If you're someone who counts down to Christmas with a beauty calendar, then the Sephora UK Advent Calendar 2023 might have caught your eye. Packed with 36 products (including 23 full-size items) and a total value of over £1,045, it's priced at £189 and features a blend of cult classics, exciting exclusives, and festive favourites. Here's a closer look at what you'll find behind each door.
Day 1 – NEOM Perfect Night’s Sleep Scented Candle – Worth £37
The countdown starts strong with a full-size NEOM Perfect Night's Sleep candle. Part of their "Scent to Sleep" range, this 185g candle is a beautiful blend of English lavender, sweet basil, and jasmine. With a 35-hour burn time, it creates the perfect spa-like atmosphere for winding down. The scent is calming but not overpowering, and a real treat for cosy winter nights.
Day 2 – K18 Leave-In Molecular Hair Repair Mask – Worth £30
K18’s molecular hair mask is designed to restore damaged hair using biotech-based keratin. This 15ml size may seem small, but it's actually a retail size and packs a punch. It's used post-wash, no conditioner needed, and the results claim to improve hair quality by up to 82% after just two uses. A clever and science-led addition to the box.
Day 3 – Aromatherapy Associates Bath & Shower Oil + Kate Somerville ExfoliKate – Worth £55 & £21
This duo starts with Aromatherapy Associates’ Support Breathe Bath & Shower Oil, infused with eucalyptus, pine, tea tree, and peppermint. It feels invigorating and clarifying – perfect for colds or sluggish mornings. The second item is Kate Somerville’s famous ExfoliKate, a two-minute facial exfoliator beloved for its smoothing, brightening effects. A perfect pairing of luxury and efficacy.
Day 4 – Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm + Ranavat Moonseed Treatment – Worth £28+
The beloved Elemis balm returns in a 50g size – creamy, aromatic, and effortlessly removes makeup and SPF. Alongside it, a smaller jar of Ranavat’s Moonseed Treatment impresses with its Ayurvedic heritage and purple balm-to-oil texture. It's rich, soothing, and the full size retails at £125, making this a high-value discovery.
Day 5 – Juliette Has A Gun 'Not A Perfume' – Worth ~£12.25
A minimalist fragrance crafted from a single synthetic molecule called Cetalox, this 10ml travel spray is allergen-free and beautifully clean. Soft, musky, and subtle – ideal for those who love understated elegance.
Day 6 – Sarah Chapman Glow On The Go – Worth £38
This clever illuminating elixir comes in a rollerball for quick, targeted application. The Sarah Chapman Glow on the Glow adds a subtle sheen to cheekbones and collarbones without glitter or grease. Part skincare, part glow-giver, it's an interesting hybrid that adds a refined radiance.
Day 7 – ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara – Worth £28
A cult favourite mascara from clean beauty brand ILIA. It lifts, lengthens, and separates with a dual-sided wand and a formula enriched with shea butter and arginine. Great for natural definition with zero flaking.
Day 8 – Molton Brown Bath & Shower Gel + First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser – Worth ~£10.90
Orange & Bergamot isn’t everyone’s favourite scent, but Molton Brown's formulas are always luxe. Paired with First Aid Beauty’s KP Bump Eraser, a hardworking body scrub with 10% AHAs, this is a great day for body care enthusiasts.
Day 9 – Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner – Worth £20
An intense, waterproof liquid liner with a precise brush tip – ideal for winged liner lovers. Rare Beauty is known for quality, and this inky black shade doesn’t disappoint.
Day 10 – Virtue Healing Oil + BeautyPro Masks
Virtue’s Healing Oil adds shine and softness thanks to Alpha Keratin 60ku. Also included are two BeautyPro masks: a biodegradable sheet mask and a self-heating eye mask. Practical, pampering, and planet-friendly.
Day 11 – Commodity Milk Expressive Fragrance – Worth Unknown
A creamy, comforting fragrance with notes of cold milk, marshmallow, and tonka bean. Commodity Milk is soft, unusual, and surprisingly addictive.
Day 12 – Vegamour Lash Serum – Worth £72
One of the calendar's most high-ticket items. This plant-based serum promises longer, fuller lashes with twice-daily application. Lightweight and safe for sensitive eyes, it's a luxe lash upgrade.
