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.

Just thought are we allowed to say what we opened? so not to spoil it for others until a certain time (sure that was a thing a couple of years ago?)

Day 1 of Harrods Beauty - Valmont Prime Renewing Pack -50ml. This can be used daily (e.g. mixed in with moisturiser) or weekly as a mask.

Very high end skin care (75ml RRP is £233) and just the kind of thing I like to get these calendars for.

@AprilLady has suggest 7am on the day in the thread opening post - which seems to be standard default.

Great thanks i missed that.

Everyone enjoy the first day!

Ouch that's pricey! Do you ever keep buying any of the expensive stuff? What in your opinion has been worth it from past years despite the £££?

Can I buddy up with you @BlueLimeRun? I was gifted a F&M calendar yesterday, which I was thrilled with. Lots of beauty products that I haven’t heard of before. The lip oil is lovely and exactly what I need at the moment.

Hi all

I've got the LF, for which there IS thread.

I've also got the Next Luxury which doesn't seem to have one, so I'll post here.

Happy (Beauty) Advent everyone!!!

I have the m&s calendar, the perfume is in beautiful box and bottle, but it's not for me! I'll swap with a friend!

Yay - so excited to have a buddy. Do we want our own thread?

I just tried the lip oil, it’s lovely.

@Stoic123 that is amazing! I shall be following your updates as Harrods was my favourite premium AC this year but didn't buy it. When you get to the item in a green bottle, would you please review it if you don't mind - I won't tell you what it is but I am very, very curious about the brand.

I had nothing better to do last night and ordered a monthly subscription to Birchbox which comes with a free AC (thank you to the PP who mentioned this deal). I may or may not receive this AC soon and I may or may not be able to cancel the subscription if I find it too boring. We'll see. I never used them before so not sure what I got myself into. The AC itself is not exciting but good value for RRP £85 or so and a no brainer for £0 (I'm not counting the £17 monthly subscription charge) and I would actually use most of it.

Anyone got Guerlain??? My all time favourite, a thing of beauty every year, but wouldn't buy it myself for the obvious reason of cost.

@HollyGolightly4 ah last year's Vogue calendar is my one that got away - I tried to be sensible, didn't buy it and have regretted it ever since. I've also got a calendar that's been refilled but I'm trying to saving that for January.

Very good Day 1:

Space NK: Full size Cheirosa Perfume mist 62. This is the Bum Bum scent, which I enjoy - although probably more as something comforting to wear at home in the evening. Good start.

Harrods: Valmont Prime Renewing Pack 50ml. As @Stoic123 says, this is a ££££ high end product product from a high end brand I would never purchase retail and haven’t tried before. Exactly what I am looking for from a Harrods calendar.

Can I join you? I have the Harrods calendar for the first year - I normally get the JL one. I have had it on display in my dining room since my birthday on 3rd October and managed to avoid temptation to peek in any boxes. Very excited for today 😃

The only really expensive thing I've found so far that is worth it (for me) is the Bioeffect EGF serum (15ml RRP £135). Luckily they continue to put it in calendars so I've managed to stock up from eBay and Vinted each year at a much less painful price.

Most things seem to turn up cheaper somewhere if you keep an eye out - but if something I like doesn't, then will look for a dupe/equivalent.

@BlueLimeRun that is a good start from M&S. please do stay on the thread and post about F&M. I had it for a number of years but decided not to buy it this year - but very keen to still see what I am missing!

@pinkchampagne1 please do join. Looks like you, @Stoic123 and I will all be opening Harrods together.

@LightandBreezy I think last year’s Vogue was possibly my best ever calendar. They clearly haven’t hit the spot this year, as it’s the only high end multibrand calendar still on sale.

Ooo....strong start from Harrods! Interested to hear that it can be used daily if mixed with another moisturiser. I always struggle to find 20 mins to actually do a mask!

I very very rarely rebuy the expensive products. I enjoy them whilst I have them, then hope it's time for another beauty calendar or a CB edit or something!!

Happy advent day 1 everyone! I like a multi brand calendar and have had M&S, Glossy, LF and Next before, but this year it's Boots. It's the premium one but not the ultimate premium one 🤔

Today, Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick. A good new thing to try

We're going to need a bit more detail than that if we're going to solve the mystery...

M & S floral street perfume will be nicked by my teenage daughter. She's really into trying different scents right now. So I'll call that a win.

Found a bit more info online about Valmont Prime Renewing Pack:

HOW TO USE
It can be used in 3 ways according to the needs:

• For daily use, apply a thick layer and leave to act 3–5 minutes. Remove with a damp cloth.
• As progressive daily regulator treatment, for mature skins, apply a thin layer followed by your usual cream.
• As immediate luminosity treatment, apply a thick layer for 20 minutes. Remove with a damp cloth.

Hello! I have a Gruum AC (and a Space NK one) but I'll post about Gruum here. This morn was a 'prickly pear oil' bottle which looks interesting... will try it after my shower!

'Our regenerative beauty oil. Hydrating, softening and repairing not just your skin but also your hair, nails and cuticles. Lock in moisture and fortify your natural barrier'

I'm pleased with my first day. I got a blackberry and bay perfume in Jo Malone , which is lovely, and The Empress in my 2023 Penhaligons. I'm keeping the L'occitane calendar thst I had forgotten about upstairs and as I don't normally go to bed until 1am, I'm opening that at bedtime. I had a Neroli and orchidee hand cream last night.

I've never re-bought any of the really expensive things from advent calendars but have enjoyed using them. The most expensive thing I've bought again was the murad retinol youth renewal night cream, but I've found it much much cheaper on Binted.

I also have Jo Malone and am really happy with day 1's Blackberry & Bay perfume.

@Growlybear83
My day 1 Penhaligons 2023 was different

Filippo Berio Balsamic Glaze in Degustabox today. Not something that I've ever used before but I'm sure I'll find something to do with it!