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This week a celebrity beauty advent calendar became a news story: Skims, Kim Kardashian’s brand, offered refunds on its $148 calendar after viral unboxing videos showed what was inside. Fenty’s $190 “12 Dayz” calendar is being discussed alongside it. This guide walks through what happened, what Fenty lists in its calendar, and a six-point checklist for judging any advent calendar before you pay.
Quick answer
- Skims offered buyers of its $148 accessories advent calendar a full refund or Skims credit, as reported on Nov. 9, 2026.
- That calendar was labelled “accessories,” not beauty, and its contents were listed on the Skims site.
- Fenty’s 12-piece calendar is listed at $190 with a stated value of $284; sources differ on whether five or six items are full size.
- Judge any calendar by its published contents, sizes, stated value, how much you would really use, shade fit and return policy.
- Opeau researched these calendars from published sources; we have not bought or opened them.
What happened with the Skims advent calendar
According to NBC News and TODAY (Nov. 9, 2026), with similar reports from USA Today and the BBC, Skims sold a $148 “accessories advent calendar” with 12 days of small surprises. Reported contents include hair ties and scrunchies, clips, bobby pins, keychains and a compact mirror. After unboxing videos spread widely online, Skims offered customers “a choice of a full refund or a SKIMS credit to put towards other products,” and said it had contacted every customer who bought the calendar.
A Skims spokesperson said the company was “aware of the feedback” and that “for some, the calendar didn’t meet expectations.” NBC also reported that the calendar showed as sold out with a waitlist. Reaction online was mixed: many buyers were disappointed, while some commenters pointed out that the site had disclosed the contents.
It is worth being fair here. The product was labelled an accessories calendar, not a beauty one, so it sits slightly outside the category this guide covers. We include it because the lesson carries over: a price tag and a festive box tell you little until you compare them with the actual list of items. We have not confirmed whether any celebrity personally chose the items in any calendar mentioned here.
If you are comparing gift options more broadly, our earlier guide to luxury skincare gift sets covers a different format.
What’s in Fenty’s 12 Dayz calendar
The “12 Dayz of Fenty Beauty + Fenty Skin” 12-piece calendar is listed on Fenty Beauty’s US site at $190, with a stated regular value of $284 (checked Nov. 12, 2026). The brand describes the set as mini and full-size face, lip and eye products. The table below follows the product names from Hello Subscription’s list and the sizes from ThePricer’s table, which says it took them from Fenty’s listing.
| Product | Shade/scent | Size (as listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shine Gloss Stick | Is It Fu$$y | Standard (no size given) |
| Mini You Mist Makeup-Extending Setting Spray | n/a | Mini, 35 mL |
| Fenty Cheeks Suede Powder Blush | Lolly Poppy | Standard, 4 g |
| Hella Thicc Volumizing Mascara | Cuz I’m Black | Standard, 10 mL |
| Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter | Wattabrat | Standard, 7.5 g |
| Mini Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer | $Weet Mouth | Mini, 5.5 mL |
| Mini Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 | n/a | Mini, 30 mL |
| Fenty Treatz Hydrating + Strengthening Oil | Barbados Cherry | Standard, 5.6 mL |
| Mini Butta Drop Whipped Oil Body Cream | Fenty Fresh | Mini, 75 mL |
| Mini Total Cleans’r Remove-It-All Cleanser | n/a | Mini, 45 mL |
| Mini Fat Water Niacinamide Pore-Refining Toner Serum | n/a | Mini, 50 mL |
| Plush Puddin’ Intensive Recovery Lip Mask | Salted Caramel | Standard, 15 mL |
Sources differ on the count. ThePricer’s table marks six items as standard size and six as mini, while it notes that Allure counts five full-size products. Naming conventions also differ slightly between listings (for example, the Treatz item is called a lip oil on one page), so check the current retailer page.
The value lesson is simple. A stated value of $284 against a $190 price describes the gap between the brand’s regular prices and the set price. It does not tell you what you would use. If you would reach for the blush, mascara, highlighter and a couple of lip products, the math looks different than if half the box is minis you would never open.
What’s confirmed (and what isn’t)
| Claim | Status | Source (date) |
|---|---|---|
| Skims calendar was $148 with hair ties, clips, bobby pins, keychains and a compact mirror | Confirmed by reporting | NBC News/TODAY (Nov. 9, 2026) |
| Skims offered a full refund or Skims credit | Confirmed by reporting | NBC News/TODAY (Nov. 9, 2026) |
| Skims calendar sold out | Reported | NBC News/TODAY (Nov. 9, 2026) |
| Fenty calendar is $190 with a stated $284 value and 12 products | Confirmed on Fenty’s US listing | Fenty Beauty product page (checked Nov. 12, 2026); Hello Subscription (Oct. 13, 2026) |
| Exact number of full-size Fenty items | Sources differ (5 vs 6) | ThePricer (Nov. 11, 2026) |
| Whether Rihanna or Kim personally chose or uses the items | Not confirmed | No source read says so |
| Whether any calendar is “worth it” for you | Depends on your use; Opeau has not tested them | n/a |
How to judge any beauty advent calendar before you buy
- Is the full contents list published? If a brand shows every item before you buy, you can judge it. A “surprise” box with no list asks for more trust.
