There’s something very exciting about advent calendars that I can’t explain.
It might simply be the fact that I’m a sucker for Christmas, so everything Christmas themed is automatically on my wish list.
Just to prove how much I love Christmas – I’m listening to carols since September…
Anyway… I asked you a few days ago, over social, if you’d like another advent calendar guide for 2020 and *all the ladies* said “yes”! So… here it is!
I kept pretty much the same structure like last time, but I added more calendars this time: 6! It took me three fucking days to write (and calculate) for article so I really, really, REALLY hope you enjoy it!
To wrap up, the main criteria will be:
- number of products offered (12 vs 24)
- real value compared to a full-size product
- weight (mini-products vs sample vs full-size)
- products weighting 5 grams of less are usually samples, so we’ll keep an eye on them, since you can usually get them for free
- if contains “products for men” (although I highly support men to use any skincare products that work for them – I know they are more drawn to the “for men” products)
Feel free to use the table of contents below to easily navigate to each advent calendar that interests you.
I also think I did a better job this year organising the information, so please let me know what you think! It’s work in progress each year, anyway.
Kiehl’s
Retail price: €83
A couple of years ago, I was obsessed with Kiehl’s. I know most of their products don’t fall under the “Hyram approved” category, and I do consider this brand quite pricey (compared to other better, cheaper products outs there).
With that being said, Kiehl’s is one of my favourite brands when it comes to advent calendars. They offer a lot of products at decent quantities.
Content
- Midnight Recovery Concentrate 4 ml – 3.3 EUR
- Facial Fuel Moisturizer 15 ml – 4.9 EUR
- Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream 7 ml – 4 EUR
- Midnight Recovery Eye 3 ml – 6 EUR
- Ultra Facial Cleanser 30 ml – 4.2 EUR
- Creme de Corps 30 ml – 5.3 EUR
- Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution 4 ml – 6.2 EUR
- Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado 14 ml – 28.8 EUR
- Amino Acid Shampoo 65 ml – 9.1 EUR
- Amino Acid Conditioner 65 ml – 9.1 EUR
- Balm #1 15ml – 11 EUR
- Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash 30ml – 4.2 EUR
- Hydroplump Retexturizing Serum 5ml – 4.7 EUR
- Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner 40 ml – 6.2 EUR
- Ultra Facial Cream 28 ml – 16.1 EUR
- Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque 14 ml – 3.4 EUR
- Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil 40 ml – 8.3 EUR
- Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate 5 ml – 5.8 EUR
- Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask 10 g – 4 EUR
- Calendula Water Cream 7 ml – 6.1 EUR
- Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing & Dark Circle-Diminishing Vitamin C Eye Serum 3 ml – 9 EUR
- Vital Skin Strengthening Super Serum 4 ml – 6.2 EUR
- Super Multi-Corrective Cream 7 ml – 8.1 EUR
Total: € 174
Conclusions
- has 24 products
- 2 full-size products
- 2 almost-full-size shampoo & conditioner
- good price, compared to the retail price
- mostly minis or travel-sized products
- you get a cute Mr. Bones pin
- has only one “men product” included
- some products are way too small for you to tell if they work/are good for your skin
- 7/24 “sample size” products
Benefit
Retail price: €65
Honestly, I never used a Benefit product. I’m not that much into make up and I have thick, dark brows – so putting makup on them is non-sense to me.
But I know that this brand is on everyone’s wish list and they make one of the best brow products, so… here it is!
Content
- Roller Liner 13.30 EUR
- Precisely My Brow 13.30 EUR
- Gimme Brow 13.50 EUR
- Porefessional Hydrate 13.30 EUR
- Porefessional 13.30 EUR
- Dandelion 16 EUR
- Hoola 16 EUR
- 24 Hour Brow Setter 13.30 EUR
- BADgal Bang 13.30 EUR
- Roller Lash 13.30 EUR
- They’re Real Lash Primer 13.30 EUR
- They’re Real Mascara 13.30 EUR
Total: € 165.2
Conclusion
- very good price
- has one of their most popular products
- has only 12 products
- only minis, no full-size products
- some products might not come in your shade
- might be too much brow/lashes products if you’re not really into this
L’Occitane
Retail price: €59
L’Occitane usually comes up with very good value advent calendars. And this year is no exception.
Just like last time, they have a “regular” and “deluxe” edition. For some countries, they came with a reusable advent calendar as well, which only makes me even happier.
Below, you’ll see the analysis of the “regular” 2020 advent calendar.
