Next Beauty Advent Calendar 2022: High-End Hyped Products for £85?!
The Next Beauty Advent Calendar for 2022 is like a hall of fame for hyped, high-end products and brands. Do they come in big enough sizes to be properly enjoyed though? What ingredients do they contain? Is this calendar a good value for your money?
£85 worth over £350
CONTENTS: Total of 25 items
MAKEUP: 6 items
Eyes: 2 items
There are only six makeup items in the Next Beauty Advent Calendar for 2022. Starting with the eyes, there is the Iconic London Bronze and Smokey Eyeshadow Palette which comes in full size and costs £18. It has four shadows, two mattes and two metallics. The colours are all warm toned, offering two matte browns to play with, a holiday appropriate metallic gold and a champagne shade. The colours seem versatile and could offer a multitude of looks. While the deep brown looks more medium than deep, the metallics should suit any skin tone.
There is also a mascara in order to finish up the eyes. The Benefit Bad Gal Bang Mascara comes in a deluxe size of 3ml which is worth £9. This is a popular product which claims to be smudge proof, water resistant and volumising.
Complexion: 3 items
Moving on to the complexion, there are three illuminating products. The Pixi Glow-y Powder is a powder highlighter that comes in a mini size of 4.3g. This would be worth £6. The highlighter can come in two shades, Peach-y Glow, which is a medium warm toned peach, or Cream-y Gold, which is a light golden colour. This product is cruelty free.
The Eyeko Highlighter Pencil comes in full size (1.4g) and costs £15. This is a detail highlighter, as it is ideal for highlighting the brow bone or the inner corner of the eyes. It comes in the shade Pearl which looks like a shimmery silver.
Lastly, there is the Pai The Impossible Glow Bronzing Drops which comes in 10ml and costs £19. This is a hybrid product, being a colour cosmetic that is skincare infused. It contains Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C and Algae Extract, promising to hydrate, smooth and brighten the complexion. However, this product also contains Lemon Fruit Water as the second ingredient which could be a potential skin irritant. The shade comes in a gorgeous dark copper, but when spread on the skin it looks more like a gentle shine. This should be suitable for all skin tones. The Bronzing Drops is a vegan and cruelty free product.
Lips: 1 item
For the lips there is only one item. The MAC Satin Lipstick comes in a full size of 3g which costs £20. This is a creamy lipstick that has medium to full coverage. The shade is Twig, which is a soft muted brownish pink.
SKINCARE: 11 items
Cleansers: 2 items
As usual, the skincare contents of the Next Beauty Advent Calendar for 2022 have been divided according to a skincare routine so that it is easier to understand what it contains and what it lacks. Starting with the cleansing routine, the Next calendar contains two items. The ESPA Yuzu and Ginger Cleanser comes in only 15ml, being worth £10. This is not a lot to go on with, especially not for removing makeup and sunscreen. It is a balm to oil that eventually transforms into a foam. It contains Vitamin F and E to protect the skin’s moisture barrier, a blend of Almond and Moringa Oil and Ginger Extract amongst others which is supposed to soothe the skin. However, this cleanser contains several potentially irritating skin ingredients such as perfume and citrus extracts, as well as some potential skin allergens such as Limonene and Linalool.
The second product which can be used in the cleansing routine is the Gatineau Radiance Enhancing Gommage which comes in a full size of 75ml costing £40. This is an exfoliating cleanser which contains several Alpha Hydroxy Acids such as Glycolic, Lactic and Malic Acid. It also contains Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate and Vitamin C to brighten up the skin. However, this cleanser contains perfume and the potential skin allergens Limonene and Linalool.
Serums & Masks: 5 items
The Beautypro Rose Infused Plant Based Sheet Mask comes in a full size of 22ml but it is a sheet mask meaning it is only intended for one use. It costs £5. This product is supposed to calm and soothe the skin while minimising redness. However, this mask contains several potentially skin irritating ingredients such as Lavender Oil and Rose Water, the latter being the very first ingredient of the mask. This product is vegan and cruelty free.
The Next Beauty Advent Calendar contains two serums. There is the Lancôme Advanced Genifique Hydrating Face Serum which comes in 7ml only and is worth £14. This is a popular serum and it contains a mix of prebiotics and probiotics derived extracts that are supposed to maintain the skin’s barrier healthy and improve fine lines and uneven skin tones. It sounds like the formula was changed recently. This serum contains perfume and the potential skin allergens Limonene and Citronellol.
