Look Fantastic Advent Calendar 2016 - Worth €95?

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Hi!

I really wanted to buy another Beauty Advent Calendar this year after I enjoyed the one from The Body Shop last year (I reviewed that at the time here and was 100% sure I'd buy it again) - however after seeing that the contents of the mid-range one were quite similar to last year and realising that I hadn't used half of the stuff from the 2015 one, I wanted to try a different brand.

I've been a subscriber to Look Fantastic monthly beauty boxes before and have always enjoyed the contents, so I pre-ordered their calendar in mid-October. It sold out incredibly fast and I wasn't sure if I'd even made it in time, but rejoice, I got my calendar in November.

It cost almost €95 delivered to Ireland and was an absolute beast of a calendar - it comes in a sturdy white/rose gold box that can be used for storage after Christmas. All of the products included are brands that Look Fantastic sell on their website. I'll link every item under the pictures, prices are correct at time of publication.

Here's a closer look at the contents, in no particular order:

Ojon Damage Reverse Instant Restorative Hair Serum | 15ml | Full Size 50ml €14.95 | Value €4.50

Redken One United Multi-Benefit Hair Treatment | 30ml | Full Size 150ml €15.95 | Value €3.20

Moroccanoil Treatment | 25ml | Travel Size Value €16.45

Christophe Robin Regenerating Hair Mask | 50ml | Full Size 250ml €53 | Value €10.60

Wella OR Luminous Reveal Shampoo | 50ml | Full Size 1000ml €56.45 | Value €2.80

I haven't tried the majority of these products yet, but I'm most excited to try the Moroccanoil and the Ojon hair serum. Both are really decent sample sizes that will last ages. I've used Redken treatments before, and have always been happy with the brand. I really liked that there was a nice selection of hair products in the box.

Dermologica Daily Microfoliant Powder | 13g | Full Size 74g €50.95 | Value €8.95

Codage Paris Micro-peeling Mask | 15ml | Full Size 50ml €73.45 | Value €22

REN V-Cense Revitalising Night Cream | 15ml | Full Size 50ml €39.45 | Value €11.80
Pixi Glow Tonic | 15ml | Full Size 250ml €22.45 | Value €1.35
Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream | 7ml | Full Size 15ml €24.45 | Value €11.40

The Dermologica product is definitely one of the ones that received the most attention when I opened it on Snapchat - I got several messages saying it was a really good product. I didn't get to use the Pixi Glow Tonic because one of the kids spilled it, but I have had a sample before and I know it's a nice toner. I've been using the Balance Me eye cream - I don't know if it's making a difference to fine lines or dark circles, but it's a pleasant product to use (my only quibble is that it seems very perfumed - does eye cream need to smell like flowers?).

Molton Brown Pink Pepperpod Body Wash 100ml | Full Size 300ml €24.45 | Value €8.15

Rituals The Ritual of Sakura Magic Touch Body Cream 70ml | Full Size 220ml €21.45 | Value €6.80

Origins GinZing Energy-boosting Moisturizer 30ml | Full Size 50ml €26.45 | Value €15.90

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Or 10ml | Full Size 50ml €19.95 | Value €3.99

Ole Henriksen Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths x10 | Full Size x30 €14.95 | Value €4.99

I really like Ole Henriksen - their melting cleanser is one of my favourites, so I was happy to get the cleansing cloths (essentially - they're wipes). The body cream isn't my favourite scent in the world, but it leaves skin feeling smooth. I love most Molton Brown scents and was delighted with the 100ml size, I'd have expected a smaller bottle. The Nuxe oil is a Summer product for me, so I'll be trying that in a few months' time. I like the Origins, it's similar to The Body Shop Vitamin C moisturizer (another great product). 

Ardell Wispies Lashes (free Duo Adhesive) | Full Size Value €5.45

Look Good Feel Better Eye Shading Brush | Full Size Value €8.95

Monuskin Illuminating Primer SPF 15 25ml | Full Size 50ml €36.95 | Value €18.50

Foreo Luna Play Full Size Value €35.45

Foreo Day Cleanser 15ml | Full Size 100ml €30.95 | Value €4.65

This Works Sleep Plus Deep Pillow Spray 5ml | Full Size 75ml €30.95 | Value €2.05

Ardell Demi Wispies are my favourite lashes, so to receive them was fantastic. The duo glue is the best I've come across, so that will come in handy too. The Monuskin primer was a lovely product to get - it's similar in texture to the Hourglass primer but does a similar job to MAC Strobe Cream. I haven't used the Luna Play yet - it's a facial cleanser, and it's a great idea (and an expensive product). The Day Cleanser was included with the Play. I've used This Works sprays before - I can't say I find them of huge use, but I have family members who love the brand. The eyeshadow brush is good quality, plus it's by a company who support women with cancer. 

Inika Loose Mineral Blush - Shade 'Blooming Nude' 3g | Full Size Value €25.95

Bellapierre Gel Eye Liner - Shade 'Ebony' | Full Size Value €18.45

Purminerals Impact + Mascara - Black | Full Size €23.45 | Value €11.70

NudeStix Lip & Cheek Pencil - Shade 'Mystic' | Full Size Value €29.45

Inika are a cruelty free, vegan brand. I think the shade of blush will be too dark for me, but it may work as a really nice contour colour. The gel eye liner pencil is smooth and easy to use, the mascara was just fine - nothing amazing, just a nice daytime mascara. I really like the NudeStix - I don't think I'd use this shade on my cheeks but as a lip pencil it didn't feel dry, plus it also came with a sharpener on the end. 

So - so far we're up to a value of about €293.50, even without the inclusion of the quite frankly, massive, Day 25 gift (there was a £10 voucher for the site behind this too):

Illamasqua Eye Shadow Palette | Full Size Value €41.95

This palette was exclusively designed for the Advent Calendar, it can't be purchased. The shades included (clockwise from top left) are: Servant, Tango, Terra, and Vernau. I've never owned any Illamasqua products before, so I was really excited to receive this (it's a present in itself, never mind any of the other stuff in the calendar). The shades are really pigmented and buttery smooth. 

Overall, the products in the calendar are worth almost €350, so the €95 price tag seems like a good deal. But is it? For me, definitely. I would absolutely buy this again next year - be warned, if you're interested, sign up to emails because it WILL fly off the virtual shelves again. I've gotten a chance to try a host of luxury brands, lots of skincare, hair, makeup - stuff I'd never have been able to try before. The price of the Moroccanoil, Foreo Play and Illamasqua quad cover the price of the calendar. 

It's absolutely the best beauty calendar I've come across to date.