It even includes an exclusive product
The 12 days of Lacura advent calendar by Aldi
Gone are the days where the most sought after advent calendar was Cadbury or Lindt. These days, you can get an advent calendar filled with almost anything, from Lego, nail varnish, and even Minecraft, there’s something for everyone.
Beauty advent calendars are increasingly popular, with prices well into the hundreds. There are so many options it is hard to know what one would best suit you.
From Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Beauty Wonderland, priced at £170, M&S’ £75 offering and Superdrug’s 24 days of Christmas at £60, the idea is you get almost double the value in products.
But if you’re looking for a more budget friendly option that still has the luxurious feel, then Aldi’s 12 days of Lacura could be the one for you.
I was sent the Lacura calendar and was instantly impressed that despite there being a list of products on the outer removable sleeve, the products are not in order.
Most advent calendars I have tried this year have listed the products in the order you get them – but it is a complete surprise what is hiding behind each door, which I love.
I do like knowing what is in the advent calendar, but I also like being surprised each day. It is important to note though that the doors are in certain shapes so you have an idea if you are getting a smaller or bigger gift each day.
While it is only a 12 day advent calendar, I think it is the perfect size to ensure that every single product will be used. Some of the smaller products like the scrunchie and claw clip are still incredibly useful.
There’s also an exclusive product included, the ‘perfect peach’ plumping lip gloss, which is a lovely colour and gives a gorgeous shine. It is enriched with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, helping keep your lips hydrated. It does tingle as it is a plumping gloss, but is not over-powering and left my lips looking fuller and more defined.
The calendar also includes some of Lacura’s most popular beauty buys, including the vanilla lip balm and the Girl Gone Bad mascara, as well as the hair repair oil.
The only thing that I would add is that the cover is stuck to the calendar with two stick tabs, which did leave a mark when peeling off. So if you are gifting this, then you may want to be extra careful in removing the sticky tabs if you want the contents to be a complete surprise, as it does leave behind a visible mark where it has been removed.
If you’re on a budget but still want a touch of luxury, I’d recommend the 12 days of Lacura. I did not know what to expect when I was asked to try the Lacura calendar, but overall I am very impressed.
The 12 days of Lacura Beauty Advent Calendar is available in Aldi stores from October 25 and is expected to fly off the shelves once again.
What other beauty advent calendars are on offer, under £100?
M&S Beauty Advent Calendar 2026 – £75, worth £450
This absolutely jam-packed advent calendar launches on October 13 and is definitely one that will be highly sought-after by beauty fanatics.
I was given the chance to get my hands on it early, and not only is it filled with incredible products, but the packaging is pretty special too.
It comes in a beautiful pink and red striped box with four pull-out compartments and a lift-top lid with another space, and could be multi-use.
Aside from the absolutely stunning packaging, it costs £75 and contains more than £450 of goodies.
Despite being an M&S calendar, it contains a range of brands, including high-end beauty.
I immediately had three standout products from this selection, the £27 M&S Ultra Peptide Night Cream, which is a 50ml tub and has become a firm staple in my nightly skincare routine.
A surprise favourite was the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Blonzer in Kiss of Rose. It retails at £25.50 and is a lovely shade and easy to use product. It glides onto your skin and the only thing I struggled with was getting the correct amount of product out of the squeezy tube.
Then there’s the Estee Lauder Double Wear full size primer, which retails for around £30. This is one of the most luxurious products in the advent calendar and feels like a real treat.
These three products alone cost £82.50, which is more than the cost of the Advent calendar itself. You can view the whole product list here.
You can also get your hands on it early by signing up to Sparks for exclusive access from October 1 – 7.
No7 25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar – £55, worth £248.93
This will make any No7 fan’s day. The advent calendar is worth £248.93, but you can get your hands on it for just £55.
That’s a saving of £193.93, and you can collect double Advantage Card points when you buy the calendar online. There’s also an offer to save an extra £10 on it.
This calendar includes eight full-size products, including:
• No7 Pro Artist Matte Muse Lipstick Nude Glam 3.3g – Full Size• No7 Pro Artist Luxe Liquid Blush Pink Blush 6.1ml – Full Size• No7 Protect & Perfect Lip Care 10ml – Full Size• No7 Pro Artist Lip Liner Shade Nude Glam 1.2g – Full Size• No7 Pro Artist Lip Shine Oil Rouge Luxe 6.1ml – Full Size• No7 Pro Artist That’s A Wrap Tubing Mascara Black 8.5ml – Full Size• No7 Pro Artist 12-Hour Artist Eye Pencil Noir Black 1.2g – Full Size• No7 Lift & Luminate Triple Action Primer 30ml – Full Size
I am very fond of the Pro Artist lipstick range and the Pro Artist Glitter Satin Lipstick Starry Night, which was a staple in last year’s advent calendar, is my go-to for a night out. The pigment lasts and I find I do not have to reapply it.
