ad – this blog post contains press samples – all views are my own
When it comes to beauty advent calendars, there are so many to choose from, from Holland and Barrett’s vegan beauty calendar, to Arran Sense of Scotland’s cosy scent-focused option. But if you’re looking for an affordable calendar that will help you top up your makeup bag on a budget, then the Makeup Revolution 25 Days of Glam advent calendar could be the one to see you through the festive party season and beyond.
Beauty advent calendars have skyrocketed in popularity over the last five years, offering the opportunity to stock up on some of the must-have skincare and beauty essentials, while allowing you to discover new products across a range of exciting brands. The contents are usually worth at least double the price you pay, meaning you can save money on your stash, or split the products between friends and family over the yuletide season as stocking fillers as a way to spread the cost further.
And while Christmas may seem a way off yet, advent isn’t, and you wouldn’t want to miss out on unboxing a little slice of luxury each day in December because you forgot to order one, right? Over the next few weeks, I’ll be unboxing some of the best beauty Christmas countdowns for 2023 to help you decide which one to snap up ready for December 1.
Last year, Revolution’s beauty advent calendar saw over 20,000 shoppers sign up to the waitlist, with the festive haul being their best selling product in October, November and December. In 2023, it’s back by popular demand and is better and pinker than ever, not to mention expected to sell out quickly.
Boasting an impressive selection of 20 full-sized products and five minis – all of which are vegan and cruelty free – this Revolution beauty bumper pack is set to elevate your makeup bag with lip oils, cream blushers, TikTok viral products, tools and a 15-pan eyeshadow palette in new and exclusive shades you can’t buy outside of the calendar.
The beauty box opens up like a book, though it’s important to take care when opening up the calendar as if you lay it flat to open, half the contents fall out and you’ll spend far too long playing box Tetris to get them back where their allocated spot. Inside are 25 pink, black and gold numbered boxes each containing a Revolution beauty product to open throughout December. It looks visually very fun, and the packaging is also 100 per cent recyclable.
Revolution are renowned for their purse-friendly products that don’t break the bank, and the same goes for their advent calendar, which was priced at £48 before being cut to £40. Quite often, their cosmetics have been compared to high end brands like Charlotte Tilbury and MAC – in fact, one of the lip liners I got last year was not too dissimilar from my trusty MAC Spice.
Among the beauty products I’m most excited to add to my daily routine are the Lip Oil Elixir Power, which is a worthy alternative to the highly popular but expensive Dior and Fenty lip oils, as well as the triangular powder puff, which is great for setting translucent powder – and there’s one of those included too.
The Superdewy Liquid Blush is a product I know I’ll find myself reaching for a lot. The shade You Got Me Blushing is so pretty, it’s super pigmented, and the cream formula leaves skin glowing with its dewy finish. Those looking for more of a pop will be a fan of the Dare to Divulge highlighter, which you can use as a multifunctional product across the cheekbones, or on the eyes as a shimmery shadow, too.
Speaking of eyeshadow, though, the standout gift has to be the Reloaded Palette Pink Prosecco – a 15-pan shadow palette in stunning pink and nude tones that you can mix and match to create day and night looks. It’s the highest value item in the box priced at £5, but I’ve been using a version of these palettes for the last 12 months every single day and swear by it for my everyday looks.
The total value of the contents inside the calendar are £96, saving shoppers over 50 per cent on the RRP with the latest price drop. There are calendars with bigger savings out there, like Holland and Barrett’s which is £45 but worth £175. That said, if you’re a big fan of Revolution cosmetics, then this is still the top pick for you, and now even better value than before.
I really like how Revolution has really made the most of this calendar with 25 gifts inside, whereas many only have 24. If you’re interested to know the full contents, I’ll share the list below in no particular order:
- Lip Liner Bombshell Coral
- Pink Sponge
- Brow Defining Pencil
- Kohl Liner
- Detailed Eyeshadow Brush
- Fluffy Eye Brush
- LipLiner Vibing Pink
- Lipstick White Wedding
- Lipstick Muted Red
- Jelly Gloss Glaze
- Lip Oil Elixir Power
- Matte Liquid Lip Mauve Berry
- Matte Liquid Lip Caramel Nude
- Cream Eyeshadow Bronze
- Cream Eyeshadow Opulence
- Pressed Contour Powder – Baecation
- Brow Gel Clear
- Mirror
- Blush Quad
- Highlighter Dare to Divulge
- Brow Crayon Medium Brown
- Superdewy Blush You Got Me Blushing
- Mini Baking Powder Translucent
- Powder Puff
- Reloaded Palette Pink Prosecco
Whether it’s a treat for yourself or a gift for a loved one, the Makeup Revolution 25 Days of Glam advent calendar for 2023 strikes a balance between quality and affordability. It’s a great budget option for those looking for something under the £50 mark, and is a great pick for teenage beauty fans looking to experiment with glam looks or those wanting to experience the excitement of a beauty advent calendar without splurging hundreds of pounds.
You can shop the Revolution 25 Days of Glam beauty advent calendar for £40 here.
