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.

It was €300 so worked out £254 with whatever exchange rate it was that day. Suppose not that much more expensive, but with space NK I used some points towards it and Libery was ‘free’ as I had credit built up 😂😂 so BT did sting a bit paying full price

Hi @Branster please could I ask your views on BHA and salicylic acid for young teens?

I've got cult beauty boxes for my nieces and have taken out the hyaluronic cream out - I'll replace it with something else - but it's got a Paula's Choice exfoliant in it as well. Is that safe?

I'm also debating decanting into a nice sponge bag or leaving in the box for label cachet! Can't decide!

I am loving everyone's goodies this morning & especially the beautiful cats!

Next - Day 8

Brush works complexion sponge.

I think I will put this in DD's stocking

I have the ASOS hair styling tube posted by @TokyoSushi upthread. I love some hair stuff, though had ordered some new gel which came yesterday! Ah well. All the hair stuff for me and the teen!

I'm loving the perfume from Harrods. It is quite a sweet floral smell, but I like it. Happy.

I also did our 111Skin sheet mask yesterday in preparation for my Christmas do. I put a hair mask in, the sheet mask on and lay listening to spa music for 20mins. Felt terribly decadent to take my time like that! The mask was slimy, but settled once on. Although it made my top lip very cold/tingly? I suspect I did look more glowing afterwards and fresher today than I would expect after a night out! Also used yesterday's serum, so covering all bases!

So a positive from the mask. But wouldn't bother rebuying.

I am a big fan of The Ordinary skincare. I use the glycolic acid toner (as a more budget friendly of my ideal favourite REN glow tonic!) and their natural moisturing factors + HA as a moisturiser.

NUXE today was Night Recovery Oil Balm which I’m looking forward to trying. NUXE as a single brand AC works well for me as it doesn’t contain make up (and avoids the ubiquitous black eyeliner!) and is mostly skin/shower items. I don’t wear make up, take baths or have much hair, so NUXE is ideal for me. I think DH bought me Lumene AC in previous years which had a similar slant. He’s obviously done his research as they are perfect for my personal circumstances but I can see how someone else could find them a bit limited. I do feel a sad lack of cashmere socks though

Still praying for the NUXE lip balm to be in the days before hospital D day of the 11th!

@AprilLady I think the sleep mask is just a thick night cream.

@TokyoSushi that brand is meant to be brilliant, I’ve only tried a small size of that product but liked it!

@HolaLolla oh amazing! I’d be interested in what you think of the cool girl texture spray!

@BlueLimeRun @BakeOffRewatch just goes to show how differently things work for each of us! I was really excited to try it, was a night cream, it just pilled on me. It felt like to Sat on top of my skin and did nothing, then I touched my face and it had pilled. I tried it several times with no product beforehand, changing serums etc. and got half way through the tub before I relegated it to a hand cream. Then it pilled on my hands so it went in the bin, put me off the brand entirely. I also got espa products I didn’t rate, perfumed I’ve never used, seated Queen lip oil I found underwhelmed. It’s a lovely calendar but the products weren’t for me!

@BakeOffRewatch congratulations on your newest arrival 💫

@Ems235 im really enjoying wearing today’s perfume!

@TragicMuse i would say the Paula’s choice is probably a bit harsh for teen skin, would try and keep hold of it if I was you!

@ThePeopleBowedAndPrayedToTheNeonGodTheyMade I am envious of your nuxe one, I’ve never come across a nuxe product I haven’t liked so I feel like most of it would be usable. Agree about the blasted eye liner!

Update on the Harrods Floraiku scent - sprayed 5 hours ago before heading out in wind and rain. Just back and I can still smell it on me.
It has mellowed down really nicely so I've bought another bottle on eBay 😬.

Asos day 7 was a Phillip Kingsley elasticiser hair styling stuff,
Day 8 was a Sachajuan hair styling stuff. Bit odd to do 2 in a row, but I've used the Sachajuan today and it was nice - interesting texture, not sticky at all which was pleasant. However I've lost my diffuser somewhere so had to make do without so although I'm a bit fluffy I'm not sure it was a fair test!

