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Even if you're not quite ready to think about Christmas yet, with less than 100 days to go, the countdown has officially begun for many. And if you've got Advent on your mind but want something a little more exciting than your standard chocolate calendar, you'll be happy to hear that Marks and Spencer just dropped its gorgeous new beauty Advent calendar today. But, for the first time ever, the calendar has been created in collaboration with fashion designer Bella Freud.

Known for her bold, punky aesthetic-especially her iconic knitwear with fun, quirky designs-Bella has worked with a ton of fashion and celebrity names, including the one and only Kate Moss. And this calendar is no exception; it's got her signature style written all over it.

The 25 Days of Beautiful Advent Calendar comes in a sleek box with a starry night design in black and shiny gold, all tied up with a bow. The words '25 Days of Beautiful' are displayed in Bella Freud's signature font.

Inside, you'll find 25 numbered boxes in gold, each waiting to be opened. While it doesn't have the classic pop-out doors like a traditional Advent calendar, the numbered boxes definitely give you the nostalgic thrill of hunting down what's hidden behind each one. Plus, opening each box feels a little like unwrapping a gift. And if you're feeling generous, you could even split up the goodies and use them as Christmas gifts or stocking fillers.

According to M&S, the calendar is packed with £330-worth of beauty products, including makeup, skincare, and fragrance. You'll find some big-name beauty brands in there too, like Prai, Estée Lauder, and Emma Hardie. You can buy the calendar on its own for £330. But there's a way to get it even cheaper.

If you spend £35 on fashion, beauty, or homeware at M&S, you can add this calendar to your basket for only £60, meaning you're saving around 81%. For comparison, Anthropologie's Advent Calendar is £98 with a 73% saving. So, it's definitely a great value, especially considering the price. The deal is available online and in stores.

Out of the 25 products included, five are full-sized, while the other 20 are travel-sized or miniatures, which is perfect if you travel often or want to try out some new products without committing to the full-size versions. It's also a great chance to sample things you've seen in stores but never thought to buy.

That said, compared to some of the other Advent calendars I've tested this year, this one has fewer full-size items. For example, Neal's Yard's luxury calendar contains 13 full-size products (though it is £165), and Holland and Barrett's £50 calendar has a whopping 18 full-size items.

How much is it?

The calendar retails for £330 full price or £60 when you spend £35 on fashion, beauty and homeware at M&S

Full value of the products inside?

According to M&S, the value of the products is £330

How much money do you save?

When you make the most of the deal, you can save approximately 81% on the price of the products if bought individually

Where and when can you buy it?

The M&S website now or in M&S stores

But what I really love about the M&S calendar is that it includes a couple of fragrance options, like a miniature Floral Street perfume and a scent from M&S' own fragrance range. These perfumes are the perfect size to try without the commitment of a full bottle, which is ideal since fragrance can be so personal.

Overall, the calendar offers a nice, versatile mix of products: everything from facial cleansers, moisturisers, and shampoo to nail products, a Benefit cheek tint in a fairly universal shade, mascara, gel eyeliner, and hand cream.

There are even a few beauty accessories tucked inside, like a hair claw, a comb, and a gua sha tool. If you're not familiar, gua sha is an ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine technique that's said to improve circulation, promote lymphatic drainage, release muscle tension, and reduce inflammation.

Makeup

• Clinique High Impact Mascara - 7ml (full-size)
• Benefit Cosmetics Benetint - 6ml (full-size)
• Stila Stay All Day Smudge & Set Waterproof Gel Eyeliner - Espresso 0.35g (full-size)
• Nails Inc Billie 1-Step Gel It's Topless Nail Polish - 10ml

Fragrance

• Floral Street Sweet Almond Blossom - 10ml
• Discover Soft Gardenia - 30ml

Skincare

• Bloom & Blossom Off to Bed Indulgence Bath Oil - 100ml (full-size)
• This Works Deep Sleep Body Cocoon - 100ml (full-size)
• Prai Beauty Ageless Throat & Decolletage Creme Intensive Gold - 30ml
• Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum - 7ml
• Weleda Skin Food - 30ml
• Cowshed Relax Bath & Shower Gel - 100ml
• Cowshed Body Lotion - 100ml
• L'Occitane Almond Hand & Nail Cream - 30ml
• Emma Hardie Moringa Renewal Treatment Mask - 15ml
• Percy & Reed I Need a Hero! Overnight Recovery Mask - 100ml
• NUXE Huile Prodigieuse® Multi-Purpose Dry Oil - 10ml
• Dr. Paw Paw Lip & Eye Balm - 8ml
• Formula Restore & Nourish Day Cream - 15ml

Hair care

• Color Wow Dream Cocktail Leave-In Thickening Treatment - 50ml
• Living Proof Full Shampoo - 60ml
• Living Proof Full Conditioner - 60ml

Accessories

• Bloom Stainless Steel Gua Sha
• Bloom Large Hair Clip
• Bloom x Handle Recycled Wide Tooth Comb

Since the calendar just launched today, it doesn't have any customer reviews yet, but with many beauty Advent calendars going for over £100, this one is definitely a steal at £60.

Of course, some products might not be to everyone's taste (if you're not into the perfume, for example), but they could make fantastic stocking fillers or gifts for someone else.

The one thing to remember, though, is that this calendar is only available for £60 if you spend £35 on fashion, beauty, or home at M&S. Otherwise, you'll need to pay full price.

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