Heatwave or not, advent calendar season has already begun
ou may be reading this and wonder why – in mid-August – we are suggesting that you browse the best beauty advent calendars.
It’s simple really: these seasonal goodies have become so wildly popular that brands have taken to releasing them when the temperature is still in the mid-20s. London may be in an official drought, but as far as some of the biggest labels on the market are concerned - it is time to start thinking about Christmas.
The countdown to the big day is on and there is no better way to mark the lead up to the most magical time of the year than with a daily makeup, fragrance, candles, skin or haircare treat.
While we will never turn down the joy of a chocolate-filled option, advent calendars have become much more inventive. There is one to suit every taste, interest and recipient - from cheese and jewellery to socks and treats for your pets.
The most sought-after of all are the ones filled with beauty products behind the festive windows. The ever-growing demand for this type of advent calender means that they’ sell out fast, so don’t wait to snap up the one from your favourite brand or retailer.
Each year, they become more and more popular. At Boots, advent calendar sales increased by 20 per cent compared to the year before. One calendar sold every minute in the lead up to Christmas.
When it comes to choosing an advent calendar, you can be sure that your favourite beauty label will be offering some sort of Christmas-ready countdown, whether it’s the traditional 24 or 25 day iteration or a smaller offering for 12 days.
Some of the seemingly endless selection of brands on offer are Diptyque, Jo Malone or Charlotte Tilbury, which are typically some of the most covetable as well as The Body Shop, L’Occitane and Elemis. But this is only where the fun begins. You can also get multi-brand iterations from retailers like FeelUnique, LOOKFANTASTIC, Harrods, Cult Beauty, Liberty and more. The latter of which pack bestsellers from their respective virtual or IRL beauty halls with each day revealing a special surprise.
There are advent calendars in every category across the spectrum of beauty. There are designated beauty advent calendars for hair, skincare, candles, fragrance, makeup, nail polishes, face masks and ones that combine them. Some even feature golden tickets to win epic prices and vouchers, as good as cash.
Some beauty advent calendars are filled with full-sized versions of the products, while others include minis. The latter gives you the opportunity to sample the formulas before committing and provides travel-friendly options that will simplify the packing process. To avoid disappointment and ensure bang for your buck, pay close attention to the quantity specified on the product line-up list.
Beauty advent calendars may be packed with miniatures, which is great for all the reasons listed above, but this can also feel deceptive. Some brands claim that the advent calendars are worth extraordinary amounts – and some truly are. However others are filled with small sizes of the products and the ‘worth’ amount would be if you purchased the bigger sizes individually. Let’s also not forget that to bulk out the days, some brands throw in other items like stickers or accessories that will just end up in landfill.
On the whole, if you are already a fan of the brand or you are looking for an official introduction, the beauty advent calendars for that specific label are a great place to start. If you want lots of great products from different brands, go for the retailer route (Harrods, Selfridges, Liberty, John Lewis etc)as they will give you the greatest mix free from brand loyalty. These also tend to hold the best value.
Many brands will be unveiling their pre-sale links as early as right now. In the next couple of months, they will start to be sold directly on the brand’s websites but each one differs. We have specified release dates per calendar below.
Shop the best advent calendars by price point below
Release date: September 5 (and other retailers from September 19)
Expect nothing short of luxury from skincare label SUSANNE KAUFMANN. The brand has paid the closest attention to detail for every part of its beauty advent calendar in line with the brand’s MO: “ natural and effective skincare without compromise”. For that reason, the exterior is crafted from recycled and recyclable card, free from plastics and glue and each of the formulas can be found in a recyclable glass bottle. Products are all sourced locally in Austria and Germany.
Within the calendar, you will find four full-sized versions of the Eye Rescue Serum (RRP £85), Nutrient Serum (RRP £110), Lip Balm (RRP £15) and Rejuvenating Eye Cream (RRP £55) as well as minis of hero products like the Bath for the Senses. The full-sized total £265 if you were to buy them seperately and with 20 more minis, this seems good value.
The calendar is a truly pampering treat and a conscious self-gift idea.
No matter your price point, you can get in on the beauty advent calendar action with L’OCCITANE. The luxury French label has not one but three calendars including a reusable design.
This calendar is crafted from recycled cotton and lasts far beyond one Christmas season. You can continue to refill it year after year but on first purchase, it is filled with the label’s signature and bestselling products, which includes the Immortelle Divine Cream and Overnight Reset Serum. If you purchased the reusable calendar last year, or are looking ahead to next, the brand offers a refill with an edit of 24 products to pop into the pockets.
