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Marks and Spencer has finally launched their hotly anticipated beauty advent calendar for 2023 – this time, with an extra treat that makes it even more lust-worthy. Available from October 26, the curated edit showcases the very best of the M&S Beauty hall of fame, from their own Apothecary collection, to their best-selling third party brands.
Beauty advent calendars have skyrocketed in popularity over the last five years, and there are so many to choose from. Not only do they provide the opportunity to stock up on some of the must have makeup and skincare essentials, they also allow 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 festive 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.
High street favourite M&S know that their beauty advent calendar is always going to be popular with shoppers no matter what – that’s why they can afford to be the last to launch their festive offering. Last year, their advent calendar became available from November 2, just four weeks before advent, but this year they’ve gone slightly earlier, though still much later than the likes of LookFantastic and Revolution, whose calendars have been on sale for 6-8 weeks.
A treasure trove of 25 beauty gems, this year’s calendar is packaged in a metallic vegan leather vanity case, which can be used time and time again. This would make such a gorgeous gift for a friend or family member packed with some pamper and self-care essentials, but I won’t blame you if you want to keep it for yourself as it’s such a great size for your makeup collection.
M&S’s advent calendar does work slightly differently to most, though, as instead of it being available to purchase, customers must meet a spending threshold before being able to access the haul. Filled with beauty treats worth £340, shoppers can purchase the Advent Calendar for £45 when you spend £35 on clothing, home and beauty in-store or online, making for the perfect excuse to get some Christmas presents boxed off, stock up on your skincare, or pick up a party outfit for the festive season.
Of the 25 products inside, 11 are full sized, and there are some real gems inside. Among my top picks are the Shay & Blue Atropa Belladonna Natural Spray Fragrance 10ml, which is worth £25. Some of my all-time favourite scents are from this brand (Blacks Club Leather and Salt Caramel), and I’ve a small army of their travel sized fragrances because they are amazing for throwing in handbags and taking on getaways.
There’s also a full-sized Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling Mascara, which is a cult-classic and is always a welcome find in my beauty bag, as are the Pixi LipLift Max, and the shade Sheer Rose is super pretty. Meanwhile, prodcuts I’m looking forward to using over the festive period and beyond are the REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Gel – something I’ve been eyeing up for a while – and the L’Occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream, which I’m hoping will keep my dry hands at bay while smelling beautiful.
It was too difficult to pick a top five, so I’m throwing in the Apothecary Revive Clarifying Mask – one of Marks and Spencer’s own brands. The purifying, pore-refining clay mask is said to give skin a deep clean to help brighten dull skin, reduce excess oil, and leave skin feeling clarified, revived and fresh.
I really like how Marks and Spencer has really made the most of this calendar with 25 gifts inside, whereas some, like Soap and Glory, only have 24. If you’re interested to know the full contents, I’ll share the list below in no particular order:
- Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Booster Restoring Conditioner 20ml
- Philip Kingsley Moisture Balancing Combination Shampoo 20ml
- Philip Kingsley Moisture Balancing Combination Conditioner 20ml
- Nails Inc Victoria & Albert Nail Varnish 10ml
- Nail Inc Crown Place Nail Varnish 10ml
- Percy & Reed Turn Up The Volume Volumizing No Oil Oil 60ml
- Pixi Brow Tamer (Translucent) 4.5ml
- Shay & Blue Atropa Belladonna Natural Spray Fragrance 10ml
- L’Occitane Verbena Shower Gel 250ml
- Apothecary Revive Clarifying Mask 75ml
- This Works Deep Sleep Body Cocoon 100ml
- Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30 25ml
- Apothecary Meditate Hand Cream 30ml
- Dr Paw Paw Overnight Lip Mask 10ml
- Pixi LipLift Max (Sheer Rose) 2.7g
- L’Occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream 75ml
- Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling Mascara 8.5g
- Leighton Denny Renovate Intensive Nail Repair Cream & Buffer 10ml
- Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil for Face, Body, and Hair Mini 10ml
- REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Gel 150ml
- Aveda Botanical Repair Styling Crème 40ml
- Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer Plum Pop
- Filorga Hydra-Hyal: Hydrating Plumping Serum 7ml
- Clinique Moisture Surge 100H 15ml
- Origins Ginzing Gel 30ml
My only complaints about the M&S beauty advent calendar are that there are multiple products from Philip Kingsley inside, which could be the best thing about it for some people. For me, I feel like my bathroom is overflowing with PK haircare because they seem to be in every beauty box to ever exist and I can’t use them as quickly as I collect them, and it would have been nice to try out some different brands or products instead – especially as they were in last years’ calendar, too. There’s also a bit of duplication with the Nails Inc polishes, and while the shades are gorgeous, it’s unlikely that I’ll use them due to getting regular manicures – however, they’re going to make a great stocking filler for a friend or family member.
The Marks and Spencer beauty advent calendar contains everything you need for a party season glow up including sought-after products across haircare, makeup, fragrance, sleep, bath and body. Starring a mix of both travel and full-sized products, the money-saving haul combines cult classics with the latest launches that will make the countdown to Christmas even more exciting. If you’re someone who enjoys trying new products, discovering exciting brands and indulging in a Sunday night pamper session, then the Marks and Spencer beauty advent calendar offers the ultimate opportunity to do just that.