There are also a number of other No7 favourites included, such as the Radiance Vitamin C range and Future Renew range. You can view the whole contents here and buy it here.
Superdrug 24 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar – £60, worth £160
Superdrug is offering a whopping £160 worth of products in its latest beauty advent calendar, which is priced at £60.
I was sent this calendar to test out for myself and was amazed by the range of products and was overjoyed to see the Vitamin E skincare range, which has been a staple in my routine for years.
I’m a particular fan of the Vitamin E Night Cream, Eye Cream and Facial Mist, but it also includes the Vitamin C serum, which is a lovely consistency.
Another standout product is the £19.99 Olay Super Serum, although it’s a mini at 14ml, it is definitely a product I will restock as I love how it makes my skin feel.
Other products worth mentioning are the Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Probiotics Essence, worth £21, Aveeno Calm + Restore SPF50, worth £16.99 and the Lanolips Gingerbread & Candy Cane Duo Gift Set, worth £12.
The Olay serum, Haruharu skincare, Aveeno SPF and Lanolips gift set cost £69.99, meaning just from those four products you have already gained your money back.
Sephora Advent Calendar – £59.99, worth £179
Something for the Sephora fans! The £59.99 Sephora offering this year contains a whopping £179 worth of products.
It’s also got a quirky ‘cracker-style’ opening system, which will add to the festive surprise. And if that wasn’t enough, it also contains an exclusive product for Christmas Eve.
Sephora says: “From December 1 to 24, open one compartment each day to discover a new beauty surprise. A perfect daily ritual to help you count down to Christmas in a warm and festive atmosphere. Experiment, have fun, and create dazzling looks for your party nights!”
I am a big fan of the cheek and lip tint which has a long-lasting colour and does not dry out my lips. Although the calendar does not reveal which shade you will get, it does appear to be the 01 Pink Splash from the image provided.
Everything included in the calendar is Sephora-branded. You can view the full list of products or purchase them here.
Rituals Beauty Classic 24 Day Advent Calendar 2026 – £99, worth £187
If you’re a fan of Rituals products, you’re sure to love this Advent calendar.
The luxury advent calendar, which costs £99, is worth £187.10. The Rituals website states: “Make yourself at home with 24 doors of bath, body, and home favourites – including our Limited Edition.
“The calendar unfolds into a beautifully crafted house, designed to sit proudly on any mantel. Inside, you’ll find travel minis plus two full-size stars – scented from cosy spice to clean floral and bright citrus. Open a door each day, a nostalgic nod to the chocolate Advent calendars of our youth, and build your routine – cleanse, nourish, scent, unwind; keep it on show while you enjoy this year’s Advent countdown.”
It includes standout products, including the Ritual of Sakura Super Dry Body Oil, which I treat myself to once a year when I am making purchases for friends and family members. It’s such a nourishing product that adds a touch of luxury to my shower routine.
It also includes Scalp Balancing Conditioner and Scalp Balancing Shampoo, as well as the Ritual of Yozakura Shimmering Body Oil, which smells divine.
As well as this, there are numerous travel sizes of a range of other products, including Advent Mini Candle Private Collection – Mystic Cedar 25g, Deep Cleansing Volcanic Clay Mask 10g, Gratitude, 1 X 3-in-1 Micellar Water 30ml, 1 X Uukumwe Collection Creamy Foaming Shower Gel 50ml and much more.
You can view the full list here or get it on Amazon here. It is worth noting that the majority of products are mini or travel size.
LookFantastic Grooming Advent Calendar – £90, worth £469
Who said beauty advent calendars have to be filled with makeup, perfume and hair accessories?
The LookFantastic team have put together 15 full-size products alongside minis, worth £469. The best part is you can get your hands on it for just £90.
Including brands such as Philip Kingsley, Aveeno, ESPA, Bulldog, Elemis, and Weleda, it is sure to be a hit.
You can view the full list and purchase it here.
Have you spotted an advent calendar that is an absolute bargain? Get in touch at katie.timms@reachplc.com.
