Hey guys! So I know that companies can get away with selling samples in subscription boxes and advent calendars but do you think there should be more regulations against it? This box had exactly ZERO full size items in it and charged an insane price for "minis" and straight up samples! I feel like its really shady to be honest but let me know what you guys think! love ya💖
Since they are making a lot of money for these, just quit buying them and let us know, so we don't buy them. Has Chanel done well this year? Cannot imagine they are ....
Definite regulation. They should at least be minis in the calendars i don't see these being worth as much as they sell them for. The only advent calendars I've seen worth their money are the sock advent calendars at target
Look like the company Macy's hires to do the Macy's Beauty Box put this advent calendar together with their leftovers. Nice stuff to get, the price for samples though?
Whoever says you're too negative is just plain wrong. These advent calendars deserve honest reviews and you're always careful to point out the good parts of the items (if there are any lol). I appreciate your reviews and find them entertaining and educational
Agreed! The comments are depreciative but not negative.. I mean, in 10 months of the subscription, you get way more products.. Just do your thing, Alexandria! We are here for it! 😁
Hey Alexandria, while I can’t speak for the whole of your community, I just want to say that the advent calendar unboxings each year. This series is such a major comfort for me, and it has affected me in such a positive way. Also, I now hear the background jingle bells song from these videos in my head when I open my own advent calendar. To sum things up, I will never be tired of this series, and I’m glad you’re still doing it.
Same! It’s been a dumpster fire for a while and now we’re broke on top of it! I luv the advent calendars so you can figure out what companies are screwing people!
And most subscription boxes are already pretty scammy giving away free samples and defunct products. So the fact that those hold more value than this calendar is just wild.
I don't think your videos are negative. I think you're being 100% honest, which I appreciate! I would react exactly the same way you have been reacting to each advent calendar. Thank you so much for these videos!
There is nothing “negative” about exposing these outrageous business practices! Thank you for continuing to call it out in the same real, funny but fair way. It’s a breath of fresh air in this type of content 🙏 Besides - I feel this shared outrage/despair/laughter brings us all closer during the holidays haha 🎄😂
These boxes are why I didn’t get advent calendars this year, all these sample sizes are ridiculous. I really wish I got the plouise one before they sold out
WTF are these companies thinking??? Like who wants to pay $120 for 12 free with purchase samples??? See, they just don't count on YT channels like Alex to put ALL these idiots on blast in one holiday season! Thanks to Alex we get to see just how awful these companies really are. And yep, they really are.😒🤬
This is what utterly baffles me. It’s not like this is the first year of Advent-mas. It is as though these companies don’t employ a single soul who has watched any reviews on RU-vid.
Funny that people are saying you’re negative cuz I’ve always thought that you’re very positive about the items themselves. It’s just the size and cost of the items that get ya going 😂 which is perfectly understandable !
Same here lol I always thought she is a lot nicer than I would be but it precisely why I’m not on doing this on RU-vid. Lol I’d probably make some serious enemies. 😋
No no, you're completely right! This isn't just shady, this is downright total eclipse from under a rock shady. It's literally labelled 'free sample'! I can stroll into House of Fraser and get those without buying a single thing! Which is great cos I can't afford to remortgage every time I need a moisturiser but y'know Macy's should honestly face repercussions for this, they won't, but they should. Thank you Alexandria for bringing the much needed remonstration against this rip off calendar!
I personally don't feel like your opinions are unfairly negative, and I appreciate you giving your honest opinion. I have enjoyed your channel so much that I have recently been searching for more advent unboxing channels, and they are all so excessively positive that it feels like the reviewer is being paid to say nice things about luxury samples. I find you down to earth and funny, and even if the calendar is a bust, you still brighten my day! Thank you!
I don't think your negative at all. You're showing us the advent calendars as you do every year, and speaking your truth. I agree with what you say in terms of value of items and cost of calendar, etc. The advent calendars are usually NOT a good value overall and way over priced and it's hard to find a good one! Thank you for reviewing a bunch of them.
I appreciate the honesty! I always get extra excited when there are good advent calendars, but I’d never want you to “fake” it and pretend it’s good if it sucks. It’s not your fault the company sold a crummy calendar!
