SKIMS Advent Calendar Backlash
Customers who purchased the $148 SKIMS Accessories Advent Calendar 2026 have labeled the product a “scam” following a wave of viral unboxing videos on TikTok.
The brand, founded by Kim Kardashian, faced immediate criticism after buyers discovered the 12-window set contained basic hair accessories and trinkets rather than the apparel or shapewear the company is known for, well.pl reported. The calendar, which launched on October 29, 2026, became the subject of intense scrutiny as social media users quickly rebranded the product as “SCAMS.”
Contents of the Accessories Set
The calendar, which retailed for 698 PLN in Poland and $148 in the U.S., featured a selection of small items.
According to styl.interia.pl, the inventory included a bear-shaped keychain, three hair ties, three satin scrunchies, three hair clips, an antistress squishy toy with the SKIMS logo, two hair clips, two elastic bands resembling bra straps, another three hair clips, a keychain featuring a miniature comb, a logo keychain, a final set of three satin scrunchies, and a small mirror framed in faux fur.
Multiple outlets noted the lack of core SKIMS products. 4fun.tv reported that users compared the contents to inexpensive market gadgets or items found at the bottom of a purse or under a sofa, rather than the premium goods expected from the brand.
Influencer Kayla Ryan, who documented her unboxing experience, expressed disbelief at the contents, at one point joking that she hoped to find a $150 gift card in the final window to recoup her investment. As unboxing videos flooded TikTok beginning in early November, some users even created parody videos filling their own boxes with random household trinkets to mock the set’s value.
SKIMS Offers Refunds or Store Credit to Customers
SKIMS responded to the widespread negative feedback on November 8, 2026. The company contacted purchasers to acknowledge that the product failed to meet expectations, according to well.pl.
In a message sent to customers, the brand stated the product did not meet expectations and failed to live up to the hopes placed in it.
The brand offered two resolution options to affected customers: a full refund upon returning the calendar at the company’s expense, or a $150 store credit for those who choose to keep the set, 4fun.tv reported.
TikTok Videos Drive Controversy as the Calendar Sells Out
The controversy gained momentum as unboxing videos reached tens of millions of views on TikTok. Styl.interia.pl observed that despite the criticism, the calendar sold out on the official website, with interested buyers eventually being placed on a waiting list.
Some observers and image consultants have speculated whether the minimalist contents were a deliberate strategy to generate buzz for the brand’s holiday collection, 4fun.tv reported. While high-end beauty calendars from brands like Dior or Prada can cost several thousand zlotys, those sets typically include full-sized or miniature luxury cosmetics and perfumes, which contrasted sharply with the SKIMS accessories.
What Customers Asked About the SKIMS Accessories Advent Calendar
What items were included in the final window of the calendar? The 12th window contained a small pocket mirror framed in faux fur, a detail noted by well.pl.
Did SKIMS promise apparel or shapewear in the product description? No, the brand marketed the item as an “Accessories Advent Calendar” and listed the contents on the product page, though customers expected a higher value based on the $148 price point, according to well.pl and styl.interia.pl.
How long did customers have to wait for a response from the company? The brand began reaching out to customers with refund options after unboxing videos triggered significant social media backlash. Kim Kardashian has not issued a personal public statement regarding the situation.
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