I have been reporting on beauty advent calendars for over eight years. In this time, I have seen the category go from niche to mainstream to become a seasonal staple. I have found that these hair, skin, makeup and fragrance-filled countdowns fall into two main types. You have brand-specific options where the contents are designed for loyal customers looking to sample the full breadth of their collections. And then you have the retailer iterations.
For the latter, the likes of Sephora, Liberty and Lookfantastic will curate an edit of their bestsellers and stash them behind beautifully-decorated doors so that each day, in the lead up to 25 December, you will discover something new and unexpected from a cult or emerging beauty brand.
- Best for: Thrice the festive fun
- Worth: Over £655
- Release date: Available now
- Number of products: 28
- Number of days: 25
- What’s inside? (Highlights): Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist, Medik8 Hydra B5 Intense and Iconic London Prep Set Blur
- The Vogue verdict: There are three advent calendars from Lookfantastic for 2025, each of which are filled with bestsellers from the retailer’s packed virtual shelves. The most value-packed, known simply as the Beauty Advent Calendar has 17 full-size and 11 deluxe-size skin, hair, make-up and fragrance goodies from big-name brands like Color Wow, Sol de Janeiro and more. There is even The White Company Seychelles Candle.
- As for The Fragrance Advent Calendar, deluxe-size aromas from YSL, Neom, Rabanne and Givenchy will be found within, while The Grooming Advent Calendar disguises Molton Brown, ESPA, Philip Kingsley and more inside.
- What the team say: Zee Waraich, Vogue’s social video creator, is a huge fan of the Lookfantastic selection. He says, “What’s exciting is that there is everything that you can want – perfume, skincare, make-up brushes and haircare.” He does think, however, that it is cheaper-looking compared to others, especially as the drawers bend when you open them. But he loved that “It’s weighty and there are many options per day, you can regift some.” Yasmine Hanni, executive assistant to the head of editorial content, also wanted to add this calendar to basket, but she did comment that it was one you’d “buy for yourself, but don’t gift.”
- Find out more about the Lookfantastic Advent Calendar here
- Range of brands
- Hero products
- Good price point
- Dedicated men's grooming calendar
- Minimal design
Lookfantastic has long been a retailer to watch in the calendar space. With over 600 brands on its virtual shelves, the selection is among the most varied. Lookfantastic was one of the first to market, celebrating 10 years this festive season since the launch of its first advent. And to honour this milestone, the brand has gone all out for 2025.
The retailer has three calendars in its line-up. The first, the flagship model simply known as Beauty Advent Calendar offers 25 days of goodies inside, worth at £655. It’s not one of the most value-packed on the market – Selfridges, Sephora and the Vogue Festive Calendar are in the four figures, but it is reasonably priced at £105.
The Grooming Advent Calendar is tailored for beauty-conscious men and, much like its contemporary, there are 25 products inside. Worth £425, the selection includes brands like Rituals, Vichy and ESPA and costs just £85.
Last but certainly not least, the retailer has unveiled its first ever scent-filled countdown. The Fragrance Advent Calendar has flacons from some of the most well-known fashion houses, including YSL, Marc Jacobs and Givenchy, as well as fragrance labels Floral Street, Jo Malone and a candle from Neom. This costs £130 and is worth £485.
Vogue Verdict
In its suitably festive red hue and large proportions, the Lookfantastic trio of advent calendars make for a striking addition to your festive decorations. Although I would say that the exterior is very minimal in design, which some may admire, however I find that it lacks the intrigue of other calendars in the market. But this is a case of substance over style – it is, after all, the contents that matter.
The retailer has an enticing selection, from Medik8 to Color Wow, Elemis to Aveda. But more on that below. The price sits on the lower end of the beauty advent calendar spectrum with a great value and ratio of full to deluxe-size products, and crucially, no minis.
Zee Waraich, Vogue’s social video creator, is a huge fan of the Lookfantastic selection – “what’s exciting is that there is everything that you can want – perfume, skincare, makeup brushes and haircare.” Zee does think, however, that it is cheaper-looking compared to others, especially as the drawers bend when you open them, however adds that “it’s weighty and as there are many options per day, you can regift some.” Yasmine Hanni, executive assistant to the head of editorial content, also wanted to add this calendar to basket, but she did comment that it was one you’d “buy for yourself, but don’t gift”.
How we tested the Lookfantastic Advent Calendars 2025
The three Lookfantastic Advent Calendars were swiftly opened and analysed by the experts on the Vogue team. In my capacity as Vogue's senior beauty shopping writer and in my previous job, I have had extensive experience reviewing advent calendars, with eight years under my belt. I determined my verdict based on the quality of the contents included as well as the box itself, comparing it to others available on the market. I then opened it up to the rest of the Vogue editorial team to get their opinions.
What’s inside the Lookfantastic Advent Calendars 2025?
What drew me most of all to the Lookfantastic Advent Calendars 2025 was the huge range of premium and buzzy brands included. There is a solid mix of every beauty category, from hair to skincare, makeup to fragrance.
Vogue’s highlights:
In the Beauty Advent Calendar, brands range from Iconic London to MAC, Peter Thomas Roth to Laneige. Stand-outs for the Vogue beauty team are the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream – one of the brand’s best-sellers and a sumptuous, nourishing day cream, as well as the Sol de Janeiro perfume mist that replicates the sweet aroma of its legendary Bum Bum Cream.
Elemis
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30
- Best For: With SPF
- Why We Love It: Infused with SPF 30 for broad-spectrum sun protection, this algae-enriched cream is a dermatologist-recommended salve for sagging, wrinkled skin. Dr. Corey L. Hartman, a board-certified dermatologist in Alabama, says: “Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream is an elegant formula that reduces fine lines and wrinkles and improves skin firmness.” Steeped with nourishing botanical and algae extracts, the cream contains chlorella to calm and soothe the skin and padina pavonica for hydration. It also has ginkgo biloba for an extra dose of antioxidant protection, mimosa to tone the skin, and rose to calm the complexion and infuse the cream with a lovely, light fragrance. The sunscreen-moisturiser hybrid has a lightweight gel-cream texture with a silky finish; it’s perfect as a makeup base.
- Key Ingredients: Ginkgo biloba, chlorella, padina pavonica, rose, mimosa
- Skin Benefits: Deeply hydrating, the cream protects the skin from UV damage and has been clinically proven to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in as little as 14 days.
- How to Apply: Use the cream every morning as the last step of a skin-care regimen.
- Offers broad-spectrum sun protection
- Some find the fragrance overpowering
The full Lookfantastic Beauty Advent Calendar line-up:
- Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist full size – £24
- The White Company Seychelles Candle 75g – £12
- Medik8 Hydra B5 Intense full size – £59
- Color Wow Shampoo & Conditioner deluxe sizes – £22
- Iconic London Prep Set Blur full size – £26
- Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Marine Cream deluxe size – £37
- Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave-in Treatment full size – £36
- L’Occitane Shea Hand Cream deluxe size – £10
- REN Radiance Eye Cream deluxe size – £49
- Glow Hub Buff Blush full size – £12
- The Nue Co Magnesium Ease deluxe size – £20
