One of the joys of childhood was ripping into the chocolate advent calendar come December 1st. Now, as an adult, there is a distinct joy in replicating the process of an advent calendar but with something a little bit more exciting than chocolate.
The creation of beauty advent calenders was a true triumph and each year, the selection of calendars on offer just gets better and better. Whether you’re looking for a gift for a friend (or simply looking to treat yourself), here are some of the best beauty, skincare, grooming and makeup Christmas advent calendars available in 2020.
NARS Limited Edition Advent Calendar, $400
NARS fans are sure to love this limited edition calendar from the beauty giant, which includes 12 full-size lip products including Velvet Matte Lip Pencils, Lipsticks and Powermatte Lip Pigments in a range of shades and finishes. Shop via MECCA for $400.
MECCA MAX Beauty-Full Days, $65
Gift the makeup lover in your life the gift of MECCA MAX’s Beauty-Full Days calendar, which includes highlighters, blushes, lip pencils and liquid lipsticks as well as priming products, brow gel and eyeshadow. Made without sulphates, parabens and animal products, shop via MECCA for $65.
Go-To 12 Days of Go-To, $150
This limited-edition advent calendar contains 12 Go-To goodies across skincare, lip care, hand care and more including Go-To’s cult products like Face Hero oil, Properly Clean cleanser and Fancy Face oil cleanser. The calendar also features custom artwork by Lynette Nangala Singleton, titled, “Ngapa Jukurrpa”. Shop via MECCA for $150.
Jo Malone Advent Calendar, $630
Jo Malone’s 2020 Advent Calendar is a luxurious countdown to Christmas. Filled with colognes, candles, shower oils and soaps, this calendar contains all of Jo Malone’s cult products including the Lime, Basil & Mandarin Cologne and the English Pear & Fresia Cologne. Shop via Jo Malone for $630.
M·A·C Boom Boom Wow Advent Calendar, $360
The Boom Boom Wow Advent Calendar by M·A·C is a firework-frosted keepsake case filled with mini and full-size surprises to unbox over 24 days. Filled with some of M·A·C’s most iconic products, including a Mini M·A·C Lipstick in Russian Red and Strobe Cream. As well as lip products and highlighters, there is also makeup prep products as well as brow products and a cute M·A·C keychain. Shop via M·A·C for $360.
Clinique 24 Days of Clinique, $175
Clinique’s advent calendar is a mixture of skincare and makeup goodies to open over the 24 days before Christmas. Try some of Clinique’s cult products like Take The Day Off™ Makeup Remover and Quickliner™ For Eyes Intense. Shop via Clinique for $175.
MECCA 12 Days of Luxury Beauty, $380
Harness the beauty expertise of MECCA team with the 12 Days of Luxury Beauty Advent Calendar, which contains a mixture of mini and full-size skincare, makeup, body, fragrance and hair products including Byredo’s Rose of No man’s Land Hand Cream and a Diptyque Baies Candle. Shop via MECCA for $380.
The Beauty Advent Calendar 12 Day, $135
This limited-edition calendar is filled with natural luxury products from Australian brands to try over the 12 days before Christmas. It has a dozen products altogether, with seven full-sized goodies from some of Australia’s best cruelty-free brands including Kester Black, The Jojoba Company and Terra Tonics. Shop via The Beauty Advent Calendar website for $135.
Balmain Limited Edition 10 Days of Balmain Advent Calendar, $280
In the ten days leading up to Christmas, you and your loved one could be exploring the goodies included in the Balmain Advent Calendar, which includes a Thermal Protection Spray, Moisturising Shampoo and Conditioner and Mini Detangling Spa Brush. Lush! Shop via Selfridges for $280.
Sunnylife Scented Candle Advent Calendar, $99.99
For the candle enthusiast in your life, Sunnylife’s Scented Candle Advent Calendar is a great present that they’ll be able to enjoy for a long time to come. With flavours including Persian Orange & Cassis, Blood Orange & Grapefruit and Passionfruit and Coconut, these scents are the perfect accompaniment to summer. Shop via Sunnylife for $99.99.
Sephora Wild Wishes Advent Calendar, $100
Sephora Australia has created an advent calendar filled with 24 beauty and skincare goodies that will enhance one’s beauty routine immeasurably. The calendar includes nose strips, sheet masks and nail polish as well as handy items like a pocket mirror, nail file and shower cap. Shop via Sephora Australia for $100.
Dr Hauschka Christmas Advent Calendar, $189
This 24-day countdown Advent Calendar by Dr Hauschka is filled with 23 trial sized goodies and one-full sized surprise on the 24th. All of the makeup and skincare products included in the calendar are organic and/or natural, free from synthetic chemical fragrances, colours and preservatives and aren’t tested on animals. Shop via Adore Beauty for $189.
Benefit Shake Your Beauty Advent Calendar, $119
Benefit’s Shake Your Beauty Calendar contains 12 bestselling and fan-favourite skincare and makeup products in mini and fun sizes including three mascaras, a bronzer and blush. Fans of Benefit’s brow products will be stoked to receive the 24 Hour Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel, Precisely My Brow Pencil and Gimme Brow. Shop via Myer for $119.
