Beauty Advent Calendars Thread 13 - lucky for us, unlucky for Ryan the Bot

[SheilaFentiman]

Welcome to Thread 13 and happy unboxing to all who sail (sale??) in her as we swap tips, tricks, frustrations and joys of the BAC/FAC journey.

Not too long until Black Friday discounts so keep your fingers crossed and some room on your credit card

Key link for all the calendars via the very lovely MaryBD of the calendars https://beauty-detective.com/category/beauty-advent-calendars/

Though lots of ACs are out of stock already, so beware (and extra double beware of anything Selfridges Fragrance related!!)

@Addictedtobeauty do it do it!

Fml, this has been a very expensive month. I can no longer pretend to have funded my purchases from Vinted sales. I’d better get selling!

My missing/stuck in Hinckley SFAC is being investigated and I should have an update early next week. Not sure if I want to chance the DPD postal service again…

Or honour peoples orders. Not being able to find allocated stock is such BS

Yes!!! i’m in this boat too, due to their payment error could not pay in any way after trying like 50 times🤣 and then it went out of stock… and this is after finally getting through the queue

So true! Why can’t they replace if there’s more sitting ready to drop? Why can’t they replace now for the orders where things went astray, or bits damaged/ missing as a priority? They obviously don’t care

Yes! That bloody Barclay card ‘ something went wrong’ sign. Added to bag and then falling at last hurdle - kick in the teeth

I reckon they've got loads of broken ones and complaints and have gone into 'shit we're fucked' mode.

I did get a full refund for one broken thing in the fragrance edit kit earlier in tje year (the £55 one) and didn't have to send anything back so they can do it if they want to.

If you wanted to swap the amouage for anything I'd be game!

Martin Lewis investigated Selfridges and a whole heap of other companies for failing to comply with consumer rights law in 2025. They’re all just relying on people not knowing their rights and taking their fobbing off.

The elusive SFAC I managed to secure on Thursday has just been delivered, checked and all ok. HHFAC is still to come. I hope all of you with issues with the SFAC get them successfully resolved and those who are brave enough for the 4th lottery next week have much luck. Honestly this year’s advent season has been a rollercoaster for everyone - some great highs for those securing BT and lows with SFAC, we need another new and exciting release to think about.

After saying I was one and done with the HFAC, I’ve now managed to end up with HHFAC, SFAC and a Frankenstein BAC combined of Hearst boxes and a SNK GWP and bargain Sisley, topped off with the new Hourglass Wish palette and a free JL beauty box for buying a sweater! 🤣 I’ve never had more than 2 BAC before….🙄

I’ve seen several people mention a HHFAC. I thought that this was a typo for HoF but now Im wondering if another fragrance calendar has passed me by?

Yes I thought it was Harvey Nick's but that would be HN

Who the hell is HH?

Harrods home fragrance advent calendar

Aah.. I was getting worried id missed something. Luckily I'm not into candles.

Thanks @SheilaFentimanfor the new thread 🪡

I’ve already opened my Boots luxe through September and October. Looking back it was a great BAC ☺️

My favourites were Mac lip pencil and lipstick, Nars multiple blush, Huda setting spray, Amika and Veleda haircare, Aveda shampoo and conditioner and Estee Lauder eye concentrate 🐒

I should’ve sold Iconic face palette but the curiosity got better of me. Turns out formula is full of shimmer under overspray 🙈

Onto SNK next in November, can’t wait 🥳

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good mixed FAC that has a few full sizes in it?

I am (embarrassingly) still really disappointed not to get either HFAC or SFAC. HNFAC will do if theres nothing else out there i suppose.

So asked AI about 2027 Selfridges Fragrance Advent 😩

Mary has a comprehensive list of FACs. It depends if you’re into niche or designer stuff 🙂
https://beauty-detective.com/best-fragrance-advent-calendars-2026/

opps I meant Harvey Nichols nkt HoF!

Thank you, thst makes sense now! I think Ive got a bad case of FOMO!

I can’t argue about the price point. At £225 every man and his dog was trying to get a bargain 🤦‍♀️ didn’t matter if they’re into fragrances at all.

Thank you for this. I prefer more niche brands, so looking at that list the best available mixed brand option is HNFAC. Its just a bit.. meh. Maybe this year is just not for me, AC wise. Thanks again for the link ❤️

I think you're onto something there.

Interesting that they refunded the whole edit for one broken one.

So many posted on Vinted every day. Together with kicks and Pokemon cards

I see Really Ree has an unboxing of the HN fragrance calendar