It may only be the start of September but Christmas has already kicked off, as we’ve unboxed more than 40 of the best beauty advent calendars. Big beauty retailers, including the likes of Selfridges, Harrods, Liberty and John Lewis, have all launched their countdowns and stock is selling out fast.
These days there's really a calendar for everyone, from beauty to beer, but for those who are perfume and home fragrance obsessed, Sentier’s advent calendar stands out.
Behind each of the 12 drawers hides six fragrances and six scented candles from the luxury brand’s range. The boxed design is unique and delicately illustrated, making it perfect for displaying over the festive season.
I got my hands on the Sentier advent calendar this year, and after opening each door here’s my review.
Read more: 43 best beauty advent calendars 2026
Sentier advent calendar
Worth £529, the advent calendar from Sentier is yours for £98.10 when you use the code ‘ADVENT10’ (before 11.59pm on 31 December). I’ve unboxed quite a few beauty advent calendars this year and its design stands out to me as space saving and refined.
Overall, it’s a perfume and home fragrance discovery calendar with 10ml sized bottles of extrait and eau de parfums, two of which are alcohol-free. From bright scents that capture the Amalfi coast, to those that evoke woodlands walks, there's something for everyone and smells to last you beyond Christmas.
Sentier says the standout fragrance is ardent cherry, a bright red bottle that balances the richness of cherry and warm spice with a dose of brightness. My favourite was Méribel, which has a distinct cosy crispness, while Parisian embrace reminded me of my favourite classic Chloé perfume.
While they are travel sized bottles, the packaging feels anything but throwaway with high quality glass bottles that are perfect for your handbag. They’re a handy way to try a scent before buying one of the perfumes upfront, which start from £112 and cost more than the advent calendar itself.
At 60g the candles are the perfect size for dotting around the house to bring some cosiness for the winter period. I liked the comforting warmth of ombre de miel, while land of dreams has a very unique scent and alpine chalet conjures exactly what it evokes from the name.
- Why I love it: Wide range of scents to discover, fragrances and candles suit beyond Christmas, calendar looks good on display
- Take note: Perfumes are all travel-sized, not as exciting as other beauty advent calendars this year
Is the Sentier advent calendar worth it?
If you love the brand and want to try more of its range, the Sentier advent calendar is a money-saving way to do so. I like that the perfumes and candles are scents that will go beyond Christmas and work right into spring and summer. While I’ve seen bigger savings elsewhere this year, you’re getting a bespoke luxury collection that is great for gifting or bringing something special to your home and fragrance collection.
How I tested
I unboxed the Sentier advent calendar, so that I could get a hands-on experience of the countdown to score its design and overall feel as a gift. I smelled each fragrance and candle, and asked the rest of the IndyBest team for their thoughts, while considering the suitability of each scent. I then evaluated the value for money, comparing the standard prices to the sizes in the calendar.
Read more: I unboxed the Sephora advent calendar before anyone else, here’s my review
