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All kinds of advent calendars exist these days: booze-filled ones, cheese-filled ones, Funko Pop doll-filled ones. So it only makes sense that Anthropologie would get in on the action, releasing a weeklong advent calendar that capitalizes on one of the buzziest terms right now: self-care. And I’ve got to admit—the tactic worked. I couldn’t wait to try it, after receiving one as a holiday gift.
The calendar, which looks like a giant, box-shaped envelope, features an uplifting quote on the inside of each door, as well as a small beauty or wellness product designed to help you unwind and treat yo’self. There are lemon and lavender essential oil-scented body wipes; hair oil to smooth flyaways and split ends; a matcha-coconut oil moisturizing stick; natural lavender-vanilla (or Lavanilla) deodorant; a roll-on essential oil designed to destress; a HUM three-day skin cleanse vitamin sample, and “detox” body oil, valued at a collective $50+.
At $30 (originally $38, but it’s currently on sale), the products seem worth the cost, especially since the majority are full-sized. Or, more accurately, it felt like a fair price to try a variety of new things, assessing what I like rather than paying full price for each one individually. The hair oil worked better than a moisturizing mask—so much so that after one use, my hairstylist raved about how soft and shiny my hair was. (Normally, she recommends doing a deep conditioning treatment to offset the color damage from my highlights.)
At three days’ worth of vitamins, it seemed like too short a time frame to really notice a difference in my skin. Though my breath wreaked of seaweed every morning when I downed the capsules (gummy vitamins these aren’t!). The essential oil was light and refreshing; the cleansing wipes were a little intensely scented, making me feel like I was rubbing my pressure points with Clorox wipes.
All of the items felt like a good kit to endure winter’s worst—especially the ultra-moisturizing matcha stick—and the travel-size deodorant has become a staple in my gym bag. (Which, admittedly, would come in much handier if I actually used said gym bag regularly.) Plus, I’m a sucker for the surprise-and-delight moment of opening something new every day for a week, so…let’s just say I’m all for this alternative advent calendar trend. There are worse vices, right?
Self-Care Advent Calendar, $30; Anthropologie
FYI: Life Between Weekends doesn’t receive a commission off this post. I just wanted to tell you about this wild advent calendar, though I *did* get it for free.