I unboxed the budget Anthropologie advent calendar so you don't have to – here are my thoughts

Too much of modern life is left to chance, so let me break down the Anthropologie advent calendar for you before you spend your hard-earned cash on its mysterious contents.

If you hadn’t heard, beauty advent calendars have all but taken over the build-up to the festive season. Forget sub-standard supermarket offerings and bulk-made chocolate – the advent calendar game is in its artisanal, bespoke, wellness-centric era. Thank goodness.

As for what makes me a worthwhile tester, I’ve been working, writing and reviewing all the biggest products in the shopping realm since the start of my career almost ten years ago. I’ve been here before and, no doubt, in 2027, I’ll be here again.

Anthropologie advent calendar need-to-know

• Worth: Approximately £400
• Number of products: 25 products (17 full-size)
• Advent calendar highlights: Personally, I was most excited by Neal's Yard Rose Balm (15g), Hair Syrup Superfoods Hair Oil (50ml), and Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Adaptogens & Coconut (59ml)

One of the most affordable, bang-for-your-buck options on the market, the Anthropologie advent calendar is among my favourites to test year after year. With its line-up officially unveiled, and stock now available for order, all that’s left to do is for someone like me to tell you if it’s worth your time or not.

Here’s my full review of – and all the dirty details that you ought to know about – the Anthropologie advent calendar before it inevitably sells out.

How I tested

Anthropologie’s advent calendar for 2026

The Standard

Systematically opening up every single door and before even October (yes, it felt very wrong), I have picked apart the line-up early, all so you don’t have to. Taking into account variation between this calendar and its competitors at the likes of Lookfantastic, Boots, Selfridges, Liberty et al., as well as its 2025 model, you can be sure that I’ve put this calendar through its paces.

Anthropologie beauty advent calendar 2026

Anthropologie advent calendar 2026

The Standard

★★★★★

What we love: There’s a good spread of products across haircare, skincare and beauty, featuring premium brands like L'Occitane, Malin + Goetz, and Grown Alchemist. The presentation is lovely, the box is aesthetic, and the price is very reasonable

Take note: Not all of the products will suit every complexion/hair type (e.g. the Freck Cheekslime isn’t a good colour on me), and while 17 products are advertised as ‘full-sized ’, they still feel relatively small/travel-friendly. There’s not much make-up included, compared to the skincare and fragrance offerings.

Starting off, the beauty (pun intended) of this advent calendar in particular is its wide-ranging appeal – I could as easily gift it to a peer as I could to my 90-year-old Nana, and for less than £100. With twenty-four doors housing twenty-five products, there’s more than a few products in each category of skincare, fragrance, wellness, beauty and haircare.

Anthropologie advent calendar 2026 products

Anthropologie

Kicking off with fragrance, there are more scents and perfumes in this calendar than I’d typically try out, but I have to say after one spritz of the PHLUR Father Figure Eau de Parfum (5ml), I might be a convert to the scent – and a calendar helping me pick a whole-new signature is not to be sniffed at.

If that’s not to your taste, though, fear not, there’s also the Malin + Goetz Strawberry Perfume Oil (7ml), Plum & Ashby Mini Candle, This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray (10ml) and Floral Street Wild Vanilla Orchid (10ml) to light up your senses.

As in previous years, the wellness and skincare offering truly takes centre stage in this calendar, with a deliciously-scented Verden Hand & Body Wash, Hampton Sun SPF Lip Balm, Beauty Works Pearl Nourishing Mask (my favourite for mid-cycle break-outs) and Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Adaptogens & Coconut all included for 2026, among others.

Haircare is by no means overlooked, though, with a bigger selection this year than in the previous. In particular, I may or may not have cancelled my plans tonight just so I can give the Beauty Works Pearl Nourishing Mask and Hair Syrup Superfoods Hair Oil combo a go.

Is the Anthropologie beauty advent calendar worth it?

The Anthropologie advent calendar is packed with big-name brands and hero products for 2026, here to both elevate your skin and haircare game and to ease some New Year recovery in 2027.

As stated above, the hair, skincare and fragrance are where this calendar really excels – but, that said, make-up fanatics may find that other calendars scratch their itch for cosmetics a little more than this one.

Overall, there’s no doubting that the Anthropologie calendar is an irrefutable crowd-pleaser. Hugely affordable and excellent value for money, fun to unpack, and stocked with goodies, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better option for wellness lovers.