beauty

From sticker sets to a plastic bracelet: We need to talk about Chanel's $1140 advent calendar.

Along with many other beauty brands this year, Chanel launched its first ever Christmas Advent calendar. 

And at... *checks notes*... $1,140 - it's probably as pricey as advent calendars get.

Made up of 27 boxes numbered from five to 31, the calendar marks the 100th anniversary of the iconic Chanel No. 5 perfume.

Sounds like a good (albeit expensive) time, right? But, friends - the Internet is not impressed. Like... people are very mad.

After purchasing the luxury advent calendar, TikTok user Elise Harmon posted a series of videos of herself opening and reviewing the content of the Chanel advent calendar boxes to see if it's worth the hype. 

Because if you're going to spend $1,140 on an advent calendar - you want to make sure it's going to be filled with some pretty good loot.

And while her initial impressions were pretty positive (some of the boxes contained full-sized beauty products, like Le Vernis Nail Lacquer, Rouge Allure lipstick and Chanel N°5 Eau de Parfum Spray), as the video continues, she's hit with... disappointment.

Watch: Speaking of beauty products... dirt build-up wreaking havoc in your makeup draw? Here's a quick fix. Post continues below.


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Video via Mamamia.

As she opens box number nine, she finds a pack of ✨stickers✨, while box number eight contains a small jewellery-sized dust bag with nothing inside. 

"I can’t make this up. It’s just this bag. It’s just a dust bag,” Harmon said in the clip. 

"It’s a dust bag for your stickers obvi," one person commented.

Other noteworthy items included a black string bracelet with a plastic 'wax' seal branded with 'CC', a flip book, and... temporary tattoos. 

Thoughts and prayers.

The real kicker? According to Diet Prada, some of the items can be found on eBay, and appear to have been old "gift with purchase" freebies.

Check out the full clip below:

@eliseharmon

Worth the hype? Probably not but it is pretty

♬ It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas - Michael Bublé

The unboxing clip has now gone viral, with more than 41 million views - and judging by the comments, many people are angry at the low-budget items being sold for $1,140.

In a follow-up video, Harmon's confirms that Chanel has now blocked her.

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If you want to check out Chanel's limited edition calendar, you can find it here. Otherwise, we've done you a solid and pulled together the top beauty advent calendars we reckon are worth your hard-earned cash.

(Psst... don't dawdle, friend. These are getting snapped up, quick!)

1. Lancôme Paris Advent Calendar, $250.

Image: Adore Beauty  

How cute is the Lancôme Advent Calendar?! It folds out like a little storybook and it has teeny buildings pop up, and the buildings have mini products in it... gah! There's even an Eiffel tower in the middle!

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Listen: More of a podcast person? That's cool, that's cool. You can listen to Leigh and Kelly talk about their beauty advent calendar faves on this episode of You Beauty. Post continues below.

At $250, it's certainly not cheap - but keep in mind you'll find most of the advent calendars are around this price. Plus, the products are LIT (La Vie Est Belle Parfum, Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Serum and Lash Idole Mascara - just to name a few!).

2. Adore Beauty Luxury Advent Calendar, $99.95.

Image: Adore Beauty  

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Valued at over $250, this guy from Adore Beauty is filled with 12 travel-friendly mini-sized products - skincare, haircare, makeup essentials. Featuring brands like Ultra Violette, Benefit, Estee Lauder, Lancôme - the 12 days of Christmas just got even better.

3. Sephora Collection Holiday Vibes Advent Calendar, $99.

Image: Sephora  

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With a mix of Sephora's skincare, makeup and bath products, the Sephora Collection Holiday Vibes Advent Calendar is a true all-rounder. Housed in a beautiful, vibrant box, this is one that's perfect for any age - especially teens!

4. Net-a-Porter 25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar, $410.

Image: Net-a-Porter  

In true fashion, Net-a-Porter's 25 Day of Beauty Advent Calendar is as luxe as it gets. Perfect for the beauty enthusiast and luxury skincare lovers, this is the option for you. At $410, it definitely ain't cheap - but it's valued at $2,000 - sooo, you definitely get a bang for your buck here. 

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It features brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Sunday Riley, Oribe, Omorovicza, and Victoria Beckham Beauty. Ooft!

5. ASOS Face + Body 24 Day Advent Calendar, $150.

Image: ASOS  

Similar to the Net-a-Porter calendar, there's a mix of brands in this offering from ASOS, such as Charlotte Tilbury, Beauty Works, Clinique, Dr Jart, Estee Lauder, and a whole range of other really good brands. 

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At $150 - it's pretty darn impressive!

6. Jo Malone Advent Calendar, $689.

Image: Jo Malone  

SOMEONE HOLD US BACK. Full of the brand's signature 30ml fragrances, exclusive beauty products, and candles - this is as bougie as it gets. 

While it's hella spendy for one little soul, you could go halves with your friends or sisters and split/fight over all the goods!

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7. Benefit Advent Calendar - The More the Merrier, $119.

Image: Adore Beauty  

Packed with a mix of Benefit's best-selling mascaras, primers, and iconic brow products (of course!), Benefit The More The Merrier Advent Calendar is a major steal. But you best be trying to snap this one up fast, because it's selling out quick!

8. Glasshouse Fragrances Advent Calendar 24 Days of Christmas, $250.

Image: Adore Beauty  

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If you like the idea of a fragrance advent calendar but don't want to pour out your savings on the Jo Malone one, Glasshouse Fragrances have a limited edition luxurious gift box, filled with 24 delicious Glasshouse favourites (A Tahaa Affair, Midnight In Milan, Lost In Amalfi - the whole gang!) in mini sizes. Drool.

9. The Body Shop Share Love & Joy Ultimate Advent Calendar, $250.

Image: The Body Shop Come on, as IF we were going to do a beauty advent calendar round-up and not include one from The Body Shop. This amazing pop-up construction has 25 seriously special treats - from full-sized favourites to bestsellers. 

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Think Himalayan Charcoal, Shea Shampoo and Conditioner and Drops of Youth Concentrate. No one quite does an advent calendar quite like The Body Shop.

10. YSL Beauty Luxury Advent Calendar, $495.

Image: Gambarindo  

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Well, isn't this beautiful? 

With a gold and white design, the YSL 2021 Beauty Calendar is just pure luxury. You can expect to find some of YSL's best-selling goodies behind these little doors - lipsticks, mascaras, skincare and fragrances such as Black Opium. Swoon!

11. Kiehl's Holiday Limited-Edition Advent Calendar, $149.

Image: Kiehls  

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From cleansers to face masks, facial serums and moisturisers, the Kiehls Advent Calendar is every skincare aficionado's dream come true. Valued at over $326, it's a fun way to try all of Kiehl's most iconic products.

It goes without saying, but obviously this list is by no means exhaustive. Basically every beauty brand, ever, now has an advent calendar - so there are TONNES of good options out there to meet every budget and beauty palette.

Happy countdown, beauties!

Which beauty advent calendar is your favourite? Share with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Tiktok/ @eliseharmon

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