The Advent Calendar season continues with the Avant Odyssey Advent Calendar, and it's a big change from previous years. Having unboxed the Avant Advent Calendar for around four years now, it was a nice suprise to see this years feature 25 days rather than the usual 12 - plus an incredible new design.
Previous years have seen the plain minimalistic 12-day design holding 12 days of Avant goodies, but this year's Odyssey Advent Calendar is a completely new design, and the timing was pretty spot on with the release of Odyssey in cinemas!
With twice as many days to open, you might be thinking that the price might also have doubled... but surprisingly, Avant have only priced this year's calendar at £10 more than last year's, bringing it in at £109 with a value of £1,029 - what a bargain. Inside we can find 25 products including 15 full sizes (3 more than last year!) alongside a selection of minis, all made up of award winning best sellers and clinically proven formulas.
And of course we can't dive into the products without first mentioning the gorgeous new ocean design... The doors meet in the middle with a magnetic closure and once opened, the calendar reveals the deep blue ocean theme, adorned with gold detailing, featuring a scene of the ocean floor with mermaids, a turtle, seahorses and a sand castle among other creatures. This is personally one of my favourite Advent Calendar designs I've seen, although the one downside is the perforated doors which means it's unfortunately not reusable.
Day 1 - Hyaluronic Acid Age Fixed Toning Night Concentrate Mist 30ml
Worth £82
The Advent Calendar starts with a product I've never seen before, and it's a full size too! The Hyaluronic Acid Age Fix Toning Night Concentrate Mist comes in a glass bottle, so it feels quite weighty, and I'm always happy to see a mist. It's designed to tone and soften the skin, hydrate intensively and reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles and sagging.
It's a night-time concentrate, which I'm a little curious about, but as always, I'm looking forward to trying it out. The value of this product is £82 so even on day 1, we're being shown just how much of a bargain we're getting with this calendar!
Day 2 - Depuffing Niacinamide Eye Renewal Pads - 1 pair
Worth £12
In Day 2 we find a pair of the Depuffing Niacinamide Eye Renewal Pads. These hydrogel masks are formulated with niacinamide, squalane, vitamin C and ginger root, and are designed to reduce puffiness, smooth fine lines and revive tired-looking eyes - perfect for the party season! This single pair costs £12, and if you really love them, you can pick them up in a five-pack.
Day 3 - Blue Volcanic Stone Purifying and Antioxidizing Cleansing Gel 10ml
Worth ~£7.70
A mini of a familiar favourite, this cleansing gel is an award winning cleanser and I find it works best as a second cleanse following a balm/oil cleanse. The gentle, non-drying formula is designed to remove excess oil, dirt and makeup, and its salicylic acid and vitamin E help prevent breakouts and soothe irritation. Those with oilier skin may find it particularly worthwhile, but it's still definitely useable for all skin types!
At 10ml, this is roughly £7.70 of the £77 full-size 100ml, and a decent size for a weekend away.
Day 4 - Avant Reusable Makeup Remover Cloth
Wrapped in sustainable paper packaging, behind day number 4 is the Avant Reusable Makeup Remover Cloth. It's a soft, padded cloth designed to remove makeup using just water - although I use these type of products as an addition to my cleanser. The reusable/sustainable design is a thoughtful addition, although pairing it with a cleanser in a double door would have made a fab combination.
Day 5 - Pro Elongating Biotin Lash and Brow Fortifier Serum 3ml
Worth £74
Lash serums are rarely inexpensive, and this full-size biotin formula is no exception at £74! The Lash and Brow Fortifier Serum earned five-star reviews and is designed for those with short, thin or fragile lashes, promising to boost growth, fullness and length without the need for false extensions. The lightweight formula is quick and easy to use on both the brows and lashes.
Having over-plucked my brows years ago, I will be putting this to work on my eyebrows rather than my lashes!
Day 6 - Pro Salicylic Blue Minerals Clarifying Blemish and Imperfections Exfoliator 30ml
Worth £37
The next jar holds the Pro Salicylic Blue Minerals Clarifying Blemish & Imperfections Exfoliator - a nice surprise as I'd expected it to be a moisturiser when first seeing a jar! The gentle formula is designed to target blemishes, purify the skin and refine texture without drying it out.
Whilst blemishes and oily skin are not my skin concerns, and with it being a physical exfoliator which I don't usually use, it's not an obvious fit for me, but it's nice to see a more diverse mix of products than anti-ageing alone.
Day 7 - Pro-Intense Hyaluronic Acid Illuminating Day Cream 10ml
Worth ~£20
Few Avant products have earned as much use in my routine as this day cream, which is partly why I fell in love with the brand in the first place. This 10ml mini is taken from the Age Radiance range and is worth around £20, with the full size 50ml costing £97!
Hydrating and nourishing, it works beautifully under makeup. It is also a Vegan Beauty Awards winner and clinically proven to smooth the appearance of fine lines, with 97% of users agreeing their skin looks and feels smoother after use. This handy little 10ml is again fab for a weekend away.
Day 8 - Hair Nutri Replenish Reconstructing Keratin Complex Ultra Shine Hair Cream 25ml
Worth £16
The gorgeous coconut scent of this hair cream is noticeable even through the sealed tube! An award-winning formula from the Hair Nutri Replenish range, the hair cream is designed to leave hair smooth and radiant while thickening it, moisturising and reducing scalp irritation.
To get the best out of this hair cream, you just need a walnut-sized amount applied through the lengths after shampooing and conditioning before, styling. It works similarly to a leave in conditioner, so an easy addition to a haircare routine!
Day 9 - Ocean Cedar Scented Candle
Tucked away in door 9 is the first ever Avant Candle! Presented in a black glass jar with a cork lid that keeps dust off between uses, this full-size Ocean Cedar candle looks undeniably luxurious.
The scent is fresh and reminds me of a unisex fragrance. Given the name 'Ocean Cedar' it's likely that this is a limited edition Advent Calendar exclusive.
Day 10 - Velvet Perfecting Rose Sugar Lip Scrub 10ml
Worth £57
A familiar product, the Velvet Perfecting Rose Sugar Lip Scrub is next up in day 10. The scrub gently exfoliates dry lips, leaving them soft, smooth and refined, which makes it an ideal first step before applying any lip product. The scent and texture are both lovely, and as only a small amount is needed, it should last longer than you'd expect.
Day 11 - RNA Radical Anti-Aging and Retexturizing Face and Eye Cream 10ml
Worth ~£18
Another product I've used before, this RNA Anti-Ageing cream is designed for both the face and eye area, removing the need for two separate creams. It brightens the complexion and locks in moisture, with glycolic acid, trehalose and jojoba oil working to reveal fresher skin and improve the appearance of discolouration and pores.
The "retexturizing" in the name suggests it gently chemical exfoliates too which will also help in keeping the skin super soft!
Day 12 - Hyaluronic Acid Replenishing Lip Serum
Worth £89
A nice follow on from the scrub in the previous day, next we find a full size Replenishing Lip Serum! I've used this serum before and loved how soft it made my lips. The formula includes hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump the lips whilst lactic acid helps to lighten pigmentation.
Lightweight and easy to wear, it works well at the start of a makeup routine, giving it time to absorb before applying lip products later on. For a morning skincare routine, a serum feels the right weight when an oil, gloss or balm would be a bit too much.
Day 13 - Two-in-One Seaweed Antioxidising and Rejuvenating Sheet Mask
Worth £19
A seaweed sheet mask feels perfectly suited to the under the sea themed calendar! This 2 in 1 Seaweed Antioxidising & Rejuvenating Sheet Mask is new to me (the rose mask is the only Avant mask I have tried), and it contains a generous amount of serum. Amongst the ingredients are sea water to support hydration, hyaluronic acid to plump the skin and soften the look of fine lines, and seaweed extract, rich in antioxidants and nutrients to help renew and firm.
It retails at £19 on its own and as it's perfectly in keeping with the theme of the calendar!
Day 14 - In-Depth Recovery Collagen Hydro Surge Overnight Mask 50ml
Worth £79
Although it comes in a travel-style tube, this 50ml Hydra-Surge Overnight Mask is a full-size product and retails at a whopping £79.
Designed to provide round-the-clock hydration, the Overnight Mask works like a thick night cream. A thin layer is applied to clean, dry skin and left to absorb, with no need to wash off, so you simply cleanse as normal in the morning. It suits a low-effort routine perfectly, and another product perfect for these colder winter months.
Day 15 - Brightening and Depuffing Hyaluronic Overnight Eye Recovery Mask 15ml
Worth £74
The Brightening & Depuffing Hyaluronic Overnight Eye Recovery Mask is already one of my faves so it's nice to see this included in the calendar! It's formulated to brighten, firm, reduce wrinkles and minimise puffiness.
The texture is like a thick eye cream, lovely to apply, quick to absorb and not noticeable the following morning.
Day 16 - Sumptuous Glycolic Acid Hand Balm 50ml
Worth £84
Next up is the Sumptuous Glycolic Acid Hand Balm in the full size 50ml. Priced at £84, it contains shea butter and is designed to restructure and regenerate the skin whilst reducing the appearance of wrinkles, hydrating intensively and strengthening the skin's natural barrier.
I do like to receive a hand cream in an Advent Calendar and as my hands tend to get dry, I use hand cream daily, so this is a very welcome addition.
Day 17 - Pro Perfecting Collagen Primer Touche Éclat 10ml
Worth £28
The Pro-Perfecting Collagen Primer Touche Éclat is a new discovery for me. Described as a silky, lightweight primer, it's designed to perfect the look of skin and create an ideal canvas for makeup. The primer aims to balance pH, retain moisture, reduce fine lines and mattify the skin, while isododecane coats the skin to prevent patchiness and water evaporation.
