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?

@GoldenLeavesnow Estee Lauder ANR is a serum rather than a night cream, but it’s a really good classic EL product - use before moisturiser in the evening (or morning!)

StyleKorean Day 21 is Heimish All Clean Cleansing Balm 50ml. Only tried a sample pot of this before, so keen to use this one.

How do you use this? I have the estee lauder set with it in. Never used before but want to try as great reviews. X

My Jo Loves fragrance paintbrush today is only a little over half full. I discovered this because I couldn't get any product out so unscrewed the cartridge to check whether it actually contained anything. It does and it now works after leaving it upside down for a while but I'm annoyed at how little product it contains. I like the scent but it's very faint on me so probably not a winner anyway.

Lumene Day 21, a generous size. I’m assuming it’s a serum.

Today in Diptyque there is a mini scented candle in Santal. It's a gorgeous scent.

Good morning! Does anyone here have Cult Beauty? Day 21 is a RMS lip oil that I cannot open at all! Anyone else have the same problem?

I have it but haven’t tried opening it yet

Ooh this is one of my favourite Diptyque candles. Really impressed with your calendar and the Sylvan Glow one.

I haven't been posting my two (Sephora Collection premium in a tin and last year's No7) as there's so much going on BUT I will say this:

• Sephora has been decent - not as good as the mega Sephora Favourites one but lots of products I will use.

• I lost patience with the No7 one on Friday and opened the whole thing. This is because there was absolutely NOTHING behind Friday's door, the second time this has happened with this calendar. And it was a biggie so I was hoping it was makeup or something full sized. And if course because it was a gift that I got last year but saved as I already had a good advent calendar, there's not much I can do about it. I ripped the calendar apart but nothing had fallen into a crack so it must have been a glitch. I was already bored of the calendar and was fed up of the teeny minis.

Next year if I cannot get hold of the Sylvan Glow one I'll buy the Boots Premium Beauty one as I saw all the contents of that in the flesh last month and was impressed. Especially as they usually do a major discount on that calendar at some point.

Anyway, after that rant, today's Sephora was an eye cream. I have tons so will gift to my daughter.

I’m disappointed with HN today - a Delilah liquid blush which will go to the charity shop or on Vinted. I had a little orange body lotion in L’AP, which is one of my favourite scents, and a tube of wrinkle cream in korres.

I tried my Rituals "Jing" shower foam today , I could not get the pesky thing to work. Probably by cack-hands and the fact I was in water . So calmly set aside to try another day . (OK that's a lie , I cursed like a navvy )

Candle today (I knew there were four for Advent ....and yes it made me think of the Two Ronnies sketch )

As Chez 70 is a Candle-Free-Zone due to the cats , they'll get passed on

Hi @70isaLimitNotaTarget , re: cats and candles, have you thought about a candle warmer? I have one (and a cat) and they work really well for small and large candles, and also wax melts. You still get the aroma, just not the burn.

How are you finding getting some of the items out of the Rituals calendar? I've struggled with a few and had to resort to prising them out with a knife.

I’ve opened mine now, it unscrewed easily. Have you managed to open yours yet?

My female cat has form for "Testing The Gravity Theory" ie throwing things on the floor .

Some of the gifts are a challenge aren't they ! . I use a thin nail file / tap from the back of the calendar / push the base so the top bit pushes forwards .
At least they're secure for transit

Only just opened mine after an early start and v busy day. I forgot this morning. I had Inkey List Ectoin serum and a Vyrao perfume I'd popped in there.

The last three days Gruum

LF fragrance was Versace Crystal Noir which I find a bit meh.
JL was a bright red Charlotte Tilbury lipstick which I will pass on or (attempt to, first timer) sell on Vinted.

Thank you for letting me know 😊

Mine is still not open and if I look close can see the extra tiny bits of plastic stopping it unscrewing. I emailed CB, not hoping for much but I'll see what they say.

That’s a shame, hopefully they’ll send a replacement

Small Body Shop update:

Day 20 - mini pink grapefruit shower gel
Day 21 - small mango body butter

Small Body Shop update:

Day 20 - mini pink grapefruit shower gel
Day 21 - small mango body butter

Morning waiters! I’m so behind and struggling to keep up with threads. A fab day 22, medik8 advance night restore, AB tinted balm and a random sample of space nk bubble bath 😍

LF Fragrance Calendar

Day 22 - Miami Shake by Juliette has a gun

JL today, very happy with this 😊Yesterday was a night serum, so fits together well.