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.

Jealous @Stoic123 I've had those small bottles of the Cle de Peau serum in boxes a couple of times and really liked it, but it's another step to buy it. Lovely.

Really enjoying reading all the posts today. DH had to go and fetch DD from uni this morning in this foul weather, so pleased to have a distraction. Only yellow warnings here, but still not pleasant.

Glad to hear that the Cle de Peau serum is good. I was initially a little disappointed when I opened it this morning but now I am looking forward to trying it🙂

SpaceNK sunscreen primer
Harvey's lipgloss and blush both lovely

Oh that Saie blush looks lovely!

Harrods fragrance for me today is Roja Elysium Pour Femme perfume. I like this one and a sucker for some gorgeous packaging.

Next 25 Days of Advent (not the luxury one 😉)

This Works - Leg Cream

I feel a bit meh about this one which is my first disappointment so that's not too bad.

Mine have already been posted but I'll do it anyway

Boots premium. Rituals hand balm- handbag sized. Ayurveda

Boots fragrance Roja Elysium pour femme.
Fragrantica says:'Top notes are Blackberry, Peach, Bergamot and Mandarin; middle notes are Ylang Ylang, Lily of the Valley, Freesia, Magnolia, Jasmine, Geranium, Tuberose, Cyclamen, Peony and Violet; base notes are Cedar, Musk, Sandal, Red Berries and Vanilla.'

Too much Magnolia. Makes me smell like an old lady. However I am getting there as turn 60 in a few months.

I have it from same advent and kept it for myself as I like it. However it is so similar to Jadore Dior, I was not expecting it from such expensive niche btand

@Fedupandstressed I'm turning 60 in a few months too. I might have to finally accept that I'm middle aged.

Re floral street Arizona Bloom is very like Le Labo 13 with added coconut notes and is the only one ftom the range I really like. Sunflower Pop and I agree with @AprilLady Sweet Almond Blossom is really lovely as candle. The one from this year's Space NK advent is not for me. I didn't like any others from the discovery set.

I also kept Jo from Jo Loves for the spring, much nicer then pomelo

My foreo seems to be missing the charger, Anyone else with vogue have a missing charger.

@Ems235 ah interesting you say that, as I was saying that it looks like when the battery dies you throw it away. The FAQs on their site say “1. WHAT COMES WITH MY LUNA™ play smart 2?
1x LUNA™ play smart 2, 1x basic manual” so I’m not sure we should get one?

@BakeOffRewatch I’ve just used it for the first time, using the app. I’m not totally sure I’ve done it correctly but I put my usual foaming face wash on (Fresh soy cleanser) and put it on my face the allocated time. When I first started it I was quite 🤨 and really ready to say it’s a gimmick! It didn’t make my face wash foam and after a bit of use I could feel it was exfoliating, sort of. When I finished my face was really soft and I was quite surprised, because it did feel exfoliated in a way I never get with a normal face wash. I’d usually only use a flannel or cloth with a cream or balm cleanser. It was much gentler than a muslin cloth (I only have Liz Earle ones) but I do use fluffy neals yard flannels, this was gentler in a different way? I can see it’s definitely less abrasive and rough and the device itself feels rubbery. I did the skin monitoring after, apparently I have “good” levels of moisture in my face 🤷‍♀️ My serum sunk in quicker than it ever has done in the morning. It’s £100 though…. I’m sure I could have a similar effect using my flannel but presumably that would be much rougher on the skin. tomorrow I’ll use a flannel with my face wash to compare, then I’ll do a full week of foreo. I’ll report back if you want! (Sorry this was so long!)

@MiaN - I absolutely love FS Arizona Bloom - so glad I am not the only one! I’ve only had a quick sniff at the others, but not keen on those.

Freebies for me today from SpaceNK and Boots - yippee! Check your Advantage card for the Boots offer - mascara. SpaceNK rather surprisingly sent me a £10 no minimum spend voucher as a new customer so I got the Xmas hand lotion trio for me to put under the tree.

I haven’t opened my a/cs yet, so am counting these as extras!

A 3 in 1 from NUXE today - apparently it is a make up remover milk, a 48 hr moisturising cream and a plumping mask all in a little 15ml bottle! I don’t wear make up but like all the NUXE moisturisers and could do with a bit of face plumping atm so we will see…

The Foreo reviews are interesting, sorry if this is a stupid question - but what actually is it?

@AprilLady I hope your DH and DD get back quickly so you don’t have to wait too long. It’s very rainy where we are and my cats are sulking (they have checked numerous times that the weather is the same at the front door as it is at the back…)

Hi, today’s old Rituals calendar was a men’s anti-dry body lotion - not sure anyone will use that, but might add it to youngest’s stocking.

Shiseido continued the theme of big box, small item, but it’s something I want to try - a scrub mask.

DH’s refilled calendar offering was three minutes baubles for the tree!

@Isitfridayyetsophie I'm interested to hear how you get on with the foreo product. I received a money off voucher to be used against a foreo device in the Lookfantastic calendar. They aren't cheap though so I've been on the fence as to whether I should get one or not.

Today's non vogue was Elemis- dynamic resurfacing facial wash! Pleased, but it made me yearn for the rose one from last year!

At least it's a decent size. With the exception of the deodorant which is full size everything so far in this years Rituals is teeny tiny. Today's body mist was 20ml although you can buy that size for £7. I know there's some bigger stuff coming but for the price it could have started off better.

Thanks @ThePeopleBowedAndPrayedToTheNeonGodTheyMade they are indeed back. Good to have DD home.

That’s interesting about new Rituals @OvaHere , (although the today’s lotion isn’t that big, just the Shiseido is tiny 😹)

Btw: My previous post should have read ‘three baubles’ - I hate autocorrect !

@ThePeopleBowedAndPrayedToTheNeonGodTheyMade

I have a dog who does that too. She reckons the front has much better weather as that's the door we use to go for walks and it's not usually raining then.

@IlovePond I've not opened my Shiseido. I did know they were tiny but it was enough of a discount for it to not matter. I'm either going to save it for next December or open it in a random month when I want a nice mood boost.

It is very pretty @OvaHere and I did see it irl as I was buying it. It’s just even smaller than i remember and the big box, tiny item thing is getting a bit old🙀

Also, tbf, apart from the eyelash serum, I will use it all.