The Best Beauty Advent Calendars of 2023
GUYS! I am soooo excited about this. It may be months until that turkey’s on the menu, but tis’ the season to shimmer and sleigh your way through the holiday festivities (i.e. table dancing and roast potatoes). Let’s just go with the flow and blame the brands for the pre-Halloween Christmas content. So, on that note, welcome, beauty mavens, to the ultimate countdown to Christmas glam. In a world where December days can feel as long as Santa's Nice List, I've got the cure for your winter woes – the hottest, chicest, and most dazzling beauty advent calendars of 2023.
Get ready to unwrap 12, 24 or even 25 days of beauty bliss as I spill the tea (or should I say champs?) on the beauty calendars that will have you looking and feeling like a holiday queen. From luscious lipsticks to radiant highlighters, this year's beauty advent calendars are more fabulous than a snowflake in sequins. So grab your mistletoe and get ready to pucker up to the beauty magic I've got in store for you!
A little side note: Look, I know some of these are very spenny and in today’s climate of ever-increasing living costs, they are a big splurge. So remember chocolate ones are still great (Cadbury for the win – always!) and personalised, DIY ones are just as special. Sites like Etsy and eBay have fab reusable ones where you add your own products. You can even go one step further and add vouchers – think a back massage, breakfast in bed or – like me to Theo – nap vouchers. That last one may or may not be because of my own love of naps.
Whether you've been naughty or nice, I've got the inside scoop on the calendar that's going to make your holiday season sparkle brighter than a Christmas tree. Sit back as I unwrap the glitter, gloss, and glow that awaits you in the best Christmas beauty advent calendars of 2023.
If videos are more your vibe or you want to have a sneak peek inside the boxes, click here.
Oh, Liberty, you are the OG for a reason, the one that started it all and you've outdone yourself once again. The 2023 Liberty Advent Calendar is a beauty lover's fantasy come to life. It's packed with 29 products from Liberty's beauty halls, and a whopping 20 of them are full-sized. We're talking Rose Inc, Sunday Riley, Barbara Sturm, Surratt, and more – brands that are worth their weight in gold. This calendar may be pricey, but it's practically a steal for what you're getting!
Price: £250
Worth: £1043
Saving: £793
Products: 29 products, 20 FULL SIZE
Extra Joy: Five calendars have golden tickets inside to win £1000 to spend in Liberty!
So Space NK is, without a doubt, my favourite beauty sweet shop that you can physically visit. The stores are a beauty haven and the place for premium beauty, and their advent calendar is no exception. Stuffed with products from Augustinus Bader, Olaplex, Malin+Goetz, Drunk Elephant, The Ordinary, and more, it's a beauty lover's dream come true. Treat yourself to skincare, makeup, and hair care that'll make your holidays extra special!
Price: £235
Worth: £1000
Saving: £765
Products: 33, 19 FULL SIZE
Extra joy: Each numbered box is fully removable and sealed, so if you’re feeling generous, gift your friends a box at Friendsmas. And if you take the empty calendar into any Space NK store, they’ll recycle it for you. On top of that, that calendar is made 100% from paper (no mixed materials) including woven paper ribbon. Only water-based inks have been used. Only aqueous varnish has been used to make this calendar, and it includes no plastic laminates.
Well, guys, Look Fantastic have done a brilliant job at keeping the price done. At £99, or an even sweeter £84 if you're one of their Beauty Box subscribers, it's basically a gift to yourself. Inside this little treasure trove are 27 of the best-selling products from the likes of NARS, MAC, Elemis, The Ordinary, and Coco & Eve. The math here is simple: £565 worth of makeup and skincare for a fraction of the price. Oh, and did I mention that 12 of these goodies are full-sized? So, whether you're a beauty guru or a novice, this calendar's got your back.
Price: £99
Worth: £565
Saving: £466
Products: 27,12 FULL SIZE
Extra Joy: The Box subscribers can save £15 on EVERY Beauty Advent Calendar, making each one just £84!
The Cult Beauty calendar is a rare gem. It's not just filled with any products – it's curated by the best in the biz. That means you'll be unwrapping bestsellers, cult favourites, and trending goodies. Oh, and did I mention that many of them are full-sized? Get ready for Sunday Riley, Augustinus Bader, Briogeo, Charlotte Tilbury, Glow Recipe, and more. This calendar is what beauty dreams are made of.
Price: £225
Worth: £1000
Saving: £775
Products: 39, 29 FULL SIZE
Extra Joy: Cult plants a tree for every calendar sold. They’ll have a forest soon at this rate!
For the second year running, they're donating over £60,000 from sales to Mental Health UK.
There are golden tickets in three calendars, each worth £1000 to spend at Cult Beauty.
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love a bit of Elemis. So, prepare to pamper yourself silly with their Advent Calendar 2023. Inside this beautifully British red post box, you'll find Elemis' bestsellers like Pro-Collagen and Superfood, plus crowd-pleasers like the Papaya Enzyme Peel. There's even a full-sized pot of their iconic Pro-Collagen Marine Cream. Get ready to glow!
Price: £189
Worth: £551
Saving: £362
Products: 25,1 FULL SIZE
Extra Joy: Housed in a special keepsake box for you to enjoy and reuse, this is the gift that keeps on giving.
