Sun, October 4, 2026 at 12:22 PM UTC
Since welcoming my first child 18 months ago, my beauty regime has completely fallen by the wayside. The hours I once spent cleansing, toning, and masking for a radiant boost are now a distant memory – replaced by short nights, little energy, and skin that feels totally altered by post-baby hormones.
So, when the OK! Beauty Box Advent Calendar (curated alongside celebrity makeup artist Hannah Martin) landed on my desk ahead of December, it felt like the perfect excuse to reclaim a little self-care. Naturally, I couldn’t resist sneaking an early look inside.
While officially priced at £109, using the discount code ADVENT2026 at checkout drops the total to £98. Considering the 26-piece collection is worth over £605, getting it under the £100 mark makes it an incredible value steal.
Here is an unboxing look at what
Here is an unboxing look at what is inside and whether this high-value lineup is genuinely worth adding to shoppers’ basket.
My first impression: I thought the OK! Beauty Advent Calendar packaging was gorgeous. The combination of pinks, burgundy, red, and gold complements each other beautifully, and despite being a festive countdown, it avoids feeling overly Christmassy.
This means it will sit perfectly on a dressing table long after December, particularly given the generously sized drawers on offer. As for the contents, Hannah has truly delivered – which is hardly surprising given her expertise, having previously curated three consecutive sell-out calendars.
To the 25 beauty products inside, every purchase
In addition to the 25 beauty products inside, every purchase automatically enters buyers into a prize draw for the chance to win a private virtual masterclass with Hannah Martin herself.
What I personally adore about beauty advent calendars is that they’re brimming with products I wouldn’t ordinarily treat myself to – whether they’re beyond my usual budget or from brands I’ve yet to try, which is especially ideal given my often troublesome skin.
The generous mix of full-sized products alongside smaller minis is a real highlight, offering the chance to experiment before committing to a full purchase. They also make for brilliant stocking fillers or thoughtful gifts for loved ones.
Spotting several Rodial products inside was a genuine
Spotting several Rodial products inside was a genuine thrill, most notably the full-sized Bee Venom Eye Cream, worth £145. Having long wanted to sample their range but been put off by the price point, this felt like a real treat. Promising to plump, smooth, and firm fine lines and wrinkles, it’s precisely what this new mum needs.
Rodial’s Glass Powder (worth £38) also caught my eye, appearing wonderfully versatile across all skin tones to blur imperfections and set makeup. As a devoted fan of liquid blush, the MUA Makeup Academy Blushed Liquid Cream Blusher was another standout, delivering a gorgeous rosy flush to the cheeks.
Fragrance enthusiasts won’t be disappointed either, with the Arkive Decorated Woods Eau de Parfum Scent for Hair and Skin (worth £30) included. Having been keen to incorporate collagen into my skincare regime, the Gatineau Paris Collagene Expert Hydra Essence proved a particularly welcome find – especially heading into the harsher winter months.
My sole minor reservations, which I believe come
My sole minor reservations, which I believe come down to individual taste, concern the nail polish and false lashes featured in the calendar. The Nail Kind Polish is unlikely to see much action from me as I regularly visit a salon for professional manicures.
The deep burgundy colour is stunning for the colder months, however, and I’ll be passing it on to a friend who does their own nails at home. Similarly, theBlink Brow Bar Blink and Go Lashes aren’t quite right for me either, as I struggle with the fiddly process of applying false lashes. But that’s simply down to my preference for sticking with a reliable mascara instead!
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Bobbi Brown Dual-Ended Long-Wear Cream Eyeshadow Stick in the shades Heat Ray and Biscotti – 1.6g full-size, worth £36
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Rodial Bee Venom Eye Cream – 25ml full-size, worth £145
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Arkive Decorated Woods Eau De Parfum Scent for Hair and Skin – 50ml full-size, worth £30
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bareMinerals Dewy Lip Gloss-Balm in the shade Devotion – 3g full-size, worth £25
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Gatineau Paris Collagene Expert™ Hydra Essence – 120ml full-size, worth £46
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Aromatherapy Associates Support Breathe Bath and Shower Oil – 55ml full-size, worth £65
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Spectrum Very Cherry 4 Piece Mini On-The-Go Brush Set – mini set, worth £14.99
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Hildun Beauty Silk To Set Longwear Lip Pencil in the shade Sara – 1.2g full-size, worth £19
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Arkive The Body Hybrid Mousse – 200ml full-size, worth £14
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Kosas Lip Pulse Glassy Lip Plumper in the shade Unspoken – full size, worth £24
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Sensory Retreats Spa Scent Self-Heating Eye Mask in the scent Lavender – 1 mask, worth £3.95
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Nail Kind Nail Polish in the shade Read My Lips – 8ml full-size, worth £8.95
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L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Mascara in the shade Black – 8ml full-size, worth £11.99
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Blink Brow Bar Blink & Go Lashes – 12 clusters, worth £7
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Weleda Skin Food Original – 30ml travel-size, worth £9.50
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Pippa of London The Everything Sponge – full-size, worth £14
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Hello Sunday The Everyday One Face Moisturiser SPF 50 with Hyaluronic Acid – 50ml full-size, worth £18
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Brow Aid IllumiLift Eye & Brow Hydrogel Mask – 1 mask, worth £8
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delilah Eye Line Long Wear Retractable Pencil in the shade Coal – 0.312g full-size, worth £23
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Dr.PAWPAW Shea Butter Lip Balm – 25ml full-size, worth £9.25
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19/99 Beauty Precision Highlight Pencil in the shade Lustro – 1.1g full-size, worth £19
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MUA Makeup Academy Blushed Liquid Cream Blusher in the shade Misty Rose – 10ml full-size, worth £3
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Hello Skin Hydraglass Sculpting Eye Masks – one pair, worth £7.95
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Prai Beauty Ageless Throat & Decolletage Creme Intensive Gold+ – 30ml full-size, worth £25
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Rodial Glass Powder – 10g deluxe, worth £38
Meanwhile, customers can pre-order the LookFantastic Beauty Advent Calendarnow for £120. The complete collection is valued at over £665 and features brands such as Medik8, LANEIGE, Aveda, Avant, and Color Wow.
Alternatively, the Boots 24 Days of Luxe Beauty
Alternatively, the Boots 24 Days of Luxe Beauty Advent Calendar is priced at £150. The haul is worth over £700 and includes products from Huda Beauty, Benefit, Clinique, NARS, and MAC.
Returning to the OK! Beauty Box Advent Calendar by Hannah Martin, I’d strongly recommend anyone interested place their order without delay, as previous editions have quickly sold out. Since the calendar hasn’t yet been dispatched to those who have pre-ordered, no customer reviews are currently available.
However, the most expensive product included, Rodial’s Bee Venom Firming Eye Cream, has already won over numerous beauty enthusiasts. One customer said: “I saw a difference after the first couple of uses. It’s amazing at reducing dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines, and even relieves tired, tight-feeling eyes! Expensive, but worth it!”
Meanwhile, another wrote: “Now on my second pot, which I know will last for ages, so that’s how I justify the price. I find it really works to reduce dark circles and fine lines, and it isn’t greasy like some eye creams I’ve tried in the past.”
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