20 Must See Beauty Advent Calendars for Christmas 2021

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For Christmas 2021, beauty advent calendars are back! During the pandemic last year, for many reasons I would assume, a lot of brands didn't launch calendars for Christmas. Between shop closures, restricted numbers in stores, shipping delays and likely just the general mood (though to be honest, I could've done with some extra sparkle), we missed out, but I've put together a list of 20 beauty advents that I think need your attention, starting with "the big one" launching today!

ASOS Clinique Beauty Box (July 2018)

It was November last year, when I previously blogged about the ASOS beauty box. I've bought most of the monthly boxes since then and July is a special one as it only contains Clinique products. The brand has just launched at ASOS, so the box is to celebrate and it's a great way of trying out several products.

Swatches: ASOS Beauty Box (November)

In September ASOS launched their very first beauty box to coincide with their new, own-brand makeup line and revamp of the current beauty department (now known as "Face + Body"). I've been tempted each time as there's 5 items inside, priced at £12 and there's no subscription, you just buy it outright if you like it that month. It's taken until this month for me to go for it.  This time it contained (all full-size) items from their own-brand range rather than other brands. I'm always keen to trial new stuff, so this seemed like the perfect ooportunity. The box is incredible value for money with the palette alone retailing for £12. Yep, the liquid lipstick, mascara, blusher and eyeliner are all free. The whole makeup line is affordable anyway, but it's still a £29 saving.  Read on for swatches and a closer look at what's inside the ASOS Beauty Box (November edition).

Comparison: Irregular Choice Tall Tail

I thought you might be interested in seeing how my Irregular Choice Tall Tail platforms measure up to other shoes in my collection.  It can be quite hard to grasp the size of them, when they're standing alone in a photo. So I figured you might own some of these or be able to gauge their size in comparison to known styles (not just Irregular Choice). I have some heels that come close, but the massive platform is really what sets them apart.  I've included links to the individual The Shoe Girl Diaries posts for most styles, so you can see how they look on the foot too (you might not have seen them before as some are quite old).  You can see more detailed photos of Tall Tail in this post or how they look on the foot here and also a video walking in them.  The platform is 6" and heel 8 1/4".  

Would You Wear...?

Back with my new feature which made it's debut last week! That time, the cropped culottes/jumpsuit/crop top/cape thing seemed to have us all fretting about spilling something down it, clumsy lot we are! 73% wouldn't wear it, 13% would and the same amount were on the fence (no idea about the odd 1%). Read on for this week's Would You Wear...? and yet again I'm questioning "what is it"?

SkinnyDip Unicorn Tears Bag

So much for a more organised week, it's been very hectic so far and I've fallen behind with everything. I'm aiming to catch up tomorrow, but massive apologies for neglecting you all and my complete lack of blog commenting (I've missed reading what you're up to, so will get up to date this weekend). Anyways, I promised 'proper' photos of my SkinnyDip Unicorn Tears bag £28 and the reason I'm posting today, is because it's back in stock. Yes, go, go, go! It went quickly last time, so if you really want it, then don't dally.

SkinnyDip Milk Carton Bag

You know I love my kitsch handbags and I added another to my collection at the weekend. Well, actually I almost didn't, because I'd forgotten my package was coming and we didn't answer the door (thinking it was someone selling something or campaigning for the election, plus he looked totally shifty, but that's not the point). Anyway as 'wild man' walked back down the path, I noticed the polka dot packaging and the penny dropped that it was my Topshop parcel. Mum ran outside with no shoes on (!) but he'd already disappeared. Then she bumped into him and he said he'd left it next to the wheelie bins around the back of the house (i.e. chucked it over the high fence). Thanks mate.  Drama over and thankfully my milk wasn't curdled.  Joke.

Final Chapter: ASOS Curve Wiggle Dress

Do not think this is an old post creeping into your reading list, it's new honest!  If you've been following the escapades of this floral dress, then you'll know that I've already unsuccessfully tried two and here is my third (time lucky) attempt!

