Stockings, tree baubles and the best beauty advent calendars might seem worlds away, but with summer now approaching its second half, the season for securing the year’s ’must have’ Christmas countdown is officially here.
Waitlists and pre-orders are dropping across the board while, for a select few brands, their beauty advent calendars are available to buy now. Yankee Candle has kicked off proceedings, with the Lush advent calendar a close second and offering delivery over the next few weeks.
For the London ‘big four’ of department stores (Liberty, Harrods, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols), the early details are plentiful, with Augustinus Bader making a return appearance in multiple advent calendars. Selfridges and Harvey Nichols are keeping their treats a secret for now, but you can rest assured I’m working on it!
Based on my years of experience reviewing and buying advent calendars (the latter for more than 10 years), I can promise you the next few weeks will be rife with launches and key dates to make note of, particularly from the likes of Sephora, Space NK and Boots. Lucky for you, I'll be here every step of the way – and I've even got my hands on two of the biggest launches already to bring you my tried and tested reviews (watch this space). Here's everything I know so far about 2026's best beauty advent calendars, including contents, prices and much, much more.
Read more: What to expect in Liberty’s 2026 beauty advent calendar
Liberty beauty advent calendar 2026
Rating: 4/5
Worth: £1,300
Number of days: 25
Number of products: 29 (21 full-size)
Advent calendar highlights: Augustinus Bader the face oil, U Beauty resurfacing compound, Lisa Eldridge baume embrace melting lip colour
Available: Not yet announced, waitlist open now
Why we love it
- Selection of highly coveted brands, from Augustinus Bader to Trinny London
- Beautiful design, as always
- Large fragrance selection
Take note
- A number of brand repeats from 2025
- 'Full-size' doesn't always mean standard size
Arguably the most coveted of the calendars, Liberty’s beauty advent first launched more than 10 years ago in 2014. Now, it offers an incredible saving of more than £1,000, with the contents worth £1,300+ with a total spend of just £285.
Liberty is the only brand of 2026 to reveal the contents of its calendar so far – and they definitely warrant getting excited about. Not only are there 21 full-sized products from the likes of Sunday Riley and Violette FR, but there are no less than seven fragrances to enjoy.
Admittedly, the brand selection is relatively similar to 2025, with inclusions from Matiere Premiere, Zelens and more. However, the retailer has promised 26 products that aren’t in competitor offerings.
I’ll be getting my hands on all 29 products as soon as possible, so watch this space for my full review. In the meantime, make sure to join the waitlist to avoid missing out – this calendar sells out every year.
Buy now £285, Libertylondon.com
Harrods beauty advent calendar 2026
Rating: 4.5/5
Worth: Not disclosed
Number of days: 25
Number of products: 34 (21 full-size)
Advent calendar highlights: Hourglass ambient lighting blush, Medik8 C-tetra advanced vitamin C gel serum, By Terry tea to tan for face and body
Available 2026: Pre-orders open in August (date TBC)
Why we love it
- Numerous ultra-luxe brands, from La Prairie and Cle de Peau to Augustinus Bader and Shiseido
- Beauty tools in addition to liquids, powders, creams and the like
- Newly trending brands, for example Sync Beauty
Take note
- Some items look too small to be useful, for example Tatcha
Harrods beauty advent calendar 2026 is the one I’m most excited about, largely because it was the first to sell out last year.
Its key draw is that Harrods straddles the lines of beauty discovery, premium beauty and big-name beauty wonderfully, so cosmetics obsessives can enjoy the brands they know and love (think: Charlotte Tilbury and Huda Beauty) along with some luxury treats (say, La Prairie and Tatcha), and a handful of products they’re not yet familiar with (the likes of Moncho Moreno and Montale Parfums).For 2026, the Knightsbridge stalwart has pulled together some big trends from the past year, including the Lyma youth power cream (following the viral success of the Lyma laser device) and a Sync Beauty lip liner (the brand launched in mid-2025 and has been growing in popularity ever since).
Even better, this year's haul looks like Harrods' most luxurious yet, with a full-size rich eye cream from Augustinus Bader and a travel-size of Shiseido's uber-premium future solution lx, which costs £392 for a full tub. Harrods is keeping a handful of details – for example, the calendar's full worth – close to its chest for the time being, but I'm confident this one will sell out within weeks of its pre-order launch next month.
Also worth noting: Harrods has additionally announced its hair and body, and fragrance advent calendars for 2026, which will retail for £99 and £225, respectively. While the former is set to feature nine full-size products (of a total 17), the fragrance calendar will include seven full-sizes out of its wider 12. Fans can expect perfumes from Parfums de Marly and Jo Malone, while hair and body obsessives can enjoy items from Kerastase and Color Wow. These limited-edition calendars are also set to launch in August.
