Shopping writer Beth Mahoney has put the Tropic '24 Days Of Pure Imagination' advent calendar to the test, revealing what shoppers get for the £299 price tag. The calendar contains 28 freshly made products with a combined value of £668, including nine full-size items, six mini products, 12 exclusive and festive-themed products, and one mystery item.
Tropic describes this year's offering as its "most luxurious calendar yet", giving shoppers the chance to "indulge in a 24-day journey through freshly made skincare, body care, wellness, and fragrance". The cream and gold box features botanical-style illustrations with a Pâtisserie theme, according to the brand.
Product selection and daily essentials
Mahoney, who favours natural, cruelty-free and vegan beauty products, said the calendar includes items she uses daily, such as Rainforest Dew Hydration Serum, Sun Day Dewy Facial SPF 50, and Morning Mist Soothing Toning Essence. She described Rainforest Dew as "an absolute lifesaver" for dry skin, noting the hyaluronic-acid-based serum leaves skin feeling soft, smooth, and dewy, and is suitable for all skin types.
The Sun Day Dewy Facial SPF 50 offers broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection that sits weightlessly on all skin tones with no white cast, according to Mahoney. She also noted it works effectively as a makeup primer. The Morning Mist spray-on toner won her over despite her general dislike of toners, and she now considers it essential.
Price comparison and alternatives
This year's calendar is priced at £299, a significant increase from last year's £149 edition. For shoppers seeking more affordable options, the Lush Advent Calendar is available for £210 and features bath bombs, bubble bars, and skincare products. The LookFantastic Beauty Advent Calendar is priced at £120 and, according to LookFantastic, boasts a value of £665 with 25 beauty products, 19 of which are full-size.
Mahoney said the generous mix of everyday essentials and indulgent items means she won't need to replenish her beauty collection for quite some time. For existing Tropic devotees, she suggested the calendar could be a brilliant opportunity to stock up for the months ahead.
Full contents and ordering details
The calendar includes 28 products: Hand Therapy Softening Superfood Cream (80ml), Foot Remedy Softening Buttercream (80ml), Glow Berry Brightening Serum (30ml), Rainforest Dew Hydration Serum (30ml), Body Smooth Refreshing Polish (250ml), Sun Day Dewy Facial SPF 50 (40ml), Youth Potion Enriched Retinal Complex (30ml), Eye Lift Exosome Midnight Balm (15ml), Lashful Eyelash Growth Serum (4ml), Lip Silk Plumping Ceramide Serum (5ml, limited edition), Relax Inner Peace Pulse Point Roll-On (10ml), Sleep Evening Unwind Pulse Point Roll-On (10ml), Lamellar Milk Barrier Repair Essence (30ml), Relax Inner Peace Purifying Mist (30ml), All Eyes On You Face and Body Liquid Highlighter (30ml), Cocoa Comfort Nourishing Ganache Mask (45ml), Wild Mango and Blood Orange Hydrating Body Serum (50ml), Bergamot Peel and Crushed Leaf Eau de Parfum (50ml), Mandarin Blossom, White Tea and Cedar Smoothing Cleanser (50ml), Mango Brûlée Cleansing Body Pebble (75g), Coconut and Tonka Exfoliating Body Cleanser (80ml), Skin Dream Firming Night Cream (15ml), Skin Feast Nourishing Moisturiser (20ml), Skin Re-Leaf Soothing Moisturiser (20ml), Radiance Cleanser Pore-Refining Cleansing Oil (30ml), Morning Mist Soothing Toning Essence (30ml), and Wild Mango and Blood Orange Gel Body Cleanser (50ml).
The advent calendar is available on a pre-order basis only. According to Tropic, calendars will be dispatched from November, arriving in time for the December countdown.
