The Christmas season calls for suitably festive makeup looks.
In Yuletide, it’s all about glitter and glamour with striking smoky eyes adorned with shimmering sparkles and vibrant burgundy lips. It’s a time to get creative and so you’ll need the tools to make that possible.
Since the humble beauty advent calendar was released back in 2013, modern beauty advent calendars have become anything but.
Each year, the numbered boxes get more lavish, extravagant and packed with more beauty products than we know what to do with - all while costing a pretty penny in the process yet offering savings compared to purchasing each of their contents individually.
There are beauty advent calendars from all the major beauty brands and spotlighting fragrance, skincare and for the purposes of this roundup, makeup.
Not only will you find dedicated countdowns filled to the brim with cosmetics from the likes of Charlotte Tilbury and Benefit, but retailers from Liberty to Cult Beauty collate the bestsellers from their hallowed beauty halls (virtual or otherwise) that combine makeup and more to give you a bumper pack of cult brands and new lesser-known labels to discover so you never know what you’re going to get.
Make it feel like Christmas morning each day in the run-up to December 25 with the best makeup advent calendars below.
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M·A·C Frosted Frenzy Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now
Worth: £487
M·A·C has smashed it out of the park once again with its advent. The show-stopping calendar opens to reveal a snowflake design that pops up as you prepare to dive into the goodies within. There are 24 presents inside, 21 of which are full-sized - making this one of the best value countdowns on the market. The contents include the newly launched M·A·CStack Mascara, Retro Matte Lipstick and Hyper Real Serumizer.
Buy now £170.00, M·A·C
Parfums Christian Dior 30 Montaigne Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now
Worth: TBD
The Dior advent calendar is designed to represent the facade of the French house’s 30 Avenue Montaigne Paris flagship boutique with gold embossing and a fairytale twist that proves this is every bit a luxury product from the outside in.
There are 24 drawers that open to reveal makeup, candles, body care and fragrances from the beauty arm of the fashion house as well as an exclusive, limited-edition decoration to hang on your tree. The nine scents include the newly launched L’Or de J’adore as well as the beloved Miss Dior and Sauvage.
Buy now £570.00, Dior
LOOKFANTASTIC 2023 Beauty Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now
Worth: £565
Brands: NARS, MAC and Elemis
You can always count on LOOKFANTASTIC for its epic beauty bundles. Throughout the year, the retailer packs purse-friendly box sets together in its monthly subscription services as well as bumper packs to celebrate the seasons. At Christmas, it shows its true prowess and you only need to look to its 2023 advent calendar to prove it.
Countdown to the big day with 27 luxury labels that include fan favourites (NARS, MAC etc) as well as those chosen by the expert editors (Disciple, Coco & Eve and GRANDE Cosmetics) - all for under £100. You also get £10 off if you are a LOOKFANTASTIC The Box subscriber.
Buy now £99.00, LOOKFANTASTIC
NET-A-PORTER Ultimate Gift Set
Worth: £1,332
Brands: Dr Barbara Sturm, Charlotte Tilbury and 111SKIN
As one of the most value-packed advents, it is no surprise that the Net-A-Porter calendar is so sought after. This year, the retailer has taken a slightly different approach, packing more goodies behind its walls. There are 15 items, including full sizes and minis as well as fashion, jewellery and accessories gifts that will have you relishing each day’s unboxing.
The contents are housed in a lantern-shaped box, embellished with LED lights so it will become a real focal point among your seasonal decorations. They include the Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial, Anissa Kermiche Popotin candle, MZ Skin Reviving Antioxidant Glow Drops, Westman Atelier Lip Suede and Pat McGrath Mattrance lipstick in Elson.
As far as the more tangible goodies, there’s a jewellery case from Mateo, two beaded bracelets from JIA JIA, silver hoop earrings from LIÉ STUDIOS and Arch4 cashmere gloves.
Buy now £275.00, Net-A-Porter
Space NK Beauty Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now
Worth: Over £1,000
Brands: Tatcha, Augustinus Bader and Olaplex
As you countdown to December 25, there’s not a single day you’ll be disappointed with the Space NK Beauty Advent Calendar on your mantle. The retailer demonstrates its prowess year after year and 2023 is no exception with 33 hero products inside.
Within you’ll find both the Olaplex shampoo and conditioner, a cleanser from Dr. Barbara Sturm, the Bigger Brighter Eyes Eyeshadow Palette from Charlotte Tilbury, C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum from Sunday Riley as well as makeup, a candle from Boy Smells and multiple masks to give your skin respite from the festive period.
