I unboxed Lookfantastic’s 2025 beauty advent calendar – is it the best value Christmas countdown?

The advent calendar costs £105 (only £5 more expensive than last year’s), but it has an overall value of £655 – meaning you save £550.

As for this year’s packaging, the square red box features two outer doors that open to reveal 25 variously sized drawers. The design is simple – white numbers feature on the red base, with the Lookfantastic logo on the exterior. While the box is sturdy enough to be a year-round storage solution, some might find the box a little too large and festively coloured for evergreen use – compared to Liberty’s artistically designed calendar, it might also be a little boring for some tastes.

Packed with 25 products, the calendar features 15 full-size products (compared to 13 in 2024) and the countdown gets off to a stellar start with a deluxe-size Elemis pro-collagen rose marine cream (£98 for full-size, Lookfantastic.com) on day one. A nice taster of the cult formula, the moisturiser boasts an ultra-lightweight gel consistency.

The skincare saviours continue with a deluxe-size L’Occataine hand cream (£25 for full-size, Lookfantastic) – the perfect soothing tonic during the winter months. A personal favourite, Ren’s brightening eye cream (£49 for full-size, Lookfantastic.com), is on day five. The formula from the now-closed beauty brand is my go-to for nourishing the under-eye area and priming it for concealer. Other highlights include Medik8’s brand-new hydra B5 serum (£49 for full-size, Lookfantastic.com)– I’ve used this daily for two months and my skin feels far softer and smoother – and Lineage’s SPF50 facial formula (£18, Lookfantastic.com).

Fragrance-wise, a full-size Sol de Janerio’s cheriosa 62 (£24, Lookfantastic.com) will delight fans of the viral body mist brand, while a mini Seychelles The White Company candle (£24, Lookfantastic.com) will please older beauty devotees.

Testing the Glow Recipe blush stick and the Mac clear gloss (Daisy Lester)

When it comes to make-up, there’s less to get excited about, with all the products quite low-value. Glow Recipe’s blush stick (£9.60, Lookfantastic.om) will help create a party-season flush while Revolution’s sparkly full-size eyeshadow palette (£8.99, Lookfantastic.com) has plenty of shades to make an impact (though they aren’t the most long-lasting). There are three Mac formulas in the mix – including a gloss (£22, Lookfantastic.com), lipstick in the shade honeylove (£25, Lookfantastic.com) and lip liner in the universally-flattering shade spice (£22, Lookfantastic.com) – for perfecting your pout. The line-up is completed with Iconic London’s prep set blur setting spray (£26.99, Lookfantastic.com), which doesn’t have the same lightweight appeal as Charlotte Tilbury or Urban Decay’s formulas.

If you’re looking to sample a whole host of haircare, you’re in luck, because this advent calendar delivers on some popular products, albeit in deluxe sizes. There’s Color Wow’s shampoo and conditioner duo (£43 for full-size, Lookfantastic.com), which is a good travel size for keeping your strands healthy while away – particularly if you have coloured hair. Aveda’s botanical repair strengthening leave-in treatment (£36, Lookfantastic.com) is a nourishing treat for mid-week hair, working to defend against breakage, while Wella’s smooth mask (£13.26, Lookfantastic.com) gives your strands a hydration boost during the winter months.

When it comes to wellness essentials, the advent calendar is less strong, with this year’s offering containing a Molton Brown fiery pink pepper bath and shower gel (£26 for full-size, Lookfantastic.com), The Nu Co’s magnesium (£20 for full-size, Lookfantastic.com) ease for spraying on sore muscles and Myvitamins coconut and collagen capsules (£7.99, Lookfantastic.com) for nail, skin and hair health.

As for the big day, I’ll leave that as a surprise – but trust me, it’s sure to add some glamour to your Christmas and New Year celebrations.