How much do we love beauty products? Let us count the ways — or should we say, days?
The best way to get the most out of the holiday season is to start gifting the day December starts, and luckily enough there is already a tradition for that, that doubles as an excuse to try new a new beauty product every day until Christmas.
Advent is the period of time leading up to Christmas Day, and while it officially begins on a Sunday (Nov. 28 this year) many of the present-a-day Advent calendars begin on Dec. 1. The calendars have either 24 small gifts inside, one for each day, or 12, to be opened every other day.
Not only does this make the countdown to Christmas that much more exciting, but these Advent calendars double as a unique gift to give, long before the big day. Because of their growing popularity, there are many niche choices when it comes to choosing your calendar, from food and wine tasters, to the traditional chocolates, and some fun stocking stuffer trinkets, too.
However, one of the biggest categories is beauty and makeup and we think we know why. Not only is it super fun to end up with a whole set of products at the end of the month, but when else can you take advantage of so many sample and full-size items at such a good price? We rounded up some of our favorite beauty-centric Advent calendars for you to gift — and we won’t judge if you open a few of the days yourself.
1. House of Huda 12-Door Advent Calendar, $175
Pucker up for whoever gives you this beauty set this year.
From Huda Beauty, the Advent calendar itself is almost as beautiful as the 12 products that wait inside. The pink lips-shaped box contains some of Huda Beauty’s best sellers like their lip contour, eye shadow palettes and face oil. To not spoil the rest of the surprises, order one online to see for yourself.
2. Erno Laszlo The 12 Days of Masking Set, $49
For premium Advent calendars, head to Amazon’s Premium Beauty page and you won’t be disappointed.
One of the selections there is this luxe 12-piece mask set, one for every day of the Advent starting mid-December. This is also when skin gets dry and cracked from the cold weather, so treat yourself to 12 days of nourishing masks from Enro Laszlo.
3. Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Advent Calendar, $200
Get glowing on your holiday shopping with this kit from Charlotte Tilbury.
The 12-day Advent calendar is full of surprises that we won’t give away just yet, except we will tell you that there are three full-sized items and nine travel-sized products inside, which makes the $200 price tag worth it.
4. NYX Gimme Super Stars! 24 Day Holiday Countdown Advent Calendar, $60
This 24-piece Advent calendar celebrates all things glitz and glam, perfect for any sparkle lover on your list.
If you need a sneak peak, the calendar includes 24 mini and full-size best sellers like their Born To Glow highlighter, matte lipstick, high definition eye primer and so much more. This is an online only deal, so head to Ulta Beauty’s website to check it out.
5. Benefit Cosmetics The MORE, The Merrier Beauty Holiday Advent Calendar Set, $65
Benefit your skin and holiday look and check out this Advent calendar for 2021.
Sold at Ulta Beauty, the Benefit Cosmetics pack is an online exclusive, sold for $65 and valued at $140 worth of beauty products.
“This beloved The MORE, The Merrier Beauty Holiday Advent Calendar Set is stocked with 12 of Benefit’s bestselling & fan-favorite beauty treats in purse-friendly mini & fun sizes. Open one gorgeous gift a day to reveal your favorite glam go-to’s and find new faves at a major steal,” reads the product page.
6. Clarins 24-Day Advent Calendar, $120
This beauty-filled box is more than it seems!
The Clarins Advent calendar is packed full of their makeup and skin care best sellers, including mascara, lip oil, exfoliating body scrub and more. Enjoy the goodies inside this year and come next, refill the calendar with new treats to enjoy or gift to someone special.
7. e.l.f. Snow One Loves You More Advent Calendar, $45
The holiday elves send their love and namesake beauty products this year, in the form of this super sparkly Advent calendar. The 12-day package contains everything you need for a shimmery holiday look, which is perfect since by Christmas all the doors will have been opened and your new makeup kit created.
8. George & Viv 24 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar, $72
George, Viv and Anthropologie are all here to make your Advent season merry and bright. This calendar is packed with premium beauty products from top brands, but we won’t spoil all the surprises just yet.