Haul & Preview: New Look Novelty Clutches

I didn't make any resolutions this year, but I could resolve to fix my blog 'pending' post pile! I photographed these bags back in November and the photos have been sitting in a folder ever since. Not very productive.  I'm pretty sure I even wrote in my diary a few times to post them, but I didn't even start editing never mind writing. No more! I must make an effort to post ALL of these 'forgotten' folders of photos. How do you fancy some (May) birthday photos in February and Christmas gifts in April? FOTD and reviews from 2011? Don't laugh, it could happen!

Pre Christmas ASOS Haul

ASOS have been quite generous with discount codes over the past couple of months, so I've been ordering rather regularly. I thought I'd share some of my purchases, starting with a smallish order a couple of weeks ago, which included the wiggle dresses I reviewed last week (Tall and winter floral crepe ones). 

Mega Review: ASOS Wiggle Dresses

Golly, I can't tell you the amount of half written posts I started last week. I keep finding something more important to write about, then ditch that for something else. I'm annoying myself! I've had ASOS orders arriving almost every day (not joking that much) and in amongst them has been even more 'wiggle dresses'. Uh-huh, more than the zillion I already have. So instead of dragging it out each week in Bought & Thought (which would likely last until next summer), I figured I'd do a massive compilation in one post with reviews of each one. A lot of these have gone into the sale right now (which is why I thought you'd appreciate a review now) and some have only come out in the past couple of days. I'm going to start with some of the more recent ones, because they are freshest in my mind and the amount of photos for older styles vary as I didn't have the foresight to know I'd write this post!

Bought & Thought

This dress was half price for one day only, so I took the opportunity to snap it up, having had my eye on in for a couple of weeks.

Bought & Thought

Yo, yo, yo, prettiest unicorn on the planet here! At least that is what my human Mummy calls me (usually followed with "yes you are, yes you are"), she says you'll all be mimicking the voice she does at that point. I don't say much back, for fear of bursting my stitches, but I can see how much I mean to her.  She says there's no way anyone will fit all their crap in here, not sure I like the sound of that, but then she does that loving, drooling look and everything is good again.  Mum says you'll meet my brother soon.  He's kinda mysterious, all glossy black with a gold mane.  Don't tell him this, but Mummy prefers me to him, I can just tell.  Plus I change from blue to pink depending on the light, pretty cool huh?  She says you'll want to know that you can buy me from ASOS here and New Look here for £12.99 and that everyone needs one.  She even has a 20% off code for all full price items at ASOS that she wants to share with you, because she's kind like that.  You need to insert the code CYBERWKND20, it starts now and ends 8am 2nd December.

Bought & Thought

So I've bought dozens more 'wiggle dresses' from ASOS recently (well, maybe a slight exaggeration) and because they're experimenting a little with some of the details and more notably, the fabric, some have fitted and some have not.  One of the best ones for me is the animal print wiggle dress £50 (in a size 18, also available in Tall here).

New Look: Novelty Clutch Bags

Hello my lovelies, today I'm talking handbags! I've been bag OBSESSED lately. I guess for years the bag trends weren't to my taste, but now I see loads I love and can't stop buying them. At this rate, I need a dedicated room for them, never mind my shoes ; )

Bought & Thought

I had a rather massive splurge at ASOS the other week, so I've got plenty of new buys to keep you amused with over the next couple of months.  I have to admit to typing 'unicorn' into clothing website search boxes just to see what comes up.  On ASOS, I do it daily.  Maybe even more than once!

