Beauty advent calendars are a highlight of the festive season for many, and this year there are more options than ever. Here, beauty editor Laura Mulley picks her favourites
Beauty advent calendars are super popular these days, and they’ve been gracing the shelves for the past month. They also tend to sell out quickly, so if you fancy one, now’s the time to snag it (or drop some heavy hints to a loved one…).
Despite my cupboards being chock-full of beauty products, I still find these calendars thrilling; here are the ones that made me genuinely squeal with delight this year when I first saw them…
‘I buy my mum this beauty advent calendar every year – 2024’s is the best yet’
‘I’ve already opened the Charlotte Tilbury 2024 advent calendar – it’s worth the money’
OK! Beauty Box Beauty Advent Calendar by Hannah Martin
£90 when you join the waitlist at OK! Beauty Box (worth over £570)
Topping the list is OK! Beauty Box’s very own advent calendar, and this year’s edition has been curated by celebrity and royal make-up artist Hannah Martin. Hannah has handpicked 26 of her favourite tried-and-true beauty products, featuring brands like Ole Henriksen, Shiseido and Ciate.
A whopping 17 items inside are full size and the value is astounding; it’s worth over £570. It’s up for preorder from 1 October before it hits the general market later in the month, but you can join the waitlist now to nab it at a discounted £90 price. Hannah will also be sharing video tutorials using the products in the lead-up to Christmas, so it’s like having a pro MUA in your home.
Boots Macmillan 24 Doors of Joy Advent Calendar
Currently £44 from Boots (usual price £90)
This calendar not only offers a selection of Boots’ top brands in one box – including No7, Liz Earle and Soap and Glory – but it also gives back, with £2 from each sale going to Macmillan Cancer Support. Even better, it’s currently less than half price at £44, and is included in Boots’ 3-for-2 mix and match on festive gifts, so make sure you’re organised enough to do all your Christmas shopping at the same time!
LookFantastic Iconic Beauty Advent Calendar
£100 from LookFantastic (worth over £565)
LookFantastic’s advent calendar was the one I kept for myself last year, and I think I’ll be doing the same this year, too. One of the best multi-brand options in my opinion, it’s a real who’s who of viral products, including Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair and Sol de Janeiro perfume mist, as well as some more affordable brands such as The Ordinary and Glow Hub. It’s cheaper than most of its luxury beauty retailer competitors and worth over £565.
Jo Malone London Advent Calendar
£360 from Jo Malone London
This is the showstopper in Jo Malone’s Christmas collection and is as sought after as gold dust. Every beauty editor I know wants one of these; I’m crossing my fingers that this is my year. Expect to open up a mix of fragrance, body products and candles in some of the brand’s bestselling scents. I’m thrilled to see there’s a bottle of my favourite Myrrh and Tonka Cologne Intense in there.
Elemis The Ultimate Skincare Advent Calendar
£199 from Elemis (worth £537)
I gift this to my mum every year, and it’s a surefire hit for any partner, friend or mother-in-law, regardless of their skin type. Elemis has an inherent luxury that never fails to impress. It’ll sort out their skincare routine for months, with everything from cleanser to moisturiser included, featuring a 50ml tub of the iconic Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, worth £95 alone, plus some lovely body treats and a chance to find a golden ticket that wins you £1,000 worth of Elemis products.
You can read my more detailed review of it here.
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Beauty Treasure Chest of Love
£170 from Charlotte Tilbury (worth £243)
This is high on many wish lists and you don’t need to be a beauty fanatic to be impressed – this year the brand has really excelled. The heart-shaped box is one you’ll want to keep forever (complete with a secret compartment in the lid), and there are some absolute classics inside, including Pillow Talk lipstick and Charlotte’s Magic Cream. The 12 drawers are unnumbered, so it can be gifted outside of the festive period.
I’ve been lucky enough to already get my hands on one, and here’s why I love it.
Makeup Revolution Advent Calendar
£48 from Revolution (worth £97)
Revolution’s make-up range has impressed me this year, with many of its products rivalling high-end counterparts. This glitzy, 24-piece calendar is a fantastic choice for under £50, or as a gift for a budding make-up enthusiast. Standout items include the Lip Oil, Beam Bright powder highlighter and teardrop-shaped Powder Puff, all totalling over £97 in value.
Rituals The Classic Advent Calendar
£91.90 from Rituals (worth £166.90)
Are you a sucker for the ‘little luxuries’ trend? Then this is the calendar for you. It’s packed with 24 aromatic pampering treats guaranteed to bring joy, all housed in a box inspired by Amsterdam’s canals. As a candle lover, I was thrilled to discover four inside this box, ensuring your home will smell divine throughout December.
Sephora Favourites Advent Calendar
£199 from Sephora (worth £1,000)
In terms of value versus cost, this is one of the best I’ve seen this year. Although nearly £200, it’s worth a staggering £1,000, and contains 40 products. The brands included are some of the beauty industry’s finest, such as Drunk Elephant, Tatcha and Makeup by Mario. My personal favourites include a NEOM candle, 111Skin sheet mask and Glossier You rollerball.
