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Packed full of make-up, skincare and fragrances, the likes of Selfridges and Fornum & Mason have delivered
Christmas is one of the best times of the year. So, it’s hardly a surprise that making the festive countdown as joyful as possible is front and centre. One surefire way to do that is by snapping up one of the best beauty advent calendars to see you through the festive party season in style – and the lineup this year is more impressive than ever.
Brands and retailers have upped their game – think full-sized products, bestselling favourites and new releases across skincare, make-up, fragrance and haircare. The likes of Selfridge’s and Harvey Nichols remain firm favourites, but each one promises to make your festive countdown as fun as possible.
Owing to how quickly these festive countdowns sell out (Harrods’s, Lookfantastic’s and Cult Beauty’s Christmas countdowns are already out of stock), we’d recommend beating the crowds and ordering early to avoid disappointment. To help you decide which one you should buy, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to the best beauty advent calendar for 2024. You’re welcome.
It’s fair to say the Harvey Nichols beauty advent calendar is one of our firm favourites, and the 2024 offering looks impressive. Worth more than £1,000, there are 42 products hidden inside the 25-day countdown, including goodies from Charlotte Tilbury, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Le Labo, La Prairie, Sisley and Fenty. What’s more, for added festive excitement, within one in every 100 calendars, a £250 Harvey Nichols will be hidden inside.
The brand hasn’t veered far from its usual design of a treasure chest and we’d really have liked to see a greater variation and indeed a 24- or 25-day calendar from the brand. But newcomers and fans of Charlotte Tilbury will appreciate the full-size and mini versions of some of the cult favourites. Standouts include a travel-sized version of the airbrush flawless filter (£20, Charlottetilbury.com), which is one of our favourite setting sprays, and the beauty light wand in pinkgasm (£30, Charlottetilbury.com).
The 12-day hair and body care advent calendar will set you back £99, but it has an overall worth of £310. The countdown is packed full of hair and body favourites, with highlights including a full-size Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 68 mist, Gisou honey infused hair perfume and a £20 voucher for Drybar. It offers the perfect way to sample some of the best brands in the business.
Skincare lovers rejoice because the Elemis beauty advent calendar is, of course, back for 2024. Packed full of the brand’s bestsellers, including a full-size Elemis pro-collagen marine cream (£95, Elemis.com), a mini Elemis pro-collagen cleansing balm and an Elemis superfood facial oil. Serving the perfect way to sample some of the brand’s bestsellers, we cannot wait to get our hands on this one.
Renowned for its brow products, cult mascaras, and fan-favourite bronzers, Benefit Cosmetics is a favourite – so much so our writer Daisy reviewed the brand’s best make-up products.
The 2024 calendar will not disappoint, with full-sized versions of its signature badgal bang mascara (£27, Benefitcosmetics.com), the brow setter (£26, Benefitcosmetics.com) and the porefessional face primer (£32, Benefitcosmetics.com). But you’ll also find mini versions of the hoola matte bronzer and precisely, my brow pencil.
Clarins has delivered big for 2024. The 24-day calendar costs £155 and includes some of our all-time favourites from the brand, such as the beauty flash balm (which is a leave-on chemical peel) and lip oil. The 12-day calendar (costing £95) includes the aforementioned hero products, as well as two mascaras and its exfoliating cleanser. Both offer a great way to try some of the brand’s most popular products or replenish your stock if you’re already a fan.
Once again, the beauty brand is offering a super luxe Christmas countdown. The 12-day countdown is full of bestsellers, think a full-size extra plump lip serum (£25.60, Bobbibrown.co.uk), smokey eye mascara (£24.80, Bobbibrown.co.uk) and a shadow stick in golden bronze (£23.60, Bobbibrown.co.uk), as well as deluxe and mini products. A great pick for make-up lovers.
