Rituals Classic Advent Calendar promises to help with the transition into winter but does it live up to expectations?(Image: Staff)

'Rituals' classic advent calendar saved me more than £70 on heavenly scented products'

Rituals Classic Advent Calendar really kick starts the festive period with its range of beautifully scented home, body and beauty products

by · The Mirror

Advent calendars have become far more luxe in recent years, with shops offering bigger and better surprises. Rituals, a brand that aims to 'transform daily routines into meaningful moments by paying attention to the small pleasures in life' is no exception.

When I was offered the chance to see what's inside the Classic Advent Calendar I couldn't wait. Rituals is well known for producing high-quality home, body and beauty wares that smell phenomenal.

The beautifully boxed calendar is inspired by Amsterdam and the roof pops up to give a touch of dimension to the design. Featuring bestsellers in body, home, and beauty, along with limited editions, it also contains four candles that can be lit for Advent Sundays.

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I could smell some of the contents before opening any doors on the box, which for me is a strong indication of the quality of the fragrance and oils used in them. I also found the calendar provided the perfect opportunity to try new products and scents I might not have chosen otherwise.

If you do get a product you've not used before, each door has a handy description about the item. Rituals say their calendar aims to 'ease' the transition into winter so 'the countdown to Christmas and the refreshment of the new year will be the ultimate form of relaxation,' and it will certainly help with this.

The unopened calendar box looks like something straight from the Nutcracker( Image: Staff)

My top picks from inside the calendar

Because I love a Christmas surprise, I decided not to look at what would be in the calendar so I could enjoy opening it. If you are tempted and do not want to know what's inside then do not read any further.

Each item smells amazing (excluding the scrub glove for obvious reasons), but there are a few standout items for me. The mini candles are perfect for creating a cosy atmosphere while relaxing. My favourite scent out of the four is Wid Fig, a lovely rich scent, a full-size candle in this scent would cost £40.90.

Each door has a lovely description of the item( Image: Staff)

When I'm not at work I spend a lot of time outside, making hand cream an essential for me, so I was thrilled to find a full-size Ritual of Karma Instant Care Hand Lotion, worth £12.90, behind one of the doors. I've been using it daily since and the hydro-boost formula has helped soothe and moisturise my hands.

With the weather turning particularly wet and wild this week the Ritual of Ayurveda Shampoo and Ritual of Ayurveda Conditioner (70ml each) have also provided some much-needed support for my hair. Containing argon oil and shikakai the duo nourished my hair leaving it silky smooth, as well as providing a lovely scent that lasted throughout the day. It's worth noting that if you have particularly oily or ultra-fine hair, the shampoo and conditioner may be too heavy for you.

The packet makes the bar look bigger than it is( Image: Staff)

While I loved most of the items, one in particular left me feeling slightly flat, although it did leave me laughing. Behind one of the doors was potentially the smallest body bar I have ever seen.

Ritual of Mehr Shampoo & Body Bar weighs in at just 10g and is possibly smaller in size than some sweets. While it smells lovely I would have loved for it to be a tiny bit bigger as one wash and this will be gone. The full-size version of this product is 100g and costs £14.

What do you get?

Priced at £91.90 it is on the pricier side however the contents are worth £166, meaning shoppers essentially get £74 worth of products for free. It also gives you the chance to try scents and formulas you may not try at full price. I know that I'll be popping quite a few of the products into my travel bag as they're the perfect size for when you do not want to carry a huge tube or if you have a strict weight to stick too.

Everything you get inside is listed below:

Every item from inside the Rituals Classic Advent Calendar( Image: Staff)
  • Wonder Mask (10g)
  • The Ritual of Namaste Micellar Water (30ml)
  • The Ritual of Ayurveda Scrub Glove
  • Elixir Collection Miracle Keratin Recovery Hair Mask (20ml)
  • Amsterdam Collection Foaming Shower Gel (50ml)
  • The Ritual of Mehr Hair & Body Mist (20ml)
  • The Ritual of Jing Body Cream (70ml)
  • Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Sweet Jasmine
  • Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Suede Vanilla
  • Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Smooth Violet
  • Advent Mini Candle Private Collection - Wild Fig
  • The Ritual of Karma Mild Body Scrub Paste (70ml)
  • The Ritual of Mehr Shampoo & Body Bar (10g)
  • The Ritual of Karma Overnight Body Mask (40ml)
  • The Ritual of Namaste Miracle Wipes
  • The Ritual of Ayurveda Shampoo (70ml)
  • The Ritual of Ayurveda Conditioner (70ml)
  • The Ritual of Hammam Body Lotion Mousse (30ml)
  • The Ritual of Karma Instant Care Hand Lotion (50ml)
  • The Alchemy Collection Foaming Shower Gel (50ml)
  • The Ritual of Sakura Kitchen Hand Balm (85ml)
  • Bracelet Advent
  • Scent Booster & Softener in 1 Jing (75ml)
  • The Ritual of Sakura Hand Wash (110ml)

The Rituals Classic Advent Calendar provides the perfect opportunity to try some stunning products. But if you are looking for a strictly beauty advent calendar there are plenty of options under £100, such as LookFantastic and Glossybox which also offer great value.