The second serum comes in the same tiny size of 7ml. This is the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex which is worth £15. This serum is supposed to hydrate the skin, targeting dry skin, improve fine lines and leave the complexion looking smoother. It contains Hyaluronic Acid, peptides, Vitamin E and Caffeine. This serum is fragrance free and lacks the 26 potential skin allergens signalled by the EU.
In this section there is also a lip balm that could double as a mask. The By Terry Baume de Rose Flaconnette comes in 2.3ml worth £14. This is another popular and loved item, being a lip balm that looks and feels like a lip gloss. It contains some UV protection although it is quite weak (SPF15), several emollients and hydrating ingredients. However, it is a very heavily scented item. I have been using this for a while now and I love the convenience and the elegance of it. It feels very soft and nourishing yet not sticky. The only thing is that it is probably too fragranced for me. Although I do have the mini sized version I have been using it for the last year and I am nowhere near finishing it.
Lastly, there is a facial oil. This is the Emma Hardie Brilliance Facial Oil which comes in a tiny size of 5ml, worth £6.50. The main description of this product says it is a blend of several essential oils. What else is there to say? The oil is filled with potential skin allergens such as Limonene, Geraniol, Citronellol, Linalool, Citral and Farnesol, as well as with the potential skin irritants Lemon Oil and fragrance. Perhaps it could be used as a hair oil instead.
Creams: 4 items
The Next Beauty Advent Calendar for 2022 contains a few creams as well. The Clinique Moisture Surge 100Hr AutoReplenishing Hydrator comes in 15ml which is worth £12. This cream contains several hydrating and nourishing ingredients such as Glycerin, Trehalose and Sodium Hyaluronate. It also contains several antioxidants. It is free of fragrance and of the 26 potential skin allergens signalled by the EU.
The Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream comes in 15ml and is worth £27. This is a popular and loved cream that is also very pricey. It is moisturising and anti-ageing containing a mix of emollients such as Jojoba Seed Oil, Sunflower Oil, as well as Cocoa Seed Butter. The latter is considered to be comedogenic but whether this matters or not, remains uncertain. If you want to read more about the ambiguity of comedogenicity and why the comedogenic scale might not matter, please read my article here. The Elemis Marine Cream contains several potentially skin irritant ingredients such as Lemon Oil, fragrance, Acacia Farnesiana Extract as well as the potential skin allergens Linalool, Limonene and Geraniol.
For the eyes there is the Clarins Total Eye Lift which comes in only 7ml, worth an eye watering £27. It contains Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Shea Butter, Caffeine, Olive Fruit Extract which are all supposed to hydrate, lift and smooth the skin around the eye area. However, this product contains fragrance.
Lastly in the skincare section there is the Smashbox Photo Finish Original Primer which comes in another tiny 5ml size which is worth £5. This is another popular product that is supposed to prime and prepare the skin for makeup by smoothing it. It is a silicone based primer. If you want to read more about silicones in skincare please read my article here. This product is vegan and cruelty free.
HAIRCARE: 1 item
For the hair there is only one item and that is the popular Moroccanoil Original Treatment which comes in 25ml and is worth £14. However, this is a multipurpose product, able to style and protect the hair. It can be applied to wet or dry hair and contains Argan Oil supposed to smooth the hair, detangle it and help control the frizz. I have used this oil before and it smells sweet and delicious, it feels very lightweight on the hair and in my opinion achieves all of its claims.
BODYCARE: 2 items
The bodycare section contains only two creams. The L’Occitane Shea Hand Cream comes in 30ml and is worth £8. Ideal to use in winter when the hands are even more exposed to the elements than usual, this cream is supposed to help nourish dry hands while rebalancing the skin barrier. It is formulated for dry skin in particular. It contains several hydrating and nourishing ingredients but it also contains perfume and the potential skin allergens Linalool, Coumarin, Citronellol, Limonene and Geraniol.
The second cream is Rituals The Ritual Of Sakura Body Cream which comes in 70ml worth £6.50. This is another rich cream intended to nourish the skin. It contains several hydrating ingredients but is also fragranced and contains an array of potential skin allergens such as Citral, Citronellol, Coumarin, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool and Limonene. I have used this cream before, it is nourishing yet not overly thick, leaves a velvety feel on the skin and smells sweet yet fresh at the same time. Not a scent I would associate with Christmas though.
OTHER: 5 items
The miscellaneous section of the Next Beauty Advent Calendar for 2022 is relatively large, containing several scented products. There is a perfume, the Floral Street Arizona Bloom which comes in 10ml and is worth £13. This is described as a dry, floral amber, with Balinese Coconut, Madagascan Black Pepper and Oak Moss. Its inspiration comes from sunshine and desert landscapes, so not exactly Christmas appropriate but at the same time it does not mean that you cannot enjoy it later on in the year. I had the chance to try other scents from Floral Street and they are all unique and potent. This perfume is vegan.
