Former Boots worker shares how to save £120 on premium beauty gifts for Christmas

Liz Earle's Christmas gift range remains a firm favourite among shoppers each year, and there's now a way to get 12 of the brand's most-loved products for under £80. The British heritage label has unveiled a beauty advent calendar offering skincare fans savings of more than £120.

When beauty writer Bethan Shufflebotham used to work at Boots, she found that around one in three gifts scanned at the till came from this botanical brand's beautifully scented and elegantly packaged range. The 12 Days of Liz Earle Beauty Advent Calendar continues that tradition, presented in a sleek navy box and filled with a curated selection of bestselling skincare treats. Valued at over £200, it retails for £79 and includes cleansers, night creams, and body washes - working out at roughly £6.58 per item, according to the Mirror.

Editor Harriet Morphy-Morris also opened the calendar last month and has been thoroughly impressed with what's inside, noting that her skin 'feels transformed' since incorporating them into her routine. She said: "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 picks from the haul was the Cleanse and Glow transforming gel cleanser, which she praised as her 'new favourite'. She elaborated: "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 expressed slight disappointment that the product was travel-sized, commenting: "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."

Also impressed with the contents, Bethan added: "As a beauty writer, one of my top selections 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."

Having trialled the cream earlier this year, she explained: "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."

Here's everything inside the Liz Earle 12 Day calendar:

• Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser 100ml
• Cleanse and Glow Transforming Gel Cleanser 30ml
• Revitalise and Glow Radiance Reveal Night Cream 15ml
• Superskin Advanced Bi-Phrase Brightening Essence 30ml
• Instant Boost Skin Tonic 50ml
• Eyebright Soothing Eye Lotion 50ml
• Bergamot and Cardamom Body Wash 200ml
• Bergamot and Cardamom Body Cream 200ml
• Skin Repair Light Cream 15ml
• Bergamot and Cardamom Hand Cream 50ml
• Hydrating Cream Mask 75ml
• Superskin Moisturiser with Natural Neroli 75ml
• Pure Cotton Cloth

If the Liz Earle calender isn't quite right, LookFantastic's The Beauty Advent Calendar is described as their 'best ever', offering £655 worth of gifts for just £105. The calendar features 25 products, with 15 full-sized items, showcasing big beauty brands like Medik8, ESPA and Peter Thomas Roth - ideal for those wanting to discover different brands.

Another highly coveted multi-brand option is the Sephora Favourites Advent Calendar, available for £225. This collection has been completely sold out three years running and appears destined to repeat that success.

It comprises 41 products (24 full-sized) with 31 exclusive to the shop, highlighting well-known brands like Glow Recipe, Merit, Tarte and Tower 28.

A bonus benefit when buying the Liz Earle beauty advent calendar is that customers can choose three complimentary samples during checkout. These samples prove surprisingly substantial, measuring between 30ml and 50ml, making careful selection worthwhile.

Regarding the calendar itself, it has accumulated exclusively five-star ratings on the Liz Earle website so far. One customer commented: "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," one customer remarked.

"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."

The collection isn't exclusively for women, with one male buyer sharing: "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 customer praised its effectiveness for mature skin, saying: "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."

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