M&S is definitely making waves this year. As someone who has been a loyal customer for decades—mostly drawn in by their food halls—it’s impossible to ignore the brand’s cultural resurgence. From stunning new store refurbishments to a notable presence at Fashion Week, M&S is everywhere. You may have even come across the meme featuring Kathryn Turner, Director of Product Development for Marks & Spencer Food, which has become a trending soundbite on social media (if you know, you know).
But M&S isn’t just revitalizing its image through food; it’s making significant strides in the beauty sector as well. Starting in Spring 2027, M&S will join forces with Sephora to significantly amplify its beauty brand offerings. This partnership aims to transform M&S into a go-to destination for lunchtime beauty shopping, complementing its renowned food offerings (and I must not forget to recommend their egg mayo and prawn cocktail brioche roll duo!).
Now, let’s dive into the alluring world of the M&S beauty advent calendar. This gifting trend has been thriving for over a decade, and M&S has adeptly evolved its offerings over the years. The price has indeed seen an increase—from the early days of £35 (which included a £250 worth of products) to the current £75 calendar, boasting 25 products worth over an impressive £450. Talk about value!
The advent calendar concept itself is pure genius. While it’s hard to pinpoint the original creator, brands like Liberty and Jo Malone certainly took the idea and ran with it, effectively monetizing what was once a novelty. The sheer allure of trying a new product each day builds anticipation, creating that delightful dopamine rush with every drawer opened. The limited-edition nature of these calendars generates urgency in purchasing, spurred on by social media influencers showcasing their unboxing experiences—an idea popularized by Apple’s iconic product launches.
Beyond the novelty, beauty advent calendars serve a practical purpose as we head into the festive season. For many grappling with tightened budgets, an M&S beauty advent calendar presents itself as an affordable gifting option or self-indulgence. Additionally, it offers a splendid way to sample new products without the commitment, making it especially ideal for travel-sized goodies. Savvy recipients can even repurpose unwanted items as stocking fillers or Secret Santa gifts—all while treating themselves!
So, what surprises await in this year’s M&S beauty advent calendar? The calendar itself radiates elegance, featuring a top-loading design with four robust side drawers, each filled with individually wrapped treasures that prolong the joy of unboxing. Spoiler alert: it includes ten full-size products, such as Benefit‘s Bad Gal Bounce Mascara and The Organic Pharmacy‘s Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Among the enticing small-size treats, I’m particularly excited about Clinique‘s All About Eyes Rich Eye Cream, Pai‘s Rosehip Cleansing Oil, This Works‘ Deep Sleep Body Whip, and Cowshed‘s Bath and Shower Gel. And I can’t stress enough how fantastic the M&S fragrances are—two pocket-sized EDP purse sprays, Pink Pepper and Midnight Blossom, are included, representing excellent overall value.
Another perk is that the advent calendar comes with free delivery, as it exceeds £75. However, be aware that click & collect isn’t available for this purchase, so if you’re not going to be home and have concerns about package security, be sure to arrange a safe delivery location.
Ready to indulge? You can order the Marks & Spencer beauty advent calendar here*.
AD: This calendar was sent to me by Marks & Spencer.
WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced and used for review or educational purposes. Some posts use affiliate links* and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here.
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