The 6 beauty advent calendars actually worth buying to get bang for your buck, according to our beauty editor
AS a beauty editor, I get sent countless advent calendars – and it’s an unfortunate fact that they’re not all created equal.
It’s a minefield trying to decide which one to splash out on, so I’ve done the hard work for you, crunched the numbers and opened all the drawers to work out which ones are really worth buying.
Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar- Buy Now
Price: £250 Worth: £1043 Saving: £793
What’s inside? The original, and potentially most famous, multi-brand beauty advent calendar never fails to disappoint.
This year, it’s packed with 29 products, 20 of which are full-sized – my favourites include the likes of a full-size Rose Inc Cream Blush in Daylily, a universally flattering rose-pink shade, and a full size Verden D’Orangerie Hand Cream, perfect for the cold months.
Space Nk Beauty Advent Calendar- Buy Now
Price: £235 Worth: £1008 Saving: £773
What’s inside? For the most part, beauty advent calendars are a chance to try new products without having to pay full price.
But, in an exciting turn of events, this year’s Space NK Beauty Advent Calendar contains some of my most-loved products – which means I can stock up at a discount. If you’re considering buying, know that it’s the one that contains the most products that already have my approval – such as Farmacy Green Clean Cleansing Balm, Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2% and Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist, which usually costs £48 alone.
There’s 33 products in total, including 19 full-sized, behind the 24 doors, and it’s made entirely from paper so you can put it in your normal recycling bin with the Christmas wrapping once it’s empty.
Harvey Nichols Beauty Advent Calendar- Buy Now
Price: £250 Worth: £1300 Saving: £1050
What’s inside? Taking home the title for highest worth, biggest saving and most products – with 45 in total and 24 full-sizes, if you’re a seasoned beauty fan or have an eye for the finer things in life, then look no further.
Highlights include a 30ml bottle of Escentric Molecule E01, a full-sized Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, and a mini Maison Francis Kurkdjian 724 Candle, as well as treatment vouchers that can be used in store.
It really doesn’t get more luxe, and there’s a one in fifty chance you could win a £1000 shopping spree in-store behind door 25 too. I’ve already got a designer handbag on my list should I win one. Go on, treat yourself!
Cult Beauty Advent Calendar- Buy Now
Price: £225 Worth: £1100 Saving: £875
What’s Inside? If you’re a fan of independent brands, this is the beauty advent calendar for you.
From the 39 products, 20 are ful- sized, including a full-sized Conserving Beauty Conserve You Face Oil, Saie Glowy Super Gel in ‘Starglow’ and Votary Super Sensitive Cleansing Cream.
For the second year running, over £60,000 from Cult Beauty Advent Calendar sales will be donated to Mental Health UK and the company is also working with More Trees to plant one tree for every calendar sold, helping to restore forests and sequestering future CO2 emissions in the process.
John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar- Buy Now
Price: £195 Worth: £921 Saving: £726
What’s inside? A beauty-lover’s dream, among the 31 products inside (including 16 full-sizes), are plenty of cult make-up products like Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder, Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eyeshadow Palette in Walk of No Shame and the new Clinique High Impact Mascara.
As well as the cracking beauty products inside, 10 lucky customers will also win some spectacular prizes, including a £500 John Lewis voucher, a weekend in Rome and a VIP appointment at the Percy & Reed salon in London.
M&S Beauty Advent Calendar- Buy Now
Price: £40 (when you spend £25 on clothing, home or beauty at M&S) Worth: £340 Saving: £300
What’s inside? The M&S Beauty Advent Calendar never fails to impress me. It’s the cheapest calendar that still delivers really good value and a great range of premium products from multiple brands.
Plus, it’s the only one on the list that comes in a reusable cosmetics case, so there’s less waste and you get a new make-up bag in addition to the 25 products inside.
Whether you like a pamper, are serious about skincare or fancy yourself as a budding make-up artist, there’s something for everyone, including This Works Deep Sleep Body Cocoon, Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling Mascara and REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Gel.
It officially hits shelves on the 26th October, so set a reminder now!