‘I worked at Boots and found a way to save £120 on the most popular beauty gifts’

Liz Earle fans have said it’s great for ‘mature, sensitive skin’ and have praised the ‘magnificent collection’

Liz Earle’s Christmas gift collection proves incredibly popular with shoppers annually, and I’ve discovered how to get 12 of the brand’s cherished products for less than £80. This comes as the British heritage brand has unveiled a beauty Advent calendar that delivers skincare lovers savings exceeding £120.

During my time at Boots, virtually every third gift passing through the checkout belonged to this botanical beauty brand’s gorgeously fragranced and packaged selection. The 12 Days of Liz Earle Beauty Advent Calendar follows suit, arriving in an elegant navy gift box containing an array of beloved formulations.

The calendar boasts a value exceeding £200, yet it carries a £79 price tag. Within lie 12 Liz Earle products, covering cleansers, night creams, body washes, and more, with each item averaging £6.58, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Editor Harriet Morphy-Morris unboxed the calendar last month and has been delighted with the contents, observing that since using them, her skin ‘feels transformed’. She commented: “The ’12 Days of Liz Earle’ calendar has put a host of new products on my list that I’d definitely buy again, and they’re ones I’m sure any sweet-smelling beauty shoppers will too.

“It’s filled with high-end products and not ones that will end up in the under the sink cupboard a year from now – speaking from experience. In the week I’ve been using the content from the box, my skin feels transformed, is less dry, and appears brighter.”

One of her top choices from the haul was the Cleanse and Glow transforming gel cleanser, which she hailed as her ‘new favourite’. She explained: “It’s a gel consistency which, when lathered, turns into milk. It melts off high-coverage make-up really quickly, and has a similar effect to the much more expensive Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, which is £25.50.”

However, she was slightly disappointed that the product was travel-sized, remarking: “My only gripe with it is that the calendar included a small 30ml-sized item, and I expect I won’t be the only person who loves this. It would have been nice to see a full-sized version.”

As a beauty writer, one of my top picks from the calendar is the Revitalise and Glow Radiance Reveal Night Cream 15ml. It contains Acerola Cherry and Prickly Pear, alongside Niacinamide and Lavender Flower Extract, designed to leave skin looking more rested. It has a rich and silky whipped texture and has been formulated to work with your skin’s natural overnight repair cycle.

I tested the cream earlier this year, and after applying it nightly, I woke up to skin that felt hydrated, supple, and noticeably smoother to the touch, which meant my makeup went on like a dream the following morning. However, while I enjoyed the fragrance, it’s worth noting that it’s fairly strong, which might not sit well with those who prefer fragrance-free skincare, especially at night.

Meanwhile, LookFantastic’s The Beauty Advent Calendar is said to be their ‘best ever’, boasting an impressive value of over £655 but priced at just £105. It contains 25 products, 15 of which are full-sized, featuring brands like Medik8, ESPA and Peter Thomas Roth – perfect for those keen to explore a variety of brands.

Another sought-after multi-brand countdown is the Sephora Favourites Advent Calendar, retailing at £225. This selection has sold out for three consecutive years and this year looks set to follow suit. It includes 41 products (24 being full-sized) with 31 of them exclusive to the retailer, featuring popular brands such as Glow Recipe, Merit, Tarte and Tower 28.

An added perk of purchasing the Liz Earle calendar is that shoppers will have the opportunity to select three free samples at checkout. These samples are surprisingly generous, ranging from 30ml to 50ml, so it’s worth choosing carefully.

As for the calendar itself, it’s racked up nothing but five-star reviews on the Liz Earle website so far. One shopper said: “Not opened yet, but looks lovely. I bought one last year and loved having a little surprise and trying some new Liz Earle products I haven’t tried before. The smaller sizes are perfect for holidays and weekends away. I love all Liz Earle products and find them so good for my skin.

“I bought the 12 days of Christmas Advent last year and was thrilled with it. So I was delighted when I saw the one for this year and snapped it up,” said another. “Fantastic value and such a beautiful box and presentation. Many are full sizes and the smaller ones were perfect for holidays and get aways. Definitely recommend.”

And it’s not just aimed at women either, with one male purchaser writing: “Just the most amazing products all in one magnificent collection. Everything you want for your skincare routine. I’m an older man, 61, and I use these products daily. If you need to know what Liz Earle is all about don’t hesitate to purchase this beauty.”

Another agreed it was brilliant for mature skin, commenting: “I love everything about your products, which I use. I was introduced to Liz Earle products about 15 years ago, and I’ve never looked back. From a mature, sensitive skin owner, I say thank you.”