Bonne maman yesterday was spiced rhubarb, day 8 was cherry and honey.

Jo Malone Day 8 - Wood Sage & Sea Salt cologne. I like this one but it feels more spring/summer to me so will save it and wear in a few months.

Thanks @Isitfridayyetsophie I shall port it over to my own stash!!

I have some other things I can put in instead.

We had the pasta for our dinner. It was not unpleasant but not something I'd be rushing to re-buy either.
It would be lovely to have something a bit more indulgent tomorrow though!

@TragicMuse I'd probably not encourage them on This Paula's Choice exfoliant unless they are over 15 and prone to spots. Which you might not be able to see because teenagers can create real magic with makeup. If the profile fits, and you get the chance to offer advice, I'd say use it once a week as the absolute maximum at that age.
The thing with all these big brands, they are mostly aimed at fully grown up, mature skin, anyone over 30 really, so quite strong stuff. And very young skin can get damaged easily although it heals incredibly quickly. But it's the age when various long term skin reactions can start from too much messing about with unsuitable strong irritants. So gentle, little and less often is the best advice when it comes to any kind of exfoliation on very young skin.
I dislike Mario Badesco as a brand because it is very strong, strips everything off and is very drying but their target market is teenagers. Otherwise the stuff is fine but not as a regular skincare routine for very young skin.
Definitely use the cult beauty box, these youngsters are all about names!

Celtic Soft cheese in P&W today. I feel it’s time for a hard cheese now, we’ve had four soft ones in a row. This one was nice, though, unlike the disappointment of yesterday’s smoked Brie.

Day 8 from TreatBox: Sorry for the rubbish photo, it's dark and I can't get the light on it well.
I am really excited about this one. It's a necklace with a little gold heart, which I love! But even better - it's come inside a little leather pouch, the perfect size for keeping jewellery in while travelling. I travel a lot and I've forever been searching for something like this! This is probably one of the most useful gifts I've ever had.

That does look lovely @paranoiaofpufflings .

@CordeliaNaismithVorkosigan I rather like the sound of a smoked Brie.

Aww @paranoiaofpufflings I'm loving treat box! Hope you are enjoying it. I know what you mean about containers too!

Shiseido excelled themselves today - an absolutely tiny pot of cream - so small I could just about get my finger in. Absolutely pointless as there maybe just enough for one use - no way you could get a feel for whether to repurchase!

Old Rituals was a body scrub - travel size, but looks jumbo next to Shiseido’s offering. I am glad I made the trek to Aldi and acquired one of their Rare Beauty lip oil dupes. That cheered me up a bit 😹

(I meant I'm loving watching you open just to clarify! Can't edit)

Just to say good luck and get well soon for the 11th @ThePeopleBowedAndPrayedToTheNeonGodTheyMade

@IlovePond at least I know I won't be adding much to my stash when I get around to opening the Shiseido. Sounds like I could pan it all in a week. 😁

New Rituals was another mini candle. Nice wild fig scent but not that exciting, I'm not that fussed on candles so DS took it.

@OvaHere - that is a sort of bright side for me, (ridiculous as it sounds), as I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by all my recent skincare/beauty bargain purchases. I hope you don’t mind me posting my pics as you haven’t opened yours yet and my grumpiness isn’t putting you off it. (It is lovely stuff and very pretty - just tiny!)

I collected everything from doors 1-8 tonight and popped it into a little bag so I can use it when ready. I was vaguely horrified that it all fitted into a bag that’s smaller than my iPhone 🙀

At least it’s not taking up a lot of space 😹

I don't mind at all. I have a brain like a sieve and won't retain the product details beyond December. Knowing it won't add much to the stash alleviates the stash guilt.

I worked out this evening I've gone a bit overboard with collecting cleansers and have about 10 in various sizes to work through. 🙀

Thanks @OvaHere - one of my resolutions is to start using up my stores of cleanser!