The Boots multi-brand advent calendar for 2024 is a hit of the store’s beauty hall roster. Worth nearly £400, yet costing £99, it contains some of the retailer’s bestsellers – think products from Drunk Elephant, Nars, Ren, Laura Mercier, Sol de Janeiro, Fenty and No7. In the calendar, you’ll be treated to 24 products, one for each day of your Christmas countdown, spanning make-up (think bronzers, eyeshadow sticks and blushes), skincare and haircare. At less than £100, it’s among the most affordable multi-brand offerings.
Mac’s gift of gold advent calendar for 2024 is packed with a mix of products old and new, from the much loved ‘studio’ collection to a gen-Z-approved lip plumper and clear brow gel. The packaging is very glamorous, so much so that it almost doubles as a chic Christmas decoration. Plus, the number of full-size products – a whopping 18 – is impressive. As far as the type of products you’ll get, formulas range from powder eyeshadows to liquid lipsticks, plus some skincare to sample, too. Whether you plan to open the boxes day by day in the December festive lead-up, or you’re thinking of using the whole thing as one big ‘gift of gold,’ you know the lucky recipient will be chuffed with its contents.
If you’re looking to level up your wellness this festive season turn to no other than Espa’s beauty advent calendar. The 25-day countdown includes some of our favourite products from the brand, including miniature versions of the optimal skin pro-cleanser (£32 for full-size, Lookfantastic.com) and the energising bath and body oil (£36 for full-size, Lookfantastic.com). Of course, you’ll also find one of the brand’s festive candles to enjoy in the lead-up to the big day.
The White Company advent calendar is as much a treat for your mum as it is for your twenty-something sister, and it’s no surprise with its selection of bath, body and fragrance gifts. This year, it boasts three products exclusive to the calendar, as well as a whopping 22 items never before included in the brand’s countdown-to-Christmas. Think a full-size pomegranate-scented candle (£22, Thewhitecompany.com), a Seychelles shower gel (£13, Thewhitecompany.com) and, of course, all things The White Company winter, aka our favourite aroma.
The department store has once again pulled out all of the stops. Its festive countdown features 27 beauty and wellness goodies (23 of which are full-sized!), including Aromatherapy Associates de-stress body oil, Cult51 brightening vitamin C, Sol de Janeiro bum bum cream and a Bamford pillow mist. If you loved last year’s calendar, you’re bound to get excited by this one – so be quick and get yours now.
With its bold packaging, this advent calendar is a feast for the eyes. As you’d expect, the Kiehl’s beauty advent calendar for 2024 is full to the brim of skincare surprises. If you’re looking for a sneak preview (of course you are), you can expect to unwrap a midnight recovery concentrate, ultra facial overnight rehydrating mask with 10.5 per cent squalane, rare earth deep pore cleansing mask and so much more. Each product will help make sure that your skin is as glowy as possible for Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
OK, this one is for serious skincare fanatics: Augustinus Bader has launched its first-ever advent calendar for 2024. Hot on the back of the brand-new concealer launch in collaboration with Victoria Beckham, this skincare-packed calendar is perfect if you’re looking for something super special.
Offering the perfect way to sample some of the brand’s best products, including the rich cream, the retinol serum and the tinted balm, we’re particularly excited about this one.
It’s a British classic and its packaging is beautiful as ever, with Jo Malone’s 2024 advent calendar offering a decadent mix of the scents we all know and love – think: pomegranate noir, English pear and freesia, and some new winter exclusives. It’s a premium product, as always, but boasts enough heavenly fragranced gifts to keep you and your home smelling luxurious well into 2025. Don’t miss out on an oud and bergamot cologne intense (£24, Jomalone.co.uk) or a wood sage and sea salt body crème (£26, Jomalone.co.uk) this December.
Acqua di Parma’s calendar is a sight to behold. Staying true to the branding, it’s bold and beautiful, and it contains a selection of perfumes, candles, and bathroom essentials, think soaps and body lotions. A decadent and luxurious treat that will make a lovely festive treat.
If it’s fragrances and candles you’re after, turn to the Jo Loves advent calendar, which is home to a whole host of goodies, including a free 100ml Jo Loves fragrance of your choice (which comes in the form of an “exclusive ski pass” that you can redeem), four different-smelling candles and a range of hand creams and washes.