Day 18 - 3-in-1 Hyaluronic Filler Collagen Eye Formula 10ml
Worth £99
One of my personal faves, this full-size eye formula comes from the Age Restore range, and its signature ingredients help to even out the signs of aging while maintaining a mattified complexion. At £99 it more than covers the cost of the calendar on its own, even at the pre-order price of around £98.
Day 19 - Pro-Active Mandelic Acid Restoring and Anti-Pollution Toner 30ml
Worth ~£10/£11
A repeat from last year's Avant Advent Calendar, the Proactive Mandelic Acid Restoring & Anti-Pollution Toner works to tone the skin, and gently exfoliate, keeping skin soft and smooth. This toner is one of the more fragrant products from Avant, but it's not too overpowering, although the cap is a little fiddly when I'm in a rush!
Day 20 - Advanced Bio Regenerating Overnight Treatment 5ml
Worth ~£8.40
Probably the smallest product in the Advent Calendar, the Advanced Bio Regenerating Overnight Treatment is up next in day 20. An invigorating overnight formula, it aims to restore the skin's natural balance, hydrating, lessening wrinkles, firming and smoothing while keeping a mattified finish.
The full 50ml costs £84, which puts this mini at roughly £8.40.
Day 21 - Advanced Bio Restorative Superfood Facial Oil 10ml
Worth £29
Hidden among the seaweed on the ocean floor, day 21 reveals a 10ml mini of Avant's Superfood Facial Oil. A replenishing blend of oils with papaya extract, it works to visibly restore the skin, hydrate intensively, mattify and diminish the appearance of lines, while vitamin E protects against weather, pollution and UV damage.
Day 22 - Avant Headband
Possibly the least exciting item in the calendar for many people, but a very useful towelling Spa Headband sits behind day 22. This is an essential for when I'm washing my fave, to keep my hair out of the way. The plain black design perfectly suits Avant's minimalist aesthetic.
Day 23 - Ultimate Hyaluronic Acid Resurfacing Duo Moisturizer 10ml
Worth ~£20
The Ultimate Hyaluronic Acid Resurfacing DUO Moisturiser is the other moisturiser from Avant which I have used most often and it's definitely a fave. From the Age Defy range, it's one of Avant's best-sellers. It's super hydrating and sits well under makeup, whilst the age-defying formula combines signature ingredients to illuminate dull skin and lessen the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
The full 50ml costs £99, which puts this mini at around £20.
Day 24 - RNA Radical Firmness Anti-Aging Serum 30ml
Worth £119
The penultimate day - Christmas Eve - brings us another full sized treat and this time it's the RNA Radical Firmness Anti-Ageing Serum worth a huge £119 - more than the cost of the entire Advent Calendar. A Women & Home Beauty Awards winner, it's clinically proven to radically smooth wrinkles, firm skin and treat hyperpigmentation in 28 days, with 96% of users seeing a visible improvement in overall skin condition - clearly worth the £119!
Day 25 - Sublime Peony and White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Serum
Worth £129
Finally, to round up the Advent Calendar in style is a full sized Sublime Peony and White Caviar Illuminating Pearl Serum. If that doesn't scream luxury, I don't know what does. The consistency of the serum almost looks like snow, with pearls suspended in the formula - so pretty!
The Pearl Serum is infused with rare white caviar pearls and peony, and is formulated to restore luminosity, even the skin tone and visibly reduce dark spots, redness and dullness, while firming, brightening and nourishing. At £129, it tops both Day 24 and the price of the calendar! It can be used morning and night after cleansing, and applying it while the skin is slightly damp helps to increase hydration. What a stunning end to the Calendar.
Final Thoughts
This year's Advent Calendar is a well-rounded, thoughtfully planned selection. It covers every step of a skincare routine, from cleansers and a toner to serums, moisturisers, eye products and masks, and adds lip care, hair care, a hand balm, a primer, two accessories and a candle. It's a nice mix of popular award winning products and also new discoveries to allow you to explore more of what Avant offers.
The cost to value is an absolute no brainer - for just £10 more than last year, they've included 3 more full sizes (15 instead of 12), plus accessories, minis and travel sizes too. Not to mention the value of day 24 and 25 individually being higher than the cost of the calendar!
Being a luxury skincare brand, the price tags on a lot of these items are often much higher than others on the market - this makes the Advent the perfect way to stock up on your faves or simply try a wider selection of products without shelling out for the full priced products.
I think the new design is personally my fave upgrade this year and of all the Advent Calendars I've unboxed, the ocean theme is the most beautiful. The only drawback is that the perforated doors can't be closed once they've been ripped open, so it's not a calendar that can be reused, like the previous years' designs.
Overall, Avant have delivered a fab selection of products in a magical design that will be sure to impress everyone who opens it this Christmas.
🎥 Watch the full unboxing on Youtube:
ad - This post is kindly sponsored by Avant.