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.

Hi all

Penhaligon’s The Favourite here too, and quite relieved that one was worked out as I was otherwise dreading a month of randomly different contents! Papier was a sweet little set of sticky notes in a little envelope.

Glossybox for DD was a Medik8 serum which she was thrilled (and DH appalled) to discover is worth £60.

I was gifted a jigsaw one by DH this morning too.

Paxton and Whitfield was a goat’s cheese with some sort of coffee outer. We haven’t tried it yet.

I have the Latest in Beauty Stylist AC. Very pleased with day 1. Rose Golden Beauty Base Moisturising Primer. Excited to use this as I could certainly do with a bit of a glow.

Hi, just opened mine!

Shiseido was an oil to cream cleanser - travel size, (as indeed is most of the calendar). I’m never interested in cleanser but I will probably use it at some point.

Old Rituals calendar was a candle. I’ve lit that and it smells quite nice, but very faint.

DH’s refilled 12 day calendar: Day One was a little necklace in with a chocolate. I have decided to open a door every two days to space it out. I was going to wait until 12 days before Xmas, but he wanted me to make a start on it!

Good start to the Harrods advent. Just looked up this 50ml size and it’s reduced from £177 to £161! 😮

H&B was a scalp massager: tried it in the shower, and it felt nice. Not the most exciting start. DD has had a chocolate Santa, a drumstick chew and some kind of Lego fighter plane. We had a cute picture of a cat with a string of bells.
Best thing was my John Lewis Advent Day 1 reward: a box of chocolates (you have to collect from store). Does anyone know if M & S will be doing the Sparks Advent this year?

I got these today too!

I’m not sure about the sparkly green, I tried on my big toe and it’s not the most flattering 🤣

Am excited to see what’s in tomorrow’s box.

My son has the brio advent calendar, I’m looking forward to our morning ritual of opening together!

@ChannelLightVessel - M&S aren’t doing a daily advent giveaway this year.

JL has something- today was chocolates, but if the rest of the promotion is the same as last year, it will just be a series of £5/10 off stuff I have zero interest in buying. (I will be happy to be proved wrong 😹)

Lidl has a daily promotion too- but today’s was spend £25, get a free choc Santa that costs 99p. I did NOT rush over there!

I'm disappointed m+s aren't doing the sparks calendar! Most was useless but I got a nice free perfume that I put as a stocking filler.

It was generally shite but the threads were fun.

I never received anything decent and the nearest big M&S is miles away so not worth the trek for something unlikely in stock but did enjoy the threads (especially the Gary year).

Bet it was a headache for in-store staff though.

Not a great start for me. I've got CB and my drawers appear to be in the wrong order. And one of the items is faulty. I've gone a little overkill this year however it makes me very happy and I save all year and sell what I don't want. So excluding Cult these items are from Harrods fragrance, Space NK and I have Harvery Nicks fragrance to take over Harrods when that finishes 🙈🙈

Anyone else have TreatBox?
Had a quick scroll through the thread but not seen it mentioned. Not sure it fits in the style and beauty section though I'm sure some will be on that theme.

Balsamic glaze is so good, use on a pizza or salad.

So long as it's an advent calendar, it fits in waifs and strays. We've had tea, jam, cheese, candles plus tights and beauty which are more S&B.

In that case, I'll join in.
TreatBox advent calendar. Cost £120. Not presented in a classic box with doors to open, but actually came as a bundle of 24 delightfully wrapped presents - very excited to receive that.
Day 1 was socks, which to many people might be disappointing or boring but I am very pleased. They are white with red stars and moons - Christmassy enough to be festive, but not so Christmassy so I can wear them all winter. Good start!

@paranoiaofpufflings sounds great. Can we have a photo?

Space NK this morning for me and I quite like the SDJ, I’ve just spayed a tiny bit on my pajamas as I lie in bed and it feels quite decadent.

I also have a Virgin Wines advent - I usually get a mixed one but really not keen on rose so went with all red this year. This evenings mini bottle was The Black Pig merlot which was rather nice (I don’t always drink it immediately! I was just in the mood for a glass tonight)

Finally, I have a bargainous Asos calendar which I’m keeping for opening just before bed. Today was a Thanks, It’s MAC! lusteglass lipstick which I haven’t tried before but looks very wearable and thankfully not a matte which I really dislike.

Here's a picture of the contents of my TreatBox advent bundle @OchonAgusOchonOh
including my foot wearing the socks which was number 1 😊
All different shapes, sizes, feels - looking forward to going through these.

That is really festive @paranoiaofpufflings . The gift wrapping is fab. I love the socks.

I’ve never heard of Treatbox @paranoiaofpufflings - what a great idea. Those socks are lovely - please keep posting!

@IlovePond I only heard of them quite recently! I kept seeing a sponsored ad on my social media promoting the Christmas stuff and I got sucked in!

I’m looking forward to seeing what else uou get @paranoiaofpufflings - thanks for sharing.

I've seen lots of adverts for treatbox! That looks gorgeous.

Great day 2 from Fortnums.

just so so from m and s.

Two winners today, although I have the biggest size of the cleanser and will pass this to my son - Space Nk. The Harvey Nichol's Erba Pura is STRONG! I wouldnt purchase it myself but happy too have it. Its fruity bomb