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Space NK 12 Days of Fragrance Advent calendar review: a luxe perfume gift

I tested Space NK’s fragrance-only Advent calendar for 2025 to see if it lives up to the buzz on our Talk boards - and whether it’s worth the £160 price tag. 

By Rebecca Roberts | Last updated Nov 14, 2025

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Mumsnet reviews the Space NK fragrance beauty Advent calendar

Price on writing: £160 | Buy now from Space NK

My rating:

Score, 82/100: A truly indulgent edit of luxury fragrances and nice favourites, this calendar is a perfect gift for any scent lover - or just for yourself. The inclusion of three full-sized perfumes, high-end minis and a Diptyque candle makes the £160 price tag feel genuinely justified. 

Pros
  • Three full-sized luxury perfumes 

  • Great value (worth over £550)

  • Excellent mix of cult and niche brands

  • Beautiful design, compact and giftable

  • Features a candle, too

Cons
  • Only 12 days

  • Subtle, skin-like scents may not appeal to fans of bold fragrances

  • May include a few familiar repeats if you’ve bought in previous years

Key specs

Price on writing: £160 (worth over £550) | Total items: 13 across 12 days | Included brands: Byredo, Diptyque, Glossier, DedCool, Malin + Goetz, Frederic Malle, Juliette Has A Gun, Maison Margiela, Acqua Di Parma, D.S. & Durga, Kilian Paris, Sana Jardin, Vyrao | Available: Now from Space NK

What Mumsnet users say

My verdict

Mumsnet users on our Talk boards have long hyped Space NK’s fragrance Advent calendar - and this year’s edition lives up to the love. It’s fragrance done differently. Instead of overwhelming you with tiny, throwaway testers, Space NK has pulled together a tightly edited 12-day lineup of genuinely covetable scents. No filler, just fragrance you’ll actually want to wear.

Each drawer feels intentional. Whether it’s a fragrance from your wishlist, a brand you’ve never tried (hello, Vyrao), or the kind of scent you’d never buy blind but now adore - there’s real joy in the discovery. And for me? The Diptyque candle felt like a little win. I’ve lusted after one for years but could never justify the splurge. Now it’s proudly burning in my living room every night.

A front view of Space NK's fragrance Advent calendar

Its festive design is joyous - and I love that it stands out among the crowd of calendars

As someone who’s worn the same perfume since I was 16 (Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb, in case you're curious), I used to think fragrance calendars weren’t for me. But this one changed that. There’s something unexpectedly freeing about trying 12 new scents - and finding more than one that genuinely suits you.

The Space NK 12 Days of Fragrance Advent Calendar 2025 might not be the biggest box out there, but it’s hands down one of the best-curated. The mix of “clean girl” skin scents and festive statement spritzes means there’s something for every mood, and the value is genuinely strong for what you get.

If you’re picking just one indulgent calendar this year, this is the one. And if you’re buying it as a gift? Good luck not keeping it for yourself.

How I tested Space NK’s 2025 fragrance calendar

I’ve been working my way through the Space NK 12 Days of Fragrance Advent Calendar over the past month, wearing different scents daily depending on mood and occasion. It’s been part of my everyday life - from freezing school runs to dinner dates - and I’ve even started stashing a few favourites in my bag.

Inside the Space NK fragrance Advent calendar

The calendar is deep, allowing space for the fragrance bottles to be stored safely inside

Malin + Goetz Strawberry became my go-to: fresh, juicy and surprisingly wearable, it’s now my daytime default. And as someone who’s worn Flowerbomb for almost two decades, I was surprised by how much I loved DedCool Taunt. It’s warm and softly sweet with a clean twist, so it’s a great modern alternative that doesn’t feel too try-hard.

Here’s how the calendar’s contents scored in testing:

Criteria

Score

Reasons why

Performance

12/15

Most scents wore well and felt premium, but a few disappeared quicker than I’d hoped - especially on colder days. Still, standouts like Angels’ Share and DedCool Taunt had great longevity and left a lasting impression.

Quality and durability

13/15

The bottles feel well-made with proper spray heads (a big win over fiddly samples) and the full-size items are generous. 

Ease of use

12/15

The format makes it easy to trial new scents, and the sizes are perfect for handbag use or travel. Some names might be less familiar, which can be exciting - but also slightly intimidating if you're not a fragrance buff.

Value for money

13/15

£160 is a high upfront cost, but it holds over £550 of product. If you love niche perfumes or are already a Space NK shopper, it makes sense. But if you're only curious, the spend may feel steep.

Selection of products

8/10

The calendar leans heavily into soft, clean, skin-like scents. That’s lovely - but if you were hoping for more bold, punchy fragrances, you might be left wanting. That said, the variety of brands is impressive.

Product safety and authenticity

9/10

All items are from credible, well-known fragrance houses, with no filler brands or generic samples. You know exactly what you're getting, and it’s all legit.

Seasonality and usage patterns

7/10

Many of the scents work well for colder months - Kilian’s Angels’ Share especially. But a couple felt a little more spring-summer and less aligned with festive vibes. Still, it’s a discovery calendar - not a seasonal one.

Overall presentation

8/10

The compact format is a nice change, and the design feels thoughtful. It’s chic and grown-up, though due to its square design, it’s wider than other calendars and may sit awkwardly on your mantle. 

Overall score

82/100

Overall rating:

What’s inside the Space NK fragrance calendar?

