Calling all beauty junkies! Why wait for Christmas to treat yourself? Instead of hoping Santa leaves you what you’re lusting after under the tree this year, buy yourself a beauty advent calendar so you get a small, luxurious gift every day of December!
Buying a beauty advent calendar is a great way of trialling some of the best-selling products from your favourite cosmetics brands and figuring out if a product works for you before you invest in a full-sized bottle. Skincare and makeup is expensive, especially if you’re prone to splashing out on products that turn out not to be right for you.
Not all beauty advent calendars are created equal though, so I’ve done some digging to identify which ones are worth the money (I’m talking cult products and savings) and which are no better than your chocolate calendar.
We’re all having two advent calendars this year, right? 2020 has been rough, we deserve it!
12 Best Value Beauty Advent Calendars
I love a beauty product as much as the next girl and wanted to use 2020’s new beauty advent calendars as a way to sample some new products from my most coveted brands. Here, I’ve put together a list of the best value beauty advent calendars of the year so you don’t waste your money. You’re welcome.
Psst… this post contains spoilers.
Beauty advent calendars under £50
ASOS Face + Body 12 Day Advent Calendar: £35
Although only 12 days long, the ASOS beauty advent calendar is good value for money, offering contains 10 full-size and two travel-size products. ASOS aren’t using this as an opportunity to get rid of old stock either – the calendar contains top brands like Glamglow, Nars, The Ordinary and even a set of Ardell false lashes.
Soap & Glory 24 Days to Roam The Foam Advent Calendar: £42
I’ve tried loads of Soap & Glory products and loved every single one. This whopping 24 day advent calendar is great value, working out at just £1.75 per gift. The scrubs, body lotions and Sexy Mother Pucker lip gloss are my star products in this one!
NYX Professional Makeup Diamonds and Ice Please 24 Day Advent Calendar Festive Countdown: £50
Priced at £50, NYX’s advent calendar contains products worth £89.00. That’s a £39 saving! So, what’s inside? Well, it’s all cruelty free which is a massive bonus, and includes some of the brand’s eyeshadows, lipsticks, butter glosses, lip scrub and their Born To Glow Illuminator.
Beauty advent calendars under £75
L’Occitane Classic Beauty Advent Calendar: £53.00
We all know and love this brand for their luxurious hand creams, but there’s so much more to discover – and the classic advent calendar is the perfect introduction to more of L’Occitane’s products. This box contains 24 popular body, hair and skincare product miniatures, from serums to foot creams. It’s worth £87, so you’re saving £34.
The brand also has a beautiful reusable advent calendar filled with products worth £230 for £160.
View full product list
Amazon Beauty Advent Calendar 2020: £60
With 24 full sized products and ‘deluxe samples’ worth over £215, this beauty advent calendar from Amazon offers amazing savings. Some of the best gifts include a full sized Elemis toner, Garnier eye mask and a Sanctuary Spa pillow spray. There are a few brands I’ve never heard of included, but who knows, you might end up loving them.
View full product list
OPI Shine Bright Limited Edition Nail Polish: £65.90
If you had to forego your usual nail appointments this year and learned to do it yourself at home, this OPI advent calendar is the ideal way to add more shades to your collection. It’s unlikely you’ll love every single shade, but you can always pop the ones you aren’t keen on into gifts for your friends and family.
View full product list
Benefit Shake Your Beauty Advent Calendar: £58.50
I love Benefit products but they’re definitely more expensive than I’d like. With this year’s beauty advent calendar from them, you’re saving £66.50 (the calendar’s contents are worth £125). This includes their best-selling mascaras, brow products, primers and more. This particular beauty advent calendar seems heavy on the eye products – but with masks becoming a wardrobe staple, we might as well dress up the top halves of our faces!
Beauty advent calendars under £100
Decléor’s Essential Oils Advent Calendar: £85
With 24 surprises with a combined worth of £311.95, there’s a huge saving on this one of £226.95! This is the ultimate pamper gift to yourself or someone else. The premium brand oozes relaxation and their calendar contains 4 full sized products, 13 travel sized, 6 samples and an accessory. The only Decléor product I’ve tried so far is the Neroli Bigarade Night balm and it’s super indulgent and calming on the skin.
Lumene Beauty 24 NORDIC Beauty Surprises Advent Calendar: £89.90
I’ve never tried any Lumene Beauty products before but with 24 cult Scandi beauty products worth £240 for under £90, this is another great opportunity to save on skincare. Their glow products have amazing reviews!
24 Days Of Clinique Advent Calendar: £90
Worth £207, the Clinique calendar offers a saving of over £100. If you’re a fan of the brand, this is a great opportunity to save some money on your beauty routine. The calendar includes 24 mini treats including my ride or die moisturiser: Moisture Surge.
Beauty advent calendars over £100
MAC 2020 Advent Calendar: £125
Everyone’s favourite beauty brand has gone OTT with this one – the MAC calendar contains 24 products worth over £300 but costs just £125. The only gamble is whether the lipstick shades will suit you!
ESPA No Place Like Home Advent Calendar: £145
Bring the spa to your bedroom this December with this collection of pamper essentials from ESPA. The full collection is worth £345! I’ve had some incredible ESPA facials and can recommend the Pink Hair and Scalp Mud and the Skin Rescue Balm – both included in this festive offering.
The best value beauty advent calendar this year
According to my calculations, the best value budget beauty advent calendar is Amazon’s, with a total saving of £155.
If you’ve got more to spend, the beauty advent calendar where you’re getting the most for your money is Decléor’s with a saving of £226.95, followed closely by ESPA with a saving of £200.
Of course, it’s worth mentioning that these Christmas calendars are only good value if you genuinely love all of the products and will use everything (or give them away to friends, family or a women’s refuge that will appreciate them).
So, whether you rip open every door before December and hoard it all for yourself or spread your products out among your friends and families’ stockings; a beauty advent calendar is a lovely way to treat yourself or someone else while saving some money!
Which one are you splurging on this year?
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