The items are marked “not for sale“ because they don’t come with complete product information that they’re required by law to have on the packaging, like ingredients (because they’re too small for it to fit lol). But usually the advent calendars come with either an insert with the ingredients or the ingredients and product information for each item printed on the back. That’s how they can sell items that are marked “not for sale“
This already speaks to my soul. This is my first year buying presents for my fiancé’s 3 kids and I have been running around saying “no!!” AND “this is not what I expected” as my Amazon and Target orders have been arriving.
I've been watching you for years now and I don't care how negative you have to be towards things. You give honest opinions and those opinions match my own too. I want to know before I buy something that's a waste of money and your videos help me do that, not just advent calendars but all year round. Thank you for being honest but still having a happy smile on your face and doing it in the right way without just crapping on a brand (Sephora deserves it) 😂
You're not being negative, you're giving an honest opinion of the product and I appreciate it. These companies are probably paying people to make those comments. And you're right about the samples; these companies know how popular the calendars have become and they're cashing in by filling them with junk and samples. They've decided to through in samples that are left over from the year and charge you for them. Far more then they are actually worth. I absolutely trust you and your opinion, which is why I faithfully watch your video's. Don't ever change, your sassiness is totally part of your charm. You're sassy, not negative.
I don't think you're being too negative, I think you're being honest, AND you're providing a service. If I'm going to buy a calendar I want to know if it has any value, and watching your videos helps me to know what to avoid. And yes, this calendar was OFFENSIVELY bad.
Thank you for doing this and being honest! Customers have made these company's billions of dollars and them selling these calenders with FREE samples is horrific and I'm pretty sure illegal!!! Not to mention the face masks, hair scrunchys, coupons and gem stickers things!!!❤😡
I don't think your being negative, I think you're being realistic. This is exactly what real consumers want when looking into the products they are going to be spending their money on. I always appreciate your honesty. ❤️❤️
Thank you for the video! 💕 I think that it absolutely should be illegal for an entire calendar to be made up of samples. How can they claim there's any value when literally every item has no retail price! Very frustrating. The best solution I guess is just to not buy them 😞 also, the coupon is a joke.
You’re the only RU-vidr I watch open advent calendar. I love your brutal honesty! You’re saying what we are all thinking. A lot of the other RU-vidrs opening advent calendar just try to keep it positive and I hate it lol. I need someone to yell with me about how bad these advent calendar are!! Thank you and never stop reviewing them!
I look forward to your Advent Calendar Unboxings. Your expressions are priceless! I’ve watched you unbox the PLouise advent calendar last year and this year, and I have to say that is the best advent calendar out there … bar none. This one today is filled primarily with samples, which are supposedly not for sale, which makes me think that really what you’re paying for is the box. When it comes to the PLouise advent calendar, I would pay for the box. It’s beautiful and creative and stunning!
This is wild! Companies need someone like you to call them out because I could totally see a parent or a loved one getting this for someone and being so disappointed.
I love the idea of subscription boxes & store bought advent calendars, but I’m always disappointed by them because the value is never there, especially when I remove the stuff I don’t like. (Maybe I’m picky?) At any rate, thank you so much for your negative reviews! They’re not harsh or exaggerated, they’re honest & entertaining! It totally satisfies my desire to open a calendar without having to spend the money myself.
K-beauty advent calendars are way better!! The Stylevana box was about $200, with 24 full size products, mostly skincare. The Yesstyle box is half makeup, still 24 full size products. Would love to know what you think of them!! Many blessings!💖💖💖
Have you seen the new UK Sephora advent calendar?!? It’s so much better than what they offer in the US!!! it’s disgusting what they give us on repeat year after year just expecting people to buy it no matter what the supposed value really is 🤯
I loved the pups looking at you as got up from your chair and walked across the room. They had the faces of 'what's going on with mom?' and it was so adorably funny XD
just FYI, that MCM “bag” is probably a backpack, hence the shape! I live in Japan and they’re super popular here among certain subcultures (and very expensive lol) edit: SK II masks are Japanese and yep, the price sound right. I don’t know why it says sample but you ain’t getting those anywhere for free. I personally never bought them but the reviews here are so-so for the price (on one of the biggest websites here they have a 5.4 score out of seven). The same brand has one hit product which is their essence, that’s equally expensive but that’s what sells the most (but review scores are similar lol once again can’t judge, not a product I can afford). Pitera is a trademarked somewhat secret ingredient from this brand, comes from yeast and it’s supposed to have great anti-aging properties -hence the price.
