12 Days of Rodial Advent calendar review: “a smart way to dip into Rodial’s range”

Price on writing: £97 (worth £244) | Buy now from Rodial

My verdict

Rodial’s 12 Days of Rodial beauty Advent calendar is a bit of a surprise - and not in the usual ‘what’s behind the next door’ sense. It’s smaller and simpler than the usual luxury calendars, but that’s part of the charm. There’s no bulky drawers, no mountains of cardboard. Just 12 genuinely useful products from a brand that’s normally well out of most people’s price range. 

The line-up covers everything from glow-boosting serums to travel-friendly masks, and while there aren’t quite enough full sizes to rival the OK! Beauty Box and LOOKFANTASTIC offerings, it’s less than half the price. The contents feel thoughtful, not filler. And for under £100, it’s a smart way to dip into Rodial’s range without committing to the prices of their full-size creams. 

If you’re after the ritual of daily surprises, you might miss the ‘door-opening’ moment with this one. But if you’re more interested in what’s inside, this one’s solid value and properly pampering. 

How I’ve tested the Rodial beauty Advent calendar

I’ve been using a few of Rodial’s products over the years thanks to Advent calendars from years gone by, so I was curious to see if this set offered the same results in miniature form. I’ve been trying out several products since receiving the calendar - including the Snake Serum 02 and the Dragon’s Blood Cleansing Water. The Bee Venom Jelly Eye Patches were the first to be ripped open on day one of testing. 

Less 'Advent calendar', more gift box

During testing, I’ve been checking texture, scent and ease of use with each product, all while comparing this calendar with similar mid-luxury Advents like OK! Beauty Box and LOOKFANTASTIC for value and presentation. 

Like with other beauty Advent 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 this is the choice for you this year or if another calendar might be better suited. Anything that scores 80 points or above is rated five stars. 

Here are my verdicts: 

Performance 12/15
The calendar brings high-performing formulas, there’s no denying that - but not every product will suit all skin types, and some minis don’t give enough time to see long-term results. 

Quality and durability 13/15
Since it’s a Rodial calendar you know you’re getting quality products directly from the brand itself. Though, the smaller minis feel less premium in their lightweight containers. 

Ease of use 10/15 
It’s a simple straightforward layout for a ‘calendar’, but the lack of numbered doors or compartments make it feel more giftbox-like. Less fun, less Advent-like. 

Value for money 14/15
It’s superb value at £97 for £244 worth of products. It only loses one point as there’s fewer full-size items compared to similarly priced competitors like LOOKFANTASTIC. 

There's no individual packaging for each product and the calendar isn't bulky

Selection of products 7/10
There’s a strong mix of skincare and make-up with good hero products, but the calendar could offer slightly more variety beyond glow and hydration. 

Product safety and authenticity 10/10
This is 100% authentic Rodial products with clear ingredient lists, safety information and usage instructions. 

Seasonality and usage patterns 5/10
The products included work well year-round but don’t feel particularly festive. Plus, with no day-by-day reveal or Christmas theme, it lacks the excitement of a true beauty Advent calendar. 

Overall presentation 7/10
Its minimal and recyclable packaging is a plus for sustainability, but visually it is a bit plain. Compact, yes, but also not the most gift-worthy or luxurious calendar to have on display during Advent. 

Overall score: 78/100

What’s inside

Rodial’s 12 Days of Rodial beauty Advent calendar is a mix of skincare and make-up that’s split roughly two-thirds skincare and one-third make-up. IMO it’s a good edit for those who want to test a bit of everything from the brand, including their cult Snake range and glow-boosting blush and lip oil. 

There's a nice mix of skincare and make-up, including some Rodial bestsellers

There are 12 products in total, with a mix of full sizes and deluxe travel sizes. The overall value adds up to £244, which is generous given that many of these minis will last a while. 

Skincare lovers will get the most out of this set, as there are six products focused on hydration, brightening and firming - all typical of Rodial’s ‘science meets glamour’ approach. The Snake and Bee Venom lines are hero ranges for smoothing fine lines and giving that post-facial glow. 

The make-up items (Bronze Glowlighter, Peach Lowlighter, Blush Drops and Lip Oil) all lean towards natural radiance rather than heavy coverage. They’re small, admittedly, but nicely pigmented and work well for everyday use or travel. Not forgetting the brush included, that's a handy extra to have. 

Here are my favourites out of this year’s 12 Days of Rodial beauty Advent calendar: 

Favourite #1: All the Jelly Eye Patches

It’s probably unfair to other calendars to bundle three products together as one favourite, but given they’re all the same type of product, I think it’s fine. The Dragon’s Blood, Bee Venom and Snake Jelly Eye Patches have all become favourites of mine during testing. In fact, I’m now faced with an obsession that I’m going to have to keep up myself as we continue through winter. So, if anyone has me for Secret Santa, here’s a clue. 

(L) to (R), Dragon's Blood Cleansing Water, Snake Serum 02 and Snake Jelly Eye Patches

Favourite #2: Snake Serum 02

I’ve quickly discovered that this is one of those products that make you look more awake than you feel. Sleep has been patchy recently thanks to my eldest, and this serum smooths and brightens tired skin in a way that actually shows. I love that it’s lightweight, it sinks in fast and it also looks great under make-up because it doesn’t pill or feel sticky. 

Favourite #3: Dragon’s Blood Cleansing Water 

Cleansing properly is mandatory for me and my skin routine. It’s the one thing I prioritise in my morning and evening routines, and with this, it continues to be an easy task. A quick swipe of a cotton pad with this cleansing water on and my make-up, SPF and the day’s general grime are removed with ease - and without the need to rinse. 

Who is the Rodial beauty Advent calendar most suited for? 

It goes without saying that this calendar is great for those who are already a Rodial fan. Like Charlotte Tilbury’s offering each year, Rodial’s is jam-packed with bestsellers that fans loyal to the brand will already love and want to stock up on. It’s a great way to nab a variety of products without splurging on full sizes.

That said, it’s also a great option for someone wishing to explore Rodial to begin with - especially anyone who is curious about their high-end skincare offerings but doesn't want to drop hundreds of pounds.

How much is the Rodial beauty Advent calendar? 

It’s priced at £97 and contains £244 worth of products, meaning you save around £147. Each item works out at roughly £8, which is excellent value considering Rodial’s usual prices start around £25.

For context, Fortnum & Mason’s beauty calendar is £265 and Liberty’s is £275, so this is firmly in the “affordable luxury” bracket.

When is delivery for the 12 Days of Rodial beauty Advent calendar? 

The 12 Days of Rodial Advent Calendar is available now from Rodial’s website and major stockists, including Selfridges and Harrods. Standard delivery in the UK takes three to five working days, with express options available. It’s a limited run and tends to sell out in November, so worth ordering early if you want one.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. 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 when you become a mother. 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 toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog 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

Read next: Our roundup of the best beauty Advent calendars