The Premium Calendar packs the beautifully-scented Provençal treats within the drawers, while the Classic (which is plastic-free, and made from reyclable cardboard derived from sustainable forests) is brimming with travel-sized products from across the Almond, Verbena and Shea Butter collection. The latter is adorned with beautiful illustrations.
Release date: September 1 (pre-sale) and October 1 (general release)
Act fast. The LOOKFANTASTIC Advent Calendar has a habit of selling out every year. The retailer offers one of the best value offerings on the market, packing the beautifully decorated exterior with makeup, skincare, home fragrance and tools.
For 2022, you will be treated to 26 items from luxury labels like Elemis, Drunk Elephant, and Philip Kingsley. Consider this your official introduction to smaller, independent labels like Demi Candle - where each item is handmade in Manchester and West Barn Co of Soap Brows fame.
Get an additional £15 off if you’re a LOOKFANTASTIC Beauty Box subscriber.
To get you into the festive mood, Lumene is offering this winter wonderland in calendar form that has lovely illustrations from Finnish illustrator Jenna Kunnas that encapsulates the heritage of the label.
The Nordic luxury label is putting an environmentally-conscious twist on its calendar by filling the contents with its sustainable collections. Each of the 24 skincare goodies (with a couple of cosmetics thrown in for good measure) is formulated with natural ingredients and planet-friendly practices.
The contents are kept a surprise but expect the bestsellers from the Lahde NORDIC HYDRA, Valo NORDIC-C and Ajaton NORDIC AGELESS ranges.
There may only be 12 products included in the Liz Earle calendar but each and every one of them deserves its place in your beauty cabinet. The brand is known and loved for its botanical-base skincare with hero items like the Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser and Instant Boost Skin Tonic included in mini form in this line-up.
In terms of full-sized versions, you will be treated to four; Cleanse & Glow Transforming Gel Cleanser (RRP £24.50), Eyebright Soothing Eye Cleanser (RRP £17), Superskin Alt-Retinol Booster (RRP £36) and the Superskin Superlip Balm (£17). Considering that these total £94.50, we’d say that this was good value and then some.
Benefit has produced some of the most Holy Grail makeup essentials on the market, from everybody’s favourite bronzer Hoola, to the collection of mascaras that are on every ‘Best’ list the world over.
For Christmas 2022, you will find a combination of mini and fun-sized version of the cosmetic’s labels hero products, including the Roller Liner Matte Liquid Eyeliner, They’re Real Magnet Extreme Lengthening & Powerful Lifting Mascara, and Porefessional Hydrate Pore Minimising Face Primer - all of which are ready and rearing to go for your holiday washbag or to slip in your handbag when you go out-out.
For the fourth year running, Boots has created this advent calendar in which donates £2 to the charity that provides support to those affected by cancer.
Within the calendar, you will find best-buy from across the Boots-owned beauty collection including from Liz Earle, Soap & Glory, Botanics, No7 and Sleek. This will lead to a surprise each day where you could be treated to a makeup-favourite, fragrance, sheet mask or tool on one of the 24 days.
Highlights include the Botanics Peaceful Night Pillow Mist, Champneys Moisturising Face Mask and the No7 The Full 360 Mascara.
Release date: August 23 (Box of Wishes Advent Calendar: September
The Body Shop has unveiled not one but three advent calendars ranging in price from £55 to £145, putting a more affordable twist on the classic Christmas countdown. The offering takes inspiration from the brand’s Community Fair Trade partners and the women behind the ingredient line-up. There a kind-to-skin treat behind each window across body, face and haircare.
The Box of Wishes Advent Calendar (£55, worth £85) may be small but it’s mighty with minis that include a sheet mask, shower gel and body butter with Community Fair Trade Mango Seed Oil.
The 25-product packed Box of Wonders Advent Calendar (£95, worth £159) includes some full-sized, while the Box of Wishes & Wonders Advent Calendar (£145, worth £219) has many of the bestsellers.
The packaging is made from Community Fair Trade recycled plastic.
If the punny name wasn’t enough of a draw, the 24-days of pampering treats within just might. Soap & Glory is known for its playful pink products and this advent calendar is filled to the brim with mini versions of the collection. It includes the Clean On Me Shower Gel, Righteous Butter, and Scrub Of Your Life in full size as well as the Heel Genius Foot Cream that is bigger than last year. As well as minis across the range, there’s a silk scrunchie, face mitt and nail file in the tool department.
Set the ambiance of your home this Christmas with Yankee Candle and its cult collection of festive fragrances in candle form. From the glowy light, to the seasonal scents, this combination of tea lights and tea light holders will transform your space into a cosy haven. Each of the 24 doors opens to reveal the likes of the Christmas Cookie, Winter Night Stars, or Sugar Spun aromas.