General “Waifs and Strays” Beauty Advent Calendar opening thread.

[AprilLady]

As in previous years, this a thread for those opening Beauty Advent Calendars not covered by specific calendar opening threads - though happy for those to be shared here too. Also looking forward to hearing about the “Frankenstein” curations.

Carrying on the tradition from previous years, it will also be fun to hear about other calendar openings - Degusta, jam, cheese 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, though if the consensus is this is too late we could
make it from midnight on the 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 Selfrdiges and Jo Loves calendars this year. Really looking forward to tomorrow.

Another underwhelming day for me. I clear lip oil from last year's No7 and a nude lip gloss from the Sephora tin. I have a lot of nude lip products to give away this year!

Yes I just can’t help feeling I know what’s coming and was looking forward to the surprise! As I said lovely products that I will use but a little disappointed … I won’t spoil it for you but there is one item that I hope they repeat from last year !!

I also found many repeats with the Liberty and Harrods calendars, thus trying Vogue this year!
happy with yesterday’s body oil, as mine (AA, lovely scent) is running out. Nieve mascara today. I can always use a mascara so another good drawer

I’ve got Cult and didn’t get samples yesterday?

SNK this morning was the Milk setting spray that was meant to be in there and a travel size FdB Sirene that I put in there. Haven't sprayed myself because I'd already put perfume on before I remembered to open the advent.

I've wanted to try this setting spray but seeing as I have 3 on the go already I guess I'll be trying it about this time next year. 😳

Day 6:

Selfridges is a Lisa Eldridge lip pencil in fawn. Happy with this - rate the brand and the colour is something I will use. Overall so far pretty pleased with Selfridges

Jo Loves is a Jo by Jo loves bath cologne. I’ve just finished the bath oil I had been using, so looking forward to trying this. Hoping it will throw a bit more scent than the layered votive which I lit last night. It was very pleasant but perhaps rather too subtle.

They did 2 versions, i have limitee ed!

@321Backintheroom I think the challenge with F&M is that, perfume aside, they actually only stock quite a small range of beauty brands. So they have a much more limited range to choose from than say a Liberty, Harrods or Selfridges. I used to love the F&M calendar and had it quite a few times. It is always beautiful with good products, but I agree it gets a bit samey.

Small sized Body Shop calendar update!

Day 5 - mini moringa shower gel - happy with this as I love this scent.
Day 6 - British rose hand cream - hmmm...this is the first thing that I'll struggle to use, not a massive fan of the scent. Also today was a big box so was hoping for something a bit more exciting haha, such a kid!

@Defiantly41 I think that Chantecaille mascara is very good - enjoy using it.

Ok, mine was a present, I didn’t know there were two versions!

Day 6 Jo Loves is a bath cologne in Jo. I don't really like this scent but it's only tiny so I may use it up rather than pass on.

Yeah, I was pretty disappointed that harrods put in the rodial blush drops again after I didn't like them last year. They did have the Bioeffect Egf serum and then the Bioeffect Egf plus, so I was happy with that similar product last year but the brands are so samey and if you go back far enough, some of the products in this year's have been included before 🙈

Lovely lipstick in No7 beauty today 👍

DD got a nice lip gloss in Sephora too so both happy with today's offerings!

I love Body Shop Moringa @kryptonfactor is probably one of my most favourite fragrances. I was sooo tempted by the big calendar which was on a black Friday offer but restrained myself (for a change 😂)

I bought this on vinted that someone was selling from their ac, I've not yet tried it, but I can't wait to do so 😍

@321Backintheroom - both Clarins and Shiseido’s calendars are almost identical to last year’s, so it’s not just F&M unfortunately.

Today’s DIY is Byoma cleanser - I picked this up free in Boots, so not terribly exciting - but free 😸

Tiny biscuits in the cheese calendar again - DH just laughed!

Pleased with the Rituals conditioner to go with yesterday’s shampoo and looking forward to the tea and chocolate.

I really really wish I had bought two of those tea advents - one of my best spontaneous buys in recent history!

Look Fantastic Fragrance calendar

Day 6 - Fleur De Blonde by Le Monde Gourmand

I have sprayed it liberally & it’s lovely 😁
Even my DH likes it which is a miracle!

Forgot to attach a photo

I suppose you expect that from single brands more.

I find Liberty to be quite samey brand wise when you factor in the kits they do also. When I visited the store I realised how much different stuff potentially they could go for. I suspect it's about what brands they have that sort of deal with. Same with which brands end up in the members discount offers. Not all brands are willing to be part of discounts/beauty kits and BACs.

Round Lab suncream today. Really happy with this.

Sylvan Glow today is Green Tea & Enzyme Powder Wash. it’s a powder to foam cleanser. Another brand new product for me.

ASOS is a Laura Mercier setting powder. Always happy to get this.

BACs are a funny product because they don't seem to care too much about loyalty and keeping the same customers. I guess possibly because they're trying to promote to different consumers to gain new customers. Lots of the calendars are similar from year to year, in terms of brands if not products. Even Space NK this year I found too similar to last year for me to get, despite thinking it was a good curation. F&M is particularly similar from year to year though. A nice treat, but probably best avoided for a few years in between repeats.

OK today is an ESPA duo, a 40ml body wash and body lotion. Nice enough and will get used, but fairly low value (around £10).

Glamour is a 10ml fragrance - Sentier Parisian Embrace. A brand I've never tried before. It's a sweet scent, fruity and vanilla, but not too gourmand. I'm not really a fan of foody scents but I can see myself using this. It's nice and comforting. There are comparisons online to YSL Black Opium but I find this younger and more subtle. RRP allegedly £30 but seems to be available a lot of places for £10.

My lovely Nivea calendar had a cute sleeping mask today 💝 I love that I have been able to use everything from the calendar so far