In the lead-up to the festive season, I’ve taken on the very serious task of opening dozens of premium Advent calendars to decide which ones are really worth your money. And out of them all, the L’Occitane luxury Advent calendar is one that really stood out to me. Now, I might be a bit biased because I’ve been a fan of L’Occitane’s skincare for a while (their almond oil and Immortelle anti-ageing range are two of the most luxurious items in my skincare rotation), but the selection, value for money, overall aesthetic, and extra-special full-size treat on Day 24 really sealed this as one of my must-buy Advent calendars this year for any beauty or skincare enthusiast.
Now is a great time to buy it, as L’Occitane has quietly dropped the price. When I first reviewed the calendar, it was retailing for £149, but right now you can get it for £120. The price drop has come at the same time as the brand’s site-wide 20% off Black Friday sale (so it’s a great moment to have a look around the site and grab a bargain on some skin and self-care favourites). However, if you want the calendar, you might have to be speedy. The L’Occitane website warns that these cheaper calendars are the “final few” remaining – so if you don’t shop soon, they might just sell out.
Plus, when you spend over £90 on the website, you’ll get a surprise free gift included in your order with the code SURPRISE.
So what makes this calendar so special? Well, first let’s talk numbers. According to L’Occitane, the total value of the products inside is £276.50. Considering the new price of £120, that’s a 56% saving compared to purchasing them individually.
Looks-wise, it’s a whimsical, festive update on last year’s travel-themed vintage vanity case design. For 2025, I’d say it has a more traditional Christmas aesthetic than last year’s calendar (which was travel-themed and shaped like a vintage suitcase), inspired by the architecture of Provençal houses with added festive decorations, all in white and gold hues.
Much like competitors, it has a range of full-size (four, to be exact) and travel-sized items inside.
This one is definitely made for luxury skincare lovers, though I really like that the selection inside is varied. Yes, there are facial products, moisturisers, bath and shower goodies, and skin oils, but there’s also haircare and even a travel-sized perfume. If you’re already a L’Occitane fan and want to explore more of their range, it’s a brilliant way to test out new products before committing to the full-size versions. And, if by chance there’s something inside that you don’t like, you could always use them as stocking fillers for friends and family.
For me, the highlight is on Day 24. Pop open the door, and inside you’ll find a full-size 30ml Overnight Reset Serum from the anti-ageing Immortelle range saved for Day 24. It’s worth £62 on its own, so that final reveal definitely feels like a special treat, and it’s pretty good considering the overall cost of the calendar.
It promises to soften fine lines after seven nights and claims your skin will look more “youthful and renewed” after 28 days. I’ve been using it for a few months now, and I can certainly say that my skin has looked brighter, softer, and just more refreshed in the mornings. Out of everything in the calendar, this is the one product I’d absolutely go out and buy again.
There’s also a mini Immortelle Divine Cream and Precious Cleansing Oil included; however, I do wish these two had been slightly bigger. The cream is arguably even smaller than travel-sized and verges on being sample-sized.
I was also happy to see the classic almond shower oil in a travel-size. Though small, I find a little bit of this product goes a long way and so it does last a while. Plus, it adds an extra-special luxury touch to shower time.
I suppose the downside for me is that, compared to the likes of LookFantastic, which has 17 full-size items, this calendar only contains four full-sized products.
But it’s not just about what’s inside with this calendar; it’s truly unique on the outside, too. The design is 3D, shaped like a traditional French house. Numbered doors are tucked away all around for you to hunt through, and there’s even a secret window that pops out of the roof to reveal the most luxurious treat on Day 24. It would make a wonderful gift for any L’Occitane lover. But, while it will look gorgeous on a shelf or sideboard over the festive season, it’s a shame that it can’t be reused.
Considering the value for money, selection of products and, of course, that new discounted price, this is definitely a calendar that’s worth snapping up before it sells out.