Buy now £270, Harrods.com
Cult Beauty advent calendar 2026
Worth: £1,100+
Number of days: 25
Number of products: Not disclosed, but 17 full-sizes confirmed
Advent calendar highlights: No products confirmed, but 12 products will be launches from past 12 months
Available: Not disclosed, waitlist open now
The Cult Beauty advent calendar usually sits neck and neck with Space NK’s offering. Much like Space NK, the CB calendar showcases the very best of each year’s beauty launches – so it’s rare to find tired products or brands where interest has waned. For instance, in 2025, the 40-product selection included the recently-launched Elemis toning mist and Gisou cherry edition lip oil.
With that in mind, I’ve a good idea of what we can expect for 2026. For starters, Gisou’s hair and body mists are at the top of every hair fanatic’s wishlist. Likewise, Dr. Barbara Sturm recently launched bronzing drops, which are the talk of the tanning town. Lastly, it’d be great to see some more K-beauty offerings – perhaps from Skin1004, Medicube or Dr. Althea, all of which have been big in 2026 so far.
The waitlist is now open for this year’s calendar, so make sure to get your name and email down soon to avoid missing out.
Buy now £245, Cultbeauty.co.uk
Boots beauty advent calendar 2026
Worth: £700+
Number of days: 24
Number of products: 24
Advent calendar highlights: Not yet revealed
Available: 2 September, or 1 September for waitlist signees (waitlist live now)
If your budget is strictly under £200, then chances are the Boots beauty advent calendar 2026 will meet your requirements – particularly given how much it punches above its weight.
This Christmas the retailer is launching a total three calendars, the main 'premium' offering, a 24 day skincare variety (£70, worth more than £300) and – following the popularity of perfume advents in 2025 – a 12-day fragrance calendar (£90, worth more than £345). Boots only launched its 'fragrance hub' in late 2025, so it's fitting that the brand would jump on the scenting bandwagon – especially with its impressive roster of perfumers, from Tom Ford to Maison Margiela.
None of the products for this year's advents have been revealed just yet, but I've a few inklings about the products we're set to see. In 2026, we’ve witnessed heaps of K-beauty triumphs from Boots, be it within the brand’s sell-out Korean skincare bundle or in the onboarding of numerous viral products, such as the Dr. Melaxin peel shot. I’d be surprised if the high-street stalwart didn’t capitalise on the popularity of these formulas in its 2026 advent, especially considering the joy its Laneige inclusion brought to calendar customers in 2025.
Elsewhere, I’m hoping to see the return of core beauty brands like Fenty, Milk and Nars, perhaps with one more full-size treat as the calendar enters its fourth year on the market. For those that don’t know, it’s somewhat of a tradition for the beauty advent calendars to get bigger and better with each year.
Buy now £150, Boots.com
John Lewis beauty advent calendar 2026
Rating: 5/5
Worth: £1,160
Number of days: 25
Number of products: 41 (23 full size)
Advent calendar highlights: Clarins lip comfort oil, Liz Earle cleanse & polish relaxing edition and muslin cloth, Medik8 hydr8 B5 serum
Available: Pre-orders from 3 August for those signed up to the MyJL beauty app, general sale 7 September
Why we love it
- Minimal (can count on one hand) unexciting products
- Brands other retailers don't think to include, such as Foreo
- New launches from 2026
Take note
- Some minis appear quite small – 5ml
I audibly gasped with excitement when I saw the selection for John Lewis's beauty advent calendar for 2026, and as someone who's going into her third year reviewing these coveted collections – I don't say that lightly. The selection for this year is seriously enticing, with six more products than last year, £160 more value (minus the extra £15 cost) and a mix of brands that appeal to a broad audience. There's Sisley, Trinny London and Dermalogica for more mature beauty buffs, K-beauty from Dr. Jart+ for the younger generation, plus heaps of big-name brands – from Clinique to Estee Lauder – for everyone else.
Admittedly, some of the sizes (those around the 5-10ml range) feel a little stingy, but when you look at the price of Sisley full-size items, you soon understand why John Lewis' hands were tied.
I appreciated the inclusion of the Foreo ufo 3 to mix things up a bit, and I spotted new launches (from the past 12 months) from Dr. Jart+ and Benefit, which can't be said of all the advents in this guide. Watch this space for an IndyBest tried and tested review but, on paper, I'm pretty impressed. Join MyJL Beauty now to be the first to secure the calendar when it launches next week for pre-orders.
