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.

@IlovePond Luckily not all of them are full sizes. I don't know why I'm so drawn to cleansers but I need to stop until half of them are empty as a minimum.

@HollyGolightly4 I was about to ask if you also have treatbox then saw your second comment 😂 I've yet to find anyone else with the same one!

Perfume and a deep red nail polish
Happy with both of those

Small 5ml bottle of U Beauty eye cream in Harrods calendar today. The 15ml full size of this is £143!

Day 9 of the Lookfantastic is a Nue co scalp serum for hair density. I'll happily give this a go.

Happy this morning!

Also realising that DH has zero clue of the price structure of my AC contents 🤣. I think I'll keep it that way!

@fivebyfivebuffy I like commodity gold a lot. It has Byredo Gypsy Water vibes

SpaceNK and Harvey Nicks. Ok day, I will try the lipstick tomorrow

Day 9 Boots unlimited: Shisheido Vital Perfection lifting and firming cream. Happy to try!

Harrods Day 9 - U Beauty The Return - 5ml

According to U Beauty: A complete contouring treatment that targets the visible effects of oxidative stress and free radical imbalance against the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and dark circles for unprecedented eye revival with visible sustained renewal

This is tiny but, as @pinkchampagne1 says, this is expensive. I don't normally use an eye cream but I'm up for some "unprecedented eye revival" 😅

Jo Malone - blackberry and bay soap

Dermalogica - finally a full size item - multivitamin power recovery masque

Bare Minerals - lipstick in shade Honesty. Quite like the colour of this one, I hope it looks nice on.

Asos this morning is continuing the hair theme with a 3pk of invisibobbles.

I don't tie my hair up, so these will go to DD but they're pink and shiny so she'll be happy!

@Georgieporgie29 That's my everyday lipstick. It's very flattering and lasts well.

Grüum - a face wash. I'm not a major fan of face washes but I'll use it up in the shower eventually.

Next 25 Days of Advent

Day 9

Neal's Yard Wild Rose Beauty Balm

It smells lovely & the directions say:-

This one pot wonder balm can be used in many ways, including as an exfoliating cleanser, nourishing intensive treatment or for finishing touches for a naturally radiant glow.

I need a glow this morning so I am happy 😃

Vogue today- a £42 eye lash serum
https://www.uklash.com/products/complex-peptide-eyelash-serum?srsltid=AfmBOoqVP0B3xSpTCcdfje9RTgEEqxOiycfgfHPXayVtyEFCdZYM_5Cl

Will catch up on all your goodies later!

A bit of a disappointing day. A blackberry and bay soap in Jo Malone, and a little bottle of Halfeti leather in Penhaligons. If got a little almond shower fell in L'occitane.

ASOS was a pack of Invisibobbles - not a fan of these!

Day 9:

SpaceNK: Sunday Riley Vitamin C and Tumeric oil. Another good sized product, but I don’t use face oils much. Would have preferred the SR Vit C serum that I do use regularly.

Harrods: U Beauty eye serum. Another small (5ml) product from Harrods, but it is one I haven’t tried before. I do use eye serums more in hope than expectation they will help my 50 something under eye area. So an okay day from Harrods.

F&M tea: Smoky earl grey tea. Nice.

Brown Thomas day 9 - Pestle & Mortar makeup removing balm. Seems to have good reviews so will definitely be keeping it 🎉🎉

Thank you so much @Branster - you're a godsend!

Today’s F & M goody was a 50 ml F & M Pomegranate and Rose hand cream. Nice, light texture but quite heavily scented so not so sure. Maybe I’ll keep it for bedtime when I can’t smell it?

@Isitfridayyetsophie sorry, its already been put away into give away/sell stash 🙈

Hair bobbles from my ASOS too. I had a huge haircut about 4 months ago!

Might put these to my nieces.

Day 9 Jo Malone - 50g Blackberry & Bay soap, which for some reason is in the shape of a cat. Pleased with this anyway as I really like this scent. I have loads of soap though so it'll get put away until late summer/autumn (blackberry is a late summer/autumn scent to me).

@HollyGolightly4 @BakeOffRewatch I tried the Narnia Bird and Blend Tea and thought it was lovely. Quite unusual but not in a bad way! A great idea for a gift!

@BakeOffRewatch thanks for your 111SKIN recommendation. Sounds transformative! On your advice I'll save for when I've got something on where I have to look half decent and hope to get comments as nice as you got from your husband!

My day 9:

Cult Beauty:

ISAMAYA Spur Stick Suede Lip Liner (£22)

I got the shade 'Buck' which looks way too dark for me. A bit gutted because it won't get used. Absolutely beautiful packaging though! If it was an eyeliner it would be great!

I've just found out that Cult Beauty do two different advent calendars: one normal one and one fragrance one. Mine was a gift but I'm pretty sure it's the normal one. Just in case anybody has the same calendar and thinks I've posted something different to what they've got.

Bird and Blend Tea:

Ginger Beer - 'Zingy ginger, lemon and lime blend'. As I'm coming down with a cold (sore throat etc) this might be just the thing today.

Now to catch up on everyone else's goodies!

My day 9 is the day 5 of the Harrods fragrance, the Acqua di Parma Oud and Zagara 20ml perfume. The description looks good and I think I will like it.

Those with a preference for bright, floral scents will love this fruity-floral eau de parfum from Acqua di Parma. It’s soft and delicate, layered with notes of Zagara orange flower, ylang ylang, bergamot and lemon. Blended with a resinous base of oud and agarwood, it’s a scent with depth, intensity and lots of warm-weather appeal.