🎄 2025 Style and Beauty Advent Calendar Discussion ***SPOILERS*** THREAD 7

[BakeOffRewatch]

New thread!

Harrods hair & body AC is still not tempting me. I thought I was a lost cause but apparently I do have some willpower after all

I've not ordered from harrods before. Do they do that sometimes?

This is the link for cloud10 waiting list and info
https://adventcalendar.co.uk/cloud-10-advent-calendar/u@

I've ordered from them quite a lot and not known them to offer a discount unless it's been on a rewards weekend

Yes, I wish I had bought the Hair and Beauty Harrods whilst I had 10% off with Rewards. Knowing I could have got it for £90 means I won’t buy it now for £100, (if that makes sense!)

I have never known them to give a discount for things left in baskets, unfortunately.

What seems to be the top rated advent this year. I’ve read a few of the threads and I can’t make my mind up !!!!

really want to treat myself. There’s far too much choice.

I’m so new here so I am not sure but I had SNK last year my 1st and I loved it but this year I have bought Liberty and I am not dissapointed . I’ve not looked at it again but I know it’s got all the new products I want to try and some fragrances . I also got the ok and LF to create one as a gift and was really impressed . I think like most people have said you should go for the one that has the most things you would like . And you can re gift the rest . Happy shopping ! 🙂

@Letsbekindplease - what helped me decide was looking at the contents of ones I liked and making a list of the items I was really really interested in and how much it would cost to buy them separately.

I was quite surprised to find that it was often only two or three items that were drawing me - that and a pretty box!

My current rule of thumb is - anymore than three DODs and I’m no longer interested in a calendar, (barring a huge reduction down the line, of course!)

I know a lot of people do sell unwanted items at a good price, but I think it’s best to buy a calendar accepting that you might be ‘stuck’ with the bits you don’t like, rather than just assuming they will sell. (Some people have a knack for selling, but I certainly don’t!)

It’s also a good idea to look at some of the unboxings and reviews on YouTube.

My personal opinion on which are the best of 2025:

Best ‘luxury’ calendar: Liberty £275
Best ‘all-rounder’ under £100: GlossyBox £90, (£81 with code: 10OFF or £75 for subscribers)
Best skin-care calendar under £100: Boots skincare £70
Best mid-price: Boots premium £150
Best luxury ‘own brand’: Shiseido £185, (but only if you can get a discount, combined with a GWP)
Best ‘bargain’ own brand: Soap and Glory from Boots £48. Code: ADVENT10 brings it down to £43.20

My own calendars:

Liberty - first time ever spending that much on a calendar and not the sort of budget I can usually go for. I joined BD with a view to saving for next year, so got it for £250.

Rituals: RRP £103, but I got it during a Sephora offer that brought it down to £71. (I wouldn’t have paid full price for it.)

Well I’ve finally crumbled. I’m keen to switch to Korean skincare and have bought a couple of edits but kept looking at the advent calendars. I really wanted Stylevana but that sold out really quickly so having pored over the Sylvan Glow AC every evening I have succumbed and pressed the button. It looks lovely though and there is only one DOD for me which is the blackhead lotion which thankfully I don’t need. I’m looking forward to starting my Korean journey in the new year.

I think it depends what you like and your budget. Some people prefer more perfume, some skincare and some makeup. Personally I don’t like makeup as it’s so difficult to find shades to suit everyone’s colouring and taste. I don’t think there was a clear winner this year. Also what I want now in my 50s is different to what a 20/30 something would like.

That's a lovely calendar @AppleDumplingWithCustard .

What a great post with discount codes, you’re spoiling us @IlovePond !

Yes the Sylvan Glow calendar looks like a real treat @AppleDumplingWithCustard koreanskincare.co.uk/products/korean-skincare-the-sylvan-glow-advent-calendar

@AppleDumplingWithCustardout of all the k-beauty ones, that’s the best this year imo. I won’t be getting it as I have too many of the products already but a solid choice. Hope you love it!

That looks like a lovely calendar @AppleDumplingWithCustard 😍.

Hopefully you'll be posting on the AC opening thread in December?

I can't fault liberty, I have a bit of an obsession with the shop to be honest but that would be my best pick for an all rounder.

If you decide on Liberty, make sure you join the Liberty Beauty Drop (if you aren't a member already) that way you will get £25 off the calendar and should also receive the latest Beauty drop box which has been well received.

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/beauty-subscription-box

Best calendar really is subjective. I'll throw Sephora into the mix as a good one if wanting to try lots of trendy products that you might see on TikTok etc.

@AppleDumplingWithCustard Stylevana didn't sell out as quickly as I expected. It was sold in two drops and the first was around for a few days. The second drop did sell quickly as by then lots of influencers had received theirs and there were several unboxings all over tiktok. I was torn as whilst it was a great price especially with all the discount codes I just wasn't keen on the makeup.

I actually prefer the Sylvan glow calendar albeit is more expensive and I think it is one of the better k beauty calendars. It's a beautiful design too. The only reason I haven't gone for it is that I have several calendars now so can't really justify it.

Given how crazy we all went for it on here, and also that it was the first premium full price one to sell out, no discounts needed, I'm going to say that spacenk was the best one. Even though I did dissect mine 🤣

I wasn't keen on liberty's one, there's only 1 product that I've bought from vinted for it (ab rice eye cream 🥰). I've signed up to the BD with the plan to save for next year's AC so I'm hoping it's good! 😊

@Evergreen21 I like the Notino one although it's another one on the pricier side. We still haven't seen the Stylekorean one - can't be too long. I find most have too much make up, bar a few products I have liked I'm not really a fan of korean make up.

The deciding factor for me to buy the Harrods hair and beauty is if I get a job. I’m not worst the moment been off a couple of months this thread has been my lifeline. I check it every day it’s been great.
interview on Monday if it’s a yes then I will be pressing buy!!

One of things that always puts me off Liberty and same with some of their edits is that I don't like certain brands and types of products that often feature. Anything that's a bit green/natural/herbal like Votary or Verden I'm just not keen on.

I do think SNK was the best looking back. There were things in it I wasn't bothered about but it was mostly full sizes which felt like the best value. Harrods was most lux despite some tiny sizes.

Fingers crossed for you. I hope you get the job and the calendar.

@AppleDumplingWithCustard - what a brilliant calendar!

I have a few Korean skincare products that I am yet to try and I am keen to know more about them.

Speaking of which, is there any Korean makeup/skincare that people would really recommend as ‘must-haves’? I have unexpectedly found myself going to SK at the last minute and want to at least visit Olive Young whilst there.

Oh wow I'm jealous. I'd love to go and visit one of the big OY.

As I said previously I've not liked much of the make up I've tried but there is a brand called Hera which is higher end stuff and their lip glosses are really good. They are sold in OY.

I also like the Fwee lip glosses and pudding pots. They are fairly affordable and often on offer.

I like the toner pad boxes you get from various brands. I tend to use them like quick morning face masks. Stick a few on whilst making coffee. Ditto the tubs of eye patches. I have a bit of an eye patch obsession at the minute so if you see any good ones make a note for me!

Anything by Numbuzin. I think it's one of the best brands overall. Try their NAD serum (called an essence) which has about 50 peptides in it.