Buy now £250, Johnlewis.com
Fortnum & Mason beauty advent calendar 2026
Worth: More than £1,225
Number of days: 25
Number of products: 25 (24 full-sizes)
Advent calendar highlights: Products not revealed, but Clive Christian, Granado and Wildsmith set to feature
Available: Not yet announced, waitlist open now
Fortnum & Mason has unveiled the exterior of its 2026 beauty advent calendar and green thumbed individuals will be thrilled to spot its clematis and mistletoe splashed casing. Of course, Fortnum's classic turquoise colours will feature, with embossed gold numbering on each of its 25 drawers.
As for the contents, we don't know much yet, but the Piccadilly department store has revealed that Ortigia, Wildsmith, Clive Christian, Delilah, Granado, Jean-Charles Brosseau and Benamôr 1925 are due to star in the 25-strong line-up. Impressively, the retailer is promising 24 full-size items and, if 2025's offering is anything to go by, we can expect a plethora of British brands – think: Bamford and Bramley – and a broad selection of luxury skincare, body care and fragrance. In my experience, make-up normally features, but it's not the focus.
The waitlist is open now, so I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for pre-order dates and expected dispatch.
Buy now £275, Fortnumandmason.com
Charlotte's Hollywood beauty wonderland advent calendar 2026
Worth: Not disclosed
Number of days: 12
Number of products: 12
Advent calendar highlights: Not yet revealed
Available: Not anncounced, waitlist open now
Charlotte Tilbury has dropped the price of its advent calendar by £5 year on year. By comparison, most retailers tend to increase the yearly cost of their advents in a bid to keep up with the rising costs of ingredients (and the rising expectations of advent addicts). While I've not yet had all the juicy details of the 2026 advent disclosed, there are a few things I'm convinced we'll see nestled within.
Namely, the Charlotte Tilbury pillow talk lip liner and matte revolution lipstick have been constants in previous years' calendars – the real question will be which shade we'll be lucky enough to receive. As much as a bold red is great at Christmastime, I prefer the versatility of a classic nude. Likewise, I'd be shocked if a travel-sized airbrush flawless setting spray didn't feature.
This year's scarlet packaging might be my favourite yet, so here's hoping the products are on par.
Buy now £170, Charlottetilbury.com
Lush advent calendar 2026
Rating: 4.5/5
Worth: Not disclosed
Number of days: 25
Number of products: 25 plus a reusable wicker basket
Advent calendar highlights: Honey I washed the kids body scrub, candy cane bubble bar, sticky dates shower gel
Available: Pre-order live now for dispatch in October
Why we love it
- Lots of fan favourites included, such as sleepy and dream cream
- Family friendly and great for sharing
- Array of products from all Lush categories, from lotions to candles
Take note
- Basket is reusable, but advent boxes are perforated and can't be reused
- Fans will be disappointed to see snow fairy has been skipped this year
- Lush socks feel a cop out
Lush has revealed the first two of its advent calendars, with both the main Lush advent above and the bath-focused 29½ high street advent calendar now open for pre-orders. Kicking things off with the main event, the Lush advent calendar for 2026 spans home scents, fragrance, body care and in-shower/bath products. There's a pair of socks thrown into the mix once again, which I can't imagine Lush fans will be chomping at the bit for. Then again, a good pair of cotton socks (which these are) can help to lock-in your moisturiser.
While not every item is full-sized, the brand has been thoughtful about its choice of miniatures. For instance, a 50ml spritz of Santa's favourite is well placed, given that a Christmas fragrance will likely fall out of favour once January rolls around. The same goes for the North Pole shower gel; though, I would've liked to have seen a sticky dates full-size, given its cult following.
As for the 29½ high street advent calendar (£135, Lush.com), pre-orders are open for earlier dispatch on 24 August. This calendar often skews more child orientated given its bath focus. Plus with cute butterbear bath bombs and unicorn horn bubble bars, you'd be hard pressed to find kids that won't love diving into each of its 25 doors. It also sees the return of snow fairy, so fans of the collection won't be entirely at a loss.