Next has launched not one but two beauty advent calendars for 2024. The more pocket-friendly option is this 25-day countdown, which costs £90 but is worth £383. There is a lot to get excited about here, including a travel-sized Elemis pro collagen marine moisture essence (£62 for full-size, Next.co.uk) and a full-sized Iconic London mascara (£22, Next.co.uk).
Should you be looking for something a little more premium, turn to Next’s luxury advent calendar (£170, Next.co.uk). Worth £768, highlights include a full-sized Elemis papaya enzyme peel (£39, Next.co.uk), which looks like it’ll be the perfect solution to tired and lacklustre skin during December and beyond, and a full-sized Too Faced waterproof liquid eyeliner (£23, Next.co.uk) for nailing the perfect cat-eye.
The M&S beauty advent calendar is yet another that is eagerly anticipated. At £50 (when you spend £35 or more on clothing, home or beauty), the 2024 countdown costs £5 more than last year’s, but it is worth £300. Spanning skincare, haircare, nailcare and make-up, you’ll find 25 products courtesy of cult names you’re likely to be familiar with, including ColorWow, Clinique, Cowshed and Floral Street. The high street department store is a little late to the party with this one, so you’ll have to wait until 24 October to get your hands on it.
Department store Selfridges is known for making Christmas a very festive affair indeed. As you’d expect, its beauty advent calendar is a showstopper. Worth more than £1,000 but coming in at just £250, day one starts off strong with Charlotte Tilbury’s magic water cream. You’ll also find a host of excellent haircare products from the likes of Davines, Moroccanoil and Champō. Other highlights include an Elemis pro collagen cleansing balm, Paulas Choice 10% azleaic acid booster and Tan-Luxe’s superglow hyaluronic self-tan serum.
Rituals has released not one, not two, but three advent calendars for 2024, plus an additional grooming-specific 12-day bundle (£103, Rituals.com) with all things shaving and caffeine shampoo. As for the classic (£91.90, Rituals.com), deluxe (£114.90, Rituals.com) and premium (£172, Rituals.com) calendars, shoppers can look forward to three gorgeously packaged, Dutch-inspired scenes, bursting full of your favourite shower gels, body lotions and even car air fresheners. There are formulas for home, body and face, meaning the countdown to December 25th has never smelt as luxurious.
There are not one but two No7 beauty advent calendars up for grabs this year. The first one, packaged in a pretty pink box (£60, Boots.com) contains 11 full-size products, with highlights including the pure retinol night concentrate, a future renew damage reversal serum and define and enhance mascara.
The second gold showstopper (£175, Boots.com) is packed full of 24 full-size products (yes, every single day you’ll get a full product, which is very impressive). You’ll unbox some favourites from the No7 future renew range, as well as a lip oil, cream bronzer and a primer. A very impressive way to countdown to Christmas.
If luxury is your main priority, then Dior’s beauty advent calendar could be the one for you. The design takes inspiration from French-style gardens and opens out to reveal gold detailing, including plants and a large sun. It’s safe to say it’s chic and won’t look out of place on your dressing table or mantlepiece. As for the contents though, you’ll be greeted with 24 miniatures across make-up (think Dior addict lip maximizer in shade 001 pink, Diorshow eyeshadow and a mascara) fragrance (Miss Dior eau de parfum and Dior j’adore eau de parfum) and even a candle. It will make for a showstopping gift.
If you’re looking for an affordable beauty advent calendar, Revolution’s 24-day festive countdown should not be overlooked. Packaged in a pink sparkly box, there is a whole host of make-up products up for grabs – everything from a mini lip oil to a beauty blender will see you down from 1 December. This would make the perfect gift for the tween in your life.
Sustainable beauty brand Susanne Kaufmann is one to know if you’re looking for clean yet effective skincare. The design is fun and festive, but not overly so, with the brand encouraging you to refill and reuse it year after year. Packed full of some of its cult classics, including a purifying cleansing gel, glow mask and mineral body lotion. Delivering a daily dose of luxe skincare, fans of the brand are bound to be excited by this one.
