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Advent calendars are a tradition that brings back joyful memories of childhood for many of us. Counting down the days ‘til Christmas by receiving a small treat each day is a wonderful way to build joyful anticipation, as well as making the whole month of December a merry one full of family, fun, and (of course) gifts.
Returning to those beloved traditions is a great way to capture that innocent happiness, but there’s a more mature way to celebrate that doesn’t involve cheap candies: beauty advent calendars. Skincare, makeup, tools, bath soaps, and all other manner of self-care ritual accoutrement can be found in one of these glorious treat boxes, and we’ve gathered up the best to keep you delighted every day in the stressful weeks leading up to the holiday.
Keep reading on to find out which retailers and brands have collected a fantastic array of sample size treats for you to discover as we round out the year. From the lavish wares of high-end brands like L’Occitane to the more affordable options that still hold plenty of fun, there’s a box here for everyone, even those not celebrating anything but themselves.
Related: Check out our favorite booze-oriented advent calendars for this holiday season.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn a commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing, expert advice and our own research. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
L'Occitane Signature Advent Calendar
L’Occitane is a brand known for high quality, lavish, and pricey products. With their signature advent calendar, you’ll get 24 days filled with sample sizes of those products that lets you experiment with luxury without investing thousands into buying each individual full size product.
Shea butter lip balm, verbena shower gel, almond shower oil, and nearly two dozen other pocket-sized treats await, and as one user points out, they’re great for travel and carrying in your purse for moisturizing or smelling great on the go. Illustrations from talented artist Hsinping Pan and tips on sustainability are also fun additions that make for impeccable packaging.
L'Occitane
$74.00
25 Days Of Beauty Advent Calendar, Created for Macy's
If you’re looking to try out several brands and want a new surprise every day in December up until Christmas, Macy’s well-curated beauty advent calendar is a fantastic option for just under $100. Products from Mario Badescu, Shiseido, and Caudalie are highlights of the skincare side of things, while fun cosmetic brands like Tarte and Lancome round out the collection. Plus at a $425 value, you’re really getting your money’s worth.
Macy's
$99.00
NYX Advent Calendar 24 Day Holiday Countdown
NYX are front-runners in the budget makeup game and favorites of pros and amateur artists alike. Their blockbuster advent calendar reflects this wallet-friendly reputation for greatness by including minis and full size products spread out over 24 days of discovery for just $55–plus there’s often a sale or coupon to be used on the site for even greater savings. Eye shadows, lip glosses, skin primers, and more; you name it, it’s all here to make your holiday season a lot more glamorous.
NYX
$55.00
Ciate London Mini Mani Month Nail Polish Advent Calendar
For those people in your life who just can't get enough variety when it comes to manicures, Ciate London has come through.
22 miniature bottles of nail polish come in all sorts of pretty colors and finished, from sparkly deep purple to the daintiest pale pink imaginable. In addition, you'll also get a full size of the brand's Plant Pot nail polish plus one watermelon lip oil. At a $215 value for just $65, you can't go wrong.
Ciate London
$65.00
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Bejeweled Chest Of Beauty Treasures
Now THIS is the pinnacle of luxury worth of a true queen. Clearly Charlotte Tilbury products are a magical favorite around here, and this advent calendar solidifies just why we love them so much.
Arriving in a ravishing rose gold trunk speckled with gemstones, the individual drawers hold a mulitude of treats from the Goddess Skin Clay Mask to the Rock N' Kohl eye pencil. Naturally the brand's famed Magic Cream and Pillow Talk lipstick is included, and the products come in both full and travel sizes to ensure you get your money's worth.
In addition to the products included, you can choose two samples at checkout and will also receive free shipping and returns (not that you'll need them) on standard orders.
Charlotte Tilbury
$200.00
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