Inside the LOOKFANTASTIC beauty Advent calendar 2025

Price on writing: £105 (worth over £655) | Buy now from LOOKFANTASTIC

My verdict

LOOKFANTASTIC is celebrating 10 years of its Advent calendar with a bigger, more generous box for 2025. At £105, you’re getting £655 worth of products, and 17 are full size – that’s not something you see often at this price.

The calendar has a good spread: Medik8 for skincare, Sol de Janeiro for fragrance, Color Wow for haircare, and even a The White Company candle for the home. That mix of brands makes it feel like a proper treat rather than a random box of samples.

It hasn’t escaped inflation (up £5 on last year), but compared to others in the luxury space, it’s still on the affordable side. Last year’s sold out quickly, so if you’ve got your eye on it, don’t hang around.

Saying that, LOOKFANTASTIC isn’t stopping at one calendar this year. For the first time, there are actually three to choose from:

• Beauty Advent Calendar (£105, worth £655+): the one we’re focusing on here.

• Grooming Advent Calendar (£85, worth £425+): includes skincare, shaving and bodycare essentials, a good fit if you’re after something less beauty-heavy.

• Fragrance Advent Calendar (£130, worth £485+): is packed with mini perfumes and a couple of full-size surprises.

In my opinion, the beauty calendar is still the hero of the line-up, but it’s good to know there are options depending on what you’re after. The other two would make superb gifts, too. 

Watch: my verdict on the LOOKFANTASTIC calendar

How I’ve tested the LOOKFANTASTIC beauty Advent calendar

Testing has been underway over the last few weeks, as I’ve worked my way through the products inside LOOKFANTASTIC’s 10th anniversary edition. 

I’ve tested the skincare, makeup and haircare included, looked at how the calendar itself holds up, and compared it to what else is being released for 2025. 

Like with other calendars, I’ve scored this one across four core criteria (out of 15) and four category-specific criteria (out of 10). That way you can weigh up whether it’s worth splurging on, or if another calendar might be better suited. Anything that scores 80 points or above is rated five stars. 

I criticised last year’s edition for not being festive enough, so it’s nice to see a red colour applied to this year’s calendar

I know Mumsnet users put a lot of thought into deciding which beauty Advent calendar is actually worth it each year. So here are my verdicts:

Performance: 14/15
Most of the full-size inclusions are well-regarded and do what they promise, like Medik8 Hydra B5 and Sol de Janeiro’s cult body mist. A couple of the minis (like Aveeno body lotion) feel a bit underwhelming, but overall, the quality’s consistent with what you’d expect from these brands.

Quality and durability: 13/15
The products are from reputable brands, well packaged and sealed properly. Everything I tested was fresh and of good quality. The calendar drawers are sturdy, but they can feel a bit stiff to open and close - although I found this with Harvey Nichols’ offering, too.

Ease of use: 12/15
Products themselves are simple to use and most come with clear instructions. The overall calendar is solid, but it’s not the easiest to handle daily.

Value for money: 15/15
This is where LOOKFANTASTIC really shines. £105 gets you over £655 worth of products, including 17 full sizes - an exceptional value ratio compared to similar calendars releasing this year.

I was pleased to find favourites from Medik8, ESPA and WOW Color

Selection of products: 9/10
There’s a broad mix of skincare, haircare, fragrance and even lifestyle items, so it never feels repetitive. Shade inclusivity is limited (with MAC products in fairly standard shades), but otherwise it’s a good spread between cult favourites and newer discoveries.

Product safety and authenticity: 10/10
Everything is from established brands with full ingredients listed and safety checks in place. No concerns here.

Seasonality: 8/10
There’s an effort to include winter-friendly products like hydrating creams and pillow sprays, which makes sense for the season. But there’s not much that feels overtly festive, so it leans into more “luxury gift” than “Christmas sparkle.”

Presentation: 8/10
The box is sleek and looks gift-worthy, and this year, at least it’s red. But it could be more Christmassy. It’s sturdy but not the easiest to recycle or repurpose. Unboxing feels special, but not on par with the more decorative calendars like Liberty’s. 

Overall score: 89/100

How much is LOOKFANTASTIC’s beauty Advent calendar in 2025?

You can get yours for £105, with contents worth over £655 - making it one of the more affordable luxury beauty Advent calendars for 2025 in my opinion.

Who’s the LOOKFANTASTIC beauty Advent calendar best suited for?

Beauty fans who like a bit of everything, to be honest. This year's edition works for skincare lovers, haircare obsessives and anyone who enjoys discovering new brands without splashing £200+. I've always found LOOKFANTASTIC's offering to be affordable and accessible, so it's nice to see that they haven't left that behind this year.

I must admit though, I was surprised at the brand's inclusion of collagen supplements. In theory this is fine if adults are purchasing or receiving this beauty Advent calendar, but I dread to think of the message it sends to younger teenagers who may be gifted this calendar. Beauty products are all well and good, but a consumable doesn't sit quite right with me TBH.

What’s inside LOOKFANTASTIC's beauty Advent calendar for 2025?

There are 28 products in total, with 17 full size. Expect a mix of cult skincare, haircare staples, glow-giving makeup and a few fragrance and lifestyle extras to get you through December.

Below are a few of my personal favourites: 

Favourite #1: Medik8 Hydra B5 Intense

Because between work, school runs and broken nights, my skin’s usually the first thing to show the strain. This serum feels like a quick fix - it hydrates properly without being greasy, and I don’t need to faff around with layers of different products.

Favourite #2: LANEIGE Hydro UV Defense Ex SPF 50

I like this because it’s light, non-greasy and doesn’t leave that chalky cast some SPFs do. It’s the kind of sunscreen you can actually wear every day without feeling like you’re smothered in it, which is handy when you’re dashing between school runs, work and weekend outings with the kids.

(L) Medik8's Hydra B5 Intense (LOVE) and (R) LANGEIGE's Hydro UV Defense Ex SPF 50

Favourite #3: The White Company Seychelles Candle

After the boys are finally in bed, lighting this makes the house feel calmer (and less like a war zone). It’s my little switch-off ritual and it smells far more expensive than it is.

Favourite #4: ESPA Overnight Hydration Therapy

This feels like a reset button for my skin. By the end of the day, between work stress and child chaos, my face is usually dry and tired-looking. I put this on before bed and in the morning I look less like I’ve been up half the night. It’s rich but not heavy, and it makes bedtime feel that little bit more like a treat.

(L) The White Company's Seychelles Candle and (R) ESPA's Overnight Hydration Therapy - both divine

Favourite #5: Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist

The Sol de Janeiro obsession isn’t going anywhere, is it? This smells like sunshine in a bottle - pistachio, caramel and vanilla without being sickly sweet. I reach for it on days when I need a bit of a mood lift. It’s also a nice one for busy mornings: a quick spritz and I feel put together, even if I’ve just been wrestling two small boys into the car. 

How it compares to the 2024 calendar

The bottom line in my opinion? Last year's felt fresher with some unique extras and collabs, but this year, it's more generous, practical and holds higher value, with more full-sized products.

About the author

Our resident Leeds lass Rebecca Roberts is one of our Senior Content Editors. Here at Mumsnet, she commissions, writes and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. 

After birthing and breastfeeding two babies in two years, Rebecca knows first-hand how hard it can be to prioritise yourself as a mother - not just during postpartum, but for years after. So, she’s on a quest to find the best beauty and fashion products that are both practical and affordable, with the help of Mumsnet user recommendations. 

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a PTA meeting, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking her two little dogs up and down country lanes.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.

All prices correct at time of publication

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