General Waifs and Strays Beauty Advent Calendar opening thread 2025 Part 2

[AprilLady]

This is part two of the 2025 thread for those opening Beauty Advent Calendars not covered by specific calendar opening threads - though happy for those to be shared here too. I’m really enjoying hearing about all the different calendars being opened, including the Frankenstein and DIY ones.

As usual, 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 continuing to opening the Selfridges and Jo Loves calendars, and look forward to all your updates.

Link to previous thread here:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5452443-general-waifs-and-strays-beauty-advent-calendar-opening-thread?

Hi @Neeseynoo - when people refer to ‘Frankenstein’ calendars they mean that they bought a calendar, e.g. from SpaceNK, then took out - usually quite a lot of - things they didn’t like and replaced it with stuff from elsewhere, (often from other calendars 😹).

People then regift the removed items, or try to sell them or swap them.

The idea is that you end up with your ‘perfect’ calendar.

Afternoon, everyone.

Today’s Rituals is a mini body oil. Ok but not wildly exciting. I’m very pleased with the sleep tea bag as I am always looking for more of these and with another cheese and chocolate day. My DIY was a red OPI nail varnish that must have been a GWP from somewhere 🙀I do not remember putting it in there, (so from that perspective at least, it’s a success!)

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Day 18 Jo Loves is a White Rose & Lemon Leaves fragrance paintbrush. Definitely a spring/summer scent but it's not for me so I'll pass it on.

I'd love to know what you think of the BOJ rice sunscreen @Peachbubble as have been wanting to try it!

Not even going to bother reporting on my No7 offering this morning....soooo boring 🙄

If, and it's a big if (because the last few calendars have been so disappointing for me) I'd also be tempted by the Korean one 😊

I've only ever tried one of those little samples of the sunscreen before and it was lovely and silky @itsnothingoriginal ! Very light and easily absorbed with no streaks or greasiness, would definitely recommend!

I'm loving seeing all the different products 😍

Gruum - Day 17 - Hydrating hands cream
Day 18 - Prickly pear oil

Both look useful

Ok today is fake eyelashes which I have never in my life tried - I might have a go with these , though I don't have a steady hand!

Dugusta is a big back of wensleydale and spring onion crisps.

DH curated offering today is a key ring,

Day 17 of CB was the Byoma mucin serum. I love the COSRX mucin, so happy to try this.
Day 18 of CB. Augustinus Bader eye patches and lash and brow serum. Nice to have a different AB product to try rather than the usual suspects!

Sounds well worth me trying it - thanks@Peachbubble 🙏

I'm a massive fan of the CORSX mucin too @Caggie09 - hope you like the Byoma. That's another range I'm keen to try ☺️

F&M had a lovely perfume today - 1707 Lilas. I thought I’d look for another bottle on Vinted but it’s another of the fiercely expensive ones. The L’AP calendar had a cuir Grenada fragrance which is really nice. Korres was another very small face cream.

@Peachbubble @itsnothingoriginal I use that particular BoJ sunscreen every day! I love it. It also doesn’t make my eyes sting, which most spfs do. Definitely recommend.

I got JL and DD got glossybox so I allowed her to pilfer from mine and vice versa - so our boxes are a bit muddled and I also broke up bits and pieces I got separately here and there. My box is still primarily JL but it’s some rogue bits and bobs - makes it a bit of surprise as DD put the extras in and I did hers so I don’t know where things are.

My Frankenstein 🧌 calendar today has the Glow hub blush stick and the Dr Barbara Sturm niacinamide serum, which I'm excited to try 😍

Thanks @IlovePond now I understand 😁
Personally I quite like the surprise each morning, but did have to restrain myself from looking at "unboxing" videos beforehand

False lashes in OK. I'm not familiar with the brand but they're clusters rather than strips (which I've never got the hang of) so will give it a go.

Glamour is 150ml Anua cleanser. Good size and nice to get some K beauty.

I really like the D'alba spray. I've used a few bottles of it.

Oh that's good to know, as it's a new one for me. Seems to be multi purpose too so looking forward to using.

Brown Thomas today
A perfume 7.5 mls
Kilian
Angels Share

Lumene Day 18, another moisturiser.

Good morning everyone. I have just come back from walking the dog & it wasn’t raining for once!

LF Fragrance Calendar

Day 19 - Florence by TOCCA

I am very happy with this. I have never tried it but it smells gorgeous 😊

ASOS day 19 is Patchology Eye Gels. Use sheet masks etc frequently so will be happy to use these.

Forgot pic.

Sylvan Glow today is a Kundal hand cream. Never thrilled by hand creams but will use this.

Frankenstein 🧌 calendar today is Charlotte Tilbury setting spray the Selfridges calendar and the Summer Fridays lip oil from SpaceNK, a very nice colour 😍

And I've included my Frankenstein fragrance calendar drawer for today 😊 pleased with this one as it's a gorgeous perfume! Marked as sensitive so I don't spoil it for anyone else.