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.

Can't or won't? Embrace your inner disco diva and go for it.

I am reading this thread having just found it. Last week I finally opened my advent calendar from Marks and Spencer's from 2023. I've bought this years and will be saving it until I finally move house - last years plan. Have had to stop reading as discovered the first window offering 😁

@PrincessWatermelon I’m also a little nervous of the apricot blush drops, so haven’t tried them yet. Not sure it will work with my colouring.

@OvaHere that is a silly size for a soap (or indeed shampoo?). Love your size comparison.

Don’t encourage me @OchonAgusOchonOh 😹

I'm a bit envious of the apricot blush drops. Since realising that I have very warm colouring (albeit very pale!) I've discovered that more orange-toned make-up makes my complexion come alive. Even neutral tones make me look like the living dead 😅

That’s interesting @SwordBilledHummingbird - I’ve never had my colours done, etc. How did you discover your ideal shades?

@IlovePond To some extent it was trial and error. I'm quite artistic and generally very good with colour but for some reason have had a bit of a blind spot with my own colouring. I'm very fair-skinned with blonde hair and blue eyes and for years just assumed that meant I had cool-toned skin (even though my hair is golden and I tan...).

I started researching colour seasons a year or so back (I can't actually remember why) and I kept coming out as a soft autumn. I started experimenting and was amazed to see how much healthier and more alive I look with warm colours. I've pretty much replaced my entire wardrobe now and I've just about finished working through my make-up too. Bright colours don't work for me but muted orange is apparently amazing 😅My sister, who's probably a soft summer (cooler than me), has done very well out of this revelation!

I've been looking on Vinted and there's lots of the Rodial blush drops so I'm going to get some to try. I fancy the look of the sunset ones as well as the apricot.

Thanks @SwordBilledHummingbird I’ll have to have a go myself! I know what suits me, but don’t know the name for whatever tone skin I have!

Milk makeup lip & cheek stick in ASOS today, only a little travel/tester size, but still keen to try - another good day!

Good morning everyone, I hope your all enjoying pulling drawers this morning. And @IlovePond I hope you are rocking those bold blue eyebrows today, its what the weekend was made for 😉

Liberty is a Rachel Jackson ring, very demure, very mindful 😅it is lovely though, not like the quality of childrens dressing up rings I was expecting.

CT is a mini pillow talk eyeliner in a browny red shade. Not a colour I tend to use, I like my VB coffee colour very much. But... it is my birthday so I shall be rocking this look today.

I think I get as much joy seeing everyone else's surprises on here, as I do my own.

I love your ring @psuedocream3

cult51 vitamin c serum in Fortnums today.

Velvet amber perfume in m and s - had a quick spritz- seems nice !

Happy birthday @psuedocream3 !

Happy Birthday @psuedocream3. Definitely agree re seeing everyone open their own calendars.

I'm away for the weekend so opened today's offering before I left. Day 14 of Lookfantastic is the WOW raise the root hair spray, intended to volumise hair. I've tried similar products before and not got on so well with them. I will however give this a go and use sparingly.

😹😹😹@psuedocream3 - getting right on it!

Happy Birthday 🎂 I am enjoying seeing your Liberty jewellery and the CT!

Day 14:

SpaceNK: Three hair products today. One full
size - the Olaplex No 7 bonding oil, and two travel size, a Sam McKnight nourishing balm which appears to be a leave in conditioner and an Amika “dream routine” overnight treatment. I like the Olaplex oil, and willing to try anything that promises to tame frizz, so the Sam McKnight is also good. Less convinced by the Amika. The instructions say to leave it in overnight and no need to rinse in the morning? Surely that will leave hair lanky and greasy?

Harrods: La Mer lip volumiser. This is a £££ brand, but not at all sure about the
product.

F&M tea: Yestserday was black tea with peach, really nice. Today is an Albion blend. Not heard of this before.

Happy Birthday @psuedocream3 !

On an unrelated note:

Has anyone else woken up this morning to find MN posting quite long-lasting pop up adverts every couple of minutes, superimposed over posts, with no ‘close’ button?

Or have I just been specially blessed?🙀

@BlueLimeRun ooh, I really like the amber M&S fragrance. Doesn't seem to last very long on me, bit more excuse for repeated spritzing. Plus it's reasonably priced so you don't feel like you have to ration your use of it.

My day 14:

Cult Beauty:

Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream 15ml

Well, hello familiar friend! It's not a beauty advent calendar without it. Just glad it's not in the Christmas Day drawer like the Liberty calendar last year

Bird and Blend Tea:

Deep Breaths - Ginger, mint and soothing camomile.

Glad it's another herbal tea, not had this combination before. Feel sceptical but can do with all the calming I can get right now!

Degustabox has a couple of servings of muesli. So festive 😊

Happy birthday @psuedocream3

A bath soak bar for me today. This will be a regift as I don't do baths

Happy birthday @psuedocream3 ! The ring is lovely.

Day 14 Boots unlimited: Grown Alchemist hand cream. Happy as my hands need soothing!

Degustabox seems so lacklustre!

@ConradKnightSocks as one of the people who do rate the AB cream, that would be a good day for me!

Happy birthday psuedocream3

La Mer lip volumizer in Harrods today. This is very expensive (think over £70) but not sure it is a product I will use.

Day 14 Jo Malone - Wild Bluebell cologne.

I actually like this more than I expected but it's still one to pass on. It'd make a lovely spring candle though.