Buy now £210, Lush.com
L'Occitane beauty advent calendar 2026
Rating: 4/5
Worth: £192
Number of days: 24
Number of products: 24
Advent calendar highlights: L'Occitane almond shower oil, L'Occitane shea hand cream, L'Occitane verbena shower gel
Available: Not announced, waitlist open now
Why we love it
- Several products from viral almond range featured
- Varied selection of skincare and bodycare
- A good sub-£100 offering
Take note
- No full-sizes
- Calendar has perforated doors, so can't be reused
As is tradition, L'Occitane is storming the 2026 advent market with not one, but two calendars for cosmetics obsessives to get stuck into. The main event – the classic edition – is a snapshot of everything L'Occitane does well, from its shower gels and oils that leave your skin soft and scented, to its nourishing hand creams that keep dryness at bay. Fans of the brand can expect all the usual suspects, including the verbena, almond and fleurs de ceriser ranges, and – while there aren't any full-sizes on offer here – your travel bag will be stocked and ready for the numerous family visits that December brings.
For the prestige edition (£169, worth £269), both the products and packaging are more generous, with hard board drawers and a full-size 250ml almond shower oil among the contents. You'll also have the chance to try the new(ish) almond supple skin oil, which I personally can't get enough of.
The waitlist is open now for both calendars, so make sure to sign up to avoid disappointment.
Buy now £99, Loccitane.com
Neom beauty advent calendar 2026
Worth: Not disclosed
Number of days: 24
Number of products: 24 (ten full-sizes)
Advent calendar highlights: Products not yet revealed
Available: Not yet announced, waitlist open now
*Note – price is from 2025, price for 2026 is yet to be confirmed
Neom launched its inaugural advent calendar in 2025 and, as those who were lucky enough to receive one will know, it sold out fast. I'm expecting it to fly off the shelves just as quickly in 2026 and, with new launches for the past year locked and loaded for inclusion (say, the sleep and energy pens), I've high hopes for what we'll see within, too. The brand has kept the same 24 product, ten full-size blueprint year on year, but I'm hoping to see some switch ups between the drawers, rather than the same essential oil blends – especially for those of us who can't use them without a diffuser at home.
Buy now £190, Neomwellbeing.com
Molton Brown beauty advent calendar 2026
Rating: 5/5
Worth: £455
Number of days: 24
Number of products: 24
Advent calendar highlights: Molton Brown fiery pink pepper eau de parfum, Molton Brown mesmerising oudh accord and gold bath and shower gel, Molton Brown orange and bergamot candle
Available: 9 September, waitlist coming soon (newsletter sign up recommended)
Why we love it
- Plenty of brand favourites from the re-charge black pepper range to the coastal cypress and sea fennel collection
- Matching pump-bottle hand wash and lotion included
- First ever full-size EDP inclusion for MB
Take note
- Perfume atomiser counted as one of 24 items
Molton Brown's beauty advent calendar is always one of the most underrated options, but always packs a serious punch with its annual offering. This year, the selection looks better than ever with three pump bottles of hand wash and lotion, a full-size eau de parfum (in the brand's signature marble-style bottle) and all manner of shower gels to send you into 2027 smelling fresh. For me, the mesmerising oudh accord and gold candle is the star of the show for its rich, warm aroma – and I'd struggle to make it to December before lighting. My only bug bear is that the brand has counted its admittedly aesthetic travel perfume case as one of the 24 items. It's not a deal breaker, but I feel this could have been lumped in with another item within a single drawer. Regardless, a saving of £200 isn't to be sniffed at.
Buy now £255, Moltonbrown.co.uk
Cowshed beauty advent calendar 2026
Rating: 4.5/5
Worth: 547
Number of days: 24
Number of products: 24 (all full-sizes) plus a reusable wicker hamper
Advent calendar highlights: Cowshed refresh hand wash, Cowshed restore hand cream, new Cowshed 'the log cabin' scented candle
Available: 1 September, waitlist opens 17 August
Why we love it
- Matching hand wash and lotion pump duo
- All products are individually boxed for regifting
- Reusable wicker and cloth-lined hamper
Take note
- ravel-size candle still counts as a full-size because it can be purchased individually at that quantity
Fans of Soho House, rejoice, for the exclusive member's club's body care range has announced its advent for the tenth year running. This year, amazingly, all 24 items within will be full-sized, so there's not a sample sachet in sight. Though, it's worth noting that 'full-size' speaks to anything sold individually on the Cowshed website, such as the miniature candles, which feels a bit misleading. Thankfully, all the best scents are nestled within, from the replenish range to the active collection. Plus, with a full worth that's almost double the price you'll pay, anyone with a big family and friends line-up would do well to use the calendar as a one-and-done gifting solution. How, you ask? Well, each and every item comes in its own gift box, so you could easily distribute them between your secret Santa, white elephant gift and everyone in-between.
