As the festive gifting season reaches its peak, beauty bundles remain a perennial favourite on wishlists. However, not all curated sets deliver genuine value, with some packed with disappointing samples or lesser-known brands. Beauty writer Lucy Smith for IndyBest put one of the latest offerings, the Lookfantastic Beauty Vault, to the test to see if it stands out from the crowd.
First Impressions: Packaging and Presentation
The vault arrives in the same premium red board packaging as the brand's sold-out advent calendar, complete with white ribbon drawer pulls for a festive touch. Inside, products nestle within shredded tissue, creating a lavish, brimming effect. However, Smith notes that the presentation wasn't flawless. The lack of protective bubble wrap meant one item, a Bleach London hair mask, showed signs of wear from transit.
Inside the Vault: A Closer Look at the Contents
The bundle contains 15 full-size products with a claimed total value of £705, currently offered at £128. Smith was immediately impressed to find six items from her personal wishlist, including coveted formulas from Medik8, Color Wow, Sol de Janeiro, MZ Skin, Zelens, and Fenty Beauty.
This selection spans skincare, haircare, bodycare, and makeup, offering considerable variety. The skincare choices, including Medik8, Zelens, Rodial, and MZ Skin, focus on brightening dull skin with ingredients like vitamin C and peptides, making them suitable for a wide audience.
However, the review highlights a few considerations. Brands like Rodial and Bleach London may not hold the same cachet they once did. More notably, the included Grandelash-MD enhancer serum contains prostaglandins, which have caused redness and irritation for Smith in the past, making it a potentially risky choice for those with sensitive eyes.
The makeup picks are designed for universal appeal: a sheer Fenty Beauty gloss, neutral Morphe eyeshadows, and a versatile setting spray. A standout inclusion is the Stylpro mini microcurrent device, a trending, more affordable alternative to tools like the Ziip Halo, which Smith found effective for reducing morning puffiness.
Verdict: Is the Beauty Vault Worth the Investment?
After rigorous testing of each product—from skincare on a clean face to makeup worn for over eight hours—Smith concludes that the vault offers significant value. She argues it presents a more desirable haul than Lookfantastic's own advent calendar, thanks to the absence of sample sizes, double-ups, or basic routine products.
While sensitive individuals may need to avoid the lash serum, the overall curation of trending, high-performance brands at a discount of over 80% makes a compelling case. For anyone looking to explore premium beauty or gift a luxurious edit, the Lookfantastic Beauty Vault, available in the wake of Black Friday at 15% off, is a strong contender this festive season.
Lucy Smith has been reporting on beauty for IndyBest since July 2024, testing numerous bundles and advent calendars, and brings extensive expertise to this review.
