29 best beauty advent calendars 2024, reviewed by editors
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Now we're the second day of December, your time to buy one of the best beauty advent calendars is, regrettably, pretty much out. Each brimming with travel-sized makeup, skincare and perfume goodness, they've been a sell-out Christmas success this year – and thanks to Cyber Monday 2024, there are only a handful left.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should shop with impulse. As a hard-to-please beauty journalist, it’s my duty to disclose that not every release of the holiday season is worthy of a spot on our list of the top buys. Some aren’t packed with much charm. But some are – and some are reduced in the Cyber Monday deals event.
Since the middle of summer, I've been busy opening each of the beauty advent calendars that have landed on the GLAMOUR beauty desk – in a mission to curate a tried-and-true edit of the crème de la crème that impressed me most. Truthfully, very few managed to woo me. While some proved genuinely wonderful, scoring highly in the value and packaging departments, others proved less note-worthy, packing underwhelming contents and hardly justifying their price.
Since our testing, some of the most popular beauty advent calendars have proven to be a sell out, but with less than a month until Christmas, there's still a small chance to get your hands on a GLAMOUR-approved buy. In this edit, you’ll find some still-in-stock options from our favourite beauty retailers to pamper even the pickiest of beauty-obsessed family members or friends. Ahead, the best beauty advent calendars that have earned the GLAMOUR seal of approval.
SKIP TO: When do beauty advent calendars go on sale in 2024? | Which brands have beauty advent calendars? | What is the most popular beauty advent calendar? | Are beauty advent calendars worth it? | Best Black Friday beauty deals.
Unveiling the most-coveted beauty advent calendars of 2024: GLAMOUR's top picks
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How we test the best beauty advent calendars:
As you can see in our videos, we open and review all of the beauty advent calendars that land on the GLAMOUR beauty desk. We judge advent calendars based on their packaging (top marks if it's reusable or recyclable), value for money, variety and whether or not the products inside work (and are suited to a range of complexions, hair types and makeup preferences). Our favourite beauty advent calendars feature full-sized products, or extra goodies like the chance to win a £100 voucher for the beauty brand you've bought into.
GLAMOUR's beauty editors have spent decades testing the biggest beauty launches and consulting industry experts to offer you expert advice on every beauty concern you may have, so we're best placed to critique the top beauty advent calendars of the year.
GLAMOUR's top 10 beauty advent calendars of 2024.
Best for: value.
- Release date: Still in stock.
- Price: £90, worth £383.
- Number of days: 25.
- GLAMOUR's Highlight: OSKIA Super R & Super C Duo x7 Capsules of Each, Full Size (worth £28).
What's inside the NEXT Beauty Advent Calendar 2024?
When reviewing beauty advent calendars, the NEXT advent calendar was the biggest surprise, for us. Not because we didn't expect it to be good – we just hadn't considered quite how good it would be. The likes of Sephora and Cult Beauty often steal the limelight, for good reason, but there are some epic brands included in the NEXT calendar, like Oskia, Elemis, This Works, Margaret Dabbs, Benefit and Cloud Nine. We loved the cute pink packaging, and the fact that NEXT has teamed up with ICONIC London to give you the chance to WIN £213 worth of goodies hidden within ten lucky calendars.
Best for: makeup lovers.
- Release date: Sold out.
- Price: £170.
- Number of days: 12.
- GLAMOUR's Highlight: Beauty Light Wand in Pinkgasm.
What's inside the Charlotte Tilbury Advent Calendar 2024?
A high percentage of my make-up bag is made up of Charlotte Tilbury products, so the annual calendar is a great value way of topping up my favourites. It always sells out with incredible speed and comes in packaging that resembles a jewellery box rather than an advent calendar. There's a mix of travel and full-sized products inside, too. “In short; yes. It's pretty pricey, but the fact that it includes so many travel-size products means it's an ideal gift for those looking to try out as many different Charlotte Tilbury products as possible — without having to fork out for full sizes,” our contributor Georgia Lockstone said. “Plus, it gives you access to a surprising number of the brand's big-name best-sellers — like the Beauty Light Wand, AIRbrush Flawless Setting Spray, and Charlotte's Magic Cream.”
Best for: budgets under £100.
- Release date: Sold out but stock coming soon.
- Price: £99.
- Number of days: 24.
- GLAMOUR's Highlight: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray.
What's inside the Boots Advent Calendar 2024?