Buy now £299, Cowshed.com
Espa moments of wellness advent calendar 2026
Worth: Not disclosed
Number of days: 25
Number of products: Not disclosed
Advent calendar highlights: No products revealed yet
Available: Not announced, waitlist open now
If you're all about aromatherapy and relaxation then you'll meet your advent match in the Espa moments of wellness calendar. Details of the 2026 calendar are minimal so far, but I've already spotted a sleek beige-gold box that feels in-keeping with the brand's calming ethos. If its 2025 offering is anything to go by, fans of the brand can expect essential oil-rich skincare alongside best-selling products, from the restful bath milk to the muscle rescue balm.
Buy now, Espaskincare.com
Holland & Barrett beauty advent calendar 2026
Worth: £260
Number of days: 25
Number of products: Not disclosed, 25 in 2025
Advent calendar highlights: Cetaphil gentle exfoliating SA cleanser, Fussy tropic tonic, Q+A collagen hand cream
Available: Not announced, waitlist open now
The Holland and Barrett calendar is always a popular pick with beauty buffs who prefer clean (-er) cosmetics and more wellness-related picks, but it has had a £10 price hike year on year. The full roster of products for 2026 isn't here just yet, but so far the retailer has revealed trending products from Nature Spell, Weleda and more. In 2025, Holland and Barrett's calendar didn't earn my favour, owing to the number of repeat formulas (for instance, several of the same category, like moisturisers) and lack of buzzy brands. From this first look its 2026 offering certainly looks more promising, but only time will tell. For now, fans of the brand can sign up to the advent waitlist (it always sells out) to access the calendar first once it launches.
Buy now £60, Hollandandbarrett.com
Tatcha 12 ways to love your skin advent calendar 2026
Rating: 2.5/5
Worth: £290
Number of days: 12
Number of products: 13 (one full-size)
Advent calendar highlights: Tatcha the dewy skin cream, Tatcha the matcha foam cleanse, Tatcha indigo overnight repair
Available: 1 September, waitlist open now
Why we love it
- Lots of fan favourite products, such as the water cream
- Full skincare routine from cleanser and eye cream through to moisturiser and lip balm
Take note
- Expensive and single full-size isn't liquid product, but rather blotting papers
- Would have liked to see the newly launched SPF feature
- Worth to price ratio isn't impressive
Tatcha's renowed 12-day advent calendar has returned for 2026 and, as ever, its purple splashed drawers are bound to attract quite the fanbase. There's something for everyone here, with the water cream for more oily skin types and the longevity memory cream for those looking to target signs of ageing. I've tested a number of the formulas within, and I can say with confidence that your skin will step into 2027 having reached new heights of hydration and glow.
Nine out of 13 products being 15ml or less feels a little stingy for a price exceeding that of Liberty's offering, where – by comparison – you'll take home a whopping 21 full-size items. I'm not entirely sure I'd recommend the calendar for that reason. However, for true Tatcha fans, the chance to take home a full travel kit of all your favourite formulas will still be excitement worthy.
Buy now £278, Tatcha.co.uk
Yankee Candle advent calendar 2026
Rating: 4.5/5
Worth: Not disclosed
Number of days: 24
Number of products: 24 plus a glass tea light holder
Advent calendar highlights: Yankee Candle Christmas cookie tea light, pink sands tea light, clean cotton tea light
Available: Now, but second 'collector's edition' advent coming soon
Why we love it
- Affordable
- Plenty of fan favourite scents
- Great mix of festive and year-round aromas
Take note
- Only one tea light holder seems impractical
The Yankee Candle advent calendar for 2026 is the first of the bunch to go live for ordering. Following the same format as last year's 'fragrance lover's' calendar, Yankee Candle obsessives can set the mood this December with a daily tea light from the brand's seemingly endless roster of scents. Though, you'll have to pace yourself with lighting them, as the brand has only included one glass tea light holder, which doesn't exactly lend itself to a candle-lit bath (unless its a very dim one).
The all-important aromas – such as midsummer's night and Christmas Eve – have returned and, with them, comes a handful of autumnal scents with pumpkin and cinnamon notes.
Yankee Candle is also set to launch its collector's edition advent for £176.99. This variation will offer a mix of votives, tea lights, small jar candles and candle accessories, with scents spanning amber and sandalwood, warm cashmere (a personal favourite) and more. I'll keep you posted for its on-sale date.
Buy now £34.99, Yankeecandle.co.uk
Space NK beauty advent calendar
2025 worth: £558
Number of days in 2025: 25
Number of products in 2025: 35 (26 full-size)
Advent calendar highlights from 2025: K18 molecular repair hair oil, Phlur vanilla skin eau de parfum, Westman Atelier baby cheeks blush stick
Available 2026: Calendar not yet announced
In 2025, Space NK’s beauty advent boasted more full-size items than any other brand, and was one of the first calendars to sell out.