- Revolution The True Icon Bronze Palette full size – £8.99
- Aveeno Skin Relief Body Lotion deluxe size – £1.89
- ESPA Overnight Hydration Therapy full size – £39
- Wella Ultimate Smooth Mask deluxe size – £8.50
- LOOKFANTASTIC Towelling Wristbands full size – £6.99
- MyVitamins Collagen and Coconut full size – £7.99
- Beauty Pro Eye Therapy Mask x 1 full size – £2
- Avant Glycolic Acid Rejuvenating Face Exfoliator deluxe size – £92
- Spectrum Collections 4 Piece Metallic Brush Collection full size – £24.99
- Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Ageing Cleanser deluxe size – £14.95
- Rodial Dragon’s Blood Hyaluronic Acid Mask full size – £55
- Laneige Hydro UV SPF deluxe size – £13
- Molton Brown Bath & Shower Gel – Fiery Pink Pepper deluxe size – £6
- MAC MACximal Matte Honeylove, Clear Lipglass, Lip Pencil - Spice full sizes – £67
The Lookfantastic Fragrance Advent Calendar full line-up:
- YSL Black Opium deluxe size – £14.55
- Carolina Herrera Good Girl Eau de Parfum deluxe size – £18
- Givenchy L’Interdit deluxe size – £18.60
- Rabanne Olympéa Absolu Parfum Intense deluxe size – £8.50
- Neom Luxury De-Stress Travel Scented Candle deluxe size – £20
- Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche deluxe size – £18
- Laboratory perfumes Amber deluxe size – £9
- Marc Jacobs Perfect deluxe size – £7.30
- Goldfield and Banks Ingenious Ginger deluxe size – £27
- This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray deluxe size – £12
- Le Monde Gourmand- Fleur de Blonde full size – £24
- Juliette Has a Gun Not a Perfume deluxe size – £18
- Alia deluxe size – £11.60
- Olfactive O Gourmand deluxe size – £30
- Miller Harris Scherzo deluxe size – £26
- Floral Street Arizona Bloom deluxe size – £28
- Tocca Florence deluxe size – £8.50
- Billie Eilish Dual Roller Ball deluxe size – £18
- Juliette Has a Gun Miami Shake deluxe size – £18
- Molton Brown Sunlit Clementine & Vetiver deluxe size – £18
- Aery Happy Space Candle full size – £25
- Viktor and Rolf Flowerbomb Extreme Deluxe size – £8.60
- White Company Lime and Bay Home Spray deluxe size – £10
- Versace Crystal Noir Parfum deluxe size – £8.50
- Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt Full size – £82
The Lookfantastic 2025 Grooming Advent Calendar line-up:
- Molton Brown Black Pepper Bath and Shower Gel deluxe size – £6
- ESPA The Hydrator Serum full size – £35
- Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Shampoo deluxe size – £14
- Bulldog Original Shave Gel full size – £3.75
- Vichy Minéral 89 72Hr Hyaluronic Acid and Squalane Moisture Boosting Cream deluxe size – £7.35
- Rituals L’Essentiel Cardamom & Patchouli full size – £52.90
- Rodial Vit C Brightening Cleanser deluxe size – £15
- This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray deluxe size – £12
- Aromatherapy Associates Support Breath Bath & Shower Oil deluxe size – £14
- Acnecide Pimple Patches deluxe size – £3.30
- Uriage Bariederm Cica-Daily Gel Cream full size – £22
- Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Mask deluxe size – £10.99
- LOOKFANTASTIC Grooming Kit full size – £20
- Denman Be-Bop Brush full size – £5
- American Crew Forming Cream full size – £12.65
- Bondi Sands SPF 50+ Everyday Face Lotion full size – £9.99
- TIGI Bed Head for Men ManiPulator Putty full size – £14.99
- Avant 8-Hour Antioxidising & Retexturing Hyaluronic Facial Serum full size – £89.
- Murdock Black Tea Cologne deluxe size – £20
- Dr Paw Paw Shea Butter Lip Balm deluxe size – £4.50
- Grow Gorgeous Prebiotic and Vit C 10% Booster full size – £30
- Cetaphil Salicylic Acid cleanser deluxe size – £1.40
- Barber Pro Under Eye Mask x3 full size – £6
- First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads deluxe size – £8
- VICHY Capital Soleil UV Age Daily SPF 50+ deluxe size – £8.44
_-min.png)
.jpg)