Beauty Advent Calendars Thread 12 - reeling in the aftermath of SFAC, we soldier on... 💄💋

[LightandBreezy]

Welcome to the 12th thread, we still have 50 days till the daily unboxing officially starts, although I very much doubt any of our calendars will remain untouched until then 😂
Still time for lots more friendly chat, tips and discount codes - to cut down on links as a poster requested, here's link to some very comprehensive run-downs of the calendars https://beauty-detective.com/category/beauty-advent-calendars/
When enjoying those breakdowns please remember that some are OOS already - Harrod's Fragrance, Harrod's Beauty and Selfridges Beauty to name a few.

For the Elemis lovers please look out for their Christmas today’s special value on QVC . It usual includes 5 full size products including the Marine cream for about £70. It’s how I stock up every year .

I’m thinking I might just stick to selling our Lego bits and bobs ongoing as the cosmetics moderation is clearly very arbitrary. I always liked Vinted to buy things but lately with the clothes resizing even that’s a pain in the neck at the moment.

I have scaled back what I put on Vinted as would prefer to keep my account than end up with a ban.
I agree with the clothes as used to buy so much and now it’s too hit and miss.

I can find a 3 piece one but not a 5 at that price? I do love their cream

https://www.qvcuk.com/elemis-3-piece-pro-collagen-stocking-filler-gift-set.product.258134.html?sc=NAVLIST

I think it’s normally out a bit later. I tried to look at old emails from last year confirming my order but think I was obviously too efficient and deleted 🤣

Ooh exciting thank you for the heads up!

@Goldleafcat and @user7172 , I love the Elemis QVC Christmas specials 😊. Last year I ordered 5th November, so hopefully it will be available around the same time this year 🤞

I ordered it on 03/11/25 last year and it was shipped on the 4th November

Ooh this is unusual, they don't normally have Elemis (or at least not the 'normal' pro collagen stuff). It's all half price!

I've had things from TK Maxx in the past that have been a little past their best so maybe they're old stock? Or they're planning to revamp the packaging or something?

I use the face wash every day and £25 is an amazing price, I think I'll have to stock up.

The QVC deal might launch at 9pm, I signed up to their notifications recently specifically to look out for the Elemis deal and they email me at 9pm every day (which I find weird for a daily deal)

edited to add: I see the QVC deal is expected later in the year, not later in the day 😆

It’s not out yet , usually in Nov . I’ll post a pic as soon as it’s released .

The other thing about the QVC Elemis specials is that you can set up a subscription so that they send you the same set every couple of months for a while and the last usually comes with a bigger size of the marine cream.

As for the TK Max Elemis, I've bought some and it's been fine. Well within dates when I checked too.

I did :( I've just messaged them again.

Getting back to calendars, does anyone - @MaryBD ? - know if Selfridges are planning another FAC drop, or do we think that's it for the year?

The website says 'So sorry, this product is currently unavailable
This product is now out of stock, but don't worry you can shop similar products from..."

Didn't it previously say 'more stock coming soon' rather than suggesting alts?

Look Fantastic just came back with an outright lie I think. They replied super quickly and said the Look Fantastic fragrance advent calendar is a pre-order item and dispatch would only begin on 9 October. Apparently I should receive it before 1st December. But this isn't right is it? Looking at Mary's page for it, it was launched on 1st September, dispatching from 22nd September.

https://beauty-detective.com/lookfantastic-fragrance-advent-calendar-2026/

I don't like fibs.

God I am at my most belligerent and least articulate this morning. I need at least five more coffees. Look at this nonsense I sent back:

Hello,

Thank you for the reply. This was not a pre-order item. The Look Fantastic fragrance advent calendar was launched on 1 September, dispatching from 22 September. It sold out and then was back in stock. In stock does not mean pre-order. It means in stock. I ordered it when it was in stock. When will it be dispatched? Customer services told me last week that it would be dispatched this week?

How many more times could I have said in stock, do you think? Off to find coffee...

At least your point was (abundantly :>) clear!

My Fortnum & Mason a/c arrived at 8.45am this morning - DPD driver said "this is a heavy one!" 😁
Very quick scan to make sure all contents present and correct ✔before rushing out the door - can't wait to have a proper look later, it's beautiful!

It’s one I’m keeping for December. I just love all the new products it introduces me too.

F&M looks very special this year. It might be the one that got any for me but there’s still time. 😬

I tried to convince my DH of the Liberty men’s but he saw straight through me and knew it was mainly for me. He’s a wash his face in the shower and apply a bit of aftershave kind of guy so the thought of a serum or eye cream made him laugh although I did point out it wouldn’t go to waste. 😂

My F&M is out for delivery today too.

Oh I SO hope DH has ordered F&M for my birthday 🤞
Not an advebt calendar but LF have sent out spoilers for their beauty vault. Looks pretty disappointing to me. Its uo £50 on last year and the contants don't look as good. What a shame.

@CinderellaParker This is good to know! I have been ordering the Elemis sets from QVC for the last few years and normally buy a few boxes at a time. Seems like I’d be best off doing it on subscription for the extra product, and to save a big initial outlay.

I’m not sure what to do this year as I’ve still got 3 sets from last year due to me going crazy buying all sorts of other stuff. I have such a big stash of those plus various other creams, etc.

I'm excited to see people are receiving their F&M calendars. I ordered mine after the disappointment of the first SFAC drop so I imagine it will take a bit longer to come. I'm hoping it's not till next week now as I'm out for the next two days.

Selfridges marketing team must have a Master’s in trolling 😂