Run, don't walk: The best beauty advent calendars are on sale now
- 1/31
Run, don't walk: The best beauty advent calendars are on sale now
Yes, we still have to wait a few months until the lights can be hung and the star put on top of the tree (womp womp), but now couldn't be a better time for our favourite new festive tradition – beauty advent calendars.
What actually is a beauty advent calendar, then?
If you're still puzzled by the phenomenon that is a beauty advent calendar, let me catch you up. These weighty boxes are just like an original advent calendar, only the chocolate behind each numbered door has been replaced by a pampering treat from the brand of your choice. In the past few years, these calendars have become a behemoth craze, and now just about everyone is jumping on board. For serious skincare fans, there's the likes of Liberty, Kiehls, and Upcircle, while brands such as Cult Beauty and MAC offer generous collections for the makeup obsessed. Vegan and cruelty-free options come from The Body Shop, while Jo Malone always delivers for the perfume fanatics among us.
The real draw, though, is the mammoth savings you can score. Many of these edited collections are worth two, three or four times their retail price, meaning you can try new and classic products without having to blow your entire Christmas budget.
The best beauty advent calendars of 2022
This year, the choice is pretty overwhelming, so trust us to keep you up to date with all the best calendars, including exactly how to join a waiting list or get your hands on one before they inevitably sell out…
MAC - 2/31
1) Cult Beauty
£235
Cult Beauty’s advent calendar is one of the most hyped - and this year it’s definitely bigger and better than before. Worth over £1000, you’ll be unwrapping 37 - yes, 37 - beauty goodies from cult favourites to unsung heroes: think Charlotte Tilbury, Laneige and Sol de Janeiro. Every single product has been selected to cater to all skin types and tones.
And the incredibly generous offering of beauty treats is not the only reason to invest: Cult Beauty are doing their bit for sustainability and social responsibility too. The retailer is donating £75,000 from sales of the calendar to Mental Health UK, as well as (more:trees) which will plant one tree for every calendar sold.
Cult Beauty - 3/31
2) MAC
£165
Mac's beauty calendar likely needs little introduction. Worth over a whopping £405, it's overflowing with all those legendary classics, from the iconic Velvet Teddy lipstick to the inimitable Strobe Cream. Trust us, this isn’t one to miss out on. Available to buy now, so don't walk run - as this won't be around for long.
MAC - 4/31
3) Liberty
£245
There's a reason Liberty's beauty advent calendar is the retailer's fastest-selling product every year- and in 2022 it’s the most generous offering yet. It's packed with 30 goodies from Liberty's iconic beauty hall: so you can discover everything from niche skincare to legendary makeup must-haves.
Worth a huge £1065, the curation is one of the best in the business, featuring cult skincare heroes like Sunday Riley and 111Skin alongside make-up artist favourites like Rose Inc. Perfumery is Liberty's thing, so you can expect a few treats in that department, too.
Liberty London - 5/31
4) Charlotte Tilbury
£150
If you aren’t already charmed by the romantic glamour of Charlotte Tilbury, then indulging in her 2022 Chest of Beauty Stars advent calendar is the perfect way to start. With 12 drawers to open throughout December it’s the ultimate investment to see you through all those festive parties. From her famous skincare goodies to the sell-out highlighting wand - and of course her legendary Matte Revolution lipstick - it’s safe to say you’ll be fighting the temptation from opening everything all at once. Our best advice? Head to the Charlotte Tilbury website now, as this won’t be available for long.
Charlotte Tilbury - 6/31
5) LookFantastic
£95
With such a variety of brands to unwrap, the LookFantastic Beauty Advent Calendar is our go-to if you can’t pick one favourite. Stuffed with 26 beauty treats, you can test out some of the best-selling makeup, skincare and haircare brands out there before fully investing: think Drunk Elephant, NARS, The Ordinary - oh and not to mention the epic Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm. With a value of over £500 and 17 full sized products, you really are getting the absolute best for your money.
LookFantastic - 7/31
6) Elle
£175
It’s back for another year - and this time bigger than before. Worth over £755 you’ll receive the ultimate stash of beauty products including the best from Eve Lom, Benefit, By Terry and Huda Beauty all for £175. You can do the maths there but all we know, that’s one hefy saving. Plus, with each purchase you’ll get a year's print subscription to Elle Magazine: It’s a gift that keeps on giving.
Elle Beauty - 8/31
7) The White Company
£175
If the festive season is about warm baths, lit candles and kicking up your feet, then The White Company's 2022 advent calendar is certainly one to add to your wish list. Priced a1 £175, you'll be unwrapping 25 of the most luxurious treats from the brands most beloved collections. Expect to find everything from its signature Seychelles candle to even a gua sha. It's the perfect way to wind down throughout December before the big day arrives.
The White Company - 9/31
8) Selfridges
£210
With a beauty hall as immense as Selfridges’, we always expect some pretty spectacular things when it comes to the retailers advent calendar - and it never fails to impress. This year it’s packed with 27 products - including a beauty concierge appointment card - and features a great range of skincare essentials, party-season makeup and hair care saviours all from our favourite brands.