This year’s calendar is a curated dream for anyone into scents - particularly those of you who love skin-like, warm ‘clean girl’ fragrances. With three full-sized perfumes, plus travel-friendly minis from designer houses and indie favourites, it’s both indulgent and surprisingly practical. 

Some standout inclusions:

Spoilers alert! Here’s the full list of what’s inside this year’s 2025 Space NK’s fragrance Advent calendar:

  1. DedCool Fragrance Number 01 'Taunt' Eau De Parfum (50ml)

  2. Malin + Goetz Strawberry Eau De Parfum (50ml)

  3. Sana Jardin Sandalwood Temple Eau De Parfum (10ml) 

  4. Diptyque Mimosa Scented Candle (70g)

  5. Byredo Blanche Eau De Parfum (8ml)

  6. Glossier You Doux Eau De Parfum (8ml)

  7. Maison Margiela Lazy Sunday Morning Eau de Toilette (7ml)

  8. Kilian Paris Angels’ Share Eau De Parfum (7.5ml)

  9. Frederic Malle Acne Studios Eau De Parfum (10ml)

  10. D.S. & Durga Pistachio Pocket Perfume (10ml)

  11. Acqua Di Parma Fico Di Amalfi Eau de Toilette (12ml)

  12. Juliette Has A Gun Miami Shake Eau De Parfum (5ml)

  13. Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume Eau De Parfum (5ml)

  14. Vyrao Ludeaux Eau De Parfum (10ml)

Sinful Premium Advent Calendar 2025

My two faves: Diptyque’s Mimosa candle and Malin + Goetz’s Strawberry Eau de Parfum

Who is it best for? 

In my opinion, this calendar is a good fit for fragrance fans who love discovering niche and luxury scent houses - especially those already drawn to brands like Diptyque, Byredo or Glossier. 

With its sleek 12-day format and a strong focus on quality over quantity, it also appeals to minimalists who’d rather have fewer, high-value items than a month-long mix of filler. Personally, I feel iIt’s a standout option if you’re looking for a gift that feels truly special, whether for a loved one or yourself.

That said, it may not be the right pick for everyone. If you’re set on a 24 or 25-day calendar experience with lots to unbox throughout December, or you’re hoping for bold, room-filling “beast mode” perfumes, this one leans a little more subtle and skin-scent focused. 

And if you’re after a beauty calendar that combines fragrance with skincare, makeup or haircare, this all-fragrance format won’t tick every box.

Is it worth the money? 

In a word: yes. The total product value exceeds £550, with three full-size perfumes and generous deluxe minis - far better than many beauty calendars packed with sachets and minis you won’t finish.

If you’re fragrance-curious (or know someone who is), this is a treat-yourself moment that’s both joyful and genuinely useful.

How does it compare with other perfume Advent calendars?

Comparing the Space NK fragrance calendar to another one I’ve tested this year - Harvey Nichols’ offering - here’s what you need to know: 

Feature

Space NK

Harvey Nichols

Price

£160

£175

Total value

£550+

£700+

Number of days

12

12

Full-size products

Three full-size perfumes and a candle

Mostly deluxe/travel sizes (generous)

Bonus item

Diptyque Mimosa Candle (70g)

One in every 50 calendars includes a £50 Harvey Nichols gift card

Star brands

Byredo, Glossier, Diptyque, Malin + Goetz, Kilian, Maison Margiela, Frederic Malle

Creed, Parfums de Marly, Kilian, Xerjoff, Ex Nihilo, Matiere Premiere, Frédéric Malle

Fragrance focus

Clean, wearable, skin-like scents with some festive depth

High-end, niche and opulent scents - often bold and layered

Target audience

Fragrance fans looking to explore popular cult and niche scents in an accessible way

Perfume aficionados seeking luxury, rare blends and higher-end exclusivity

Aesthetic

Compact, giftable, chic

Sleek and luxurious, more elevated “wow” factor

Candle included?

Yes - Diptyque Mimosa

Yes - Trudon Ernesto (premium luxury candle)

Additional perks

NDULGE points, first-time shopper discount (15% off)

Loyalty points, chance to win £50 gift card

Overall tone

Thoughtful, trend-aware, “clean girl” edit

Luxurious, prestige, serious scent collector energy

Frequently asked questions

When is the Space NK fragrance calendar available?

It launched in early October 2025 and is available while stocks last, which usually isn’t long.

How many full-size products are included?

Three: Malin + Goetz, DedCool and Sana Jardin.

Is this better than the beauty version?

If you’re a fragrance-first buyer, yes. It’s more focused, better value per item, and packed with scent staples.

Are the items reusable or refillable?

Many of the smaller bottles are ideal for travel, and the Diptyque candle votive can be repurposed.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert based in Leeds. At Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits content that helps parents make confident, informed choices - from beauty and fashion to home and parenting essentials.

After birthing and breastfeeding two babies in two years, Rebecca knows first-hand how hard it can be to prioritise yourself once motherhood takes over. That’s exactly why she’s passionate about finding beauty and fashion products that are practical, affordable, and actually make life a little easier - all backed by honest recommendations from real Mumsnet users.

When she’s not testing the latest skincare or writing about products that work for real mums, you’ll usually find her chasing two toddlers around West Yorkshire, catching up with friends over coffee, or walking the family dog along muddy country lanes.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents or our editors after weeks of hands-on testing and research. Our mission is to deliver honest, independent advice you can trust, so you can make confident buying decisions without the guesswork.

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Read next: our roundup of the best beauty Advent calendars