“Featuring artwork by Emily Taylor and 24 premium samples — including our favorites from Mario Badescu, Sunday Riley, and Caudalie — this limited-edition, festive set holds $275 worth of beauty treasures and treats,” reads the product description.
9. Uncommon Goods Advent Shower Steamers, $98
There’s nothing better than a hot shower on a cold winter day.
Uncommon Goods knows this and wants you to have a sweet-smelling shower every day of the month, with their 24-piece shower steamer Advent set. Some scents include peppermint, eucalyptus and a festive rosemary and fig, to name a few.
10. GlossyBox ‘Surprise Me’ Advent Calendar 2021, $99
We love a good surprise here at the Post.
This one is sure to be a wonderful one, as the GlossyBox Advent Calendars are always a hit, selling out long before Dec. 1. The best part about this set is that it is valued at a whopping $550, but only costs $99 for the public and $89 for members.
11. Macy’s 12 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar, $49
It’s not really a celebration without Macy’s, is it?
After the Macy’s parade on Thanksgiving, continue the party with their 12 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar leading up to Christmas. The red box contains brands like Giorgio Armani, Murad, Clinique and more, plus a $10 coupon for your next Macy’s Beauty purchase.
12. L’Occitane Signature Advent Calendar, $74
Take a mental trip to France and enjoy the best of beauty.
The L’Occitane Advent calendar celebrates just that, featuring 24 products for head to toe relaxation and pampering. Some of the products include almond shower oil, cherry blossom hand cream and a lustrous hair treatment.
The whole kit is valued at $115, so this is a deal you can feel relaxed about all December long.
13. Rituals 24-Pc. The Ritual Of Advent Countdown To Christmas Calendar Set, $112
If having an Advent calendar in the house is a ritual of yours, we’re here to make it even better.
This is one of the most beautiful beauty calendars we’ve seen, as it pops up into a 3D winter wonderland neighborhood with each of the 24 Rituals products inside a home or tree. The set is sold on Amazon for $112, and the whole kit is valued at over $200.
14. Chantecaille Beauty Advent Calendar 2021, $375
Embrace your wild side and treat yourself or a nature lover to this beauty kit from Chantecaille.
The set includes 12 best-selling items, including five full-size items and seven deluxe size to-go products spanning eyes, lips, face and more.
“This luxe, wildlife inspired reusable gift box opens to reveal 12 exciting drawers adorned with images of Chantecaille’s greatest inspiration of nature, botanical ingredients and wildlife conservation,” reads the product page.
15. Natura Advent Calendar, $78
You don’t need to make Santa go all the way to the rainforest to get this botanical box of skincare goodies. The Natura Advent Calendar has 12 days of nourishing body care, hair care and skincare bestsellers, all for $79 instead of the normal $130.40.
16. Bluemercury 31 Days of Dazzle Advent Calendar, $400
Why have just 12 or even 24 days of the Advent when you could celebrate all month long? Bluemercury wants to do just that with a 31-day beauty Advent calendar you need to see to believe. It’s jammed full of top name brands like Olaplex, Bobbi Brown, Jo Malone and more, making the luxe price tag totally worth it.
17. Sephora Collection Holiday Vibes Advent Calendar, $45
Sephora obviously knows what they’re doing when it comes to beauty and makeup, and the holidays are their time to shine. The 24-day Advent calendar contains some of Sephora’s bestsellers from their own collection, including face masks, lip liners, eye makeup and more.
18. ASOS Face + Body 24 Day Holiday Calendar, $99
Isn’t it great when your favorite clothing store can also dish out amazing beauty products, too? That’s what ASOS is doing for the holidays this year with the 24-piece Advent calendar for the face and body, complete with top brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Estee Lauder, The Ordinary and more.
19. Net-A-Porter 25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar, $350
If anyone knows luxury, it is Net-A-Porter. This 25-day Advent calendar gives you an extra day of celebration, plus 25 different specialty beauty items worth more than $1,700 from brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Sunday Riley and more.