Luxury skincare brand Eve Lom made its first foray into the beauty advent calendar world last year, and its 2024 Christmas countdown looks just as impressive. Opening out to reveal 12 number doors, the calendar features some of the brand’s most coveted products, including a cleanser, retinol serum, eye cream and a moisture mask. If you’re yet to try any products from the luxury brand, this offers the perfect way to dip your toe in – you won’t regret it.
Japanese brand Shiseido is making sure your skincare stash is well and truly supercharged in the lead-up to Christmas with its advent calendar. There are 24 products on offer, including its vital perfection uplifting and firming advanced cream, which is said to be an anti-ageing powerhouse, and its purifying scrub mask that gently exfoliates and minimises the appearance of pores. But it also includes a number of make-up favourites too. This really would make a wonderful gift for you or a loved one.
Nuxe is a firm favourite – having landed a spot in our reviews of the best lip balms and cleansing oils – so if you too love its reliable products, its advent calendar is well worth considering. Offering your body a daily dose of TLC in the lead-up to Christmas, hidden behind each door is one of its bestsellers, including the brand’s body oils – huile prodigieuse – rêve de miel lip moisturising stick, face balm and so much more. This will make a lovely gift for a loved one, or indeed yourself.
British department store Fenwick is once again bringing you 12 days of beauty, and you’ll want to get your hands on it. Much like the other multi-brand Christmas countdowns in this list, it offers the perfect introduction to a whole host of luxe brands. While you will get to sample more products if you opt for one from the likes of Selfridges, Liberty or Spack NK, the contents in Fenwick’s are considered and well thought through. There are 18 treats hidden inside, with highlights including Augustinus Bader the rich cream, Vida Glow’s radiance capsules (which promise to improve skin brightness – something we can all do with during the festive party season) and Nars afterglow lip balm in laguna.
Cowshed has certainly set itself apart from its competitors this year featuring just full-sized products in its advent calendar. Presented in a chic handwoven wicker hamper that can be reused, this really is the perfect pick for those who are after something with an understated yet luxe design. Putting rest and relaxation at the centre of your Christmas countdown, highlights include the active bath and shower gel, replenishing face oil, a sleep pillow mist, a winter room candle and a sleep eye mash. This really would make a great gift.
The 2024 beauty advent calendars are already on sale. This guide is the best destination for news and intel, and we’ll be keeping it updated as soon as anything is announced.
When it comes to beauty advent calendars, big-name brands go all out. In terms of which ones launch Christmas countdowns, Charlotte Tilbury, Dr Barbara Sturm, The White Company, Liz Earle, L’Occitane and many others have released exceptional offerings.
But it’s not just reserved for cult brands, some of our favourite retailers will also join in on the action. Liberty London, Lookfantastic, Cult Beauty and Selfridges, for example, dropped impressive offerings for 2024, most of which have sadly sold out.
Beauty advent calendars offer a luxurious way to count down to the big day and you can try a full range of different products, be it skincare, make-up or both. Owing to the cost of many of the products included, advent calendars also tend to be worth more than the price you pay for them, making them a worthwhile investment. From experience, we’d recommend investing in a multi-brand beauty advent calendar, such as one from Lookfantastic, Cult Beauty, Liberty, Sephora or Harrods – that way you’ll enjoy a broader range of products.
“Lots of the best beauty advent calendars have sold out (Lookfantastic, Liberty and Cult Beauty, for example). But there are still plenty of great options to buy – turn to M&S’s Christmas countdown if you’re looking for an affordable 25-day delight. For something more luxe, Selfridge’s beauty advent calendar offers a superb way to celebrate the festive season with 38 products inside,” says Eva Waite-Taylor, eCommerce editor.
Now is the prime time to buy advent calendars, so there aren’t a huge amount of deals. But come Black Friday, we predict a number of them will be discounted ahead of 1 December.