Buy now £235.00, Space NK
BY TERRY Opulent Star Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now
Worth: £520
With an extensive celebrity fan base that includes Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Kate Hudson, ByTerry is the luxe French label to have on your radar for skin, makeup and hybrids of the two. The advent calendar is a great introduction to the brand as it includes bestsellers like the Tea to Tan Face & Body Bronze loved by the Hudson and the Baume de Rose Lip Balm that RH-W keeps by her bed.
The calendar has 10 full-sized products within, 12 travel and two brushes and is decorated with an electric purple backdrop and vibrant details.
Buy now £197.00, BY TERRY
Sculpted by Aimee Beauty Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now
Worth: £150
Sculpted by Aimee is making a convincing case for dominating your makeup bag with its affordable heroes providing professional results. This calendar contains 12 days of festive fun with everything you need to create killer makeup looks throughout the party season. The pretty in pink exterior opens to reveal full-sized and mini bestsellers from both the skin and makeup collection with exclusive surprised and limited-edition items too.
Buy now £80.00, Sculpted by Aimee
Cult Beauty 2023 Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now
Worth: £1084
Brands: Augustinus Bader, 111SKIN and Hourglass
Each year Cult Beauty goes above and beyond with its advent offering and luckily for us, 2023 follows suit. The 25-day calendar from the beauty retailer will give you a chance to discover cult skindie icons like Kinship and The Seated Queen as well as luxe heroes from Augustinus Bader, 111SKIN and Hourglass. The offering covers every beauty category; makeup, scents, skin, body and more.
Among the 39 goodies that you’ll find inside are goodies from Supergoop!, Elemis, Glow Recipe, Olaplex and Paula’s Choice with seven presents on Christmas day. There’s also the chance to win a Golden Ticket for £1000 spending on the retailer’s site - there are three to find.
Over £60,000 of sales from the advent calendar will be donated to Mental Health UK and a tree is planted for every calendar sold.
Buy now £225.00, Cult Beauty
John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar 2023
Release date: October 4
Worth: Over £921
Brands: Sunday Riley, Nars and Charlotte Tilbury
The John Lewis beauty advent calendar will have you wishing the autumn away with its almost £1000 worth of products to surprise and delight come December. There are 25 drawers which contain 16 full-size and deluxe products from the brands listed above as well as Elemis, OTO, Neom, The Ordinary and Murad.
The skin, makeup, body, hair and fragrance delights were selected based on which were the retailer’s bestsellers as well as to provide a moment of relaxation in the festive season or to form staple parts of your beauty routine.
For 10 lucky customers, there is also a £500 John Lewis gift card and four will win prizes like a trip to Rome or a luxurious spa treatment.
Buy now £195.00, John Lewis
Harvey Nichols Beauty Advent Calendar 2023
Release date: Available now
Worth: over £1300
Brands: Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Charlotte Tilbury and Escentric Molecules
Last year, Harvey Nichols unveiled its first-ever beauty advent and the retailer is keen to outdo itself. There are 25 products inside its iteration for 2023 with a value of over £1300 according to the HN team (including the treatment). This may just be the most jaw-dropping selection that we’ve seen with products from Augustinus Bader, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Charlotte Tilbury, Escentric Molecule and Fenty Beauty.
The selection includes full sizes of the Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream (!), Color WOW Large Bombshell Volumizer, Dr Barbara Sturm Cleanser, Jo Loves Pomelo Paintbrush, Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cream, MZ SKIN Vitamin-Infused Meso Face Mask, Sol De Janeiro Bum Bum Cream and many more. Most excitingly of all, there’s a voucher for a treatment for a beauty service that ranges from a free eyebrow shape with a Shavata Singh brow expert and a Makeup 1-2-1 with a Fenty MUA.
Buy now £250.00, Harvey Nichols
Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar 2023
Release date: Available now
Worth: £1040
Brands: Vilhelm Parfumerie, Sunday Riley, Le Labo, Augustinus Bader, Charlotte Mensah, Rose Inc and many more.
The Liberty advent calendar is always one of the most sought-after of the year and the retailer is bringing the Christmas feels early this year with a September launch of its legendary beauty offering. Housed in a cardboard ink illustration of the iconic department store’s shopfront treated to a snowy seasonal makeover, there is said to be over a thousand pounds worth of products within its walls.
There are 29 products included, so you’re already getting a bonus over the traditional 24/25 and what’s more, 20 of them are full-sized. Brands include Sunday Riley, Dr Barbara Sturm, Augustinus Bader, The Seated Queen and Le Labo to name but a few. It’s not limited to just beauty either with jewellery from Estella Bartlett, hair accessories and a pocket mirror adorned with a beautiful Liberty print.
Feeling lucky? Five UK customers may just find a Golden Ticket in their advent calendar with £1000 to spend.
