Opening an advent calendar is one perennial festive tradition we’ll never outgrow. A palm-size gift of utter glee hiding behind a door, a window or nestled into a drawer – it’s genius and it puts us right in the festive feels.
And then there’s (drumroll) a beauty advent calendar.
Sure, chocolate’s great and everything but have you ever had a Huda Beauty Eyeshadow Palette for breakfast? December made.
Re-discover fan favourites, cult classics and buzzy newbies from the best names in beauty, every day in the countdown till Christmas.
Whether you’re browsing for yourself or shopping for the beauty enthusiast in your life, keep reading for the best beauty advent calendars 2020 has to offer. It’s a big decision to make and you have our full support if one turns into three.
The Body Shop Make It Real Together
£70
Patiently waiting for December 1st to get stuck into this house of treats may prove difficult but it’ll be worth the wait. Jam packed with The Body Shop’s best-sellers and cult faves, including the Vitamin E Moisture Cream and Almond Milk & Honey Body Butter, it’s a no brainer for the beauty junkies in the family. Shop here.
Feelunique Beauty Advent Calendar
£89
No spoilers but a little birdie tells us Charlotte Tilbury, Tan Luxe, Huda Beauty and Nars might be hiding on the other side of those delightful doors. Oo-er. On Christmas Day, you’ll find not one but three beauty surprises – how about that for festive cheer, then? And, it’s worth over a whopping £275! Ding. Dong. Shop here.
Now here’s an advent calendar with serious sell-out appeal. Enjoy counting down the days to Christmas with 24 signature fragrances, bath & body luxuries and miniature candles. Shop here.
From long-standing favourites and best-sellers to exclusive festive newbies, all gift wrapped in a reusable Mary Poppins carpet bag inspired luggage trunk. It’s nothing short of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Shop here.
L’Occitane’s Trio of Advent Calendars
L’Occitane has come well prepared for the festivities this year with not one but three advent calendars, each inspired by nature. Now to start the impossible task of narrowing it down to one…
Treat yourself to the Classic Beauty Calendar featuring 24 much-loved L’Occitane body, hair and skincare products. Ready, set, pamper! Shop here for £53.
For a lavish gift with 24 fully stocked drawers containing the best of L’Occitane premium products, there’s the Luxury Beauty Advent Calendar. Shop here for £99.
The gift that keeps on giving – this year, L’Occitane have collaborated with UK illustrator Isla Simpson to create a reusable advent calendar, made from recycled cotton and designed to be adored for many Christmases to come. Shop here for £160.
Rituals Deluxe 3D Calendar
£89.90
What better way to celebrate the ritual of Christmas than with 24 moments of pure joy, all wrapped up and tied in a bow. The festive village advent calendar includes a unique selection of mini luxuries to make every day in the run up to the big day a truly special event. It’s the perfect present to give (if you can bear to part with it) or receive! Shop here.
Selfridges Beauty Advent Calendar
£210
Worth over £500 and full of all the best next-level brands including Pat McGrath, Anastasia Beverly Hills and Byredo, the Selfridge’s beauty advent launch is one of the most hotly anticipated events of the calendar year and when you see the show-stopping treats up for grabs this time around, it’s not hard to see why. The second it’s available to purchase, we’re there with bells on. Shop here.
It’s definitely at the spenny end of the spectrum but wow, what a way to celebrate the start of the holiday season. Steeped in the magical spirit of Dior, brought to life by artist and illustrator Safia Ouares, the calendar depicts a starry night and enchanting scenes from a ballet. Of course, it’s what’s on the inside that really counts and you’ll be pleased to know, the contents are just as spectacular as the aesthetic. Behind each of the 24 doors, a daily gift awaits, spanning the iconic brand’s skincare, fragrance and makeup lines. Shop here.
