Alright, so let’s talk about this Beauty Insider Advent Calendar thing. I kept seeing it pop up, you know? Emails, probably some ads too. At first, I just scrolled past. Another year, another fancy box promising tiny treasures.
Deciding to Go For It
But then, I don’t know, I started thinking. I’m a Beauty Insider, got points to spend, maybe this year it’d be different. I’ve been pretty good, not splurging too much. So, I found myself actually looking into it. Reading what folks were saying from last year, some loved it, some were so-so. It’s always a bit of a gamble with these advent calendars, isn’t it? You never quite know if you’re gonna get your money’s worth or just a bunch of stuff you’ll never use.
Anyway, one evening, I just decided, “What the heck.” I added it to my cart. Clicked checkout. Done. The anticipation started right then. You know that feeling, waiting for a package you’re actually excited about?
The Arrival and First Look
When the box finally landed on my doorstep, I was pretty eager to rip it open. Not literally rip, because the packaging itself looked kinda nice, I gotta say. It felt substantial, not flimsy. I lugged it inside and set it on the table. Just looked at it for a bit.
Then came the actual unboxing of the advent calendar itself. Pulled it out of the shipping box. It was all nicely designed, with all the little numbered doors. Looked promising, felt like a bit of an event, which I guess is the whole point.
The Daily Discoveries
So, starting December 1st, or whenever I decided to actually begin, I got into the rhythm of opening one little door each day. This was the fun part, the main event.
Some days, it was a real score! A mini version of a serum I’d been wanting to try, or a cute little lipstick in a shade I actually liked. Those were the good days. You feel like, “Yes! This is why I got this thing!”
Other days? Well, not every door can be a winner. Sometimes it’d be a tiny packet of something, or a product that just wasn’t for me. Maybe a hair mask and I have, like, super short hair, or a skincare item for a skin type totally different from mine. That’s the risk, right? You get a mix.
I tried to use most things, or at least give them a fair shot. Some surprises were actually pretty good, things I wouldn’t have bought on their own but ended up liking. Some others just joined the collection of “might use one day” minis we all have.
- Some skincare bits, definitely.
- A few makeup items, mostly sample sizes.
- Occasionally a hair product or a fragrance vial.
It was a process, you know? Wake up, grab my coffee, then go see what the little door held for the day. Added a bit of something to look forward to.
Final Thoughts on the Whole Thing
So, looking back at the whole Beauty Insider Advent Calendar experience? It was alright. It was definitely an experience. I got to try a bunch of new things without committing to full sizes, which is always a plus. Some of those minis are super handy for travel too, assuming we ever travel like we used to.
Was it worth the cash? Mmm, that’s always the big question. If you add up the retail value of every tiny thing, maybe. But it’s more about the fun of discovery, I think. I didn’t love every single item, no way. But I didn’t expect to. I ended up with a few new favorites, and a bunch of other stuff that I’ll either use up eventually or pass along.
Would I do it again next year? Probably, yeah. If the mood strikes me right. It’s a nice little treat for yourself, as long as you go in with realistic expectations. Don’t expect every day to be a life-changing product, and you’ll probably enjoy the ride.
