shimmer to it, so feel a bit wary but might be just the thing for the festive season! I'll give it a whirl anyway.

Bird & Blend Tea:

Moondrop Dreams - 'Dreamy lemon and lavender blend'. Sounds nice but I see on the ingredients that they've again padded it out with rooibos. Just feels a bit lazy for a decaf tea blend. Getting over having rooibos every day. Clearly I should have studied the ingredients more closely, but I wanted it to be a surprise.

Like others have said, a very small 7ml serum in Harrods today so not mega exciting but give it a try.
I remember being impressed with the contents when this calendar was released, which is why I picked it, so hoping for more exciting days to come.

I forgot to update on Paxton & Whitfield yesterday- a Suffolk soft cheese, St Jude’s. I really rate this calendar and it has the unexpected benefit of getting teenage DD out of her bedroom after dinner and talking to us for a few minutes while we all sample the day’s cheese.

The Luna play smart from Vogue today. Never used one of these before.

Me neither, I’ve set it up on the app and am going to have a go soon! It measures skin moisture and stuff, worth a try!

I think the stuff so far looks really good in everyone else’s calendars. I got minis of Cle de Peau in last years vogue, it was lovely but couldn’t justify the cost of full size!

DS was up earlier than expected so today's Rituals was a teeny tiny body mist. Not keen on the smell nor was DS so not sure what I'll do with this one.

J L candles day 4 - Stoneglow Cosy Vibes. Maybe a spiced orange scent???

@Isitfridayyetsophie @Ems235 thank you so much for sharing your Vogue AC. I’d be really interested to know if you think this is more gentle than a towelling flannel or even a muslin cloth? Gentle seems to be its USP.

Day 7 Jo Malone - English Pear & Freesia body/hand lotion 50ml. Goes with yesterday's cologne but is unfortunately one of the ones that I really don't like - never mind!

Just a bit more info on the Cle De Peau Beaute Serum:

Informed by years of research, The Serum from Clé de Peau Beauté is a lightweight, skin-intelligent formula that seeks to balance the complexion.
Infused with an exclusive Skin-Empowering Illuminator, the serum possesses an intuitive ability to defend the skin against environmental aggressors, helping to promote a radiant-looking complexion. Featuring the brand’s Keplex blend, an infusion of red, yellow and green kelp, the brightening serum melts effortlessly into the skin to create the illusion of a lit-from-within glow. Incorporated into your AM/PM skincare routine, the serum promotes the illusion of revitalised lustre.

So as @AprilLady said, there is a wonder ingredient to give you the glow!

Keen to try the Serum, but a bit annoying it's in a glass bottle...gonna be a case of turning it upside down to get the last few drops out!

I'm happy with todays Jo Malone hand cream, although I'm not expecting there to be anything I don't like in this one. I got two tiny tubes of the Favourite hand cream in Penhaligons and a little essential oils shower gel in my bedtime L'occitane calendar. I'm very pleased overall - after the first week there is nothing in these or my Liberty calendar that are going into the Vinted or charity shop boxes so far.

Space NK Fragrance - Jo by Jo Loves - first impression is grapefruit, think it'll be one for the spring. Also Floral St - Wonderful Peony, I'm not a big fan of Floral Street and this smells of bubble gum on first spray so think I'll stick it in 12 year old stocking. Am giving the JHAG ones to 15 year old so the dds are doing well out of this calendar so far but no stand outs for me.

F&M - green tea with elderflower & lemon biscuits, sounds lovely.

I've decided to open Grüum. It is definitely functional but I really like it so far. There's a pumpkin oil, a facial tonic, which seems to be a combination of toner and moisturiser, a moisturiser, a hand cream, a sleep butter that you can use in the bath or shower, a wax melt and a roll-on perfume.

I'm least excited by the wax melt and the perfume, although both do smell lovely.

@Stowickthevast agree with you on Floral Street. There are a few I’ve read the notes for and thought I’d like, but somehow didn’t when I tried them. Have had a few 10mls in calendars and beauty boxes. I think Sunflower Pop is the only one I’ve really enjoyed using. And I liked the Sweet Almond Blossom as a candle.

I like Jo by Jo loves - but yes, very much a spring/summer grapefruit scent.

Day 7 Boots unlimited: Rituals recovery hand balm. Like this and will use it!