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.

Really enjoying seeing everyone’s day one. Actually opening them is so different to analysing them when contents is released. Most of us are happy!

Hi @Stoic123 - that cream looks lovely!

I have an old Rituals, (yet to set up), Shiseido and a 12 day one that DH has filled with various beauty boxes plus a couple of his own ideas. I have decided to open that every couple of days.

I also have half each of the women’s and men’s sock advent from WS last year, so will stretch those out over the month!

Very happy in our house today.

Jo Malone - blackberry and bay perfume

Dermalogica - pre cleanse

Bare Minerals - Eye Liner in Onyx

Boots - Laura Mercier eye shadow stick

Sweetzy - wine gums

Grüum had prickly pear oil in as mentioned above - I have really dry skin and just tried it and it is really lovely and sinks in fairly quickly- can’t wait for tomorrow

Love seeing everyone's day 1 calendar. That Harrods cream looks lovely!

I have the vogue calendar, today was 2 nail varnishes. Gorgeous colours. The green is sparkly which you can't quite see from the pic. Think these retail for £14 each.

Cath Kidston! It looks cute and I got a peach lip balm today.

Ah yes so glad someone is opening Vogue! Those nail polishes are lovely and perfect for December. I just couldn’t justify the cost for products that were mostly luxury rather than work horses - though that’s the whole point! Maybe for a milestone birthday I’ll get it.

I thought I saw someone had socks in their vogue? Unless I misread?

and I am really enjoying the DH-ified version of the Vogue too

Ah that makes sense 😆 brilliant!

My Harrods Fragrance, Bonne Maman jam and Hotel Chocolat hot chocolate have been opened.
Harrods is Parfums de Marly Oriana perfume at £150 that I believe I will like, I don't want to try it yet until I finish my other perfume.
The hot chocolate DS can have, it's pumpkin.
The jam I will have next weekend.

Boots Premium. Laura Mercier full size eye stick

Harrods Fragrance is Parfum de Marly Oriana
Fragrance says:
'Top notes are Mandarin Orange, Bergamot and Grapefruit; middle notes are Orange Blossom, Raspberry and Black Currant; base notes are Whipped Cream, Marshamallow, Musk and Ambrette (Musk Mallow)'

Very edible scented. Hope it lasts.

@Ln4eva I really like the prickly pear oil, smelled lovely and made my skin feel great!

I got a JustmyLook calendar (sent DH the SpaceNK - sold out before he bought it so bought myself this one as felt it was a bargain for £55). Day 1 - sample size 20ml Olaplex shampoo and conditioner. Happy enough with that 👍

Can I join, please? I have the Cult Beauty one and a Bird and Blend caffeine-free tea one. I had Liberty last year but was underwhelmed so back to CB.

Cult Beauty: Great Barrier Relief serum. Says it's 'reparative and skin soothing'. My skin could definitely do with both those things so this will get used. Not too keen on the smell though. Maybe slightly underwhelmed for day one, but at least it's full-size!

Bird & Blend: Gingerbread Chai. You get two teabags in each box which makes it better value. Didn't really taste like gingerbread but the ginger was strong and warming. I like chai anyway so I enjoyed it!

I opened Rituals (this is the most expensive version - they had 3 calendars this year).

It's a mini candle from the violet scented range. I'm not that fussed about candles but DS loves them so I'm promised him all candle items.

I've got Space NK fragrance. Day 1 is Vyrao Witchy Woo which I've seen a lot of people talking about. Initial sniff, I'm not sure, it's a bit powdery for me but will see how it develops.
There's also an eleven rollerball which I wasn't expecting.
Elsewhere:
H&M jewellery - "gold" double band ring
ASOS - Mac lippie - great start
Heinz "12 days of saucemas" - big English mustard

ESPA Day one: facial cleansing oil
I've been running down supplies of everything in anticipation of Dec!

Day 1 of the Hannah Martin OK
Rodial glow drops, full size, £75 value

They're nice - not glittery just a little bit of glow which I appreciate on no makeup days

Oh dear, my excitement got the better of me - I looked again, and it was the Favourite in Penhaligons. 😆. Is that what you got in yours?

ASOS so the nude Mac lip pencil. I'm pleased enough, though don't wear lipstick very often. It might go into the stockings!!

Really enjoying reading/seeing what people are opening! That Harrods fragrance bottle is so cute! Interested to read about Gruum as I got a free gift with my order from Look Fantastic, which said it was RRP £24 for two soaps and two bath melts!

@weebarraI have NUXE too. Today’s looks very pretty - can I ask what you would use it for? I love the “normal” dry oil but this tint has thrown me off slightly. I opened it in bed and thought it could be used as a pretty highlighter and foolishly dabbed a little on my cheekbones without a mirror. When I finally looked in the mirror, it turned out to be a mistake My skin is paler than a Kindle Paperwhite screen however, so perhaps on other people it would look good? I can imagine my DD smoothing it into her legs and instantly looking (even more than she is already ) beautiful and shimmery.

Can anyone remember one year where a MNer got the most bonkers thing in a beauty AC? I have a vague memory that it was some kind of accessory or similar. I remember it was really funny but my memory is too foggy to recall the details.

Really enjoying seeing what everyone has. My KBeauty calendar has Some By Mii Beta Panthenol Repair Cream which I’m very pleased with.

@BangingOn

What K beauty one did you get or is that the name of it? I would have loved a k beauty one but the ones I looked at had too much makeup. I'll be keeping an eye on yours for next year.

@TragicMuseI’m so glad it’s not just me that has discreetly transferred items into stockings! I make my own DCs’ advent calendars and in the past have actually swapped things I wouldn’t use, like mascara or bath bombs, into a later December day for a DC I like NUXE though as it’s more skin care based. ATM I don’t have much hair inc lashes and can’t take baths so DH picked a really good one for me.