M&S’s wide roster of brands has earned the favour of cosmetics obsessives ever since its launch in 2012, rivalling the likes of Space NK and John Lewis. Every year, the retailer’s beauty advent calendar flies off shelves thanks to its combination of high-value and must-have brands, with 2025’s offering featuring products from Living Proof, Color Wow and more.
Now, as the warmer weather settles in for the season, M&S has dropped a limited-edition summer beauty bag to give make-up, skincare and haircare buffs something to enjoy before the countdown to Christmas – dare I say it – officially begins.
Much like its advent calendar, this collection of best-sellers boasts a mega saving, with the full price of all the items within exceeding £230. Priced at just £40 (Marksandspencer.com), that puts the savings on offer at more than 80 per cent. But is it worth it, regardless of the lucrative discount? As someone who tests beauty day-in and day-out, I’ve had a more in-depth browse inside the box. Here’s what you need to know.
Read more: Boots shoppers are loving this £35 beauty box packed with Liz Earle favourites
M&S summer beauty bag
In the 12-strong line-up, you’ll receive:
- Color Wow shampoo and hair mask
- Sam Mcknight sea salt spray
- Clinique moisturiser
- Estée Lauder cleanser
- Skinkind skin repair balm (M&S’ own brand)
- Ultrasun face SPF
- This Works vitamin C body cream
- Floral Street perfume
- Iconic London glowy setting spray
- Leighton Denny nail colour
- M&S yellow toiletry bag
Five of these items are full-sizes and, I’d argue, it’s the really good ones – Clinique, EL, Sam McKnight, LD and Iconic – that you’re getting in bigger quantities. What’s more, there’s not a stingy sample sachet in site, with all the miniature additions exceeding 10ml.
While some beauty bundles can comprise brands where, either, interest has waned or the retailer has selected the least popular product, this selection from M&S is chock full of cult formulas. From the dramatically different Clinique moisturising lotion which has been growing in popularity since the 1960s, to Color Wow’s viral hair mask, it’s clear someone on the British company’s buying team is clued up on their beauty knowledge.
Don’t believe me? Take beauty expert Ellis Cochrane’s Color Wow review as evidence. After testing the dreaming mask, she wrote, “Not only does my hair look shiny and feel soft, I also noticed a big reduction in the amount of frizz, especially when wearing my hair curly.” Meanwhile, editor Annabel Grossman described how the brand’s colour security shampoo “perfectly preserves the blonde in [her] hair,” in our guide to the best shampoos and conditioners.
I’ve browsed a number of beauty bundles through 2026 so far, including options from Lookfantastic, Boots and Cult Beauty, and I can honestly say this one seems the most enticing. It’s truly rare to see so many current and time-earned brands, with such a generous number of full-sizes, all for less than £50. If I were you, I wouldn’t hang about it securing yours.
What to know
- Products: 11 plus a toiletry bag
- Vegan and cruelty-free: All cruelty-free excluding Clinique and Estée Lauder items, all products vegan excluding Clinique and Estée Lauder items, plus the Color Wow colour security shampoo
Read more: I exclusively used Augustinus Bader skincare – here’s what’s worth buying
