So i didn't open my Advent calendar...

Is anyone else hopeless with Advent calendars? Excited for the first week or so but then completely forget you've got one...

This year I can't believe I did it. I could forgive myself if it was a chocolate calendar or even a cheaper beauty advent calendar, but I bought the Selfridges Enchanted Spells Advent Calendar, and I didn't open past day 8. WTF? Crazy, madness I know!

I was opening each day and sharing the lotion or potion that was behind each door and I just stopped. I dunno why? You can catch what was behind doors 1-8 by clicking on the relevant number if you're interested.

 Day 1  |  Day 2  |  Day 3  |  Day 4  |  Day 5

then I forgot for two days so clumped together days 6,7 & 8

I was putting away all the Christmas decs the other day and found the poor little, abandoned book of spells behind the kids big wooden nativity scene. So I waited until I had a quiet half an hour to myself and excitedly peeled back all the remaining 16 doors...

Here's what I discovered.

Days 1-6

I'd already opened all these so there were no surprises there.

Days 7-12

Days 7 & 8 were already open but from 9 onwards it was all surprises.

Day 9 - Armani Code I really like this perfume but have never had it in my collection so I was pleased to receive this little sample.

Day 10 - Lancome L'Absolu Rouge Lipstick in Shade 06 Rose Nu This is a really pretty natural rose pink.

Day 11 - Lancome Hypnose Drama - Instant Full Body Volume Mascara I love mini mascaras. Like, literally love them! This mascara has a curvy, oversized brush that really gives some va-va-voom to my lashes.

Day 12 - Armani Diamonds Rose Just in love with this scent. Definitely one I may purchase in full size when this runs out.

Days 13-18

Day 13 - Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate This is an exilir that you apply to cleansed skin before going to bed. Kiehl's is a brand that I've never tried but would really like to, so I'm excited to give this a whirl.

Day 14 - Lancome Hypnose Mascara Volume Another cute, mini mascara to try out.

Day 15 - YSL Crayon Waterproof Eyeliner

Day 16 - Lancome Genifique Eye Light Pearl Eye-Illuminating Youth Activating Concentrate Eye Serum This stuff is expensive in full size, £46 to be exact. I've read some good things about this and my under eye bags and eye area in general is an area I need to take more care of.

Day 17 - Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Anti-Ageing Eyeshadow primers are something I've never bothered with - it's the lazy girl within me. I hear people rave about them and go on about the benefits of using them but... I just haven't bought in to that whole thing yet. Maybe I should give it a go? Anti-aging could be a deal clincher.

Day 18 - Lancome Visionnaire Advanced Skin Corrector

Days 19-24

Day 19 - Viktor Rolf Flowerbomb Another beautiful bottle, another amazing perfume. Looking forward to wearing this.

Day 20 - Lancome Bi-Facil This claims to remove even waterproof eye products and I've been struggling to find a product that will remove my Benefit They're Real Mascara so I'm going to give this a try next time I wear it.

Day 21 - Lancome Lip Lover Shade 337

Day 22 - Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate

Day 23 - Lancome Lip Lover Shade 355

Day 24 - Kiehl's Creme De Corps I'm looking forward to trying this moisturiser more. I tried it on my elbows and it feels incredibly moisturising and has a delicious scent.

Overall, I have to admit I was slightly disappointed. At £85 this calendar is very expensive and I know that the value of the products is much more than that but for me, it just wasn't worth it. I'll definitely use all the perfumes and mascaras and I'm looking forward to trying out some of the Kiehl's products as I haven't tried any before.  I feel there were too many Lancôme products, not that I have anything against Lancôme, I'd just like to have seen a bit more variety. 

I think next year (or this year!) I'm going to try and get the Benefit calendar as I think that's more suitable for me and my tastes.