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.

Mine is from Luxplus. They didn’t publish a full list of the contents so I’ve taken a gamble, but it was reasonably priced and the previews I saw on social media were all skincare. It doesn’t have great ratings on their website so I was worried it would be disappointed, but so far so good.

Thanks. I think I'll try as the 2nd option first then as a mask if doesn't work for me.

Thanks @BangingOn . I'll check that out.

I had H&B and opened as soon as i got it. Then got Just my look as it was a bargain with some K beauty stuff added so very excited to use them. 1st day has some olaplex 4&5 shampoo conditioer travel sized. Never used olaplex so a good one for me.

Homemade calendar: mini Charlotte Tilbury magic cream
Degustabox: Filippo Beria classic glaze 😊

Can I join? I have the Elemis one. Today I got the mini cleansing balm.

Yes, and I think the favourite is really pretty. Looking forward using it in the summer

Next Luxury one here, and pretty pleased with the Elemis Papaya enzyme peel

Hi 👋🏻 another Harrods opener here maybe join you ? Thanks for the info . I'm very excited about this luxe smelling and expensive product .. but like you all I was left thinking .. what on earth IS a prime renewing pack 😂😂😂

Really enjoying hearing about the wide variety of calendars.

Talk of tea calendars reminded me that I had bought (in the post Christmas sale last year) and stashed away the beautiful wooden F&M tea calendar. So dug it out, and will now enjoy opening with DH.

Day 1 is the F&M Royal Blend - very pleasant.

That is a thing of beauty @AprilLady. Is it wood or cardboard? It looks very sturdy.

@OchonAgusOchonOh it is proper wood - it’s lovely.

@AprilLady
Wow that's some pretty box!

That is absolutely stunning @AprilLady

I think I could be easily convinced to buy just one more advent for January, so keeping a close eye on this thread!

We got apricot and orange jam in our Bonne Maman advent this morning

@AprilLady so I assume we'll be seeing it refilled every year going forward? You could alternate biscuits and tea as tea is much better with a biscuit.

@ThePeopleBowedAndPrayedToTheNeonGodTheyMade
I'm not sure what to do with the tinted oil actually! Anything I don't fancy I'm passing on to a colleague who is doing wee presents for young care leavers who aren't likely to have nice bits to open.
DS1 got chicken noodles, DD's Soap and Glory one gave her a nice perfume.

Today’s DH offering was a blue sparkly guess tennis bracelet - which is very lovely.

Degusta is puffed rice chocolate bars from Germany.

Lumene day 1 is a glow skin tone perfector, could be nice on a no make up day or if he can be built up for a blush.
Jam was Apricot and orange blossom, went down a treat on some pancakes for breakfast.
DH got pigs in blanket flavoured scratchings.

J L candles is neom cosy night. A bit smoky and a bit piney.

I'm going to open one every other day.

I've got the ASOS one, and am very pleased with the lipstick. It does have a very slight glitter to it but it's hardly noticeable, it's lovely.

DP has the bonne maman AC and had apricot and orange blossom jam, he's left a bit for me to try tomorrow as it sounds delicious!

Same as my house so. Dd has ASOS, DH has Bonne Maman.
The ASOS was amazing value. I managed to bag it one night when it was something like 20% off.
I’m really impressed with it (I read all the spoilers). I must remember it for next year and might even buy it for myself instead of the more expensive ones

This a/c really is a stray! Day One of DDog’s calendar in a cheesy triangle.

It’s his birthday today, too!

Happy birthday to ddog.

Thanks @OchonAgusOchonOh - he’s three today, but still bonkers - a rescue Siberian husky. We got him two years ago just before Xmas, (we must have been mad 😹).

Haven’t yet opened my a/cs as I wanted to put the tree up first. That’s done, so any minute now!

Re: Calendars left in stock

My local M&S had loads left at 5pm today. A couple of years ago - weeks before Xmas - they dropped the minimum spend as they weren’t shifting enough stock. I would have bought one today if they had been able to override the minimum £35 spend, but apparently they couldn’t, (I asked as it’s 1/12 today!)

Oh well, I don’t need another one!

My morning SpaceNK and evening Harvey Nichol's day 1, I will use both but not too excited