Beauty Advent Calendars 2025

MSE_Olivia

Hi all, MSE Olivia here.

Are you considering buying a beauty Advent calendar this year? If so, would you buy it for yourself as a December treat, or would you split it up for presents? If you've bought a beauty calendar in the past, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it! 

I've shared my analysis on the real value of 10 calendars in my new Beauty Advent Calendars 2025 blog...do any tempt you? Let me know if there's any other biggies I haven't included, and I'll look to add these to my blog too. 

Emmia

The calendars are only good value if you'll use the contents. If not they're a waste 

Pollycat

+1 to this ^^^^.
I'd probably use .01% of the total items shown in all the advent calendars.

Emmia

I have the quarterly Liberty beauty box, and they've been offering a discount to subscribers for a few months now, but I've not taken it up. The samples / products in the beauty box are enough for me.

Part of the reason I've not taken it up, is that the calendar would be delivered well before December and I've nowhere to store it as it's quite large!

The last advent calendar I got was the grind coffee pod calendar which was a gigantic disappointment - just their normal pods, nothing interesting in terms of flavours etc. I've actually stopped buying from Grind as a result 

MSE_Olivia

Emmia said:

The calendars are only good value if you'll use the contents. If not they're a waste 

Definitely! When I debate buying a beauty Advent calendar I always consider each individual item and make sure I have a use for it. 

That's such a good point about the packaging - I've always thought it would be a nice idea to reuse advent calendar packaging for a homemade personalised calendar, but where would you store it?!

serena9

Loads of people on TikTok are already opening theirs, so you can see before you buy.

Emmia

serena9 said:

Loads of people on TikTok are already opening theirs, so you can see before you buy.

Most calendars also list the contents, so no real surprises other than the order the items come out in.

didsbury_red

I usually always get the M&S one but thought it was poor last year so went for Glossybox instead.  Ended up selling quite a few bits on Vinted as I wouldn't use them and overall was a bit disappointed.  I am thinking of holding on for the M&S one again this year, and hoping it's a good 'un.

itsthelittlethings

Holland and Barrett have one for £50 that looks good. I already have a coffee advent though, so I am resisting hard!

Murphybear

I have had luxury end advent beauty calendars for the last 10 years.  

My favourite is Harrods.  They cost £250 (same price for last few years) and this years value is over £1500.  Sad I know but I usually check the values 😹

They have very high end brands which usually cost a fortune.  Many full size products, no sample sizes.  Mainly skincare rather than cosmetics.  My husband usually buys one for my Christmas present.  

I use every item 

Last year I got a moisturiser from an English skin care brand called Avant.  It’s become my favourite skin care brand.  They now do a 12 item calendar which costs £99 or £89.10 if you can find a 10% off voucher.  I bought one this year as I needed some more moisturiser which is in the calendar and costs £79 on its own 😺

MSE_Olivia

didsbury_red said:

I usually always get the M&S one but thought it was poor last year so went for Glossybox instead.  Ended up selling quite a few bits on Vinted as I wouldn't use them and overall was a bit disappointed.  I am thinking of holding on for the M&S one again this year, and hoping it's a good 'un.

I'll definitely update the blog when the M&S calendar comes out - people seem to think it'll cost £60, but only when you spend £35 across fashion, home and beauty. What do you think about that?

I've added Glossybox into the blog - it's top for value, with an 85% saving! Very impressive.