Beauty buffs are looking to a tip from Martin Lewis' website Money Saving Expert (MSE) to save hundreds of pounds on makeup and skincare, as well as on Christmas presents for family and loved ones. It's no secret that beauty advent calendars can often contain products with a value considerably higher than that of the calendar itself, but with so many offerings from the likes of Boots, LookFantastic, Mac, Charlotte Tilbury and Liz Earle, it can be difficult to work out which is really the best value for money.
Some of the beauty advent calendars are worth hundreds of pounds, and when the prices of these countdowns are knocked down further, it makes the savings even better. What’s more is that Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Experts suggest splitting them up as gifts or stocking fillers, to make your money go even further.
Their blog tells shoppers: “Beauty Advent calendars are significantly pricier than chocolate ones, but they've become increasingly popular in the last few years as a way of bagging beauty products at a fraction of the normal cost. They often sell out early, but can also be heavily discounted later if they don't.
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“While they’re marketed as Advent calendars, even if you’re not intending to open them day-by-day, they can be worth it to get products for much cheaper than you'd normally buy them for separately. They're also great for dividing up as gifts for multiple friends/family members in hampers for Christmas or as birthday gifts throughout the year.”
Here are six beauty advent calendars that have been reduced this week ahead of Black Friday - and if you order quickly, there’s a good chance it could be here in time for December, if you’re actually using it as an advent calendar, of course.
Revolution 25 Days of Glam - was £48, now £36 (worth £96)
The Revolution 25 Days of Glam beauty advent calendar was originally £48, containing £96 worth of makeup bag essentials. The calendar was later reduced to £40, and is now £32 on the Revolution website.
From lip glosses and eyeliners to TikTok-famous products and must-have tools, the purse-friendly calendar has everything you need to sleigh the most magical time of the year, including Revolution's Reloaded Palette in new shades inspired by pink prosecco.
Our 60 second review: “The Revolution 25 days of Glam is certainly a purchase for the girly-girl who loves a makeup bag packed with essentials. It has really made me have a play with different looks I would never usually go for, while finding long-wearing products which I don't need to top up every half an hour when out and enjoying time with family and friends.”
Cult Beauty - now £200, was £225 (worth over £1,000)
First founded in 2007, Cult Beauty has earned a reputation for spotlighting some of the very best emerging and independent beauty brands, from Drunk Elephant to Charlotte Tilbury; and this year it's advent calendar is overflowing with beauty icons, from under-the-radar heroes to make up's biggest names and everything in between.
Some of the high-end beauty brands will include skincare, haircare and makeup, with an in-built saving of over £800, giving shoppers the chance to try new products at a fraction of their retail price.
The Cult Beauty Advent Calendar is a 25-door festive feast of luxury beauty, featuring no fewer than 39 products - 20 of which are full sized. With appearances from the likes of Augustinus Bader, Saie, OLAPLEX, Glow Recipe and ELEMIS. Originally priced at £225, it’s now down to £200 for Black Friday.
ESPA - was £175, now £157.50 (worth £419)
Priced at £175, the contents of the ESPA wellness haul are worth around £419, with a great mix of luxury skin, bath and body goodies inside. While it’s still full price via the retailer’s own site, AllBeauty has reduced the Christmas countdown to £157.50.
What’s more is that when you add it to your basket, you also receive a ESPA Evening Serenity gift for free, which is worth £54 alone. This essentially means shoppers could get £473 worth of ESPA favourites for £157.50.
Our 60 second review: “The ESPA wellness wonderland calendar is set to make every day in December feel like a spa day. The 25 natural beauty and pamper products smell stunning, making for a luxurious and indulgent addition to any self-care routine. The variety is brilliant, with products for skin, hair, bath and home, and actually work out at only £7 each when you divide the full price cost of the calendar by each product. It’s a fabulous all-rounder that’s much more affordable than the likes of Jo Malone or Molton Brown.”
Liz Earle - was £75, now £60 (worth £169)
Shoppers can get 20 per cent off the Liz Earle calendar as part of the retailer's Black Friday offers (this is such a big deal as it usually never gets reduced). The 12 Days of Liz Earle Beauty Advent Calendar is now £60, and four of the products inside are full sized with a retail value of over £100.
Our 60 second review: "Out of the 12 products in the calendar, there is a mix of mini and full-sized, with some of their most-loved formulas included, as well as skincare bits you might not have tried before. "By the end of the 12 days you will have a whole new skincare set, with a cleanser, toner, day and night moisturiser, and eye lotion, making it a brilliant option if you want to switch your usual routine up or you're not sure where to start with introducing one. I loved the scent of all the products included, as they smell really luxurious and give you a taste of spa-life from home."
Shop the Liz Earle calendar here.
Ted Baker - was £46, now £36.80
Ted Baker's Advent Calendar is filled to the brim with indulgent bathing and beauty treats, as well as some limited edition festive surprises. Last year there were 24 products inside the advent calendar, while this year there are 27. However, comparing this year’s contents to last year, 18 products included are exactly the same, which could be good or bad depending on which way you look at it.
For some shoppers, they may want to discover brand new items behind each door in 2023, though others may love the fact that they can restock their favourites from last year. Though for new beauty advent calendar owners this year, it won’t make much difference either way.
The calendar has been reduced by nearly a tenner ahead of Black Friday, and is available for £36.80 here on the Boots website.
PrettyLittleThing - was £48, now £45 (worth £198)
Ahead of their ‘Pink Friday’ Black Friday deals, PrettyLittleThing has discounted their advent calendar to just £45. The beauty advent calendar is the perfect way to make every day of December feel festive, packed with 24 unreal beauty surprises, from essential skincare to make-up must-haves. The calendar is worth £198, meaning the new lower price saves 77 per cent on the RRP.
Our 60 second review: “There are some seriously impressive brands tucked inside this calendar. I’m talking about the kind we’d expect to see in the likes of Cult Beauty, Space NK or LookFantastic, such as Mario Badescu, Morphe, Brushworks, Stila and more.
"While the overall value is lower than these calendars at £198, it’s still almost four times the price you pay at under £50, offering shoppers the chance to get a taste of luxury without the huge price tag. I feel like £45 is a really accessible price point, and when you do the girl maths, it works out at £1.86 per item inside, which is incredible.”
Find out more about the best beauty advent calendars for 2023 her
