There’s been an explosion of beauty advent calendars this year, with many brands designing their own version. From festive Christmas tree-shaped calendars to minimalist-looking boxes, there’s a whole heap of shapes and sizes to pick from. Then there’s the goodies themselves, do you pick one brand and all its best sellers or go for retailers like Asos who showcase a range of brands all in one compact calendar?
We’ve looked at the lot to find out which ones are worth the, sometimes hefty, price tag. And considering the price, value of the treats inside (and their usefulness), as well as the calendar’s design; we’ve picked the ones that will get you in the Christmas spirit. The ones we’ve selected will leave you feeling like Santa Claus has come early, and who wouldn’t want that?
1. Clinique 24 Days of Clinique Advent Calendar: £160, Amazon
Skincare expert Clinique has launched a jam-packed calendar full of its best sellers, including a little treat for men. Ideal for those who are after a skincare/ make-up mix, there are 24 windows to open, including everything from moisturising lotions and cleansers to lipsticks and perfume. Clinique fans will also spot cult products like the chubby stick and Take the Day Off make-up remover. This calendar wins for the variety and high-quality of the products included. Let the Christmas countdown begin.
2. Charlotte Tilbury World of Legendary Parties 2016 Holiday Advent Calendar: £150, Charlotte Tilbury
This year, make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury has excelled itself with this party advent calendar, consisting of 12 drawers, each revealing a travel-sized beauty treat. From lipsticks to lashes, you’ll be sorted for the party season and it’s a great way of trying a range of Tilbury products before investing in the full size versions. The thick, cardboard cabinet case is also beautifully designed, so you’ll want to keep it after Christmas to store bits and bobs in. And although it’s not cheap, it’s full of high-quality, hero products, such as Kissing lipstick and legendary lashes, from the queen of beauty herself, so you won’t feel disappointed as you work your way through the drawers.
3. M&S Beauty Advent Calendar: £35, M&S
You can buy this Christmas tree-shaped advent calendar for only £35 if you spend £35 on M&S beauty, clothing or homeware (excluding furniture). This makes for an extremely tempting offer, as there’s over £250 worth of goodies, including M&S own brand Autograph and brands it stocks such as Pixi and Alpha H, inside the 25 mini boxes, making it much better value than some others we tested. The advent calendar itself also looks like a Christmas decoration due to its shape, so you can add a sprinkle of festive cheer to your bedroom dresser. Without spoiling the surprise, pressies include everything from Burts Bees lip balm to Nails Inc Gel polish, so there’s lots of variety – nothing will go unused.
4. Kiehl’s 2016 Christmas Calendar: £95, Selfridges
If you’re into lotions and potions that keep skin looking youthful, this jazzy advent calendar, designed by Brooklyn based artist and product designer Jeremyville, is bursting with skincare treats. Kiehl’s has included 24 goodies, including two full-sized products for you to enjoy. There’s lip balm, facial creams and cleansers, serums and moisturisers but our favourites are the mini amino acid shampoo and mini amino acid conditioner – it left our hair feeling strong and shiny. By the time you’ve worked your way through this calendar, we’re sure your skin and hair will never have felt so good, all in time for Christmas.
5. L’Occitane Advent Calendar: £42, L’Occitane
L’Occitane’s advent calendar is decorated with pretty illustrations of its gift workshop during the festive season and is designed by French illustrator Kanako. The calendar itself is full of luxury mini goodies including sweet-smelling soaps, floral-scented hand creams and fruity body washes. There are 24 doors, so you can enjoy a beauty treat each morning on the countdown to Christmas and you’ll certainly use them all. This beauty box definitely looked the most Christmassy out of the ones we tried, due to the snowy, cheerful illustrations.
6. Diptyque Advent Calendar 2016: £250, Diptyque
French brand Diptyque is known for its beautifully scented fragrances, candles and skincare, and its beauty advent calendar is already hugely popular (and almost sold out). It has 25 treats including perfumes, face creams and candles. Our favourite is the full size festive fir tree candle that smells of Christmas - think pine cones and berries. Although it’s rather pricey, it’s well worth splashing out on. And if there’s one time of year to indulge in something special, it’s Christmas.
7. The Body Shop 24 Happy Days Deluxe Advent Calendar: £80, The Body Shop
High street favourite The Body Shop has created three advent calendars this year, catering for different budgets (£60, £80 and £99). This £80 red and gold calendar looks festive, decorated with Christmas snowflakes and baubles, and once you pull the merry red bow, you’ll see 24 neatly stacked boxes filled with bestsellers, and a few products from its new range. The Body Shop’s products always smell delicious and this calendar is packed full of powerful scents. From spiced apple shower gel to vanilla chai body butter, these goodies will leave you smelling fresh in the morning.