In 2026, Space NK has onboarded a number of new brands, so I’m expecting to see inclusions from Korean skincare brand Biodance, and Takami Japanese skincare. More broadly, Phlur is likely to pop up once again, given how few brands stock the fragrance house, and I’d be surprised not to see Refy in the 2026 bundle – hopefully some of the new water blush and bronzer compacts.
While we await more news of this year’s calendar, I’d suggest joining Space NK’s free member programme, Ndulge, as members in 2025 were the first to learn of the products included and the dates for purchase.
Buy now £260, Spacenk.com
Selfridges beauty advent calendar
2025 worth: 1136
Number of days in 2025: 25
Number of products in 2025: 37 (25 full-size)
Advent calendar highlights from 2025: Jo Malone London english pear and freesia, Lisa Eldridge lip liner, Augustinus Bader rich eye cream
Available 2026: Calendar not yet announced
Alongside Harrods, Liberty and Harvey Nichols, Selfridges completes the quad of London deparment stores when it comes to beauty advent calendars – and its offering is always highly anticipated.
Mega fans of the calendar may have spotted some early clues to the Selfridges beauty advent for 2026, with its 2025 retail page currently stating: "Selfridges beauty advent calendar(s)…yes, really… The wait is nearly over for Selfridges beauty advent. We won’t reveal too much, let’s just say 2026 called for something more!" It would seem there are going to be multiple advent offerings for 2026, so here's hoping for a dedicated fragrance countdown.
As for what we can expect inside, Selfridges is the only UK retailer at the time of writing to stock Augustinus Bader's new affordable offshoot: Dua by AB. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for a drawer with the popstar's supercharged glow complex but, failing that, I'd bet good money on something from the newly relaunched Marc Jacobs beauty collection – which is also exclusive to Selfridges.
There's no waitlist live today, but Selfridges is asking calendar hopefuls to join its Selfridges unlocked membership programme, where it's likely to reveal the first details of its 2026 advent offering. Watch this space for more updates and pre-order links as they come in.
Buy now £250, Selfridges.com
Harvey Nichols beauty advent calendar
2025 worth: More than £1000
Number of days in 2025: 25
Number of products in 2025: 37 (20 full-size)
Advent calendar highlights from 2025: Le Labo eucalyptus 20 eau de parfum, Augustinus Bader the rich cream, La Mer the renewal oil
Available 2026: Calendar not yet announced, waitlist open now
It’s all quiet on the Harvey Nichols front so far in 2026, but last year’s box was announced in August, so we probably don’t have too long to wait.
As a premium London departmental, Harvey Nichols stocks a plethora of coveted beauty brands, including Daylesford’s bodycare brand, Bamford, as well as Jo Malone, Olaplex and too many others to count. Harvey Nichols has introduced a few new beauty names to its line-up in 2026, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see drawers with Bob Beaute, Typebea or Joonbyrd products nestled within.
Based on 2025, I think we can expect to see the return of La Mer, Augustinus Bader and Rodial, all three of which are repeat advent calendar inclusions across a number of retailers.
Much like last year, I’m predicting Harvey Nichols members will once again have first access to shop the 2026 advent calendar. The programme is free to join and boasts exclusive access, offers and more, so there’s no harm in signing up – especially given that you can’t join the advent calendar waitlist without doing so, so it’s a no brainer.
Buy now £250, Harveynichols.com
Lookfantastic beauty advent calendar
2025 worth: £655
Number of days in 2025: 25
Number of products in 2025: 25 (15 full-size)
Advent calendar highlights from 2025: Medik8 hydra b5 serum, Elemis rose pro-collagen marine cream, The White Company Seychelles candle mini
Available 2026: Not yet announced, waitlist open now
The Lookfantastic beauty advent calendar is always a must for beauty addicts on a (reasonable) budget. When it comes to finding a beauty advent around the £100 mark, it's often disappointing to see how the quality of contents decrease and, as the calendar lowers in price, you'll notice minis are swapped out for meagre sample sachets, while full-sizes seem off the table entirely. Lookfantastic is the exception to this rule.In 2025, the retailer's Christmas countdown boasted inclusions from brands not commonly featured across the board (think The White Company and Molton Brown) alongside big-name beauty picks from the likes of Elemis and Mac.