Trust on Olaplex No3 for salon-worthy hair, Pat McGrath's Divine Rose Blush to give you that winter-walk flush and Westman Ateliers Lit Highlighter for your ‘last one on the dancefloor’ glow. For £210 you’ll be unwrapping £800 worth of luxury goodies: so we’d highly recommend you checking out the full contents list as it’s pretty unbeatable.
Selfridges - 10/31
9) Jo Malone London
£350
The ultimate indulgence for any fragrance fan, Jo Malone London's annual beauty calendar is one worth setting a calendar alert for. This year, the brand has really raised the bar, filling the chic cream and black box with 25 scented treats – that’s one more than the year before. Including a full-size 30ml Cologne and a handful of exclusive products, it's packed with seasonal favourites to countdown the 25 days till Christmas. With classic fragrances such as Lime, Basil & Mandarin sitting alongside English Pear and Freesia, it's the perfect way to immerse yourself in the brand.
Jo Malone - 11/31
10) Kiehl's
£99
We all love a calendar that brings the glitz and glamour, but sometimes we’re after one that’s all about skincare - and if that’s the case for you, Kiehl’s is your best bet.
If you love Kiehl's, you likely have a go-to product from their vast range – perhaps their fabled Midnight Recovery Oil or nourishing Ultra Facial Cream? With this packed-out and beautifully-designed advent calendar, though, you won't have to choose a favourite.
Not only is the packaging insanely fun to just look at (this year designed by Made by Radio) the real magic happens when you delve into the 24 drawers. Packed with cleansers, serums and moisturisers you’re ready to tackle December with winter-proof skin.
Kiehl's - 12/31
11) ASOS
£85
From Elemis to MAC, ASOS truly knows what we want to be opening up this year. And everything can be found inside their 2022 advent calendar (plus a tote and makeup bag). Loaded with cult skincare, hall-of-fame makeup and hair care heroes, there is a lot to be excited for this year.
ASOS - 13/31
12) Revolution
£45
An overloaded chest of beauty treats doesn't have to cost you a fortune. The viral You Are Revolution Advent Calendar is one we have our eye on every year - and for very good reason. Filled with everything you need to create your Christmas Day glam - from eyeshadows, to lipsticks to highlighters - it’s the perfect calendar to still enjoy the festive tradition without breaking the bank.
Revolution Beauty - 14/31
13) Flannels
£235
This is big news: Flannels have launched its very first advent calendar and we couldn’t be more excited for it. The eye-catching calendar houses 25 of the most prestigious beauty brands including the likes of Neom, Pat McGrath Labs and Natasha Denona. Oh and did we mention that 18 - that’s over half - of the products are full size? And there’s more: one lucky winner will find a Flannels voucher in their calendar worth £500. Now, that’s what we like to call Christmas.
Flannels - 15/31
14) Macmillan
£88
In another collaboration with Boots, £2 of every sale made of the Macmillan 24 Days of Beauty advent calendar will go towards Macmillan Cancer support: so why not feel good and do good at the same time. Full of beauty and pampering treats from notorious Boots brands - including Soap and Glory, Sleek and No7 - it’s also a great way to give back during the festive season.
Boots - 16/31
15) Décleor
£125
Fans of Décleor's sublime skincare will love this generously stuffed beauty calendar. From essential oil-infused night creams to a seriously good body scrub, it's filled with everything you need for a head-to-toe pamper.
Feelunique - 17/31
16) Molton Brown London
£195
The Molton Brown Advent Calendar is always a top pick if you're wanting to countdown your December with an abundance of fragrances. Stuffed inside the 24 drawers you'll find everything from perfumes, to candles, to bath salts. We'd be surprised if you can hold off until December to delve inside: it's bursting with festive florals and fruits to really get you in the Christmas spirit.
Molton Brown - 18/31
17) Benefit
£59.50
You can trust Benefit to deliver a dose of joy with its beauty advent calendar each year. This bright and cheery collection contains 12 of the brand's most cult make-up heroes. From the Bad Gal Bang mascara to the Hoola Bronzer, it’s full of playful treats that will excite you all the way throughout the festive season.
Boots - 19/31
18) L'Occitane
£165
It’s a true L’Occitane tradition to treat us to multiple advent calendars every year - but in 2022 the bar has really been raised. While there are four to choose from, there is one in particular that stands out on our wish list. The reusable advent calendar (which you can hang on the wall) can be used year after year to fill up with L’Occitane goodies. Its festive design makes for a beautiful Christmas ornament that is filled with its most beloved must-haves like the Divine Cream and Immortelle Essential Water.
L'Occitane - 20/31
19) Soap and Glory
£45
Arguably, you can’t fault Christmas, but if there’s anything that brings the mood down is the slight havoc it can have on our skin (often as the result of many festive parties and full-glam makeup looks). Soap and Glory’s 24 Days to Treat-Yule Self is the perfect calendar if you’re after a bit of self-care for the season.
24 skin and body care goodies are hidden inside the very recognisable Soap and Glory box including five favourites that are new this year. You already may have your go-to products from Soap and Glory - but here’s an opportunity to try out a load more.