8. Selfridges Beauty Workshop Advent Calendar 2016: £65, Selfridges
If you can’t decide on one beauty brand for your advent calendar this year, why not try one with a mixture of the best? Selfridges’ hotly anticipated workshop calendar hits shelves later than most (you can sign up to be told when it does go on sale) but it’s well worth holding out for, and besides, it means there’s less time to wait before you can open it. The 24 mini treats are from top brands such as Eve Lom, Too Faced and Ole Henriksen and give you a range of products – everything from tweezers to cleansers. If you’re after something different every day, then this is the one for you.
9. Benefit Girl O’Clock Rock Advent Calendar: £34.50, Debenhams
Benefit junkies will love this small but funky advent calendar. Once you pop it open you’ll be greeted with a Christmas party song and the 12 doors hide Benefit best-sellers, including They’re real Mascara and Hoola bronzing powder. Although the make-up minis are very small compared to other calendars we tried, so you may soon be pining for the full size version, for the price this is a bright and fun calendar.
10. Jo Malone London Advent Calendar: £280, Jo Malone
This beautifully designed advent calendar looks like a model Georgian townhouse and once you open it up there are 24 doors waiting to be opened. Behind each one is a beauty treat, ranging from colognes to body creams to shower gels, all with signature Jo Malone scents and the minis were bigger than we expected. This one is the most indulgent of the lot, as you can probably tell by the price, so if you’re looking to really treat someone (or yourself) this Christmas, this is the one for you – but hurry up before they all sell out.
11. Ciaté London Mini Mani Month 2016 Nail Polish Advent Calendar: £50, Look Fantastic
Cosmetics brand Ciaté London has celeb fans including Beyoncé and Kylie Jenner. And this glitzy purple advent calendar, decorated with famous London landmarks, is rather glamorous. There are 24 boxes fitted into a stylish calendar and each box has on the back either instructions on how to use what’s inside, or an uplifting quote to motivate you for the day ahead. If that wasn’t enough, there’s a selection of mini nail varnishes – all in on-trend, seasonal colours - a sparkly nail file, nail treatments and a full size glitter pot waiting for you inside each box. It’s the perfect treat for any nail varnish fiends.
12. Decleor Advent Calendar: £75, Very
If you’re after value for money, consider this reasonably priced calendar – the products inside are collectively valued at £180. Aromatherapy skincare expert Decleor has produced a tempting advent offer. It not only looks great but contains 24 goodies (some travel size, some full size) including moisturisers, oils and make-up such as its 1000 grain body exfoliator or Aroma cleanse. If you haven’t tried the brand before, it’s a good way of finding out which products you might want to add to your beauty essentials.
13. Cowshed Advent calendar: £85, Cowshed
Cowshed spas are dotted around the world and its English-made, organic skincare, bath and body products have built up a large number of fans over the years. And lucky for those fans, and newbies who want to try out the brand, this beauty calendar has 24 mini gifts to pamper yourself with. Products include hand creams, body oils and bath salts - our favourite is the Gorgeous Cow Blissful body lotion - and they’re all contained in a festive Christmas wreath box. It’s a stylish option, ideal to give as an early gift to someone special.
14. Nude by Nature Splendour 12 Days of Christmas: £60, Feel Unique
This Australian beauty brand has designed an Oz-appropriate, summery-feeling advent calendar, filled with 12 useful make-up minis. We found this one the most useful, as it includes things like make-up brushes, a cosmetic pencil sharpener, mini nail files, a concealer and a compact mirror – everything you forget you need until you need it. There’s even a small candle to light when you’re getting glam. It’s a refreshing take on a standard beauty advent calendar and great value for money – the goodies are valued at £107.
15. Clarins Advent Calendar: £95, Clarins
High street favourite Clarins has produced its second advent calendar and it looks brilliant – illustrated with snowflakes and Christmas biscuits. Open it up and you’ll discover 24 doors waiting to be popped open and behind each one is a Clarins best seller. Toning lotions, eye pencils, mascaras and serums are just some of the treats waiting to be revealed. If you’re a Clarins devotee, you’ll love this calendar.
16. Asos The Beauty Advent Calendar: £50, Asos
Most people have browsed Asos during their lunch break at some point or, like us, constantly have a basket full of saved items we wish we could afford. But this year, to add to our every growing basket, Asos has launched an advent calendar made of 24 mini products. There are some big names in there too - Cowshed, Burt’s Bees, Elemis and Jane Iredale to name a few – and the calendar itself has an understated but modern marble design. It’s also the biggest on our list, so it will certainly make a statement sat on your dressing table.
The Verdict: Beauty advent calendars
Our favourite is the Clinique calendar, bursting with high-quality products and a good mix of make-up and skincare gifts. If you’re a nail junkie, Ciaté’s calendar is full of festive fun. But if you’re on a budget, try M&S or L’Occitane.
IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing
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