Cosmic Beauty Advent Calendar 2015: Worth The Price?

I hadn't planned on getting a beauty advent calendar last year but I found myself stuck in hospital over November and the first week of December and realised I was very regretful that I hadn't bought myself a daily treat for the run-up to Christmas. Step in my rather lovely husband who dropped this into my sick bed when I needed it most (I was practically climbing the walls at that stage).
I'd previously never tried the Lancome advent calendar and when I snapchatted/tweeted/instagrammed etc about it, it seemed lots of you hadn't either so I thought I'd review it here in case you're considering it for next year. A long way off, I know but time goes fast and you can check back on this in 11 months time!

The details:

Unlike some advent calendars (looking at you Charlotte Tilbury), there are 24 doors to open here so you feel like you're getting a bit more for your money, which in this case was €120. 

The CT by comparison was €195, which I felt was too steep for what amounted to mini samples and half of the amount at that. 

This fella featured brands such as YSL, Viktor & Rolf, Kiehls and the aforementioned L'ancôme.

What exactly was in there?

What wasn't in there, am I right?!

L'ancôme Rénergie Multi-Lift Crème with SPF 15 15ml. 

L'ancôme Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate, 7ml.

L'ancôme Visionaire Advanced Multi-Correcting Cream, 15ml.

L'ancôme Visionnaire Yeux Perfecting Corrector, 5ml. 

L'ancôme Gentle Softening Cleansing Fluid for Face & Eyes, 50ml.

L'ancôme Softening Hydrating Toner, 50ml.

L'ancôme Sensitive Eye Instant Cleanser, 30ml.

L'ancôme Absolue Premium Regenerating & Replenishing Care SPF 15, 15ml.

L'ancôme Hypnôse Mascara, 2ml.

L'ancôme Hypnôse Noir Hypnotic Mascara, 2ml. 

L'ancôme Rouge In Love Lipstick

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser, 30mls.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate (Can't remember ow much was in this but it was a sachet style container that went everywhere- annoying as I love this stuff but the packaging was not appropriate).

Kiehl's Creme de Corps, 30mls.

Kiehl's Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate, 5mls.

YSL Touche Éclat Blur Primer, 10mls.

YSL Forever Youth Liberator Serum, 7mls. 

Shu Uemura Skin Purifier Ultimate8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil, 15mls.

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Perfumes:

Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb, 7ml.

Emporio Armani Diamonds, 7ml

L'ancôme La Vie Est Belle, 4ml.

Giorgio Armani Sì, 7ml.

YSL Black Opium, 7ml. 

Would I recommend?

I definitely would. It was a wonderful treat to open up a door every day to really decent sized minis, in particular the super cute baby bottles of perfume, which will be very handy for travel and just to line up on my bedside table to help me feel like a giant. 

I can't count the amount of times I opened a door and excitedly went to tell himself about the fab new gift for that day to hear him say "that really was a great buy". 

We were both delighted to be honest. Me, to get to try all the fab skincare and perfume and himself for such successful present buying! In comparison to other advent calendars I've had in the past, this was easily my favourite.

Favourite products?

So far (because I actually haven't tried everything yet);

All of the perfumes! Black Opium is one of my all time favourites. I have a full size but it's great having a smaller version to pop in my bag. Same goes for Flowerbomb, I love it but I currently don't have a full size so this is great! 

I also love La Vie Est Belle, I'm using a rollerball of it at the minute but these small versions last ages too so it's another great one to have on the go. 

I've previously owned and liked Diamonds and although Sì is new to me, I'm loving it; it's fresh and delicately sweet and will be perfect for Summer. 

L'ancôme Absolue is a gorgeous daily moisturiser; it sinks in easily, feels luxurious and contains an SPF 15. A 20ml size would set you back €80 and so far this is lasting really well so I'm feeling quite smug about that. 

I also have been loving the Visionnaire Eye Perfecting Cream; it's light and feels lovely and soothing on the under-eye area. 

I was delighted about the YSL Blur Primer because I had tried it on at a YSL counter and really liked it but couldn't justify the price at the time (full size is €38 for 30ml) so this is great to try and again, the sample size goes a long way. I also love the YSL Youth Serum, which feels incredibly silky and softening on the skin.

I'm a big fan of Kiehl's and so it's great to have a mini size of the Creme de Corps and I'm delighted with the size of the Facial Cleanser, which I previously hadn't tried. 

All of the Lancôme cleanser, toner and eye make-up remover minis are ideal too for travel and the eye make-up remover from them is actually my all time favourite. Score!

I'm also really pleased with the eyeshadow primer potion from Urban Decay; it's been years since I used this one and a good while since I used any eye make-up primer so I've been using this lately and have been really impressed at the difference in durability of my eyeshadow. I do remember that the tube of primer would be gone off before I'd get a chance to finish it so the mini size will actually work in my favour here I think.

So far those are my favourites, but as I said, I have yet to try everything!

Did you get a beauty advent calendar this year? Would you get this one do you think?

XX