Charlotte Tilbury Advent calendar review: I got hands-on with one of this year’s most hotly-anticipated beauty Advents
Gone are the days of plain chocolate advent calendars, with huge beauty brands launching advents packed full of best-selling goodies that have us itching to get through the first 25 days of December.
When Charlotte Tilbury announced the launch of its 2024 advent, my hand was up in an instant to test out the calendar and see if it lives up to the rave reviews.
Charlotte Tilbury 2024 Beauty Advent Calendar, £170 (worth £243)
With so many different options on the market it can be hard to know which one to go for, which is why big beauty brands like Charlotte Tilbury dominate the space due to its reputable name.
When you’re forking out £100+ on an advent calendar you want to know that you’re getting your money’s worth. I opened my calendar three months ahead of schedule to answer that question for you.
Pros
- Beautifully boxed with sturdy, high-quality packaging
- The box can be reused for makeup storage
- Has a good variety of products across skincare and makeup
Cons
- Mainly mini-sized products
- Missing some key hero products (Flawless Filter)
- Only 12 days as opposed to 25
Rating: 4/5
Charlotte Tilbury 2024 Beauty Advent Calendar, £170 (worth £243)
Charlotte Tilbury Advent Calendar review: how we tested
With so many advent calendars on the market, we want to ensure that you have all of the information you need before spending your hard-earned pennies.
As a makeup and skincare fanatic, my previous years of experience as a beauty product copywriter are coming in handy as I comb through some of the top advent calendars on the market.
Below are my impartial, honest thoughts and feelings about Charlotte Tilbury’s 2024 advent calendar and whether it’s worth the money.
Charlotte Tilbury Advent Calendar review: quick summary
Of all the advent calendars I’ve had, this is by far the most luxurious. Right from the moment I unboxed it, I was blown away by the quality of the packaging as it made from really sturdy materials meaning you can absolutely keep it and reuse it for storage.
As a Charlotte Tilbury customer, I had high hopes for what would be in the advent calendar and it delivered on a lot of the expectations – although there were a few products I definitely felt the absence of. Namely: Flawless Filter.
I was a little disappointed to see that most of the products are in mini size, which is not totally unexpected but it would have been nice if some of the lip products were the full size versions.
£170 is a lot to spend on an advent calendar, and I would say it is good value for money in terms of the products you get – especially for Charlotte Tilbury fans. If you’re keen to try out a range of the brand’s products then this is also a great option.
Charlotte Tilbury Advent Calendar review: full review
First impressions
I was first struck with how weighty the advent calendar is. For a small box, it was surprisingly heavy which really built up the anticipation of what could be contained within.
When I took the heart-shaped advent calendar out of the box I was taken aback by the quality and how beautiful it was. The shimmering deep red body is covered in delicate red and gold stars, with 12 drawers adorned with metal and clear heart and star shaped handles.
Each draw pulls out seamlessly and the product sits perfectly within, meaning the entire chest is secure.
The top also has a lid which makes it perfect for reusing as a makeup storage solution after December 25th.
What’s inside the Charlotte Tilbury advent calendar?
Unlike many on the market, Charlotte Tilbury’s advent calendar is only 12 days as opposed to 25 which does ensure that the products are high quality, however maybe not one for someone who wants a treat every day in the run up to Christmas.
Each of the 12 drawers contains a cult product that is known and loved by many of us. Only three of the products are full sized which I don’t really mind as travel-sizes are perfect for on-the-go, however when there’s only 12 treats in there I was hoping that around half would be full size.
Sizing aside, the advent calendar strikes the perfect balance of skincare vs makeup. Many on the market often go too heavy on one and forget about the other, while Charlotte Tilbury’s Love Chest provides a full selection.
From a 15ml pot of the viral Magic Cream to a full sized Beauty Light Wand, I was impressed with what hid beneath each drawer.
As I’ve mentioned, I am an existing Charlotte Tilbury shopper so I was excited to see that some of my favourites featured.
I absolutely love the Lip Cheat liner and Matte Revolution lipstick (both in Pillow Talk – obviously), so was thrilled to see both in the chest.
I’ve also been desperate to try the Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray so was very excited when that revealed itself.
Other products that are in the advent calendar are Hyaluronic Happikiss lipstick (full size), Magic Lip Oil Crystal Elixir (full size), Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes mascara (4ml), Pillow Talk Eyeliner (travel-size), Hollywood Beauty Icon lipstick (travel-size), Glow Toner (30ml), and Magic Serum Crystal Elixir (8ml).
Sadly, there was a fan favourite missing: Flawless Filter. I was convinced that the little bottle of goodness would feature but it was nowhere to be seen – which does make sense as everyone is a different shade so it would be difficult to accommodate the different requirements.
Despite there only being 12 drawers, I do feel like the array of products combined with the undeniable quality of each and every formula makes this advent calendar a must-have for beauty lovers.
How much is the Charlotte Tilbury advent calendar?
The Charlotte Tilbury advent calendar does come in at a pricey £170, however the total value of the contents totals up to a heft £243 so you’ll be bagging yourself a £73 saving.
I do think that it is worth the investment – particularly for those that already love and use the brand, and also for those that are looking to try out some of Charlotte Tilbury’s cult products.
I think if you’re more of a beauty generalist and are looking to test a broader range of products, then maybe this one isn’t for you – however I would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking to treat themselves.
I’d also suggest this as the perfect gift for anyone in your life that loves skincare and makeup.
The impeccable quality and finish of the chest is undeniable and would make a great gift to someone special in your life. Not only will they be able to enjoy all of the products, they can keep the chest to store their goodies afterwards.
I’d say for the packaging alone, the price is definitely justifiable as there are others on the market that have skimped in this area and it does affect the overall experience.
Where to buy the Charlotte Tilbury advent calendar
You can get your hands on the Charlotte Tilbury advent calendar on their site now – it went on sale today (September 17th) so you’ll have to be quick to ensure you’re not disappointed.
The advent is exclusive to the site and app, so make sure you don’t miss out and shop it here.
The verdict: is the Charlotte Tilbury advent calendar worth it?
There is no denying that £170 is a lot of money to spend on an advent calendar, however I would definitely say that Charlotte Tilbury’s iteration is definitely worth the price.
I think that if you’re in the market for a beauty advent calendar, this one should definitely be high on your hit list and think it is perfect for gifting – whether that’s to yourself or someone else!
The Charlotte Tilbury advent calendar notoriously sells out every year so don’t delay in getting your hands on it and take my word that you will not be disappointed come December.