Was the Liberty Advent Calendar Worth It?

My top 5 bits from it and how I got over 30% off the price!

*This post contains affiliate links - if you shop using the links, I will receive a small amount of commission (we’re talking pennies folks!) on the sale, but it won’t cost you a penny more*

Something that brought me infinite joy on the endlessly dark days of December, was opening up my Liberty advent calendar every morning to discover a new beauty find. But tbh, at £260 for a box of unknown beauty products, I would bloody hope for a sprinkling of joy along with a smattering of usefulness.

This was my very first foiree into the world of ‘grown up advent calendars’ and the decision to purchase may have been a bit impulsive, but it was spurred on by an unexpected windfall. At the beginning of September, I won £250 on the Premium Bonds. This, in combination with Liberty wafting their Christmassy goodness under my nose via emails and socials, and the 2024 excuse of ‘well, I’m 40 this year, so I can treat myself’ meant I immediately allocated the winnings to the purchase.

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Still Hunting for a Bargain

But, even with a fresh £250 sitting in my account, I wasn’t 100% comfortable with spunking it all on Liberty’s latest offering. So I did a little digging, and with my girl maths to hand, here’s how I saved 30% off the full asking price…

Disclaimer: I’m a Liberty Beauty Drop Subscriber, which is where some of the below discount and savings come from. I love it and recommend it to all! Basically, I pay £25 a month; £20 gets saved as credit in my Liberty account to use against all Liberty purchases online and in store, while £5 goes towards shipping/admin/costs; 4 times a year I receive a box of curated beauty products worth over £300. So far, I’ve received 4 boxes and I’ve enjoyed trying and using 80%ish of what’s in the box - I tend to regift/sell on the items I won’t use.

• -£10 as Beauty Drop subscribers receive £10 discount off the advent calendar.

• -£50 credit I had sitting in my Liberty account from my Beauty Drop subscription.

• -£15.50 by using a Jam Doughnut voucher to make my final purchase.

• -£6 by using a Quidco link to make the purchase

Making the calendar £178.50 with free shipping. Still a lot for something that as a kid I was more than happy to open windows to reveal a manger or donkey every day!

An extra perk - kinda - as one of the candles in the calendar was deemed ‘unsafe’ during December (I don’t believe anyone was injured) Liberty issued an immediate £25 voucher to every calendar purchaser. So does that count as a further saving?! (I’d already burned this candle with no adverse affects, so a win win.) Let’s pretend it does and bring that cost down to £153.50

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So, Was It Worth It?

Now you know the cost, I’m pleased to say I would personally say it was worth it - for me. I really loved the quality of the advent calendar and products - I guess this is to be expected with Liberty. The products are a little different, not just the run of the mill luxury beauty products.

The thrill of having a little gift each day was mega! And genuinely, I didn’t peak early either!

I’ve discovered some beautiful products I would never have tried. This is a blessing and a curse, as they’re incredible products, but also some come with rather large price tags! But it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved/slathered/sprayed/applied at all, right?!

Of the 28 products inside I’ve LOVED 10 (as in would repurchase or will certainly be scraping the containers); regifted 1 (I needed a last minute house warming gift!); sold 4 on Vinted as wouldn’t use them (mostly the makeup) - recouping a total of £26; and disliked 3 (2 of which were perfumes - smells can be tricky; and 1 was a hair product I don’t need). The rest I will happily use, but I’m not mad about.

I have also already rebought 3 of the items from Vinted; it’s a great place to bag a bargain from others opening their calendars who don’t want the bits you love! One man’s rubbish and all that.

The Top 5 Products

Ooooo this was tough to chose just 5 in honesty…

1. Ianthe Oud Eau de Parfum 8ml

I adored this subtle, woody and ever so slightly floral scent. I’m big on unisex, ouddy smells and not so in favour of florals, but this was beautiful. Sadly, I used it all too quickly - before I discovered the price!

2. Wild Source Cleansing Melt

Now, this one isn’t going to set the world alight, but, there’s a lot to be said for a gentle yet effective cleansing balm that doesn’t sting my eyes. And this my friends, fits the bill. I’ve used it everyday since the 22nd of December to remove my makeup and it’s a fab staple. Just a shame Liberty don’t seem to stock it themselves anymore?!

3. REN Clean Skincare Brightening Dark Circle Eye Cream

Another one Liberty no longer stock, but I found HERE, this has been super effective at battling my dark circles at the darkest time of the year. But, it’s also rich and creamy, which my crows feet appreciate.

4. Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment 30ml

Wow! I’m not 100% sure what’s in it or what' it’s purpose is, but I’ve applied at both ends of the day and my skin a few hours later is glowing! No mean feat at this time of year! Radiant, smooth and healthy! It’s not cheap, but I think it might be a price I’m willing to pay - eek! (I’ll be using my £25 gift voucher from the dangerous candle!)

5. Fleur Narcotique Extrait de Parfum 100ml

Yes, I’m championing a second perfume in my top 5 - cos on days when I can’t be faffed with makeup, at least if I smell good, it feels like I’ve made an effort. It’s another florals wrapped in woods kinda smell - at least I have a type! It’s sexy but not overpowering, woody but not too masculine and doesn’t give me a headache!

Other noteworthy mentions…

…must go to:

• Augustine Bader Rich Cream - a complete delight and melts into my face like butter. I actually rebought this on Vinted cos I love it, but I’m a moisturizer slut so I’m unlikely to stay loyal for long on that front.

• Byredo Red and Blue Lipstick - I’d been eyeing this up on the Liberty website for a while, so this was a beautiful surprise. I would’ve had it in my top 5, if only I wore lipstick more. But It’s divine, feels moistursing but stays put and is super flattering. (Again, I rebought this on Vinted for a fraction of the new cost).

• Davines OI All-in-One Milk It hydrates, smooths, softens and shines while also heat protecting. I like it, I’ve used it after every hair wash, but it’s one of those things that I can’t be 100% sure it’s doing anything. I guess I’ll only know when I stop using it!

Wow, that was mammoth! I didn’t expect that run down to be quite so thorough. Thanks for making it to here, I hope it’s been useful?! Let me know your thoughts in the comments - did you have the calendar in 2024? Will you buy it in 2025?

Thanks as always guys and catcha soon…

Fancy a bit of a catch up? Here’s what you might have missed from the last few months.