MAC have brought back their Advent calendar for 2023, and it’s safe to say they’ve gone all out. This year’s design is called Frosted Frenzy and retails for £170, with a huge £485 value inside. Out of the 24 days, 21 are full-sized products – which is incredible considering last year’s had fewer full sizes and a lower value.
The packaging looks sleek and shiny with snowflake detailing, and when you open it, there’s a 3D snowflake in the centre surrounded by all the doors. Each product is wrapped in tissue paper, making every day feel like a little present. Let’s dive into the unboxing and see exactly what’s inside.
Day 1 – MACStack Mascara – Worth £28
We’re off to a strong start with a full-size MACStack Mascara in black. This mascara is designed for buildable volume without clumping, flaking, or smudging – you can keep layering until you get the lash look you want.
The brush separates the lashes nicely, and the formula feels light so your lashes stay soft rather than crispy. It’s one of MAC’s newer mascaras and has become a favourite for many because of how versatile it is. A full size on day one sets the tone for the rest of the calendar.
Day 2 – Lipglass in ‘Oh Baby’ – Worth £22
A full-size Lipglass already? Yes, please. The shade Oh Baby is a warm golden bronze flecked with glitter – absolutely perfect for the festive season. It’s got enough pigment to wear on its own but also looks stunning layered over lipstick for extra sparkle.
The Lipglass formula is known for its high-shine finish and comfortable wear. While it is on the glossier side, it’s not overly sticky, and the shimmer catches the light beautifully. It’s definitely a party-season staple.
Day 3 – Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour in ‘Devoted to Chili’ – Worth £22
Today brings a bold hit of colour with Devoted to Chili, a warm brick red in MAC’s Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour formula. This has a soft matte finish that feels almost mousse-like on the lips, giving that blurred, diffused look without being drying.
It’s a shade that works year-round – bold enough for festive makeup but equally wearable for autumn or even a statement summer lip. For extra shine, you could always top it with a gloss like Oh Baby for a more dimensional look.
Day 4 – Prep + Prime Lip – Worth £22
If you’ve ever struggled with lipstick feathering or dryness, this will be your new best friend. Prep + Prime Lip is a colour-free lip primer that smooths the lips, adds light moisture, and helps lipstick apply more evenly.
It also subtly blurs the texture of your lips so that matte lipsticks, in particular, look smoother. I love applying this first when I’m doing my makeup so it has time to work before I add my lipstick.
Day 5 – Clear Lipglass – Worth £22
This clear Lipglass is a MAC classic – a unique formula that can be worn alone for a glass-like finish or layered over lip colour for high shine. It contains jojoba oil to keep lips soft while delivering that signature glossy look.
Because it’s clear, it works with literally any lipstick shade. Just a tiny bead of product is enough to cover the whole lip area, so a tube like this will last a long time.
Day 6 – Brushstroke 24-Hour Liner in ‘Brushblack’ – Worth £22
This eyeliner pen is perfect for anyone who loves a precise flick. The brush tip is flexible yet fine, letting you create everything from a subtle line to a dramatic wing.
The formula is smudge-proof and claims up to 24 hours of wear, making it ideal for long days or nights out. It’s an easy-to-use alternative to a traditional liquid liner and feels very beginner-friendly.
Day 7 – Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eyeliner in ‘Sterling Silver’ – Worth £21
Something a bit different for day seven – a bright silver eyeliner. It’s creamy and glides on smoothly, then sets to a long-wearing finish.
Silver might not be an everyday choice for most, but it’s fun for party season or creative looks. Try it in the inner corners for a pop of brightness, or layer it under black liner for a two-tone effect.
Day 8 – Retro Matte Lipstick in ‘All Fired Up’ – Worth £22
This is a bold, bright fuchsia with a completely matte finish. The Retro Matte formula is MAC’s most matte option, so it’s long-wearing and highly pigmented.
It’s a great statement lip for parties or special occasions. If you prefer a less matte look, add a touch of gloss over the top to soften the finish.
Day 9 – MAC Mirror – Limited Edition
A little accessory today – a reflective MAC mirror with the same frosted design as the calendar. It’s handbag-sized and great for touch-ups on the go.
While it’s not a makeup product, it’s a nice keepsake and fits with the overall festive, gift-like feel of the calendar.
Day 10 – Retro Matte Lipstick in ‘Runway Hit’ – Worth £22
This shade is a light nude matte that’s perfect for everyday wear. The Retro Matte finish means it’s long-lasting and won’t fade easily.
Pair it with a slightly deeper lip liner for a bit of contrast, or keep it monochrome for a minimalist look.
Day 11 – Frost Eyeshadow in ‘Satin Taupe’ – Worth £20
Satin Taupe is a rich taupe with subtle shimmer – versatile enough to wear alone or as part of a smoky eye. The formula blends easily and can be sheered out for daytime wear.
It’s one of those shades that suits all eye colours and works for multiple occasions. A great addition to any palette.
Day 12 – Pro Longwear Paint Pot in ‘Art Thera-Peachy’ – Worth £20
This soft peach cream shadow works beautifully as a base for powder eyeshadows or worn alone for a quick wash of colour. The Paint Pot formula is long-wearing and crease-resistant.
It’s subtle enough for everyday use but can be built up for more intensity. The peach tone makes it a lovely option for spring and summer looks too.
Day 13 – Hyper Real SkinCanvas Balm (15ml) – Worth £20
A mini of MAC’s new moisturiser, designed to strengthen the skin’s barrier and prep it for makeup. It contains niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides for hydration and smoothness.
It’s lightweight and sinks in quickly, making it great for use under foundation. While it’s a smaller size, it’s still a nice way to try out the formula.