Content
- Immortelle Precious Cream 5ml – 6 EUR
- Shea Ultra Rich Lip Balm 4ml – 10 EUR
- SOS Shine Hair Mask 20ml – 5.3 EUR
- Almond Body Milk 35ml – 8.1 EUR
- Rose Hand Cream 10ml – 1.5 EUR
- Shea Ultra Rich Body Cream 20ml – 3.9 EUR
- Almond Delicious Hands 10ml – 2.4 EUR
- Overnight Reset Serum 5ml – 9.2 EUR
- Shea Honey Hand Cream 10ml – 2.9 EUR
- Almond Shower Oil 35ml – 2.4 EUR
- Shea Light Comforting Cream 5ml – 3.2 EUR
- Gentle & Balance Micellar Shampoo 35ml – 3.1 EUR
- SOS Moisture Hair Mask 20ml – 5.3 EUR
- Cherry Blossom Hand Cream 10ml – 2.9 EUR
- Repairing Shampoo 35ml – 2 EUR
- Aqua Réotier Ultra Thirst-Quenching Cream 5ml – 3.3 EUR
- Shea Butter Hand Cream 10ml – 2.9 EUR
- Shea Milk Extra Gentle Soap 25g – 1.6 EUR
- Shea Intensive Hand Balm 10ml – 1.8 EUR
- Verbena Leaf Soap 25g – 2.3 EUR
- Repairing Conditioner 35ml – 3 EUR
- Verbena Cooling Hand Gel 10ml – 2.4 EUR
- Verbena Shower Gel 30ml – 2.2 EUR
- Shea Butter Foot Cream 10ml – 1.6 EUR
Total price: €89.3
Conclusion
- good price
- has 24 products
- good variety of products (lotions, shampoos, soaps, etc.)
- 5 “sample” products
- no “men products”
ASOS
Retail price: €89
In my previous advent calendar guide, ASOS was a major winner: it had a lot of amazing products, and an incredible overall value.
This year, the ASOS 2020 advent calendar is even better!
If there would be one advent calendar I would have to chose – this would be it! I would also keep an eye for it next year, since it proves to be a true bargain year after year!
Content
- Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator 15ml – 18 EUR
- Dr. PAWPAW Ultimate Red Balm 25ml – 10 EUR
- Dr.Jart+Cicapair Calming Sheet Mask – 6 EUR
- Elemis Pro-collagen Marine Cream 30ml – 12.4 EUR
- Emma Hardie Pink Clay Detox Mask 15ml – 13.3 EUR
- Eylure Enchanted Lash – 8.5 EUR
- First Aid Beauty Pure Skin Face Cleanser 56.7g – 12.5 EUR
- Indeed Laboratories In-Circadian Night Mask 50ml – 21 EUR
- Laura Mercier Blurring Primer 25ml – 24 EUR
- Living Proof 5 in 1 30ml – 7 EUR
- MAC Marrakesh Traditional Lipstick Bullet – 25 EUR
- Marvis Classic Strong Mint Toothpaste 10ml – sample
- Nip + Fab Vitamin C Tonic 100ml – 16.6 EUR
- Origins Clear Improvement Mask 75ml – 34 EUR
- Psychic Sisters Rose Quartz Face Roller – 28 EUR
- Shiseido Ultimune 10ml – 3.8 EUR
- Spectrum B08 Brush – 12.5 EUR
- Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic (5ml) + CEO Vit C Serum 5ml – 31.5 EUR
- The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG 30ml – 8 EUR
- This works Love Sleep Spray 10ml – 8.4 EUR
- Too Faced Cosmetics Better Than Sex Mascara 3.9g – 10 EUR
- Aveda Daily Damage Repair 100ml – 36 EUR
- Bare Minerals SKINLONGEVITY Vital Power Infusion 7.5ml – 7.3 EUR
- BECCA Backlight Priming Filter 15ml – 19.5 EUR
Total price: €373
Conclusion
- huge variety of brands
- REAL bargain
- large quantities
- has only 2 “sample size” products
- no “men products”
Origins
Retail price: €59
Origins comes with 12 minis this year.
I don’t think I ever tried one of their products – so I’ll let you be the judge of their quality and efficiency.
Content
- Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask 30ml – 10.6 EUR
- Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask 30ml – 10 EUR
- Ginzing Oil-Free Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturiser 15ml – 7.8 EUR
- Original Skin Retexturising Mask 15ml – 4.4 EUR
- Checks & Balances Frothy Face Wash 30ml – 6.5 EUR
- Plantscription Anti-Ageing Power Serum 15ml – 21 EUR
- Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream 30ml – 4.8 EUR
- Full Size Lipstick Dusky Rose – 16.8 EUR
- Mega Mushroom Micellar Water 30ml – 4.4 EUR
- Mega Mushroom Soothing Treatment Lotion 100ml – 17.8 EUR
- Plantscription Anti-Ageing Eye Cream 5ml – 14.3 EUR
- Mask Brush – 12.6 EUR
Total price: €131
Conclusion
- generous quantities
- good value
- various products
- has only 12 products
- no “men products”
Rituals
Retail price: €90
Rituals has a very… holistic advent calendar for 2020.
They offer a whole gamut of products: candles, hair masks, fragrance sticks, body washes, soaps – you name it and you’ll find it in one of these adorable tiny 3D houses.
Content
- Amsterdam Collection Foaming Shower Gel 50ml – 2.6 EUR
- Elixir Collection Overnight Hydrating Hair Mask 20ml – 3.6 EUR
- Oriental Essences Rose de Shiraz Eau de Parfum 15ml – 14.5 EUR
- Private Collection Mini Candle Black Oudh – 15 EUR
- Private Collection Mini Candle Green Cardamom – 15 EUR
- Private Collection Mini Candle Savage Garden – 15 EUR
- Private Collection Mini Candle Wild Fig – 15 EUR
- Scrub Glove – 5.5 EUR
- The Ritual of Ayurveda Body Cream 70 ml – 5.9 EUR
- The Ritual of Hammam Black Soap 70ml – 4 EUR
- The Ritual of Hammam Foaming Shower Gel 50ml – 2.8 EUR
- The Ritual of Happy Buddha Parfum d’Interieur 50ml – 2.6 EUR
- The Ritual of Happy Buddha Shower Scrub 70ml – 4.9 EUR
- The Ritual of Holi Happifying Body Mist 20ml – 1.3 EUR
- The Ritual of Holi Playable Foam 50 ml – 2.6 EUR
- The Ritual of Jing Mini Fragrance Sticks – 13.5 EUR
- The Ritual of Karma Bath & Shower Gel 30 ml – 1.3 EUR
- The Ritual of Karma Body Cream 100ml – 9 EUR
- The Ritual of Karma Hair & Body Mist 20ml – 7 EUR
- The Ritual of Namaste Anti-Aging Ampoule Boosters 2ml – 2.8 EUR
- The Ritual of Namaste Anti-Aging Serum 10ml – 10 EUR
- The Ritual of Sakura Hand Balm – 9.9 EUR
- The Ritual of Samurai Anti-Perspirant Spray 50ml – 2.1 EUR
- The Ritual of Samurai Foaming Shower Gel 50ml – 2.1 EUR
Total price: €168
Conclusions
- has 24 products
- good value
- large variety of products (from hair masks, candles, and creams)
- no men products
Something about advent calendars
I think advent calendars are definitely exciting. We all are small children inside and we find an unexplainable joy of opening small boxes that give us a tiny present each day.
Advent calendars similar to those from ASOS or CultBeauty are full of great products, from a lot of brands. I personally find those more useful than 12-24 eyebrow products or from the same brand. It’s easier to test a lot of products, without spending the money on a full-sized one. Also, I don’t think anyone uses 20+ products from the same brand, so if you buy more advent calendars, you can share or gift (I think minis are great stocking fillers) some of the products.
I’m hoping for K beauty advent calendars… maybe? Advent calendars don’t seem to be very in-line with the “korean” trends, but who knows?!
There are more and more brands that turn to this type of selling proposition and I love to see things like tea advent calendars, wine or cheese.
Some Honourable Mentions
Here’s a quick list of a different kind of advent calendars. And if you’re a nerd like me, you’ll love them!
- Friends advent calendar
- Bonne Mama spread advent calendar
- Pukka Tea advent calendar
- Men Christmas socks advent calendar
- Crafts advent calendar
- Dog treats & toys advent calendar
Waste & Advent Calendars
What I find a little concerning about these advent calendars, is that they are quite wasteful. Just think of the packaging of the calendars themselves – not to mention the products. They are usually “minis” or “travel size” and most of them come in plastic packaging.
There are some nice reusable alternatives – like the one L’Occitane has, that does not produce that much waste. So we could change towards these options.
All in all, I don’t want to ruin advent calendars for you, but I want you to think twice before hoarding on all the advent calendars on the market.
Note: This article was not sponsored by any of the brands mentioned and its purpose is for entertainment. The estimates are personal, made according to the retail price of a regular size product, compared to the size offered in the advent calendar. Please note that prices, packaging and offerings might vary from country to country.
9 comments
These are so cute! Usually when I think about advent calendars they are filled with chocolates, but how fun to have ones that have a new beauty product to try each day!
I love this list! I haven’t done an advent calendar in years, and I primarily did ones with gross chocolate. These look so much better that that! I really want the Kiehl’s one because I really want to try the brand’s products but I don’t want to pay for them all individually.
How many Advent calendars are too many, because I love all of them! Kiehl’s makes the best stuff, so that one is definitely top of my list.
Omg I LOVE advent calendars! I really want to get my hands on the Kiehls and L’occitane one. Thanks for the super helpful post!
So glad you found it useful, Jiawun!
This is our first year having an advent calendar and I’m so excited! That ASOS one would be my pick too. 🙂
This is an interesting post! We have never really used advent calendars growing up besides the ones that have chocolate, but it’s a good thing to keep in mind when it comes to the potential waste vs benefit of the advent calendar.
I love this! I never thought of giving an Advent calendar before, but these are amazing gifts to give! I could give them at Thanksgiving as a “preview”!!!
Such a good idea, Kelly! We don’t have Thanksgiving, so I had no idea it also involves presents.