Benefit Cosmetics Shake Your Beauty Advent Calendar
£58.50
Full of fan-favourites including Benefit’s classic Hoola Bronzer and Roller Lash Mascara, this holiday haul of minis is the stuff of beauty junkie dreams. Snap. It. Up. Shop here.
MAC Cosmetics Boom Boom Wow Advent Calendar
£125
The MAC advent calendar is always hot property and this year is no different. Expect plenty of classics like Prep + Prime Fix+ and Russian Red lipstick to get your pout party season ready. The exact release date has been kept tightly under wraps, but you can sign up to be the first to hear when it launches. Shop here.
It wouldn’t be a Christmas countdown without everyone’s favourite makeup artist darling, Charlotte Tilbury. Discover her supercharged glow-giving skincare secrets and award-winning beauty marvels, including her Pillow Talk lipstick and highly praised Magic Cream, all beautifully presented in a bougie bejewelled chest. Gimme. Shop here.
Space NK The Beauty Anthology Part II
£195
The v popular Space NK Beauty Anthology is back with a second edition. Christmas angels do exist! Tucked behind 24 doors, you’ll find a carefully curated edit of Space NK beauty must-haves. Pamper yourself silly with a full-size Kate Somerville Retinol Vitamin C Moisturiser and Byredo Hand Cream and take a moment to chill with a Layered Christmas Candle by Jo Loves. It’s the ultimate Christmas countdown. Shop here.
John Lewis & Partners Beauty Advent Calendar
£150
Discover a selection of both new and iconic beauty and wellbeing treats behind every drawer c/o John Lewis & Partners. The Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, By Terry Baume de Rose and Neom Organics London Perfect Night’s Sleep Pillow Mist are just some of the 25 festive treats waiting to be opened. Christmas came early this year. Shop here.
Net-A-Porter Beauty Advent Calendar
£240
The Net-A-Porter Beauty Advent Calendar is back and we’re all too glad we got the memo. Boasting 13 full size and 12 travel size products from universally loved brands and with a mega value of £1,115, the run up to holiday season just got even better. Shop here.
Molton Brown Advent Calendar
£175
Spoil yourself throughout December with 24 of Molton Brown’s decadent surprises from bathing classics to luxurious body care. Shop here.
Candle lovers, hold onto your wicks because this is one lit advent calendar you’re going to want to get your paws on. Enjoy 25 exclusive Diptyque items, including a selection of 11 scented candles (35g), 2 limited edition 2020 creations and a selection of 7 Eaux de Toilette and Eaux de Parfum. So, this is what joyful impatience feels like. Shop here.
OPI Shine Bright Nail Polish Advent Calendar
£65.90
Nail fanatics, here’s one for you. Shine bright with a new shade for every day up till Christmas, with 25 mini nail polishes from Gingerbread Man Can to Red-y For The Holidays and Tinsel, Tinsel ‘Lil Star. Merry manicures all round. Shop here.
Liberty London Beauty Advent Calendar
£215
Containing 26 sought-after products from the Liberty Beauty Hall (18 of which are full-sized), this year’s edit is one of their most covetable yet. Featuring cult favourites from the likes of Le Labo, Votary and Hourglass, beauty buffs will have to get in there quick to avoid disappointment. Go, go, go! Shop here.
bareMinerals Clean Beauty Advent Calendar
£89
It’s estimated that every household will dispose of 3 ½ black bags (approximately 100 million bags) full of packaging this Christmas, so clean planet-friendly beauty counts.
bareMinerals have minimised plastic across their holiday collection, incorporated post-consumer recycled materials and made their gift boxes completely recyclable. A beauty advent calendar with a heart, we love to see it! Shop here.
Harrods of London Beauty Advent Calendar
£250
Bringing together the best of beauty across skincare, makeup and fragrance, Harrods have yet again nailed holiday season. From mini offerings to full-sized surprises all selected from Harrods’ hallowed beauty stalls, it contains everything your post-party season skin could ever want or need. Shop here.
