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I can always rely on Glossybox to deliver a seriously impressive beauty advent calendar, and this year has been no exception. Valued at over £585, this year’s countdown costs £85 (or £75 for subscribers), and has been designed to kit you out for the festive season and beyond.
This year’s design sees a dreamy treasure chest-style box, with three tiers that open up to reveal 25 numbered boxes – each one just big enough to keep you guessing about what might be inside. Tucked inside are 29 beauty must-haves, with 18 of them being full sized, alongside 11 deluxe and travel-friendly heroes.
As you probably noticed, there are more products than boxes, which means there are four duo drawers that hold iconic brands such as Rituals, Molton Brown and e.l.f. But there’s also some standout solo items from respected beauty names like Medik8, BareMinerals, Iconic London, Kate Somerville, and many more.
One of the best aspects of this calendar is its wide range of products, covering skincare, makeup, haircare, and fragrance. One of the highlights for me was the Medik8 Hydra8 B5 Serum, which is one of the few products I actually finished this year, having received it last Christmas. The vitamin B5-enriched formula is one of my favourites as it’s deeply hydrating without feeling heavy, ideal for giving skin a boost in the winter months, but equally perfect for year-round use. I’d been considering repurchasing it, but I’m so glad I waited, because the full sized serum is worth £45, so it covers more than half of the cost of the calendar alone.
Another product boasting a high value is the Iconic London Thriving & Shining Eyeshadow Palette, also worth £45. There was a similar palette in last year’s Glossybox calendar which I’ve reached for endlessly over the last 12 months, so I’m excited about this one, too. The shades are highly wearable and versatile, making it great for every day or a more glam look, and the in-built mirror means it’ll always find itself in my travel bag, too.
Not every beauty advent calendar tends to contain fragrance, but Glossybox has included a purse-friendly bottle of Sentier’s Persian Embrace Fragrance. This isn’t a brand I’d heard of, so I was slightly apprehensive about it, however, the scent is absolutely stunning. It’s a really romantic-feeling fruity floral fragrance featuring peach, jasmine and vanilla, with the latter two being notes I actively seek out in things like perfume and candles. This is something I never would have picked out on my own, but now I’m so grateful to Glossybox for introducing me to it.
And for some serious luxury? The Avant Hyaluronic-Filler Collagen Eye Formula, usually sells for £99. I would never have splurged on an eye cream at that price, so getting it here felt like a real treat and I can’t wait to use it.
I love that the Glossybox calendar strikes a balance between high end, premium products and everyday essentials. It’s not just about high-end creams or palettes – there are practical products here that make this calendar feel genuinely useful and good value. The E.L.F Brow Lift Clear Wax and Brow Lift Applicator, for example, quickly became staples in my routine. I’ve been a fan of ELF for its affordability and effectiveness, and I loved that Glossybox included both the wax and the tool. It’s perfect for taming brows without having to buy additional products.
Similarly, the L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Lotion has become my new handbag essential, and the So Eco Wrist Wash Bands are one of those products that you never realised you needed, but once you try them, you can’t live without them. They’re so useful for keeping water from running down your arms during your skincare routine – I’ll no doubt be getting everyone I know a pair for Christmas. A few other favourites included the Pixi Lip Glow in the shade Fleur, Glow Hub Buff Blush, Mitchell & Peach English Leaf Scented Candle and the GLOV Satin Sleep Mask – not to mention the insanely beautiful Oulac Infinity Shine Moisture Shine Lipstick.
I’m not usually keen on haircare and often find beauty boxes and calendars contain masks, sprays, primers and various other products that will find themselves in a drawer, but Glossybox’s haircare choices feel really thoughtful. There’s a mini Molton Brown Indian Cress Shampoo and Conditioner duo which are ideal for taking on holidays or weekends away, but still feel a little bit special, as well as a Rituals hair and body mist and a Beauty Works Argan Oil, all of which I’ll actually use, so nothing feels like a waste.
But, if you do happen to find any products you’re not so keen on, then they’re perfect for putting away as Christmas presents, either as individual stocking fillers, or bundled into a mini pamper hamper. I actually think the Spectrum 3 Piece Brush Set, which is worth £25, would make a great standalone gift – though I love Spectrums brushes far too much to share them.
Here’s everything inside the Glossybox beauty advent calendar 2024:
- Medik8 Hyrda8 B5 Serum – Worth £45
- Pixi Lip Glow (Fleur) – Worth £14
- Bare Minerals Prime Time Primer – Worth £18
- Molton Brown Indian Cress Shampoo – Worth £5
- Molton Brown Indian Cress Conditioner – Worth £5
- Kate Somerville Goat Milk Moisturising Cleanser – Worth £10
- So Eco Wrist Wash Bands – Worth £5.99
- Glow Hub Buff Blush (Pinched) – Worth £12
- Sentier Persian Embrace Fragrance – Worth £31.82
- Sweed Lash Lift Mascara – Worth £22
- Beauty Works Argan Oil – Worth £5.99
- Aveeno Skin Relief Body Oil – Worth £9.49
- Avant Hyaluronic-Filler Collagen eye Formula – Worth £99
- GLOV Satin Sleep Mask (Gold) – Worth £21.37
- Mitchell & Peach English Leaf Candle – Worth £18
- Made By Mitchell Drip Drip – Worth £16
- Doctors Formula Probiotics Deep Hydration and Repairing Mask – Worth £89
- grüum Calming Facial Mist – Worth £16
- Ciate Velvet Lip Liner (Coco) – Worth £18
- L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Lotion – Worth £9
- Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk – Worth £7.99
- Beauty Pro Warming Eye Mask – Worth £3
- Oulac Infinity Shine Moisture Shine Lipstick – Worth £8
- E.L.F Brow Lift Clear Wax – Worth £6
- E.L.F Brow Lift Applicator – Worth £4
- Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Hair & Body Mist – Worth £7
- Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Body Lotion – Worth £8.90
- Spectrum 3 Piece Brush Set – Worth £25
- Iconic London Thriving & Shining Eyeshadow Palette – Worth £45
With this edit, you’re getting an incredible array of products for just £85, which works out at less than £3 per item. It’s clear Glossybox spent time hand-picking items that balance both indulgence and practicality, while introducing you to both cult favourites and new discoveries in the beauty world, from TikTok viral names to highly regarded brands.
I’d say it’s perfect if you’re a beauty lover who wants to explore premium brands without breaking the bank, or someone who simply enjoys a bit of daily luxury and would recommend it to anyone looking for a thoughtful beauty treat that doesn’t skimp on quality or variety.