Day 14 – Lipglass in ‘Love Child’ – Worth £22
Love Child is a deep mauve with gold shimmer, giving a rich, dimensional finish. It’s another full-size Lipglass, so you get that same comfortable, high-shine formula as earlier in the calendar.
This shade is particularly flattering in the colder months and works beautifully over mauve or nude lipsticks.
Day 15 – Lip Pencil in ‘Soar’ – Worth £19
Soar is a cool-toned mauve lip liner that’s incredibly versatile. It works with pinks, mauves, and even some nude lipsticks.
MAC lip pencils have a firm texture that allows for precision but are still creamy enough to apply without dragging.
Day 16 – Lustreglass Lipstick in ‘See Sheer’ – Worth £22
This grapefruit pink Lustreglass is fresh and flattering, with a glossy finish that keeps lips looking hydrated. The sheer formula makes it easy to apply and wear.
It’s a lovely everyday shade that can be paired with lip liner for a more defined look.
Day 17 – Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Stick in ‘Spice World’ – Worth £22
Spice World is a mid-tone brown in MAC’s Powder Kiss Velvet Blur formula. It’s a moisture-matte finish that feels velvety and comfortable.
While brown might be a little out of the comfort zone for some, it’s a chic shade that can look very sophisticated, especially in autumn and winter.
Day 18 – Satin Eyeshadow in ‘Brun’ – Worth £20
Brun is a deep, muted brown that’s perfect for adding depth to any eye look. The satin finish makes it easy to blend while still giving a rich colour payoff.
It pairs beautifully with the lighter shades in the calendar for a smoky effect.
Day 19 – Hyper Real Serumizer (4ml) – Worth £10
A little skincare treat today – MAC’s Hyper Real Serumizer. This one’s definitely on the smaller side, but even a mini like this is great for testing the formula before committing to the full size. It’s a serum-moisturiser hybrid, so you get the smoothing and hydrating benefits of both steps in one.
The texture is super lightweight and sinks into the skin almost instantly, which means you can layer it under makeup without worrying about pilling or greasiness. It’s designed to help improve skin texture over time, while also giving an immediate boost of hydration. Perfect for when your skin is feeling a little dull and needs a quick pick-me-up before you go in with foundation.
Day 20 – Lustreglass Lipstick in ‘Syrup’ – Worth £22
Behind door twenty is one of those shades that just works for any occasion. Syrup is a cool-toned mauve-pink that looks flattering on so many skin tones. The Lustreglass formula keeps it feeling creamy and comfortable, but with a glossy finish that makes lips look fuller and more hydrated.
It’s the sort of shade you can swipe on without a mirror and still feel put-together. For a little extra something, layer it with a touch of the Love Child Lipglass from earlier in the calendar – the two shades together create a gorgeous dimensional lip that’s perfect for daytime or a low-key evening look.
Day 21 – Lip Pencil in ‘Whirl’ – Worth £19
If you’ve been into MAC lip products for a while, you’ve probably heard of Whirl – it’s one of their most iconic shades. The colour is a muted, dirty rose that works beautifully with nude, pink, or brown lipsticks, making it one of the most versatile liners you can have in your collection.
The texture is smooth enough to apply without tugging, but still firm enough to give you precise definition. Once it’s on, it really does help your lipstick last longer and prevents any feathering. You could even wear it all over the lips on its own for a chic matte look – just add a balm or gloss on top if you want extra comfort.
Day 22 – Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eyeliner in ‘Ritz & Blitz’ – Worth £21
We’re back to a bit of sparkle with day twenty-two – a bright gold gel eyeliner that feels so festive. The formula is creamy enough to glide on without dragging, but once it sets, it stays in place all night. The metallic finish catches the light beautifully, making it a fun way to switch up your usual eyeliner routine.
Gold liner works in so many ways – use it alone for a soft shimmer along the lash line, layer it over black liner for extra depth, or pop it in the inner corners for a subtle highlight. It’s definitely more of a party-season product, but it’s a lovely one to have in your makeup bag when you want to add something special to a look.
Day 23 – Powder Kiss Lipstick in ‘Teddy 2.0’ – Worth £22
This deep beige lipstick feels effortlessly chic. The Powder Kiss formula gives it a blurred, soft-focus finish that’s flattering and very wearable. It’s the sort of neutral that works with almost any makeup look, from smoky eyes to fresh, minimal skin.
The texture is lightweight but still packs a good amount of pigment, so you can build it up depending on how bold you want the colour to be. I can see Teddy 2.0 becoming one of those everyday staples you reach for without thinking – it’s polished without feeling too ‘done’.
Day 24 – Powder Kiss Soft Matte Eyeshadow in ‘My Tweedy’ – Worth £20
For the final day, we’ve got a soft matte eyeshadow in a muted nude shade. My Tweedy is one of those easy, goes-with-everything colours that works as a base, transition shade, or even on its own for a quick, subtle eye look. The Powder Kiss texture feels silky and blends effortlessly, so it’s hard to go wrong.
It also pairs really well with some of the deeper shadows we’ve had in the calendar, like Satin Taupe or Brun. You could layer My Tweedy all over the lid, blend Brun into the crease, and add a touch of shimmer from Satin Taupe for a quick but put-together eye. It’s a versatile way to round off the calendar – and a nice, wearable note to end on.
Final Thoughts
This year’s MAC Advent calendar is definitely an upgrade from 2022. The sheer number of full-size products makes the £170 price tag feel much more justified, and the value is huge. There’s a good mix of lip products, eye makeup, and a little skincare, plus a few limited-edition touches like the mirror.
Whether it’s worth it for you will come down to shade preferences – some of the eyeshadows are on the darker side, and the silver eyeliner is a bit niche. But overall, it’s an impressive lineup, and even the products you might not personally use would make amazing stocking fillers for friends and family.
🎥 Watch the unboxing on Youtube: