Let's be frank, I am incredibly lucky to do what I do. I get to work with the most incredible beauty products and brands daily and call it a job. Testing skincare that improves my pigmentation and finding the very best tubing mascara that also lifts the lashes pays my mortgage. It's the stuff of fantasy. And I never take it for granted, nor do I ever gatekeep. If I find a product that I think my friends would love, it's going straight into the WhatsApp group. Because there's nothing better than finding a beauty product and falling in love. Which is why I think that a beauty advent calendar is truly the beauty lover's best purchase of the year. Each day in December leads to the unearthing of a beauty discovery.
Every year, I recommend one beauty advent calendar to my nearest and dearest. I find the one that I think will thrill and impress most. This year, it's the Space NK 2025 Beauty Advent Calendar.
Why I love it
The beauty retailer's 2025 offering is like taking a walk through its recently opened Oxford Street flagship. From true industry icons and heroic brands to niche indie brands that can hold their own, this calendar has a little bit of everything.
The edit of brands—Augustinus Bader, Refy, Lisa Eldridge, Tatcha, Medik8, The Inkey List, Paula's Choice, Sol de Janeiro, Color Wow, Charlotte Tilbury, Olaplex—has been carefully considered, which is exactly what we've come to expect from the beauty house of cool. No matter where you are in the country, you know when you walk into a Space NK that you are going to be spoilt for choice and will come away with something that adds a little bit of luxury to your day. Well, it's the same with this year's calendar—each little drawer will delight.
Emblazoned with the word 'Love', the pink, gold and green design is perfectly Christmas-themed, but not so much that you wouldn't be able to use it later in the year.
What to know
Here are the juicy details. There are a whopping 35 products in this calendar. The last time I checked, there were only 24 (25 at a push) days in your traditional calendar, so it looks like Space NK will be delivering more than one surprise each morning.
Of those 35, 26 are full-sized. I'm going to repeat that, because very rarely does that happen in these things. There are 26 full-sized products in this beauty advent calendar.
The contents of which are worth over £1150, but the calendar itself is only £260. Now, I'm no mathematician, but I think we can all agree that is one heck of a beauty bargain. And considering the calibre of products inside too, this, to me, is a complete no-brainer. This calendar is exceptionally good value for money. If you are in the market for a beauty advent calendar, look no further, for we have found the crème de la crème.
My hero products
So what's inside? I'm not going to give you the full list and spoil the surprise, where would the Christmas fun in that? What I will do, is tell about three hero products that you will uncover at some point in December. These are products that I already permanent fixtures in my routine, which I predict will be in yours by the end of the year too.
1. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
Westman Atelier is the creation of master make-up artist Gucci Westman, and what she does better than anyone else is create natural-looking make-up, with an almighty luxury feel. All of her products are that's super easy to use. The creamy bullet melts into skin and mimics a natural flush beautifully. Ask any beauty editor about this blusher and they will sing its praises. It's perfect for on-the-go top-ups and I like to keep one in my handbag at all times.
2. Color Wow Dreaming
Color Wow's Dreaming treatment mask is brand-spanking new. It has only just launched and is one of my own latest discoveries, and I am thrilled that it's been included. I will say that Color Wow has yet to launch a product that I don't get on with. It's the ultimate problem-solving haircare brand, and Dreaming promises to smooth hair, tame frizz, add shine and make hair more manageable. As someone who struggles with all of those things, I can confirm that it achieves it all.
3. Laneige Cream Skin Cerapeptide Mist
As someone who so often suffers from dehydrated skin, hydrating toners and mists call to me. They are my skincare best friends. This one from Laneige is deliciously comforting. It's an ultra-fine mist, so I find that I can apply it before my serums, as well as on top of make-up and any tightness is instantly soothed. Whilst some dismiss face mists as a fluffy, unnecessary extra step, they've not experienced the addictive dewy glow that this gives.
So what are you waiting for? Buy now.
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