- Full size or mini? Check milliliters or grams for each item. A mini can be useful for travel, but it is not the same value as a standard size.
- Stated value vs. price. “Value” usually means the brand’s regular prices added up. Ask whether you would pay those prices for these items on their own.
- Would you use 8 of 12? A simple test: count items you would actually open. If it is fewer than about two-thirds, the discount may not matter.
- Shade and skin fit. Blush, highlighter and mascara shades are fixed. Fragrance and skincare may not suit your preferences or sensitivities.
- Return policy or gift receipt. Check whether opened or unopened calendars can be returned, who pays shipping, and whether a gift receipt is available.
The Skims refund shows why the last point matters: a clear return path is part of the product.
Shopping for a beauty advent calendar on Amazon
Amazon sells many calendars from different sellers, so the same checklist applies. Fenty and Skims calendars are not linked here, and we are not suggesting they are sold there. Prices change, so check the listing before you buy.
Beauty advent calendars on Amazon
Search on Amazon
A general beauty search mixes makeup, skincare and body care. Look for a contents list with sizes, and read recent buyer reviews with photos of what arrived.
Makeup advent calendars on Amazon
Search on Amazon
For makeup, check shade names and whether items are full size or sample size. Confirm who the seller is and whether returns are accepted.
Skincare advent calendars on Amazon
Search on Amazon
For skincare, read the ingredient lists if you have preferences or sensitivities, and compare sizes in mL. Patch testing and your own routine are better guides than any box label.
Fragrance advent calendars on Amazon
Search on Amazon
Fragrance calendars often contain small vials. Check how many scents you are likely to enjoy and the size of each sample.
Comparison table
| Calendar type | Best for | What to check | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beauty advent calendars on Amazon | Broad browsing | Published contents, sizes, seller | Search Amazon |
| Makeup advent calendars on Amazon | Color and lip fans | Shades, full vs. mini | Search Amazon |
| Skincare advent calendars on Amazon | Trying routine steps | Ingredients, mL sizes | Search Amazon |
| Fragrance advent calendars on Amazon | Sampling scents | Vial sizes, scent mix | Search Amazon |
More on Opeau
- Luxury skincare gift sets: are they worth it?
- Sephora savings event and celebrity picks
- Celebrity lip products under $30
- Celebrity perfume dupes
FAQ
Why did Skims offer refunds?
NBC News and TODAY reported on Nov. 9, 2026 that Skims offered a full refund or Skims credit after backlash over the contents of its $148 accessories calendar. A spokesperson said the calendar “didn’t meet expectations” for some customers.
What is in the Fenty advent calendar?
It is a 12-piece set of Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin products, listed at $190 with a stated $284 value. It includes a blush, highlighter, mascara, lip products, a cleanser, toner serum and body cream. See the table above.
Is a celebrity advent calendar worth it?
It depends on what you would use. Count the items you would open, check sizes, and compare the price with what you would pay for those items individually.
How do I check value?
Use the six-point checklist above: published contents, sizes, stated value vs. price, usage, shade fit and returns.
Can I buy beauty advent calendars on Amazon?
Yes, many brands and sellers list calendars there. We do not suggest Skims or Fenty calendars are sold on Amazon. Check the seller and return terms.
Has Opeau tried these?
No. This article is researched from published reports and listings; we have not bought or opened these calendars.
Sources
- NBC News / TODAY: Skims offers refunds after facing backlash for $148 advent calendar, Nov. 9, 2026
- Hello Subscription: Fenty Beauty advent calendar contents, Oct. 13, 2026
- ThePricer: How much does the Fenty Beauty advent calendar cost?, Nov. 11, 2026
- Fenty Beauty: 12 Dayz of Fenty Beauty + Fenty Skin 12-Piece Advent Calendar, product page checked Nov. 12, 2026
- USA Today: Kim Kardashian gives refunds for Skims advent calendar after backlash, Nov. 9, 2026 (updated Nov. 11)
- BBC News: Kim Kardashian’s Skims offers refunds for $148 advent calendar after backlash, Nov. 2026
Last updated: November 12, 2026. Written by the Opeau team, published by GENAZ PTE. LTD., Singapore. Skims and Fenty Beauty are trademarks of their owners. Prices and availability change; check the retailer before you buy.