If you didn’t know that ELLE Magazine had a Beauty Advent Calendar, you’re not the only one. I discovered this Advent Calendar this year and I’m SO glad I did.
ELLE have put together a 24 day Advent Calendar packed with makeup and beauty products from brands we all know and love. It’s worth over £530 and it’s on sale for only £120 – that’s a bit of a bargain right there!
The calendar itself is pricier than some of it’s contenders such as Look Fantastic, Glossybox and Feel Unique, but the overall value of the Calendar is much higher. And with Calendars selling like hot cakes at the moment, this won’t be around for much longer and is up there in my top 3 Beauty Advent Calendars for 2020 in my opinion!
The beautiful design is a black and silver theme for this year – similar to last year’s black and gold theme. The ‘Starry Starry Nights’ theme was designed by Bella Freud, whilst the contents of the Calendar were curated by Katy Young, the Elle Beauty Director. Katy said she has included 24 of her favourite things inside the Calendar and as the Beauty Director, I was super excited to see what they are!
Here’s what’s inside the ELLE Beauty Advent Calendar 2020:
1. NAILS INC. – GEL EFFECT NAIL POLISH IN ST JAMES
Kicking off the Christmas period with a bang is Nails Inc. with a Gel Effect Nail Polish in the shade St James. A gorgeous, rich red shade, this is perfect for Christmas and will suit everyone! Nails Inc nail varnishes are amazing quality and they last well on the nails if finished with a top coat.
2. ELEMIS – PRO COLLAGEN MARINE CREAM SPF30
One of my favourite products, the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream is in door number 2. A fabulous day or night cream, it contains Mediterranean algae and is clinically proven to reduce wrinkles and improve the firmness of the skin. It smells pretty incredible too.
3. BENEFIT – GIMME BROW VOLUMISING EYEBROW GEL
One for the brows now – one of the most popular brow products from Benefit too. This contains tiny microfibres to create fuller looking brows but with a natural finish. Use this as the final product on your brows to set them in place whilst adding colour and depth.
4. 111SKIN – ROSE GOLD ILLUMINATING EYE MASK
These soothing eye masks from 111Skin are one of the most expensive eye gels I’ve come across… they contain a glow boosting formula to brighten the under eye area whilst soothing and making the eyes look more awake.
5. OUAI – SUPER DRY SHAMPOO
The OUAI dry shampoo is great for those days you don’t have time (or can’t be bothered ) to wash and dry your hair. This gives life to hair that’s not freshly cleaned, without leaving white residue on the hair.
6. AURELIA SKINCARE – MIRACLE CLEANSER AND MUSLIN CLOTH
A creamy cleanser, this Miracle Cleanser from Aurelia is super gentle on the skin, removing makeup effectively and also cleansing the skin. It contains probiotics which work to balance the skin and make it glowy.
It also contains milk protein – so this is something I can’t use unfortunately.
7. MOLTON BROWN – RE-CHARGE BLACK PEPPER BODY WASH
If you don’t get a Molton Brown bath and shower gel at Christmas, is it even Christmas?! I love finding these shower gels in Advent Calendars and trying out the different scents. This Black Pepper scent is super refreshing and will make morning showers more revitalising!
8. DR DENNIS GROSS – ALPHA BETA UNIVERSAL DAILY PEEL
This two step treatment from Dr Dennis Gross contains AHA’s and BHA’s to even skin tone and texture, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and minimise large pores. Step 1 is a gentle exfoliation whilst step 2 works to restore hydration in the skin and nourish. Overall it helps to improve skin texture and leave it more glowy!
9. AVEDA – DAMAGE REMEDY DAILY HAIR REPAIR
A product suitable for all types but mainly damaged or dry hair. The Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair is a leave in treatment which works to repair weak hair and leave it in much better condition. It’s also 98% natural too!
10. BOBBI BROWN – LONG-WEAR CREAM SHADOW STICK IN GOLDEN PINK
If you like a bit of sparkle and glam at Christmas (don’t we all?) then this next one is for you. The Bobbi Brown Cream Eyeshadow Stick is a super quick and easy way to apply eyeshadow and the golden pink shade is perfect for the party season.
11. ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS – LASH BRAG VOLUMISING MASCARA
Not only is this the Lash Brag Volumising Mascara… it’s full sized too! The packaging is so chic and the wand is just as glam. The thick want separates and fans out lashes to coat fully and provide incredible volume.
12. PHILIP KINGSLEY – ELASTICIZER DEEP CONDITIONING TREATMENT
The iconic Elasticizer from Philip Kingsley is included in this Advent Calendar too. They’re really treating us! This is a treatment to thicken and strengthen hair, but instead of applying after washing, dampen the hair, apply this for 20 minutes and then shampoo and condition as usual.
13. FLORAL STREET – ARIZONA BLOOM EDP
A summery floral scent, Arizona Bloom is in day number 13… I’d say this is definitely more a scent for the summer but it’s gorgeous nonetheless. It contains notes of amber, coconut and Madagascan pepper, helping us dream about next year’s summer trips.
14. SISLEY – VELVET SLEEPING MASK
Another luxury product, the Velvet Sleeping Mask from Sisley is what we need to take care of our skin on the run up to Christmas. Applied before bed, it works it’s magic whilst you sleep, leaving skin soothed and hydrated. It works to strengthen and restore skin, encouraging overnight rejuvenation.
15. BENEFIT – DALLAS ROSY BRONZE BLUSHER
If you’ve ever tried the Benefit Hoola Bronzer and loved it, you’ll definitely love this! The Dallas Bronze Blusher from Benefit is such a gorgeous shade. It’s the same style of packaging as Hoola and it comes with the applicator brush in the compact. It’s a deluxe mini size but very generous so will definitely last a long time!
16. DR SEBAGH – PURE VITAMIN C POWDER CREAM
The most unusual product I’ve seen in an Advent Calendar! The Pure Vitamin C Powder Cream from Dr Sebagh is a set of 5 tubes of vitamin C powder to add to your skincare routine. Either apply directly to the skin and watch as it turns into a cream, or add to serums and moisturisers. Vitamin C is a fab product for adding brightness and increasing firmness to the skin. This is worth £85 too!
17. EYEKO – EYE DO LINER
One of the best felt tip eyeliner pens, I’ve tried – the Eyeko Eye Do Liner is behind door number 17. This is not only waterproof but really easy to apply.
18. DR BARBARA STURM – FACE CREAM
Next is a face cream from the one and only Dr Barbara Sturm! This is a moisturiser which can be used morning and night. All of Dr Barbara Sturm’s products focus on three elements of hydration, protection and regeneration. It’s anti inflammatory and also contains antioxidants!
19. VITA LIBERATA – BODY BLUR INSTANT HD SKIN FINISH
The perfect answer to flawless legs in winter! This Body Blur Instant HD Skin Finish is designed to be applied to the body to cover up imperfections. It’s more like a body makeup than a fake tan.
20. ILLAMASQUA – HYDRA VEIL PRIMER
Definitely a cult classic! The Hydra Veil Primer from Illamasqua is a jelly like consistency and provides the ultimate hydration to the skin, leaving the perfect base for makeup application too.
21. JAMES READ – GRADUAL TAN SLEEP MASK FACE RETINOL
A gradual tan for the face, the James Read Face Mask also contains retinol which is proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The product works its magic overnight, leaving a natural looking tan on the skin, without transferring to the pillow.
22. MARC JACOBS – ENAMORED HI-SHINE LIP LACQUER LIP GLOSS IN PINK PARADE
The most beautiful shimmery lip product for the festive season! It’s said to have had an upgrade and isn’t a sticky lip gloss but just a glossy finish. Either wear alone or on top of lipstick for the perfect shine.
23. SUSANNE KAUFMANN – PILLOW SPRAY CALMING
If you have trouble sleeping, or just like a nicely scented bedroom, a pillow spray is always a good idea. This is from Susanne Kaufmann and the scent leaves your bedroom smelling calm and relaxing. It’s also the perfect size for travel… whenever we may be travelling again!
24. BELLA FREUD – STARRY NIGHTS CANDLE
The final product is the Starry Nights Candle from Bella Freud, who designed the Advent Calendar. This smells incredible! It’s rich with frankincense and cedar wood and is held in the most beautiful matte black jar. You can also reuse the jar as a tea light holder when it’s finished.
You can pick up the ELLE Beauty Advent Calendar here.