The countdown to Christmas has officially begun! Nothing shouts Christmas is coming more than brands dropping their advent calendars. And after a year as terrible as 2020, some festive cheers is needed. The days of waking up and opening the calendar door to a piece of chocolate are no more, and instead people are growing accustomed to opening the door to an item of makeup, jewellery or perfume sample. How times have changed!
While the standard chocolate advent calendars retail at around £1, the price of specialist advent calendars can go into £100s. Who wants a small piece of chocolate when you could wake up to a beauty product? Suddenly chocolate sounds way less appealing!
Dr Barbara Strum, specialist skincare brand, are the latest to announce their advent calendar. At a hefty price tag of £420 (yes, four hundred and twenty pounds), the advent calendar is filled with a range of their products including: their staple cleanser, an enzyme cleaner, a facial scrub and anti ageing cream. The set which was available from 22nd September, has already been snapped up on Net-a-Porter and currently has a waiting list. Who knew there was such a market for pricey advent calendars?

Credit: NET-A-PORTER
Available NOW at https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/dr-barbara-sturm/advent-calendar-2019/1211043
Here at Fashion-North we have rounded up some more affordable dupes of the Dr Barbara Strum calendar:
24 days of smooth skin:
ASOS Face + Body 24 Day Advent

Credit: ASOS
Price: £75
This year’s ASOS advent calendar sees 24 days of beauty galore, consisting of this seasons must have beauty products from brands like Nip & Fab, Clinique, Laura Mercier and a whole lot more. With a more affordable price tag of £75, why not treat yourself or a loved one this Christmas? The set is filled with a whole host of products from a MAC lipstick, Laura Mercier primer, and a Bare Minerals vital powder, to name a few. For shoppers on a budget, the calendar is also available in a 12 day selection at half the price of £35.
Rating: 10/10 for the price of the set, it is a steal and includes everything you may need.
Available NOW and can be purchased at:
https://www.asos.com/prd/20611425?acquisitionsource=pasteboard
Giving is receiving:
Macmillan 24 days of Beauty Advent Calendar
Price: £85
Credit: Boots.com
This year, Boots have teamed up with Macmillan to create their 24 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar. The calendar which retails at £85, less than 4 times the price of the Dr Barbra Strum calendar, will leave your skin feeling and looking amazing, as well as supporting an amazing charity. The set sees products from brands such as Soap & Glory, Sleek, No7 and Liz Earle with a range of moisturisers, skin tonic, eye lotion, face masks and a lipstick. This is the perfect dupe of the Dr Barbara Strum with cheaper versions of the products.
Rating: 10/10 for the variety of products that have been carefully selected, and a very worthy charity is being supported.
Designer December:
NET-A-PORTER Beauty Advent Calendar 2020

Credit: NET-A-PORTER
Price: £240
Another calendar on offer at NET-A-PORTER is the official NET-A-PORTER calendar which retails at £240, however is worth a staggering £1120. It really doesn’t get much better than that, over a thousand pound of beauty products for £240? Yes please. The set sees a luxury haul from notable brands such as Charlotte Tilbury, 111SKIN, and Dr Barbara Strum. Filled with mini size, and full size products, this calendar will set you up for the festive period with everything you may possibly need and more.
Rating: We rate this calendar a 7/10, with the amazing products available at a fraction of their true value, this is a must. However, this is not for festive- goers on a budget!
Available NOW at https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/net-a-porter/25-days-of-beauty-advent-calendar/1306416
Pink, pink, pink!
Pretty Little Thing Advent Calendar
Price: £40

Credit: Pretty Little Thing
Pretty Little Thing have put together an incredible advent calendar this year. Retailing at just £40, the set sees the likes of this seasons must have brands; Morphe, Tatti lashes, Beauty Works and Vita Liberata. Packaged in a staple pink box, it is amazing value for money- worth £160. Why not spoil yourself or a loved one for the fraction of the price? It’s filled with everything you may need this Christmas, from hydrating masks, skincare products and hair products.
Rating: We rate this a 10/10, for the amazing price this set is a must have if you want to look and feel amazing this Christmas. Plus it’s pink, what’s not to love about it?
Available NOW at https://www.prettylittlething.com/prettylittlething-beauty-advent-calendar-2020-worth-160.html
Will you be buying a beauty advent calendar this year or opting for the classic option of chocolates? Tweet us at @fashion-north and let us know!