My verdict
Boots’ 24 Doors of Joy Macmillan calendar is a thoughtful option that mixes affordable pampering with a meaningful charitable donation. At £90, it sits at the more accessible end of the beauty calendar market, though the value feels less striking without a standout hero product or more full-size inclusions.
The calendar is very No7-heavy, which makes sense given the brand’s following, but it does limit variety. Though the addition of Liz Earle, Soap & Glory and Champneys gives it more range, and there are a couple of practical tools like tweezers and an eyelash curler to round things out.
It won’t compete with the luxury calendars on ‘wow’ factor, but it’s reliable, practical and the Macmillan donation adds a festive feel-good factor.
Related: Our roundup of beauty Advent calendars this year
How I’ve tested the Boots Macmillan beauty Advent calendar
As one of many beauty Advent calendars I’ve been testing for 2025, it’s fair to say that anything memorable stands out - and I can say this comfortably for Boots’ Macmillan edition this year.
Not only does it offer products across different categories like fragrance, makeup, skincare and even body care, the calendar serves up brands I know our Mumsnet users adore, like Liz Earle and No7.
After unboxing - which isn’t reversible as the pop out doors can’t be reattached - I’ve been spending the last couple of weeks trying certain products to see how they hold up, whether they’re good quality and how the calendar overall compares to others available in our best beauty Advent calendar roundup.
To make sure testing of the Boots Macmillan beauty Advent calendar is thorough, I’ve reviewed everything against eight criteria. Four are our key criteria, and four are unique to beauty Advent calendars specifically. Here are my verdicts:
Performance, 12/15: I’m torn with this one. The calendar is filled with solid, everyday formulas from trusted brands - especially Liz Earle’s Cleanse & Polish and No7’s Protect & Perfect range. What lets this one down, though, is that minis don’t give long-term results.
Quality and durability, 13/15: Everything arrived sealed, fresh and intact. I’ve had no issues with leaks, and the two included tools - tweezers and lash curlers - are sturdy and work well. The box itself mirrors a traditional Advent calendar, with pop out doors that can’t be returned.
Ease of use, 13/15: The numbered doors are clear, but really not the easiest to open at times. There were a few products during unboxing that were hard to get out, I’ll be honest. But nothing a good whack on the back of the box couldn’t solve. All of the products themselves are standard packaging for their brands.
Value for money, 9/15: At £90, it feels a little light on full-size heroes compared to rivals in this price range.
Selection of products, 7/10: This calendar is heavily weighted to No7 skincare, though Soap & Glory and Liz Earle lift it in my opinion. Though there’s minimal makeup, and the fragrances included are lean to the sweet side.
Product safety and authenticity, 9/10: Not only is the calendar by a reputable brand, Boots, but all products included - Boots, Champneys, Soap & Glory, Liz Earle and No7 - are all well known, well known brands that you’ll find in any and all Boots branches.
Seasonality, 8/10: In my opinion, there’s plenty of winter-friendly bodycare and pampering options in the calendar - especially the lip and hand creams. They’ve gone straight into my handbag for when I’m out and about! Otherwise the design of the box itself is seasonally relevant - donning baubles of various sizes that stay inline with the festive season.
Presentation, 8/10: This is most definitely a cheerful, giftable calendar - either for yourself or for a loved one. It’s not especially luxe, I’ll admit, but the charitable donation of £2 does make you feel warm and fuzzy with this purchase.
Overall score: 79/100