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.

@Tangomango1 great day today! I love the NY rose beauty balm, I use it every day! Feels like a little bit of luxury. Did it come with a muslin? Hope you enjoy!

@Isitfridayyetsophie ooh, this serum looks interesting. Been on the fence about eyelash serums despite being the perfect target customer with my stubby lashes. Would love to know how you get on & whether it's worth firing out £42 for!

Day 9 from TreatBox is this mug. It's cute and a very good size for a decent drink. I actually have a load of Christmas mugs already though so I might stick some hot chocolate sachets in it and regift.

That’s cute @paranoiaofpufflings

Evening all! Today’s old Rituals is a very small anti-ageing cream and another very small cleansing foam from Shiseido, (even smaller than the last one. I’ve also included yesterday’s tiny Shiseido cream.

DH’s refilled calendar was a Korean lip balm and accompanying ribbon. I bought this on a whim when irl shopping so gave it to him to put away for Xmas. Looking forward to trying this one!

Evening! Today’s cheese is Ticklemore, which I’ve had before and like.

Perfume day! Harrods and today is Etat Libre D'Orange Nostros
Not sure about this. I have a million samples from this brand when they brought out a library. I got caught by the really, really vile Secretions 🤮

This doesn't have much of a description on Fragrantica and Harrods simply say;'Few elements can elicit memory quite like smell, and this fragrances wraps its wearer in notes that call to mind the endless summers of dewy youth, like mandarin, Turkish rose, jasmine, saffron and sandalwood.'
It's a bit one note and for £225 for 100ml it just feels very flat. A floral flat but not well developed.

Forgot the picture

I can report that smoky earl grey turned out not to be my cup of tea. It’s the first one I have actively not enjoyed.

New Rituals was better today. It was a decent size reed diffuser although from experience these don't last long. It will go in the bathroom over xmas.

Degustabox was a bag of four chocolate covered Brazil nuts- forgot to take a photo before we had them!

I do like Rituals diffusers @OvaHerebut I agree they don’t last long. Which scent do you get?

@ConradKnightSocks my cult days were mixed up on doors 1 and 9 so I had the lip liner on day 1 but I had 2 products so double check you aren't missing an item

A vanilla something. Not one I recognised.

That mug is very cute, it will make nice gift

@Fedupandstressed I did not like that perfume myself, my son got it but bit did even he enjoys.

@OvaHere - I like the vanilla one - it’s lovely.

Thanks @CinnamonCoffee. I think it's because there were two versions of the calendar for sale: a fragrance one with perfumes and extra items AND. a 'normal' one which is what I've got.

Seems a lot of people managed to get the scent calendar, but they'd all sold out by the time my dh came to buying. So what I get in mine doesn't always match what others might get in their CB, depending what version of the calendar they got

Also, so unhappy with my lip liner! The shade is one I'd never use, very dark brown - more like an eyeliner. On the plus side it has good staying power as it took a lot of scrubbing with soap to get it off my hand! Hoping for a better day today when I open later.

Harrods Day 10- Bioeffect EGF Power Serum - 15ml (RRP £165)

One of the the reasons I bought the calender - I love the normal EGF serum from Bioeffect so keen to try the stronger version.

Are Degustabox taking the piss now?! After the 5 sweeties and 4 chocolate brazils we now have....4 teabags! I was initially quite pleased as it's a good brand the packaging is super cute but then I realised that there are only two bags in each packet. In previous years, we've had boxes of tea bags, whole jars of sweets!.
It's annoying as you can't check the contents before buying so I was very much going on previous years but I do feel a bit let down and probably won't be repurchasing.

Fantastic day SpaceNK work full size Tatcha serum and two 10ml Sisley creams I really like
DoD from Harvey's. I will see if my son would like them

@Roundaboot - this year's offerings do seem meaner that previous ones.

J L candles Aery Happy Space

Good day from Harrods today - the Bioeffect EGF power serum. This 15ml bottle retails for £165!

Day 10 Boots unlimited: Ful shampoo for damaged hair. Nice full size, not the type that works for my hair but I have a DC who I think will like it.

Sunday Riley autocorrect in ASOS, absolutely tiny, but keen to try nonetheless!

Days 9&10 were very uninteresting from
both Fortnum’s (hand cream and scrunchie) and m and s wow shampoo and conditioner.