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.

Morning all. Harrods Day 2 - Seymour Body Wash by Commune - 50ml.

A 750ml refill (same bottle shape) currently selling at Liberty for £42.30 so I'm calculating value at £3. According to Commune: "Seymour blends Geranium, Lavender, Cypress oil and Hiba Wood oil to ground and restore".

It smells divine, the packaging is lovely and I don't mind a body wash - but I think they could have sprung for100ml. After yesterday's value, not complaining.

Edit: typo

Just opened my Harrods and agree that they could have maybe added a bigger size or put another mini product with it.
It smells really strong and will be a nice addition to my travel bag.

Day 2 Hannah Martin x OK
Mini erborian cleansing oil

Day 2 of Asos. Dd got a watermelon primer

Bonne Maman jam: Hazelnut and chocolate spread

Day 2
Lumene - Oat milk oil cleanser
DH- salt and vinegar scratchings
Bonne Maman: Hazelnut and choc spread

Looks like we might be just a gang of 2 🙂. I’m enjoying seeing the contents of everyone’s calendars and quite envious of your F&M tea calendar @AprilLady.

My DSis was going to get me the Charlotte Tilbury calendar as a gift, but she said it hasn’t had great reviews this year so got me the F&M one instead (lucky me!). It will definitely help with my “glow up” plans for the New Year.

Edit - I meant to quote your message to me @BlueLimeRun

Second day of my Lookfantastic advent calendar is a travel size this works body wash. I'm pleased with this and have put it straight in my toiletries bag.

Day 2 Boots limited edition: Nars bronzing powder. Not something I use but maybe I'll be persuaded to try it. Would it be any good on pasty legs? 😆

Not too sure why the image I have posted of the body wash has come up with a sensitive image warning.

I was a bit surprised by that as well @Pickled21 It wasn’t too traumatising 😆

Day 2 - Cath Kidston - hand cream

A Peony & Blush Suede mini candle in Day 2 Jo Malone. Not my favourite but I like having something floral to burn as Spring approaches so I'm happy.

@SwordBilledHummingbird thats strange, I got a pomegranate noir candle in my Jo Malone today.

Jo Malone - Pomegranate Noir Candle

Dermalogica - Special Cleansing Gel (happy with this as it’s what I use and saves me taking the big bottle when I go away)

Bare Minerals - powdered eye shadow

Day 2:

Space NK: Skin Rocks Cream Cleanser in a decent size. This is the Caroline Hiron’s brand. Happy enough with it, cleansers will always get used.

Harrods: Seymour commune body wash 50ml. A new brand for me, so good from that perspective. But as @Stoic123 says, very disappointing to get such a small size in a body wash. I checked the drawer a few times just to make sure there wasn’t something else lurking inside…

F&M tea: Earl Grey today. I’ve agreed with DH he needs to try every one. He won’t be happy today as he is not fond of Early Grey, but I’m satisfied.

Lovely tin for the Earl Grey.

Ha, I thought you had done it deliberately so as not to spoil the surprise for anyone!

F&M does look really good today, certainly better than today’s Harrods.

@AprilLady I've got the F&M tea & biscuits one which is also a thing of beauty.

Black tea with vanilla today, and a Hello Sunday SPF in my homemade one

@Georgieporgie29 how do you find Dermalogica as a brand? I've been keen to try it.

I'm enjoying reading about all of your calendars. I have the ASOS and John Lewis as well so it's quite nice getting sneak peaks of those too. I'm planning to open those in January.

@Elvenelf sadly that's beyond my limited tech skills. I thought the reflectiveness of the calendar might have caught an image of me in my cat printed pjs but double checked that it hasn't.

Degustabox - tin of Clara's hazelnut and cocoa wafer rolls
Homemade AC (from Selfridges beauty box) - a beauty blender sponge. I've only used cheap copies before so interested to see if this makes a difference to my makeup.

@Georgieporgie29 I just got DH to check the little booklet that was in yesterday's drawer and it's supposed to be the Peony & Blush Suede today so I would guess yours have been put in the wrong drawers? I hope I get a Pomegranate Noir candle anyway, I really like that one :)

Vogue today- Laura Mercier caviar stick eye colour in the shade au natural, I am very pleased with that!

If anyone’s interested my son got a train sign in his brio advent calendar- I thought that seemed disappointing but it’s happy with it!

Day 2

Cult Beauty: 'Summer Fridays' Lip Butter Balm. Has a 'beige' colour to it and does feel more like a lip gloss but looks nice on. Just hope it's actually nourishing as my lips need it in the cold weather!

Bird & Blend: Rooibos Earl Grey. Interested to give this a go because I used to like Earl Grey in the days I could drink caffeine. Looking forward to having it with my breakfast!

I didn’t know about Degusta box and I might try that next year.

The Cath Kidston is tricky to get stuff out of the windows without damaging the box.

@ConradKnightSocks oh the summer Fridays balms are lovely! I’d say great for this time of year, not gloopy or sticky.