Armani Beauty Advent Calendar, $560
The countdown to Christmas is going to be even better with the Armani Beauty Advent Calendar. Spoil someone special in your life with a mixture of mini and full-size products from Armani Beauty including a full-size Eyes To Kill Stellar Eye Shadow and Eyes To Kill Designer Eyeliner. Shop via Armani Beauty for $560.
Dr Barbara Sturm Advent Calendar, $625
Known for her molecular approach to skincare, Dr Barbara Sturm has created a calendar for longtime fans of the brand. The calendar contains 24 treatments in full, deluxe and sachet sizes, which allows you to test out a number of products without having to commit to a product that might not work for you. Shop via Net-A-Porter for $631.71.
Inika Beauty Advent Calendar, $199
For the lovers of clean beauty, Inika’s Advent Calendar is the perfect pressie. Filled with a mixture of 12 trial and full-sized skincare and makeup products, the calendar itself is reusable and can be used for beauty storage long after Christmas is over. Shop via David Jones for $199.
Lancôme Advent Calendar, $250
Get in the holiday spirit with the charming Advent Calendar by Lancôme, which mimics Parisian streets and features a sparkling Eiffel Tower. Filled with a number of Lancôme favourites including Advanced Génifique Anti-Aging Face Serum and Hypnôse Noir Hypnotic Custom-Wear Volume Mascara.
Diptyque Advent Calendar, $622
Diptyque’s iconic Advent Calendar is back for another year at MECCA and it’s just as beautifully luxurious as previous years. Filled with 25 little surprises including Diptyque’s cult candles and perfumes as well as a shower oil, body butter and body polish. The candle varieties include crowd favourites Figuier, Mimosa, Baies and Roses among many others.
Palm Beach Collection Advent Calendar, $79.95
Candle lovers rejoice as Palm Beach Collection’s limited edition Candle Advent Calendar is the perfect pressie to you from you (or for a loved one, we suppose!). Filled with 12 mini candles, these scents are perfect for summer and the festive season with fragrances like Sparkling Grapefruit and Passion Flower Fiz.
esmi Advent Calendar, $250
Pick up the body positivity themed Advent Calendar from esmi this Christmas, which includes a handpicked selection of skincare products that focus on hydration and nourishment, making it ideal for all skin types and concerns. Products include the esmi Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen, Hydrating Eye Serum and Mini Hydrating and Ageless Volcanic Sand Gentle-Foliant.
The Body Shop Big Advent Calendar, $160
The Body Shop can always be counted on to deliver a great advent calendar and this year is no different. With three calendars available — the Make It Real Together Advent Calendar for $100, the Make It Real Together Big Advent Calendar for $160 and the Make It Real Together Big Advent Calendar for $250 — there is something for every budget.
All three calendars are filled with best-selling products and new festive drops across the categories of skincare, bath, body care and makeup. In the Big Advent Calendar, you’ll find products like The Body Shop’s cult Vitamin E Moisturiser, a full-size Camomile Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover and Nicaraguan Coffee Intense Awakening Face Mask.
YSL Beauty Advent Calendar 2020 Edition, $420
Housed in a couture leopard pattern and a glittering red gift box, the Beauty Advent Calendar by YSL is filled with 24 surprises including 21 mini products, two full-size products and one gift across the categories of makeup, skincare and fragrance.
L’Occitane Classic Beauty Advent Calendar, $99
With pictures from French illustrator, Edith Carron, the Classic Beauty Advent Calendar by L’Occitane will bring you into the whimsical world of Provence. The calendar includes classic L’Occitane products including the Shea Intensive Hand Balm, the Rose Hand Balm and the Almond Body Milk.
Kiehl’s Limited Edition Advent Calendar, $149
Featuring designs from renowned artist Maïté Franchi, Kiehl’s Christmas countdown calendar offering includes 24 products including cleansers, serums and moisturisers. The Limited Edition Advent Calendar is made with 100% post-consumer recycled paper and features a mixture of travel and full-size Kiehl’s products.
ASOS Grooming 12 Day Calendar, $70
For the product obsessed guy in your life, the Grooming 12 Day Calendar by ASOS is the perfect gift. With treats from brands including House 99, LAB Series and Harry’s, this calendar includes face wash, toothpaste, moisturiser, sleep spray and an aftershave balm.
The calendar also comes in a perspex box that has been specially designed to keep and reuse, which helps to cut down on the unnecessary waste associated with Christmas.
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Bejewelled Chest of Beauty Treasures, $295
Filled with full size and travel size makeup and skincare products, Charlotte’s Bejewelled Chest of Beauty Treasures by Charlotte Tilbury is possibly the most luxe-looking advent calendar we’ve seen this year. Fans of Charlotte Tilbury will be delighted to know the calendar comes with the brand’s iconic Magic Cream as well as Charlotte’s Magic Serum Crystal Elixir and Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk.
ASOS Face + Body 24 Day Advent Calendar, $150
Brimming with goodies from MAC, Living Proof and Sunday Riley, this Face + Body 24 Calendar by ASOS is the ultimate treat for a loved one, or simply for yourself. With 13 full-size products and a number of travel-sized goodies, this calendar includes cult products like Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, Sunday Riley Good Genes and Laura Mercier Blurring Primer.