Hi Alexandria! If the perfume juice goes dark does not necessarily mean it has gone bad. Most fragrances that contain vanilla, not all, the juice will for sure darken over time. That does not mean it has gone bad and some actually smell better after they macerate. Love advent calendar season!! Thanks for being so entertaining!!
Oooooooo yeah its here! Im so excited! Edit: Do not listen to those people who say your too negative! You are saving people so much money by showing us the "value" the calenders actually have. I love these videos because it really saves me money to buy better boxes! Also how can they defend a coupon? A COUPON IN AN ADVENT CALENDER??
A "Luxury" box being filled with samples is ridiculous. And you're not being overly negative at all. You're giving an honest opinion, and that is greatly appreciated considering all the phony or exaggerated reviews that are out there on social media. You also try to find positive things to say about the stuff in these calendars, which I would not be doing at all lol. Loving advent calendar season as always.
As someone who doesn't wear make up as often anymore I quite like the smaller/sample sizes of make up in advent calendars. It means I get a chance to use it before I have to throw it away. I've thrown out so many full size items barely touched when I've realised how long I've had them. But I don't like teeny tiny pots of cream that barely cover my fave.
Same here also and if there was an advent calendar that was tiny mascaras and lip balms would be awesome but since there’s not…. I’m savin’ money lol🤷🏻♀️
Don’t even listen to the people saying your too negative. They’re obviously new here and not used to honesty. They can go elsewhere for fluff reviews! Your doing amazing, keep it up and Happy Holidays🎄🫶🏻😁!
The only time I bought a Macys Advent Calendar was online and they yes they only charged me for one but they sent me SIX calendars?!? When I contacted them to make sure I was not paying for five of the six and what the best way to return them would be etc they told me to keep them all because it would cost the company more in shipping costs than they cost to make them so the company would loose $$ if they paid for the return shipping?!?
Always be honest, please! There are so many disingenuous people on social media. Most of us can see through the BS and prefer to follow people like you. Never change, honey...you are awesome! ❤
You bring me joy all of the time, but especially during the holiday advent series. It is comforting to know I have videos to watch to bring cheer even when I need it most. Thank you.
You're giving an honest opinion. Some people just can't handle that. I appreciate your honesty in showing what these companies are trying to get away with.
You’re not being negative, you’re being honest. And you have been way kinder than some of these junk boxes deserve. Thank you for breaking down the costs per item. I will always love this series you do!!
Thank you so much sweetheart for showing what we all knew! Keep on being you❤ how do these companies keep getting away with it ,I totally appreciate what you do !❤❤
People saying you’re too negative aren’t even watching. You’re being way nicer than any of these companies deserve! You always look for the bright side of things. I hope those who think you’re “too negative” will get the Sephora Calendar forevermore, like groundhogs day.
I love that you make these videos!!! Not only are they fun they truly are informative. Personally I think if they want to make a free sample advent calendar they should include a coupon for each item, and then only sell them for a few dollars. That way people know what they are getting and if they want to purchase an item they can. To me it seems like a more honest way of selling products. Because NOTHING about these kinds of calendars scream gift.
Sadly I think we want these companies to be generous but they are there for profit. I completely agree with you though that sample sizes don’t give us enough product to actually see any results. But, if we keep buying them these companies will keep selling sample-size filled calendars.
I just wanted to say I don't think you are negative at all. I think you are just honest and we need more of that in today's world. Don't need to sugar coat everything to be nice but you are so sweet and generous with your reviews. I love watching you every year and you always make me giggle. Keep up the good work. Adore you!
So the past few years b after my divorce and with my family living in different far away cities I really don't do anything for Christmas. It's just me and I don't really have the heart to put up a tree or do a bunch of holiday traditions cause it just reminds me of how alone I am. These advent unboxings though are one of the big things that I really look forward to every season. They make me smile and get a bit of joy, even when I am groaning at the ridiculousness of what some of these companies try to claim is high value 😅 love watching your reactions, they make me giggle. So thank you for being one of my main Christmas traditions
I am not supporting advent calendars full of tiny samples in any way, but I do have a slightly different take on the usefulness of tiny pots of cream in general. I have extremely sensitive skin, and while a tiny pot of face or eye cream may not be enough to see the results they list, it is enough to see if I will have some sort of unpleasant reaction to it. For me getting to test out a tiny amount before I spend a bunch of money on a face or eye cream that immediately makes my face unhappy is a big advantage.