I wasn't just all ears for this beauty advent calendar because it contains my beloved Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray. That helped, of course, but I love the concept that every step of your beauty routine is covered with this epic Boots release. They've considered everything from hair wash day to eye patches, primer, serum, cleanser, makeup, body spray, setting spray, hand cream – the lot. Half of the contents are full sized, and the fact that it comes in under £100 is staggering. A win.
Best for: luxurious beauty gifting.
- Release date: Sold out.
- Price: £570.
- Number of products: 24.
- GLAMOUR's Highlight: We loved the Rouge Dior lipstick in shade 999 and the iconic J'adore Eau de Parfum.
What's inside the Dior advent calendar 2024?
There aren't many beauty advent calendars that are just as opulent as this iteration from Dior. Sure, compared to other entries in this roundup, it's definitely on the more premium side. However, trust us when we tell you that its value is well worth its price – and it very much lives up to the hype.
Recreating the facade of the brand's historic boutique at 30 Avenue Montaigne, the Dior advent calendar's packaging is nothing short of impressive – featuring botanical designs and gold decorations all throughout. Inside, you'll find 24 luxury beauty treats, including everything from the brand's bestselling fragrance, skincare and makeup products.
Best for: quality fragrance, skincare and makeup selection.
- Release date: Sold out.
- Price: £250.
- Number of products: 38.
- GLAMOUR's Highlight: GISOU Wild Rose Hair Fragrance.
What's inside the Selfridges Beauty Advent Calendar?
Stepping inside the Selfridges store at Christmas, to me, is one of the most magical experiences. They've just announced that the waitlist is open for 2024, and they're offering a sneak peek at the contents of their 38-product edit. The products we're most excited about? The Kylie Cosmetics Kylie Lip Oil in Strawberry, the GISOU Wild Rose Hair Fragrance (this stuff is so good and lasts forever), and the SUPERGOOP Glowscreen face sunscreen. We loved that all of the products included are exclusive to Selfridges – and while the packaging could be a little better suited to reuse (it's quite bright), you definitely won't miss a day.
Best for: all beauty lovers.
- Status: All three sold out.
- Price: £199.
- Number of products: 40, 24 of which are full size.
- GLAMOUR's Highlight: 111Skin Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask.
What's inside the Sephora beauty advent calendar 2024?
Retailing at £199, this year's Sephora Advent Calendar was worth over £1,000, and packed a total of 40 products, 24 of which are full-size (yes, actually). Inside each numbered shelf, you can find a wide selection of beauty goodies from a number of renowned brands, including the likes of Glossier, Makeup by Mario, Rare Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, Sephora Collection and Glow Recipe.
“What I love about the Sephora advent calendar is the variety of brands featured inside. I appreciated a healthy mix of cult beauty heroes and the more recent viral products as well as the lesser-known beauty finds that can encourage you to find something new. Plus, the chest-style silver packaging feels very festive and modern (without leaning too much into the otherwise predictable Christmas theme). Plus, it's sure to make a cute jewellery box even beyond the festive season,” says Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer.
Best for: hair and body care lovers.
- Release date: Out of stock.
- Price: £99.
- Number of products: 12.
- GLAMOUR's Highlight: Color Wow Cult Favorite Firm + Flexible Hairspray Travel.
What's inside the Harrods 12 Days of Sparkle Advent Calendar?
The most affordable of three (!) Harrods beauty advent calendars this year is the 12 Days of Sparkle advent calendar – but trust us when we say it doesn't compromise in quality. We loved that it's dedicated to hair and body solely, and the pastel-hued packaging was really cute. Inside, we found 12 hair and body products from cult brands like Living Proof and Drybar. I loved the inclusion of Color Wow – it's a brand adored by Kim Kardashian's hairstylist Chris Appleton – and the Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa ‘68 Mist which has been trending on TikTok. “Sure, skincare and makeup advent calendars prove to be extremely popular year after year, but personally, I’m always on the lookout for a quality mix of hair & body care products, which is exactly why I've granted this Harrods advent calendar the sweet 3rd spot in this roundup. I rate it for its reasonable price and the healthy mix of full-size and travel-size products – all coming from different celeb-approved brands,” says our Beauty Commerce Writer Denise Primbet.
Best for: self-care enthusiasts.
- Release date: Out of stock.
- Price: £195.
- Number of products: 25.
- GLAMOUR's Highlight: Full-size Winter Signature Candle.
What's inside The White Company advent calendar 2024?