Bought & Thought

Hola!  Bit of a funny story for you with Bought & Thought this week.  So you know how I'm a massive fan of the ASOS 'wiggle dresses'? Well I was uber excited by this new one.  It was selling fast and I did the usual, it sold out, but eventually managed to get my hands on it.  It's made from this weird textured fabric, can't say I'm thrilled with the feel of it, but it doesn't look too off-putting in the flesh.  The colour is gorgeous, the bold rose print is beautiful.  So now to the funny bit.  I tried it on when it arrived (nobody home) and managed to get stuck in it!  I do this thing where if I can't get a dress on with the zip closed, it's too small.  I always think if I get into it with the zip open then I'll be really scuppered if it's too tight, because I don't have a zip to open for extra room to get out (hmm, not so great thinking there).  Obviously the waist is the smallest bit, so it was getting that over my chest that was difficult.  I was convinced once it got beyond there, it would be fine.  I didn't quite make it (kinda semi-wedged boobs) and spent the next 20 minutes easing the centre-back zip down millimetre by millimetre to get it off!  All this is going on between my shoulder blades, almost unable to move my arms, not the comfiest way to spend an afternoon!  I eventually got it off, but I was seriously kidding myself it would fit.  Even with the zip undone, the skirt section wouldn't even look at my lower body, so it was a definite return for me.  Such a pity, but I've found that before with these dresses, some are roomy, some fit perfectly and others are tiny.  It's got the usual pockets (love) and tucks at the waist and this is one of the newer styles with V back rather than high neckline.  I've got my eye on the other two new colours and hopefully they'll fit better.  I'll let you know!    

ASOS Sunday Delivery

As is usually the way with my shopping habits, I really wanted something but didn't have money for it at the time.  Watched it slowly sell out, sad face, moan, moan, moan, stalked it until I eventually found one in my size and yay, bought it!  It happened a couple of weeks ago and it gave me the opportunity to try out the new Sunday service from ASOS.  I've always been a big advocate for the ASOS UK Premier service, which I've used for years (I promise I've not been asked/paid to say any of this).  If you don't know it's a yearly subscription and in return you receive free unlimited next/nominated day delivery, free returns (courier alongside the usual Collect+ or Royal Mail) along with every issue of the ASOS magazine, special sales, discounts and previews before regular customers.  Lately with free postal returns and free shipping (albeit by a slower method), I've been thinking they might see a reduction in those taking up the offer.  Personally I love the comfort of knowing if I need something in a rush, I have until 10pm to order and can get it the next day, plus for the price (£9.95), you would only need to use it twice for it to pay for itself.  This new Sunday service and later cut off times for ordering I think are a brilliant addition to the scheme.  There I was on a Saturday afternoon, clicking away and then got the surprise that I could have it in my hands the next day.

Mid Week Must Haves

Graphic bodycon dresses for Mid Week Must Haves this time. My high street honey is this adorable but slightly crazed Disturbia 'Bunnies' dress £31.99 from Pulp. The print comes in several pieces for summer and I really love those crazy-cute buns. My high end hottie is this House of Holland 'Cock Tale' dress £125. Henry Holland has turned cult movies, such as Cocktail and True Romance into slightly disturbing prints for his pre-fall collection. Just look at that print close-up, who doesn't want a googly eyed Tom Cruise all over a dress?! Too kitsch? Is there even such a thing?

Mid Week Must Haves by pinkhairedprincess

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Bought & Thought

I don't know what happened to Bought & Thought last week, I missed it! I've not been keeping to my schedule as well as I'd like, but I'm not going to dwell on it. So, I bought these dresses a while back when I had a discount code. If you follow The Shoe Girl Diaries then you'll know I'm fond of the ASOS wiggle dress! I've bought them in every print and colour that has fitted (and sadly sent back several that didn't). As much as I love the style, one thing that I'd sometimes like to change is the longer length (it's just past mid-calf on me).  You have to consider which shoes to wear with it proportion-wise. So I was mega excited to see some 'mini' versions of the style. They looked really short on the model, but then the longer version looks shorter on them too (I'm not exactly model height), so I assumed they would be a little longer in real life. The middle and right in the photo below are the shorter lengths (sorry for the plastic, I excitedly took this photo when they were still in their bags).