Now that the waitlist is live for 2026 (the retailer has confirmed the calendar will follow the usual 25-day format), I'm expecting a handful of new Lookfantastic brands to feature in the star-studded line-up. Most notably, The Body Shop has launched on-site, with everything from its bestselling chamomile cleanser to the recently relaunched dewberry mist now among the Lookfantastic ranks. Likewise, Korean skincare brand Mediheal is now available from the retailer, so I'm hopeful that we'll be taking home a tub of the cult face pads in one of their six varieties.
Buy now £105, Lookfantastic.com
Sephora beauty advent calendar
2025 worth: £1,025
Number of days in 2025: 25
Number of products in 2025: 41 (24 full-size)
Advent calendar highlights from 2025: K18 astrolift restorative volume spray, Drunk Elephant C-luma hydrabright serum, Color Wow money masque
Available 2026: Calendar not yet announced
The Sephora beauty advent combines quantity and quality expertly and, in fact, was the calendar with the most products in 2025. The Sephora calendar is a top pick for trending beauty fanatics, blending a selection of TikTok-viral products – such as the Tower 28 hypochlorous acid – with long-standing cosmetics favourites from Laura Mercier, Elemis and more.
As for the Sephora beauty advent calendar 2026, I have high hopes for one brand in particular: Rhode. These calendars are curated months and months in advance, so when Rhode joined the retailer in November 2025, it was likely too late to secure a last-minute advent inclusion. Given that Sephora is the only third-party retailer to stock Hailey Bieber’s brand, skincare and lipcare addicts (myself included) will be chomping at the bit to see one of the peptide-fuelled formulas nestled within their Sephora haul this Christmas.
Otherwise, Sephora’s onboarding of Phlur will likely spur a luxe fragrance inclusion (fingers crossed for vanilla skin), and I’d love to see new Merit tubing mascara earn a spot in the line-up, as well as all the usual contenders from Medik8, Sol de Janeiro and the like.
Buy now £225, Sephora.co.uk
M&S beauty advent calendar
2025 worth: £330
Number of days in 2025: 25
Number of products in 2025: 25 (8 full-size)
Advent calendar highlights from 2025: Living Proof full shampoo and conditioner, Benefit benetint, Clinique high impact mascara
Available 2026: Calendar not yet announced
Last year, the M&S beauty advent calendar was the last of the big-name retailers to launch, so we likely won’t be seeing the 2026 offering for several months yet. But that’s not to say it doesn’t deserve its moment in the spotlight. On the contrary, it’s a really great value bundle.
For frequent M&S shoppers the premise is that you spend £35 in-store or online and you can secure the calendar for just £60. This puts its price tens, if not hundreds of pounds lower than competitors. While you’d be forgiven for thinking the contents must be sub-par to ensure such a reasonable price, this simply isn’t the case. M&S’s beauty department has a stellar brand offering, these days, with everything from Estee Lauder and Color Wow to Medicube and Aveda.
In the M&S beauty advent calendar 2026, I’ll be expecting a couple of brands the retailer has included before – namely, Philip Kingsley – as well as some new additions to the department’s line-up, such as Beauty of Joseon.
Buy now £60, Marksandspencer.com
Next beauty advent calendar (luxury)
2025 Worth: £779
Number of days in 2025: 25
Number of products in 2025: 26 (12 full-size)
Advent calendar highlights from 2025: Liz Earle eyebright soothing eye lotion, Living Proof triple bond complex, Murad retinol youth renewal eye serum
Available 2026: Calendar not yet announced
Last year Next launched two beauty advent calendars, but it’s the luxury iteration (vs. the standard) that earned my favour in 2025. Not only did it feature brands overlooked elsewhere, such as Noble Isle, but the variety of formulas chosen allowed you to enjoy a complete skincare regimen, with everything from an eye lotion to vitamin C serum.
Next’s beauty offering – though often overlooked – is fruitful, to say the least. The retailer stocks no less than 300 beauty brands with everything from luxury Dyson haircare to affordable skincare from The Ordinary.
As such, Next’s beauty advent calendar for 2026 is the hardest to pin down; however, if its mid-year beauty bundles are anything to go by, I’ll be expecting fake tan from Coco & Eve, home scenting from Neom and indulgent bodycare from Rituals. Fingers crossed.
Buy now £185, Next.co.uk
No7 beauty advent calendar
2025 worth: £236
Number of days in 2025: 25
Number of products in 2025: 25 (10 full-size)
Advent calendar highlights from 2025: No7 future renew damage reversal night serum, No7 future renew damage reversal day cream, No7 pure retinol 0.3% night concentrate (all mini versions)
Available 2026: Calendar not yet announced, waitlist live now
No7 usually launches two beauty advent calendars, with one dedicated to skincare, and both are a great shout if you're looking to receive a more personalised mature skin offering. As beauty expert Sabine Wiesel put it in her 2025 review of the No7 calendars, "they’re ideal for anyone wanting to target signs of ageing."
