Boots’ beauty advent calendar is one of the cheapest – but its contents impressed me

Boots’ flagship advent calendar for 2025, featuring the beauty stars line-up, has a total value of £612, but £150 is earmarked for you.

There’s a lot to be excited about – but first let’s talk packaging. This year the calendar has been designed on circus theme. Lifting the lid to reveal the slogan “Enjoy the Show”, each box is decorated with stripes, stars, swirls, checks and diamonds. The color palette of red, purple, pink, purple and gold is gaudy yet vibrant – the perfect festive combination. However, the sturdy box isn’t so festive that it’ll keep you from using it year-round for storage (especially if you like maximum decor).

When it comes to products, there will be 24 gifts given to you on Christmas Eve. The line-up is based around skin care with 12 face and body formulas, nine makeup products, one fragrance and two hair treatments. A total of 16 products are full sizes, including products from big brands like Drunk Elephant, Nars, Caudal, and Estée Lauder.

For skin care, Drunk Elephant’s Protini Polypeptide Cream (£21, boots.com) is an attraction. The light gel-based cream is perfect for oily or combination skin types, working to strengthen and nourish. Soothing for party-season skin, Shiseido’s Vital Perfection Eye Mask is also available as you enter 2026 (includes single pack, £57.60 for 12, boots.com) and Lancôme’s Génifique Ultimate Serum (contains 7ml, £66.50 for 50ml, boots.com,

There’s also a roster of excellent lip products to follow – think Laneige’s Strawberry Pink Lip Gloss Balm (£17.50, boots.com) and Too Faced’s Kissing Jelly Lip Oil Gloss in Shimmering Pina Colada Shade (£21, boots.com), as well as Fenty’s Hydrating Liquid Lipstick in Dusty Pink (£17.50, boots.com), MAC’s Lip Pencil in a similar everyday shade (£20, boots.com) and a mini MAC Lipstick in the Warm Berry Red Velvet Teddy shade (£25, boots.com,

Elsewhere in makeup, Countdown to Milk’s Multi-Use Dewy Cream Highlighter (£19.80, boots.com), Laura Mercier’s cult-favorite translucent powder (£30.80, boots.com) and Benefits Hoola Bronzer (£24.75, boots.com), a personal favorite for subtle outlines.

There really is something for everyone in the Electric line-up. Teens Will Steal the Sol de Janeiro Viral Chairosa 76 Body Mist (£18, boots.com), Grandparents Need Estee Lauder’s Anti-Aging Advanced Night Cleanser (£31.45, boots.com) and mom will be delighted with Caudalie’s best-selling Vinohydra Moisturizing Mask (£24, boots.com) or Aveda’s Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave-In Hair Treatment (£35.50, boots.com,