Don’t listen to negative nellies calling you negative for being critical and honest. They’re wrong. Stay true to yourself, we’re here for your honesty and your personality. You are saying what we’d all be saying and it’s not like these are small companies who can’t handle constructive criticism.
No Alexandria be negative! It is so refreshing to see someone give an actual valid opinion. Like most people say that but they only give a positive opinion. I always appreciate your actual opinion. Don’t change.
Why would anyone complain about you giving your honest opinion? Just like my mom used to say, "Opinions are like butt holes, everyone has one, and everyone stinks" lol don't worry about the haters they are just mad bc you get paid to do this and they don't! Just keep doing you and the heck with everyone else. You've got a whole bunch of people that love you and love to watch anything you put out.
Thank you for your honesty. It appears that if I want the actual value of most of these advent calenders: I should go to the stores and get all the samples I can. Then treat myself to a very nice lunch. Or get a massage. It might be about the same cost. But, a much better value.
I’m here for you roasting these companies for being ridiculous. It’s 95% of the reason I tune into the advent calendar videos. I love the rants and it makes me confident in which calendars are actually any good!!
I just love you and your content! I LOVE advent calendar season. You literally make me laugh right out loud! Thank you for that ❤️ sending much love hugs and prayers to you, the hubby, and tater & wren ❤️🙏 🐾
Don't let the haters get you down, you're one of the only people who calls it like they see it. Keep it real and I love your channel for not kissing up to these scamming companies. You're not negative, you're being truthful. Keep up keeping it real with scammy advent calendars and saving people money on these valueless products
I've tried to watch others doing unboxing videos but I often find they are far too lenient on these corporations and I just get irritated that they continue to say how wonderful each item is and ignore that it's a rip off for the price. You're honesty in these videos is so refreshing compared to the sea of RU-vidrs who don't want to anger a brand. You cut the fluff and I will forever appreciate that.
Can you imagine the HUGE profit they are making off of the FREE samples they put in there?! When you said that example of the sales associate at Macys asking if you would buy that itty bitty bottle for $40?? EXACLTY...No! They just give them as freebies!
Your negative outlook is 100% justified…selling a bunch of things with “not for sale” samples is absolutely ridiculously laughable…and not in a positive way! You make watching these worth it…you put the value in these things!!!xoxoxo
You absolutely are not being negative! You are giving your opinion which is what we are all here for! If viewers want to see someone jump out of their seat for joy at every small sample they need to watch a sponsored video 😂😂😂 Love you and your videos! Me and my mum watch them together here in Ireland 🇮🇪 ❤
I do take a bit of issue with the "free samples have no value" argument. Free samples, whether at Ulta, Sephora, Macy's, etc. require a minimum spend. They're not really free. They're trying to get you to spend more than you otherwise would, or get you to buy something now that you'd normally wait for a sale to buy. With Sephora, for example, you can use either a discount code or pick an item from the Bazaar, but not both, and one item usually requires *at least* a $35 spend. (If the samples were so easy to get free, the full sizes would have no value either, since people could just get a pile of samples. So brands don't give them out too freely.)
Since when? I’ve never had a problem asking for samples of products in store. If you ask your Sephora associate kindly, they have baskets full of samples just sitting around that they’ll let you go through :)
I love the advent calendar series. I look forward to it every year. I enjoy being surprised when there are good ones, but I also like seeing the trashy ones. I appreciate how honest you have always been in all your unboxing videos.
Honestly, I love how you speak your mind about products, why should you not be negative when the product is bad. Companies should step it up if they don't like valid criticism, and thats never gonna happen of consumers are never negative.
to be fair, the price is not on Macy’s, SK II products are all very expensive and they say it’s because of Pitera, which is their proprietary all natural secret ingredient. Their essence is like 100$ even in Japan without import fees and directly from their website.
I agree with you completely. These companies are being scandalous! I'm so glad I've found your channel and not bought these samples that are not for sale!