There is also a fragrance mist. The Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Fine Fragrance Mist comes in 75ml which costs £9.50. The fragrance notes are Japanese Cherry Blossom, Asian Pear, Mimosa, White Jasmine and Sandalwood. This product would be ideal to be sprayed liberally and offer a more delicate scent than a classic perfume.
This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray comes in 35ml which is worth £9. This is a pillow spray supposed to help you fall asleep faster and relax you. This is an extremely fragrant spray that smells of lavender.
Another scented item is the Neom Real Luxury Scent to De-Stress Travel Candle which comes in 75g which costs £16. The scent is floral of Lavender, Jasmine and Brazilian Rosewood. Candles are always such a lovely item to receive in Beauty Advent Calendars as there is no other time like Christmas to light up some candles and warm up the atmosphere in your house. However, this scent might not be your first choice when it comes to the winter holidays.
Lastly, there is one item intended for the nails. The Nails Inc Nail Varnish in Belgravia Road comes in a full size of 10ml which costs £15. This is a pastel pink colour. Again, not particularly Christmas appropriate. This nail polish contains beneficial ingredients for the nails supposed to boost the production of Keratin. This nail polish is also vegan and cruelty free.
How does it compare to last year’s Next Beauty Advent Calendar 2021?
There are several items in the Next Beauty Advent Calendar for 2022 that were also present in the 2021 calendar. These are the By Terry Baume De Rose, in the same mini size, the Lancôme Advanced Genifique Serum and the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair which both came in the same size as this year; the Moroccanoil Treatment in the same 25ml, as well as the This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray in the 35ml size. This means there are five items in total that are exactly the same as in the 2021’s Next Beauty Advent Calendar.
Besides the exact same products, some brands are the same, but offering different products for 2022. For example a MAC lipstick was also found in the 2021 calendar, but this year it comes in a different shade, there is another mask from BeautyPro and a different shade of nail polish from Nails Inc.
Besides these variations, there are some brands that repeat themselves as well, such as Iconic London, Benefit, Emma Hardie and L’Occitane.
While there are also new brands to try compared to the 2021 Next Calendar, the 2022 Next Beauty Advent is definitely not the first choice when it comes to trying out new items if you have also purchased last year’s calendar. This could go two ways – either you loved last year’s products and you want a new replacement for them this year, or you will skip this calendar and choose something else in order to try new brands and new products.
The distribution of products by category stayed the same, as the makeup section is only shorter by one item, the skincare section contains eleven items just like in 2021, the haircare decreased by one item, while the bodycare and miscellaneous section stayed about the same as well in terms of quantity.
In my review of Next Beauty Advent Calendar for 2021 I wrote: ‘There is no eyeshadow, no eyeliner and almost no product for the complexion.’ For 2022, Next have added an eyeshadow palette and three items for the complexion. In the same review, I wrote about the miscellaneous section that while ‘it is a plus it has a nail polish and some perfume, it feels like they could have added more here.’ For 2022, Next have added the perfect missing item – the Neom scented candle. Thank you Next for listening!
The 2021 the Next Beauty Advent Calendar contained 26 items whereas this year it only has 25.
The calendar went up in price by £16 but the total value of it also went up by around £60.
You can read Lipstick Cafe’s review of the 2021 Next Beauty Advent Calendar here.
EXPERIENCE
The Next Beauty Advent Calendar comes in a beautiful and sturdy box that includes the daily products in cardboard drawers. The calendar looks of good quality and holds the same standard as the luxury ones. However, the pastel pink and fuchsia are not necessarily the most wintery colours.
The Next Calendar has 25 days to open, offering something on Christmas Day as well.
The brands are a mix of affordable and high end, providing plenty of opportunity to try and enjoy some popular names and products such as Moroccan Oil, Elemis, Lancôme, Estée Lauder, By Terry, MAC and many others.
All the products come in beautiful packaging which will further enhance the luxurious experience.
There are also nine lucky golden tickets to be found to win an exclusive Cloud Nine bundle, including the Wide Iron Pro and the Airshot Pro. This adds excitement to the experience of opening the calendar.
Who is the 2022 Next Beauty Advent Calendar most suitable for?
The first thing that comes to mind is the high number of skincare items that contain potential skin irritants and potential allergens. This does not make the calendar suitable for a person with a sensitive, reactive skin type.
In terms of claims, the products seem more suitable to a mature skin that leans on the drier side. There are also no specific treatments in the calendar, Next keeping it simple by offering various choices for hydration and plumping the skin, claims which are generic and would be beneficial to most.
