It's one of the most anticipated Christmas countdowns of the year, and today (October 8) the M&S beauty advent calendar finally lands in stores and online. The calendar has been designed by fashion designer Bella Freud and is worth a whopping £330, but shoppers can bag it for £60.
Containing goodies from the likes of Estée Lauder, Clinique, and Benefit, the calendar is ideal for beauty lovers. Plus, it's cheaper to purchase than many of its £100+ high street counterparts.
Beauty enthusiasts who want to get their hands on the 25-day calendar for £60 will need to spend £35 across the retailer's fashion, home, and beauty ranges, which won't be hard when there are so many gorgeous items on offer, reports Birmingham Live.
For those who need some inspiration, we love the on-trend Checked Single Breasted Blazer, £65, for fashion fans, or beauty lovers may wish to buy the Warmth Rituals Gift Set for £35, which would also make a great Christmas gift (it's my favourite scent out of all of the M&S fragrances).
For the homeware fans amongst us, there's also the stylish M&S Checkerboard Table Lamp for £49.50. Other beauty advent calendars we've spotted for less than £100 include the OK! Beauty Advent Calendar by Hannah Martin, which retails for £99 but is worth over £600.
Shop the 2025 Beauty Advent Calendar at M&S
£60 when spending £35 on fashion, home, and beauty
M&SOne shopper said: "It has got an excellent variety of products and some great brands that I am keen to try. I regularly buy beauty advents and this seemed by far the best value for money."
For those seeking something truly indulgent, beauty enthusiasts can purchase the recently launched Fortnum and Mason Beauty Advent Calendar, priced at £265 but valued at £1,149. Featuring everything from Sol De Janeiro to Jo Malone London, it's sure to delight fragrance enthusiasts and skincare devotees alike.
Pros
- Luxury-feeling design by fashion designer Bella Freud
- Good selection of products from makeup and skincare to haircare and fragrance
- Reasonable price point
Cons
- Not overtly festive for those who love traditional Christmas packaging
- Heavy to store
- Have to search two layers of boxes to find the relevant numbers to open
M&S Beauty Advent Calendar Review: Is it beauty writer-approved?
My initial impression of the calendar is that the packaging looks stunning and feels premium. The box has a satisfying weight yet isn't as bulky as others, making it ideal for those short on space. Whilst not overly festive, the box appears suitable for reuse after Christmas, which I appreciate.
Looking at what's inside, I'm delighted by many of the items included. Showcasing numerous well-known brands and a strong mix of products (including eight full-sized items), it's ideal for anyone who loves makeup and skincare.
Customers can look forward to discovering festive makeup, fragrance and hair products, including a 7ml bottle of Estée Lauder's (a recently introduced brand at M&S) Iconic Advanced Night Repair Serum. In my opinion, the beauty advent calendar offers good value for money.
The standout products for me are the Clinique 7ml High Impact Mascara, which shoppers can look forward to opening on Christmas Day, the iconic 6ml Benefit Cosmetics Benetint, and the Color Wow Dream Cocktail Carb-Infused Leave-In Treatment 50ml.
Also included are the 100ml Cowshed Relax Body Lotion, perfect for a festive pamper session, the Stila Stay All Day Smudge and Set Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in Espresso shade, and the handy L'Occitane Almond Delicious Hand Cream 30ml, ideal for popping in your handbag.
Other brands that beauty enthusiasts can anticipate include Waleda, Nails.Inc, Nuxe, Living Proof and M&S's own brand products, to mention just a few. As for the packaging, I appreciate the fun slogans on the boxes giving hints about what beauty treats lie within.
However, if I were to nitpick, I'd point out that the boxes are arranged in two layers, meaning you have to dig around to find the number you're looking for. This could result in the presentation of the box looking less tidy after several days of opening.
The makeup items included are in popular suits all shades, although not every beauty enthusiast may find them appealing. The £60 price point seems fair considering the items inside, and in true M&S fashion, I would say there's not a dud among the collection.
Overall, I believe the calendar is worth adding to your basket if you're looking for a pre-Christmas treat without committing to a triple-digit price tag.