Buy now £250.00, Liberty
Harrods Beauty Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now
Worth: £1,173
Brands: Acqua di Parma, Augustinus Bader and Bobbi Brown
There is not one but two advent calendars on the Harrods seasonal line-up for 2023. While the luxury department store is bringing its annual Harrods Beauty Advent Calendar (£250, value £1,173) to market once again - much to the delight of its extensive fan base, it is set alongside the 12 Days of Fragrance Advent Calendar (£175, value £1,009) that will have aroma addicts on the edge of their seat. Both are filled to the brim with cult favourites and trending products that you’ll find in its hallowed beauty halls and curated by the buying team.
In the Harrods Beauty Advent Calendar, you will be greeted with such sought-after items as the Acqua di Parma’s citrussy Colonia Shower Gel, the legendary Rich Cream from Augustinus Bader, EviDenS de Beauté’s anti-ageing The Night Recovery Solution, and Bobbi Brown’s universally-flattering pink Pot Rouge.
For the scent-filled iteration, you will have the chance to discover lesser-known fragrance houses with a combination of deluxe and full-sized perfumes from the likes of Parfums de Marly, Montale and Kuma.
Buy now £250.00, Harrods
Selfridges Beauty Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now
Worth: £1,049
Brands: PHLUR, Pleasing and MALIN+GOETZ
Feel the festive spirit with this incredibly exciting advent calendar from the hallowed beauty halls of Selfridges. The luxury department label has packed 32 hero products inside, taking its previous record from last year and upping it by four additional items. What’s more, 16 are full-sized and 18 come from the retailer’s sustainable Project Earth edit.
The combination of skin-boosting blends and makeup delights includes treasures from Paco Rabanne, Lisa Eldridge, Augustinus Bader, Gisou and Harry Styles’ Pleasing. Highlights include the PHLUR Missing Person eau de parfum, MALIN+GOETZ Dark Rum scented candle and Selfridges Beauty Concierge gift card.
Buy now £220.00, Selfridges
Paul & Joe Advent Calendar
Release date: October
Worth: TBD
Feline fans will likely be very familiar with Paul & Joe and its makeup collection that puts cats front and centre. The playful range is set in advent form once again. The sixth iteration of the annual calendar stars two very special furry friends; Gipsy and Nounette - founder Sophie Mechaly’s beloved cats. The calendar opens to reveal 24 makeup treats as well as a stylish tartan tote.
Buy now £84.00, Anthropologie
GLOSSYBOX “Feel The Magic” Advent Calendar 2023
Release date: Available now
Worth: £403
The beauty subscription service is known for championing lesser-known labels in its monthly boxes and the same is true for its advent offering. Discover your new favourite brands as well as find treats from the likes of Medik8, Color Wow and Floral Street.
There are 28 products within, 17 of which are full-sized and 11 deluxe-sized and highlights include the Made by Mitchell "Blursh" liquid blush that went viral on TikTok and an eyeshadow palette from Ciaté London.
Buy now £70.00, GLOSSYBOX
Fenwick 12 Days of Beauty Calendars
Release date: Available now
Worth: £800
Brands: Dr Barbara Sturm, Augustinus Bader and Charlotte Tilbury
Mark down the 12 days of Christmas with this calendar creation from Fenwick decorated with a bespoke piece by the retailer’s artist-in-residence, Rob Draper. There are 15 treasures within across the spectrum of beauty; including skincare, makeup, fragrance and hair.
Look out for the likes of Escentric Molecules, Augustinus Bader, Charlotte Tilbury, Bobbi Brown and Rahua.
Buy now £165.00, Fenwick
Charlotte’s Lucky Chest of Beauty Secrets
Release date: Available now
Worth: TBD
Without giving the game away, Charlotte Tilbury has announced that its eagerly anticipated advent calendar is back, much to the delight of its loyal fans. Dubbed the ‘Lucky Chest of Beauty Secrets’, the keepsake calendar is made up of mini drawers, each of which is adorned with a jewel detail that you could reuse to house your jewellery collection.
The contents combine mini and full-size products with such heroes as the Magic Cream, Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray and Hot Lips 2 Lipstick included.
Buy now £160.00, Charlotte Tilbury
Benefit Cosmetics All I Want Advent Calendar
Release date: Available now
Worth: £281.72
Mariah Carey may not have been referring to this advent calendar with her annual number-one hit, but the lyrics apply. All I want for Christmas is this make-up-filled countdown from Benefit.
Housed within its playful triomphe d'oeil exterior are 24 beauty gifts across the beloved range. You’ll find full-sized versions of Roller Lash, The POREfessional face primer, Fluff Up Brow Wax and Multi-Tasking Cheek Brush as well as minis and fun-sized iterations of so many of its bestsellers that your look will be sorted throughout the holiday season and beyond.
Buy now £145.00, Benefit Cosmetics