For the 2026 offering, I'm confident we'll see items from all the bestselling collections, from future renew through to the relatively new good intent range. No7 also celebrated a big launch in 2026 with its prime forever peptide-led skincare quad – one of which I'm hoping we'll see in this year's calendar hauls (hopefully in a full-size).
The waitlist is open, so sign up now if you're hoping to secure hundreds of pounds of beauty for, well...significantly less than a hundred pounds!
Buy now £60, Boots.com
The White Company beauty advent calendar
2025 worth: £319
Number of days in 2025: 25
Number of products in 2025: 25 (4 full-size)
Advent calendar highlights from 2025: The White Company winter hand wash, The White Company Seychelles bath and shower gel, The White Company fireside mini diffuser
Available 2026: Calendar not yet announced, landing page live and waiting
The White Company's luxury advent calendar isn't the best option for those looking to explore the wider world of beauty, but for the home-proud individual, this is about as good as it gets. Packed with diffusers, candles and hand washes galore, you couldn't find a better bundle of goodies to leave your space smelling (and looking) serene.
While the brand hasn't officially revealed the full contents of its 2026 advent calendar, it has launched a short promotional video on-site where eagle-eyed fans will be able to spot a few early inclusions. For me, the most wow-worthy items (based on what I could spot) are a full-size winter candle and a full-size sea salt bath and shower gel. Of course, it wouldn't be a White Company Christmas without something from the Seychelles and pomegranate ranges – luckily, I spotted both of these collections in the line-up, too.
There's no waitlist or pre-order link live just yet, but the landing page has been set up ahead of launch, so I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for more information in the coming weeks
Buy now £195, Thewhitecompany.com
Jo Malone beauty advent calendar
2025 worth: £530
Number of days in 2025: 25
Number of products in 2025: 25 (one full-size)
Advent calendar highlights from 2025: Jo Malone London pomegranate noir mini candle, Jo Malone London blackberry and bay hand cream, Jo Malone London full-size orange bitters cologne
Available 2026: Calendar not yet announced, waitlist live now
If The White Company's beauty advent calendar is for homebodies, then consider Jo Malone London's Christmas countdown a must for olfactory connoisseurs. Whether you love room scents, delicious bodycare aromas or perfumes that garner attention wherever you go, this advent calendar is a top pick for fragrance lovers. It doesn't come cheap, but the 25-strong selection of candles, colognes and more will keep your scent collection going well into 2027 – just in time for another advent calendar.
No details on the 2026 beauty advent calendar have been shared as of yet but, if you're hoping to get ahead of the rush, the waitlist is now open. Having unboxed this calendar over several years, I can tell you one thing with relative certainty: fan favourites such as blackberry and bay, lime, basil and mandarin, and pomegranate noir are almost guaranteed to feature. It's just a matter of how we receive them, be it a bath and shower gel or a silky body oil.
Buy now £360, Jomalone.co.uk
When will 2026’s beauty advent calendars go on sale?
So far, we’ve had confirmed dates for four calendars (Boots, Tatcha, Yankee Candle and Lush) with further brands – including Harrods, Liberty and L’Occitane – announcing advent details and waitlist openings, without specifying the day you’ll be able to shop their calendars.
It won’t be long before the full sweep of beauty advent calendars for 2026 are unveiled and this year’s hauls begin to sell out. Thankfully, I’ll be here to keep you posted before they do.
Are beauty advent calendars worth it?
In short, yes, beauty advent calendars are always worth more than what you’ll pay; however, you have to consider whether they’ll be worth it for you personally. I’ve been diving into the best beauty advent calendars since 2015 (my first was from M&S) and I can say with confidence that some brands undoubtedly offer a better haul than others. Key things to consider are:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
As a senior shopping writer, this will be Lucy Smith’s third year reviewing the best beauty advent calendars for IndyBest. Prior to her professional coverage, Lucy has been purchasing beauty advents from M&S, The White Company and more since 2015, putting her experience in the category at more than 10 years. Elsewhere, Lucy covers all the latest beauty launches – such as the Dyson supersonic travel dryer – year round, so she knows what the must-have products of 2026 are for this year’s advent offering. Plus, having reviewed everything from the best foundations to the best hyaluronic acid, she’s well versed in the brands that pop (and the ones that flop), so you can trust that her round-up of the best beauty advent calendars for 2026 isn’t full of hot air.
Read more: I’m a beauty addict and the John Lewis 2026 advent could be my favourite of the year
