Help Me Choose a Luxury Beauty Advent for my Friend!

[Prangie]

My best friend lost her son under tragic circs early this year, and his birthday is the 30th Nov. I realise an advent calendar is hardly going to make the pain go, but as she loved mine last year, I want to get her one for when we go and see her on that day. Plus, it's something she would never buy herself as she has just bought a house which is now being renovated.

I have a budget of an absolute maximum £250 but, ideally, would rather spend less as it seems a bit bonkers (although she's worth it!) I want it to it to be a proper splurge for her rather than a nice treat. (I have previously enjoyed the M&S one, for example, but that seems more of a treat she could buy anyway rather than something she would justify buying herself.) Basically something she'd be blown away by if at all possible!

I have looked at Space NK, F&M, Elle, Selfridges and Liberty so far, but also thought the comparatively cheap one from Anthropologie looked pretty good as far as content goes, but can't decide if it's in splurge or treat territory.

I have also wondered about Elemis, Origins and Kiehls but wonder if a mix of brands is better so she can hopefully discover products she would never consider - which has been my experience from last year. She also loves Decleor but, as before, it's all the same brand which might not be as good. I have considered doing a DIY one but I think it could genuinely work out more or at least the same than buying a calendar once you include things like postage with all the samples - I had a similar plan re this with DH last year but decided against it.

She enjoys make up but I think skincare would be better, so would prefer it not to contain too much make up. She's 55, a 'young' 55(!) and has combination skin and not prone to allergies so no issues there.

There is so much choice I am now a bit overwhelmed so any advice or views would be great, thank you!

I think it sounds like Liberty would be a good choice - I've had that, cult beauty and Net-a-Porter previously and the packaging of the liberty one is the prettiest and most festive, making it feel more of a special treat. All of them were good "value" in terms of contents allegedly worth £900+ ( I'm only saying allegedly as everyone will have some duff items that they wouldn't have bought individually). The only complaints anyone seems to have about it seem to be for regular buyers who feel it tends to be a bit samey in terms of the brands or products featured, but as this will be her first fancy calendar that isn't a factor. I've not bought F&M myself but that also tends to go for a traditionally festive/luxe looking box so maybe that's another to consider. Net-a Porter is good as it's heavy on skincare instead of make up, but the packaging is rather sombre ( or chic I guess... but not particularly joy-bringing)

if your mate hasn’t had the Liberty one before I’d go for that
As the packaging is stunning - I’ve had three and last year was disappointed with it because there were a lot of repeats of year’s before products and some of them didn’t feel
very luxe
im swapping to Space NK this year - you’ll need to register
on their wait list which is super quick

My friend is 50 on Nov 30. I am on the waiting list for the Liberty calendar to give her, which is £245 iirc. I know she’ll love it.

This is fantastic, thank you. Liberty it is then!

I had F&M last year and the contents do look a bit too similar this year for me to want it again so I am leaning towards Liberty for the two of us now instead. I like the idea of it looking good as well as the contents being great, which is a bit shallow but I think it needs to be the whole package. The circumstances call for extra efforts!

White Company’s calendar comes out next week. I always love theirs as it’s usually a mixture of scents and skin care.

I’m sure your friend will love it OP. I too would pick the Liberty one!