Day 13 – ONE/SIZE On Til Dawn Setting Spray – Worth Unknown
This mattifying setting spray from ONE/SIZE is waterproof, sweatproof, and transfer-resistant. A full-size canister promises 16-hour hold with zero stickiness.
Day 14 – Rose Inc Satin Lip Color in Enigmatic – Worth £22
This refillable lipstick glides on with a rich, satin finish. Rose Inc Enigmatic is a deep, wintry hue that flatters a wide range of skin tones, and the magnetic packaging adds a tactile touch of luxury.
Day 15 – Drunk Elephant TLC Sukari Babyfacial + Marula Oil – Worth £71.90 + £6.29
An iconic weekly exfoliating treatment from Drunk Elephant featuring AHAs and BHAs for a refined glow. The addition of the Marula Oil sample rounds it out with nourishing hydration. A beautiful one-two for smoothing and softening.
Day 16 – Beautifect Blender – Worth £12.95
A triple-edge sponge designed for smooth, streak-free application. Soft, squishy, and high-quality – always good to have a fresh one in rotation.
Day 17 – Tan-Luxe Super Glow + Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense – Worth £34.95 + £59
Tan-Luxe’s hyaluronic acid-infused serum builds a gradual glow while Medik8's award-winning B5 serum delivers deep hydration. Both are full size, both are brilliant.
Day 18 – Floral Street Sweet Almond Blossom – Worth £28
A dreamy floral-fruity blend that balances almond notes with a soft, sky-like freshness. Ethereal and elegant, it’s a standout scent in this calendar.
Day 19 – Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream + Fenty Skin Fat Water – Worth Varies
The cult Bum Bum Cream returns in a travel size, alongside Fenty's toner-serum hybrid. A small dose of body care luxury and skincare innovation.
Day 20 – Glow Recipe Niacinamide Dew Drops – Worth £31.54
Glow Recipe Dew Drops are a versatile skincare highlighter that delivers hydration, brightening, and glow. Full size and loved by many, this watermelon-scented serum is great solo or under makeup.
Day 21 – Aromatherapy Associates Muscle Gel, Philip Kingsley Elasti-Styler, Living Proof Triple Bond Complex – Worth Varies
Three full-size products for body and hair. The de-stress muscle gel smells divine and helps relieve tension, while the haircare duo strengthens, smooths, and protects – ideal for dry winter months.
Day 22 – Nails Inc Nail Polish + Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Moisturiser – Worth ~£15 & £18
A festive red polish called "Slaying Life" and a lightweight, nourishing moisturiser. A lovely prep combo for party season.
Day 23 – REN Eye Cream + GXVE Lipstick – Worth £49 & Unknown
REN’s eye cream targets dark circles with elderberry and hyaluronic acid. Paired with a rich red lipstick from Gwen Stefani’s GXVE line, it makes for a bold beauty moment.
Day 24 – Sunday Riley B3 Nice Niacinamide Serum – Worth £54
Christmas Eve brings a star product: Sunday Riley's new niacinamide serum. With 10% niacinamide, this calms, brightens, and refines. A brilliant full-size addition that feels current and premium.
Day 25 – Tarte Leave Your Mark Eye & Cheek Palette – Worth £30
A seven-shade eyeshadow and blush palette featuring plums, neutrals, and festive shimmer. The quality is typical of Tarte: smooth, blendable, and longwearing. A lovely finale to the unboxing.
Sephora UK’s 2023 calendar balances skincare, makeup, fragrance, and haircare beautifully. The mix of full sizes and prestige brands makes the £189 price tag feel like a justifiable splurge.
From Sunday Riley to Rare Beauty, and with standout items like the Glow Recipe Dew Drops and Drunk Elephant Babyfacial, the Sephora Advent Calendar offers plenty of excitement without feeling overstuffed or filler-heavy. A few lesser-known brands add curiosity and discovery to the experience. While last year’s calendar had the thrill of being the debut edition, this one proves it wasn’t a fluke – Sephora UK is becoming one to watch in the beauty advent space.
🎥 Watch the full unboxing on Youtube: