The Selfridges beauty advent calendar is one of the Christmas countdown OGs and has been in circulation since 2010.
Back then, the calendar was stocked exclusively with L’Oréal minis and cost shoppers as little as £60. Now, 14 years on, the Selfridges 2024 offering costs much more at £250. However, it’s not just for beauty sampling and, on the contrary, boasts more than 20 full-size products to enjoy. In total, there are 38 products to get experimental with, giving you the best of both worlds with a plethora of mini and retail-size goodies.
After amassing a mega waitlist since its announcement in early September, the hefty haul went live on 16 October. Naturally, it sold out in a matter of days, but it has finally been restocked.
I managed to get my hands on the beauty bonanza to give you the lowdown on everything from what’s inside to the packaging, so you can decide if it’s worth snapping up today. Spoiler alter, it is.
How I tested
After receiving the Christmas countdown, I put my festive traditions aside and unwrapped every day in a single sitting. I weighed up the desirability of the products, from trending to long-standing icons, and put the formulas to the test, noting performance, size and overall value for money. Keep scrolling for my full run down, including how to shop and the key product info.
Selfridges beauty advent calendar
After unveiling the Selfridges beauty advent from its silver protective sleeve, I couldn’t deny the aesthetics of the box itself. The brand’s signature mustard-yellow verges on gold, making it ideal for a Christmassy nod, while a wrap of actual gold foil recreates the iconic French style ‘beaux-arts’ facade of the Selfridges store. Compared to 2023’s iteration – a deep burgundy affair – this year’s calendar celebrates the grandeur of the British institution itself with, of course, a hint of festive spirit in the metallic detailing.
As for the products, day one starts off strong with Charlotte Tilbury’s magic water cream (£23, Selfridges.com) and I must say I was thrilled to see this version of the make-up artist’s renowned moisturiser included, as the OG magic cream is often too thick and oily for some skin types. Day 25 isn’t, I’d argue, the best day of the haul and, though the duo of Fenty Beauty and Fenty Hair products, plus a Selfridges beauty concierge gift card (to use on in-store make-up masterclasses and the like) were undoubtedly a treat, it was day 16 that impressed me the most. Indeed, with three products from one of my favourite haircare brands, Davines, shoppers are treated to the nounou shampoo (£10.50, Selfridges.com), conditioner (£10.50, Selfridges.com) and the nounou hair mask (not sold in smaller 75ml size, but estimated to be worth over £8) for the ultimate silky and shiny strands.
Read more: The Asos beauty advent calendar boasts a 76% saving – here’s our review
In fact, the haircare offering in this calendar is one of the best going with a total of seven products included from the likes of Moroccan oil and the TikTok-approved Champō pitta growth serum (£34, Selfridges.com). Likewise, the calendar offers almost a full skincare routine with the loved-by-all Elemis pro-collagen cleansing balm (£29, Selfridges.com), the Paula’s Choice azelaic acid toner (£40, Selfridges.com), plus a ‘second cleanse’ face wash, SPF, eye cream and two moisturisers from the likes of Dr. Barbara Sturm and Supergoop!
I do feel the inclusion of seven fragrances is a tad excessive and, though I can see the appeal of the variety for picky shoppers, the chances are few people are likely to have an affinity to each and every one. That said, I was certainly excited to unbox Gisou’s honey infused wild rose hair perfume (£34, Selfridges.com), with myself and half of the internet nurturing a deep obsession with the same honey-based hair oil – it’s seriously addictive.
A final note to leave you on? You’ll also find the Ross J. Barr healing (£15, Selfridges.com), calm (£15, Selfridges.com) and sleep patches (£15, Selfridges.com), which I have not heard the end of since they were released in 2020. A stick-on homeopathic solution to my aches, stresses and 3pm caffeine hit? Yes, please.
Buy now £250.00, Selfridges.com
The verdict: Selfridges beauty advent calendar
Normally, the idea of forking out £250 on beauty products alone would make me baulk, but I’ve got to give it to Selfridges – this is certainly a good bang for your buck offering. You’ll save more than £750 on the premium worth of all 38 products and you’ll be taking home the brands of the moment, including Gisou, Kylie Skin and Sol de Janeiro. Plus, you’ll get an even distribution of hair, skin, make-up and body products to get stuck in with come the New Year. I think it’s one of the best advent hauls for 2024 and, while it’s back in stock right now, I’m not sure how long it’ll stay that way so I’d be checking out ASAP, if I were you.
Is LOOKFANTASTIC’s beauty advent calendar this year’s best value for money?