I've watched your unboxings and advent calendars for years now. such a big fan, please don't stop, they're the highlight of the season! After all these years and calendars I have a little mini Alexandria voice in my head whenever I'm tempted by one. I've only bought a not cheap chocolate one once, it was Elemis and only because I love the brand and wanted to try everything inside. This year it's virtually identical though so nope! Instead my mum suggested I make my own... And of course I had the perfect checklist for the perfect, personalised calendar. I reused my elemis box from last year and I think I did the channel proud! The rules... No single, tiny tubes. No mostly empty boxes, no splitting up of sets. If it's cheap, go big. If I can fit two things in, do it! In honour of some of the worst culprits there are hair ties and stickers heh. But they're very cute booklets of washi stickers and I put two in the day. I found a pk 4 super cute rolls of Harry potter washi tape too, that was another day. I raided offers so some days are filled with a few minis and samples, but in sets. I spent a fraction yet I got so much for my money and all stuff I love. There's some full size make up, nice big bath bombs,wax melts from Yankee candle, fancy shower steamer tabs, 2 nail varnishes that go together as a set for one day.There's a big bonus item for Xmas day. And any extras from sets or offers I broke up have gone in my Xmas day stocking or as gifts to others. So for what I spent I got this way over stuffed calendar with some fancy stuff, some cheaper but full packs of things (like a big pk of hair ties I really need, plus a chocolate bar heh) all personalised and nicely packaged, reused last year's packaging, and even had stuff left over, all for way less than a deluxe high brand version. It was fun to put together, I didn't feel the surprise was any less than you get when you see the ads for the fancy ones. By the time they're mixed up and spread over 3+ weeks I'll have forgotten most of it! Not one day so far has been a disappointment. And it was fun. Watching these helped me curate the best calendar for me, something worth more than its base cost cuz of savvy shopping, and actually satisfying to open every day. And I did this one short notice, next year I'll have a head start... Maybe I'll go for a different theme... Munchies? Craft and stationary? Not sure but I know it'll be better than anything I'll find in the stores or online! Thanks for all your videos @Alexandria-Ryan never stop rinsing the companies that just grift us out of cash at xmas! You're a festive hero to us all 🎄💕
Please pay no mind to the people saying that you’re “too negative”! I actually think that, occasionally, you’re too nice/sweet/understanding/forgiving/etc when it comes to some of the garbage you get duped into buying via advent calendars! (Though I totally understand that you’re normally just trying to give the companies some benefit of the doubt. Which is admirable of you!) Either way, you are completely entitled to feel however you want while you’re unboxing this stuff _and_ sharing exactly how you feel is why we’re all here in the first place! So, yet again, forget the haters. You’re awesome and do a fabulous job!
Even if you could be called negative, it always feels like talking with your girlfriends talking about some insane things you saw so it always feels so fun and not negative at all. Seeing these advent calendar's are kinda my favorite part of the year just because every year I can never believe the audacity of these companies. (Obviously the ones that are amazing are THE BEST)
YSL honestly makes the most amazing fragrances! Black Opium has been my signature scent for years now. I used to keep Mon Paris stocked at all times too, but I got tired of the price lol. Black Opium is $155 for 3 ounces! Now I buy the Dossier versions (Fruity Brown Sugar = Mon Paris and Ambery Vanilla = Black Opium). They're honestly incredible for the price (about $30 each!) and I'll be darned if they don't smell just like the fragrances they're duping!
Alexandria, you are NOT “too negative”. You are critiquing these calendars! You give your honest opinion, and tell us good (if there are any) and bad points about each calendar. Thank you for being honest, and I agree. This one was a hot mess. I cannot believe how this company gave you a bunch of samples! This really should be illegal!!!!
I was scrolling through facebook one day, and there was an ad for a free sample of La Mer face cream. So I gave my info, and sure enough I did get a sample, shockingly lol. I tried it, and it was not very impressive to me. It left my skin tight and I hate that feeling. I've had better luck with face creams off Wish and Temu! My whole point here, is that just because something is expensive, does NOT mean it's going to change your life. Like I cannot understand how someone spends $40 or more on a lipstick, yes you Tom Ford, and it wears off in no time flat. I put on Maybelline Matte Superstay or something like that and it lasts me literally ALL day, for $10!! Thanks to you Alexandria, I would never buy any of these calendars for the price they're asking. I will vicariously buy them with you lol.
I love your negativity towards them if you can even call it negativity. I love how honest you are and your funny so it always makes me laugh. Never stop being honest. Its what makes this series my favorite.
