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.

Day 18:

Only one week to go! Travel sizes today

Harrods: As above, a travel size of the Eve Lom foaming cream cleanser. Actually using a full size of this at the moment, and it’s perfectly fine, but nothing special in my view.

SpaceNk: Also travel size Eve Lom, but this time the balm cleanser and a cloth. And also a travel size of their own brand Nordic Walk body wash. I like the balm cleanser, but so impressed overall with how thoughtfully this calendar has been curated. Because today was not a full size product, they included an extra. As it’s their own brand product, I’m guessing it was not too expensive to do and also good for them from a promotion perspective, but it still manages to make the experience feel properly lux, when compared to the relatively meh experience of opening Harrods today.

Also thought I’d show the difference between travel size and sample size @IlovePond as I happened to have a sample of the Eve Lom balm in my stash.

F&M tea: Yesterday was Queen Anne, today Black tea with vanilla. Have really enjoyed these, and will drink all except the smoky Earl Grey.

Grüum is a facial mist. I put these on the desk to use during the day if my skin is feeling a bit dry so I'm happy with this.

Thanks @AprilLady

I do wish I had bought SpaceNK.

I think I am going to start a special calendar saving account for next year!

Lookfantastic today was a Ciate London blusher in the shade sweet kiss.

I'm behind on updating. Since Sunday in Rituals I've had another candle, a full-size body cream (scent is Mehr which is a bit meh) and a car fragrance kit.

Rituals Home Perfume mini set in Brown Thomas today. Scents are Sweet Jasmin & Suede Vanilla.
They are only 50ml each but I find little goes a long way with these, so very happy with todays offering 🎉🎉

Day 18 Boots unlimited: Bubble hydration boosting serum (aren't they all supposed to do that?) Bit meh, don't know the brand but will try it.

Dd got quite a large jar of Rituals (not quite sure what it is, I think a body cream) in ASOS. I’ve been so impressed with it. It’s definitely the best lower end of the budget calendars I’ve seen.

I got a lemon jam in Bonne Maman

Liberty is Kirstie le Marque, vintage inspired diamond moon pendant. Not sure about this one, I'd have to use a chain from the other necklaces to use this. Also I think they are valuing this around £300-£400 based on the value of the other contents but I can't find a link to this ever being sold anywhere so I am dubious about the value.

CT is a travel sized mascara. Not too exciting but will get used eventually.

M and S is a living proof product - it’s a good brand but I probably won’t use it.

Fortnuns - Oliverum body polish, a nice brand but not terribly exciting.

Ive probably got product fatigue. I might have a buying ban..

I can’t recall what day I last posted the Neals Yard contents so here’s all of it so far, just missing one small pot of salve that seems to have sneaked off somewhere.

I’m finding the small pots a bit repetitive. I would have liked some larger size items of hand cream and shower gel.

Like others I’m really enjoying H&B. The “theme” isn’t too dissimilar to NY and I’m preferring H&B. It’s a great mix of products and lots of full sizes.

Today's Rituals is 75ml of laundry scent booster. I'll probably use it but I can't get very excited about laundry products.

Next 25 Days of Advent

Had a crazy day yesterday & didn't get to post so here are 2 together

Day 17
BEAUTYPRO Hyaluronic Acid
That I am looking forward to trying out

Day 18
BLOSSOM & BLOOM Self care spray

To be sprayed on pillows, bedding & nightwear

It smells gorgeous!

Day 18 Jo Malone - Oud & Bergamot cologne.

I was excited about this as I love oud and quite like citrus scents but I'm not that keen. It was really niggling me that it smells like something else I've tried recently and I eventually figured out that it smells like Vilhelm Parfumerie's Morning Chess. One to pass on!

I'm really disappointed with yesterday's mini candle btw. The scent is gorgeous and really fills the room, despite the small size, but the wick is too short and it kept going out within minutes as the flame was being drowned by the melted wax. I eventually had to dig out the wax around the wick to get it to burn properly so now it's going to tunnel rather than burning evenly. Really not what I would expect from a luxury product.

A small Oliverum body polish in F& M today. I used up my body scrub last week, which elevates this from meh to good

Day 18 Vogue. K18 molecular hair mask. Excited to try this.

I'm enjoying looking at all of your calendars, but I think the one I'd most have liked is ASOS surprisingly!

I'm really enjoying opening the ASOS one. I managed to get it for £66 with a discount code and it's been quite fun to open. I think they've done really well in terms of curating it. I had a full size rituals body scrub today.

Day 18 Cult Beauty:

MZ Skin Hydra-Lift Golden Facial Treatment Mask
Dr AJ Sturnham Decree SOS Revitalising Mask Single
BIOEFFECT EGF Serum 15ml

More face masks, I find it hard to get excited about them. Unbelievably, the 15 ml serum is apparently worth £135!!!!! 😱 Expecting some pretty banging results from it at that price point!

Bird and Blend Tea:

Starry Night - 'a taste of the night sky'. Whatever that's supposed to mean! Guessing it's Van Gogh inspired. It's got lots of flowers in the ingredients, haven't tried it yet.

Thank you for the recommendation! I love Pukka tea. I did briefly consider a Pukka calendar but dismissed it because I thought I'd tried most of the flavours and wanted something different. Lesson learnt!

JL candles days 8 and 9

Stoneglow diffuser oil

Aery fig leaf

Hi, today’s Shiseido is a 30ml tonic/softening lotion and old Rituals is a mini calendar. DH’s refill door is a 2ml Burberry Brit sample, (presumably from one of the mystery beauty boxes I gave him!)

You shiseido one looks big next to the candle.

It’s a giant today @OchonAgusOchonOh - 30ml!

30ml isn't too bad. Is that two whole products now that are not teeny tiny? 😄