There are also quite a few scented items in the calendar. Besides almost all the skincare being fragranced, there is also a perfume, a scented candle, scented sprays and scented hair oil. Apart from sensitive skin types, if the person you intend to get this calendar for has a sensitivity to smells I would avoid this calendar. On the opposite side, if someone loves fragrances and enjoys perfumed items this calendar might offer them a good experience.
Most scents and colours are not necessarily considered Christmas themed, with pastel pinks and flowery scents. If the person you are gifting this to is very much into Christmas and loves their baubles and cinnamon scents, this might be slightly disappointing.
The ratio of makeup, skincare and other products leans, once more, towards skincare. However, there are still enough makeup items to enjoy, some body care and miscellaneous items. Therefore, the Next Calendar would be suitable to someone who is not sensitive to fragrances, wants a bit of everything but leans towards skincare, and is keen to use some of the most hyped products and brands.
Is it worth it?
The makeup section is not even half the calendar, staying at only six items worth a total value of £87 which is around 25% of the total value of the calendar. It is lovely to receive a four-pan eyeshadow palette and a mascara to pair it with, but three illuminating products seem like a bit of an overkill. Highlighters are also a bit risky to put in an advent calendar as well as the shades might not suit every skin tone and undertone. The Pai Drops might be sheer enough they would be flattering on all skins, but the Pixi Glow-y Powder and the Eyeko Highlighting Pencil not so much. Overall, the makeup section feels slightly odd but still offers enough items to be enjoyed by someone who likes makeup to some degree. The sizes of the products are also good, and you should be able to enjoy these items for quite some time. However, given the small amount of colour cosmetics in the calendar, the Next Beauty Advent Calendar might not be the first choice for a makeup lover that is mainly interested in that.
The skincare section is, yet again, the most predominant section of the Next Calendar. With a total of eleven items they are worth £175.50 which is 50% of the worth value of the calendar. The answer is clear – you need to have an inclination for skincare to like this calendar. However, most skincare items are fragranced and have potential skin irritants and potential skin allergens. They are also coming in small sizes. The most generous size is 75ml, but other than that there is a single use mask of 22ml, several 15ml, 7ml and even several 5ml. With a primer that comes in 5ml, several facial creams and serums in 7ml or 15ml, you would not get a lot of use.
There is only one item for the hair, so if you are looking for more hair care then this calendar is not worth it. The hair oil comes in 25ml which will probably last for a while but it is still lacking many products that could have come in this calendar. Perhaps, one of the very tiny sizes in skincare could have been replaced with a deep conditioner. The total value of the haicare section is £14 which is 4% of the total value of the calendar.
There are two creams for the body as well, worth together £14.50 which is just a bit over 4%.
The miscellaneous section is more generous than in other mixed brands calendars so far, giving five items worth a total of £62.50. This is almost 18% of the total value of the calendar.
The total value of the calendar is over £350, which means you get over four times your money’s worth, which places this calendar amongst other good value offerings.
Besides around eight skincare items which come in very small sizes, the makeup items could be enjoyed for a long time, as well as the fragrance, body and pillow spray, the candle, the nail polish and the body cream. Initially, the list of sizes gave me the impression of a calendar filled with sample sizes, but that is false – I believe around fifteen of the products out of twenty five could be enjoyed for a prolonged period of time.
There does not seem to be a lot of choice in terms of vegan or cruelty free items.
The major downsides of this calendar are the heavily fragranced skincare items and the not very Christmas themed colours and scents. However, if that is not an issue, then this is an elegant calendar, filled with high end and hyped products, that is priced competitively on the market. It is average in price, not being the cheapest but also not being nearly as expensive as some other beauty advent calendars out there. The selection of brands is excellent and there is a bit of everything. Maybe pink is the new fashionable colour for Christmas after all.
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This calendar is priced very similarly to the Look Fantastic Beauty Advent Calendar for 2022. Read Lipstick Cafe’s full review on this calendar.
What do you think of the Next Calendar for 2022? Let me know in the comments!
Read more reviews for Beauty Advents Calendars for 2022
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Disclaimer: This blog post is not sponsored and does not contain any affiliate links.
Although some analysis has been performed on the ingredient lists, this is not an exhaustive review of each ingredient for every product.
The claims of vegan and cruelty free products have only been added where they are clearly stated on the brand’s website. For a thorough understanding of which items are truly vegan or certified cruelty free, independent research is encouraged.
None of the images used are Lipstick Café’s copyright and have been used solely for the purpose of reviewing the product.
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