The White Company advent calendar is one of the most sought-after Christmas gifts for every wellness enthusiast, and we loved it just as much this year as we have every year previously. When it lands on the GLAMOUR beauty desk, it always gets the team excited. This year, the brand is treating us to a new design, which is inspired by its flagship Symons Street store – as well as an impressive line-up of products (five of which are full-size, ICYMI). There's a full-sized winter scented candle, plus diffusers and body products, all in a range of scents like Amalfi, Spa, Seychelles and limited-edition Tuscan Grove. Here's what our Beauty Commerce Writer Denise Primbet thought of it when unboxing it: “I'm a firm believer that skincare = self-care, and nothing proves it more than this advent calendar from The White Company. I would say it makes a perfect gift for someone who's less into makeup and skincare but is the kind of person that enjoys their Sunday resets, bubble baths and relaxing fragrances.”
Best for: unique beauty goodies (think: makeup, skincare and perfume).
- Status: Sold out for 2024. The Liberty men's advent calendar is still in stock.
- Price: £260.
- Number of products: 28, 18 of which are full-size.
- GLAMOUR's Highlight: OTO Sleep Soundly Pillow Mist 50ml and Sound Scape.
What's inside the Liberty Advent Calendar 2024?
Every year, the Liberty beauty advent calendar blows the competition away with its signature design – and this year is no different. How cute is the adorable, store-inspired box?! Obsessed. As for its contents? Impressive, also. A whopping total of 18 of the 28 included products are full-size, which is amazing, and the variety was much appreciated. You don't just get skincare and makeup goodies – there are two candles inside, as well as a sleep spray for your most relaxing night's kip all year. Such inclusions kept things exciting. “I know I'm not supposed to play favourites, but the Liberty advent calendar never fails to impress me. From candles and perfumes to makeup and skincare, I enjoyed the variety of brands included inside as well as the Liberty's signature packaging that's inspired by its flagship store in London,” says our Beauty Commerce Writer Denise Primbet.
Best for: premium beauty gift (particularly for skincare and fragrance obsessives).
- Status: Sold out for 2024. Here, shop more beauty gifts at Harvey Nichols.
- Price: £250, worth over £1,000.
- Number of products: 42 (as well as the chance to win a Harvey Nichols voucher that's worth £250).
- GLAMOUR's Highlight: Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream 15ml.
What's inside the Harvey Nichols Beauty Advent Calendar 2024?
If you're on the lookout for a perfect gift to impress even the fussiest of beauty lovers, trust us when we tell you that you can't go wrong with the Harvey Nichols beauty advent calendar. Worth over a staggering £1,000 and priced at £250, this coveted beauty gift is one of the highest-value calendars we reviewed. We loved the statement packaging – it's not massively festive, but we enjoyed that. Our Beauty Commerce Writer Denise Primbet reviewed this advent calendar first-hand: “This iteration from Harvey Nichols is one of my favourite luxury advent calendars in this roundup. The packaging is super chic, but it's the contents that score all the points for me. When I saw my favourite Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream inside, plus the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream and even the Le Labo Santal 33 fragrance (which has been on my wishlist for god knows how long), I was sold.”
Ahead, more of our favourite beauty advent calendars.
Beauty advent calendar FAQS:
All of this year's best beauty advent calendars are either on sale now, or are sold out. This guide outlines which calendars you can still get your hands on, and which you've sadly missed the boat with.
Most brands have beauty advent calendars in 2024. Seriously: name a big-name and they've probably released a Christmas countdown packed with their bestselling products – from conditioners to eyeshadow, lip balm, eye liner and body lotion. Expect beauty advent calendars from The White Company, Cult Beauty, Sephora, Charlotte Tilbury, Dr Barbara Sturm, LookFantastic, John Lewis, L’Occitane, Jo Loves, Aromatherapy Associates, MAC, Liberty London and more.
What is the most popular beauty advent calendar varies from year to year, but among GLAMOUR readers, the most popular beauty advent calendar of 2024 so far has been the Harvey Nichols advent calendar. Closely followed by NEXT, Marks and Spencer, Liberty, Boots and Selfridges. Each contains a healthy mix of skincare, makeup, and beauty tools, making them a favourite among beauty enthusiasts.
Beauty advent calendars can be worth it, if you love trying a variety of new products and discovering new brands. When it comes to providing a cost-effective way to sample luxury beauty, they're great – the combined value of the products usually exceeds the calendar's purchase price. That said, it's crucial to refer to our guide to the best beauty advent calendars before buying, to ensure the contents align with your preferences and needs.
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