Boots - 21/31
20) The Body Shop
£145
The Body Shop always goes above and beyond to satisfy our festive cravings - and while they have launched three calendars this year, the Box of Wonders has really caught our eye. While you certainly can indulge in shower gels, face masks and body butter galore, what’s truly amazing about this calendar is that it supports and celebrates women of Ghana by helping them with healthcare needs and education. A well deserved round of applause indeed.
The Body Shop - 22/31
21) NYX Professional Makeup
£40
The NYX Professional Makeup 'Gimmie Super Stars' features a specifically vegan collection of its most beloved makeup products. Hidden inside the 12 beauty windows, expect to find all you need to create the ultimate Christmas Day look: from the Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator to the HD Studio Concealer. Or, you can opt for the 24 day countdown if you fancy double the festive goodies.
LookFantastic - 23/31
22) Huda Beauty
£109
Okay, this one isn’t strictly labelled an advent calendar but it sure can act as one (if you resist the temptation not to open all in one go!). The Beauty Delights calendar combines 10 beauty treats from Huda Kattan’s Wishful and Huda Beauty into one gleaming gift box. While we can’t wait to get our hands on all the goodies, we have a very wandering eye on the iconic full-size Power Bullet Cream Glow lipstick. And no need to wait on this one - you can buy it today for £109 on ASOS.
ASOS - 24/31
23) No7
£49.50
Christmas is always No7’s time to shine. There is no question its advent calendar is one of the most popular ones out there - and this year we’re being treated to two. Featuring over 70% of new products and six limited edition goodies, we really are in for a treat. The No7 Ultimate Calendar contains £433 of beauty gifts for £140 while the 25 Days of Beauty calendar is worth £211 for £49.50. If you’re like us and can’t risk missing out, sign up to the waitlist for 24 hour priority access.
No7 - 25/31
24) Rituals
£160.50
An advent calendar shaped as a 3D Christmas tree? Where’s the waiting list? Each festive treat is literally like an ornament on the tree, with 24 beauty boxes to open every morning it really makes the countdown so much easier. It features the brand’s most luxurious gifts: everything from candles to shower gels and bath milks that will last long after Christmas. This year, the most high-end Rituals advent calendar will be available online for £160.50 and will boast £230 worth of products.
Rituals - 26/31
25) House of Fraser
£125
When you’re investing triple-figure prices into beauty advent calendars, you want to make sure that each day counts. Well, that's what House of Fraser is here for. Hiding inside its Deck The Beauty Halls 2022 advent calendar, you’re treated to the biggest household names in the industry: featuring the likes of Charlotte Tilbury, Estee Lauder, MAC, Laura Mercier and Aveda. If you want to be one of the first to know when this epic collection hits the shelves, you can sign up to the waiting list now.
House of Fraser - 27/31
26) UpCircle
40% off
This is a very first from Upcircle and we cannot wait to delve in. 12 Days Of UpCircle Beauty houses 12 beauty goodies from the classics to limited edition and even some exclusive skincare treats. Expect to find their vegan skincare heroes, accessories and even a brand new range. Each calendar costs £177.88 - but if you’re keen enough to be one of its first customers, you can snatch it for only £99.99.
UpCircle - 28/31
27) Space NK
£215
It’s the hallmark of British beauty, so the Space NK beauty advent calendar is always highly anticipated every year. Featuring twice as many full-sized products then 2021, you can expect to find some genuinely iconic finds from Rare Beauty to JVN, Tatcha and Beautyblender. Worth a staggering £770, you can bag everything for £215. It really does scream luxury and if that wasn’t enough, you can win up to £1000 just for sharing the waitlist with friends and family. Ho, ho, ho.
Space NK - 29/31
28) Lush
£185
Lush's beauty calendar smells so delicious, if you can resist diving in before December 1st, we'll be very impressed. Of course, those dreamy bath bombs and butters feature heavily (including a few retro exclusives that you money can't buy elsewhere), but there's also some delicious perfumes and skincare to discover too.
Not to mention the insanely adorable festive additions like a Christmas pudding bath bomb (that’ll be saved till Christmas Eve). Everything is vegan, and you can chuck the entire calendar in your paper recycling come the new year.
Lush - 30/31
29) YSL
£220
Once again YSL’s beauty advent calendar is just as stunning as the last. Adorned in a glamorous black and gold decoration, inside the box there are 24 beauty treats to uncover: everything from its timeless lipsticks to the Touche Eclat Blur Primer. You can also expect to find a few fragrance favourites (I don’t need to explain further). Considering you’re getting 24 of the most luxurious beauty products out there, it totally makes up for the slightly dear price tag.
YSL - 31/31
30) Baylis and Harding
£45
You can’t beat a warm bath during the festive season- so trust in Baylis and Harding’s sell-out calendar to keep your baths incredibly luxurious throughout. Another great value option, for £45 you’ll find 24 yummy bath and body products, from hand creams to shower gels all in the most popular scents: Jojoba, Almond Oil and Vanilla. If you weren’t already, you have all the more reason to relax in the tub every evening after a long day.
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