Sephora finally landed in the UK this year giving beauty junkies the ultimate treat! And then they throw in a Sephora Favourites calendar. This is a treasure trove of 36 products from brands like Aromatherapy Associates, Glow Recipe, Elemis, and more. Behind those 24 doors, you'll find full-sized goodies and beauty wonders galore. Say hello to a month of pure beauty bliss!
Price: £189
Worth: £1045
Saving: £856
Products: 36, 23 FULL SIZE
Extra Joy: Sephora UK is giving away five of these incredible advent calendars to those who join the waitlist.
Calling all Jo Malone aficionados! This festive offering is an absolute must-have. It's packed with candles, cologne, bath and body products in enchanting scents like Orange Bitters, White Moss, and Snow Drop. Classics like Blackberry & Bay, Wood Sage & Sea Salt, and English Pear & Freesia are also in the mix. With 25 products to savour, you'll be wrapped in stunningly smelling luxury all season long!
Price: £350
Worth: A number can’t actually be put on this baby as a lot of the products are made exclusively for the calendar, making it a collector’s item.
Products: 25
Extra Joy: The box makes a beautiful jewellery box or a desk organiser.
Due to high demand, Sculpted have created their first EVER advent calendar. Not only does this pink box of 12 joyous days include the brand's bestsellers. It also includes three new products! Yep, you heard me right! But be quick, I’ve heard a rumour that if you’re not on the waiting list, you’re not getting your hands on it! Don’t walk, run!
Price: £80
Worth: £155
Saving: £75
Products: 12, 7 FULL SIZE
Available: Early access on 4th October (must be on the waitlist for early access)
Extra Joy: Three of the full-size products are NEW!!
Selfridges is pulling out all the stops with their 2023 advent calendar. Featuring 33 items instead of the usual 24, you'll be indulging in beauty goodies well into the New Year. With products from Charlotte Tilbury, Refy, Dr. Barbara Sturm, and more, it's a mix of skincare and makeup that's worth over a grand, all for just £220. Talk about a beauty investment! And if I were you, I would go and pick it up in store just to admire their stunning Christmas window displays.
Price: £220
Worth: £1049
Saving: £829
Products: 33, 16 FULL SIZE
Available: TBC. Be the first to know when the calendar lands and join the waiting list.
M&S is here to make your holiday season extra special with their beauty advent calendar, a.k.a. the Beauty Box. Firstly, can we talk about the price? £35 when you spend £35 in store?! Done and done! Inside, you'll find 25 beauty products across hair, makeup, skincare, and body care. There are full and travel-sized treats galore, all housed in a divine vegan leather beauty case. It's the gift that keeps on giving, with Pixi Brow Tamer, Shay & Blue Atropa Belladonna Natural Spray Fragrance, and L'Occitane Verbena Shower Gel to name just a few treats. Indulge in some DIY pampering this festive season!
Price: £35 (when you spend £35 on Clothing, Home & Beauty instore or online)
Worth: £340
Saving: £305
Products: 25, 12 Full Size
Extra Joy: It all comes in a beautiful metallic vegan leather vanity case.
Step into the House of Rituals with this fabulous calendar! It's a mix of body, home, and beauty products worth £150, complete with four candles for every Sunday of Advent. Let's countdown to Christmas and savour 24 gifts and 24 meaningful moments. With treasures like the Amsterdam Collection Body Mist and The Ritual of Namaste Anti-Ageing Serum, it's pure holiday indulgence.
Price: £87.90
Worth: £150
Saving: £62.10
Products: 24
Extra Joy: The villages of the Deluxe and Premium calendars are lit up with string lights for some seasonal sparkle.
Attention, skincare enthusiasts! The 2023 Kiehl's Advent Calendar is here to make your skin dreams come true. This iconic brand has been around for other 170 years for a reason, and this beauty is packed with their icons. With 24 bestselling skincare gems, including eye serums, masks, cleansers, and the iconic Ultra Facial Cream, you're in for a treat. Many of these treasures are full-sized, too. Get ready to glow brighter than Rudolph's nose!
Price: £109
Worth: £200
Saving: £91
Products: 24
Extra Joy: Featuring limited edition holiday design by artist duo Icinori
John Lewis’ iconic Christmas calendar is the moment we wait for every festive season. And the John Lewis Advent Calendar is also the gift that keeps on giving. With 31 products, including 16 full-sized gems, from brands like Acqua di Parma, Clinique, and Clarins, you'll be glowing all the way to New Year's. Plus, there's the chance to win a £500 gift voucher and fabulous experiences like a weekend trip to Rome. It's like Santa (or the trampolining dog), came early!
Price: £195
Worth: £921
Saving: £726
Products: 31, 16 FULL SIZE
Extra Joy: Behind door 25, 10 calendars will have £500 vouchers inside. And five will include money-can’t- buy experiences. Customers can recycle their beauty empties in-store using the Beauty Cycle scheme. Recycle five or more beauty empties to enjoy £5 off your next beauty purchase when you spend £20 or more in-store.
Hold onto your beauty brushes because this saving is insane! The Harvey Nichols calendar is back, and it's a beast! With 25 doors, it's got a whopping 45 products, and get this – 24 of them are full-sized. We're talking Augustinus Bader, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Charlotte Tilbury, Escentric Molecule, Fenty Beauty, Dermalogica, Hourglass, and then some. Plus, there are vouchers for eyebrow shaping and makeup lessons, and don’t forget, you could even score a £100 Harvey Nichols gift card. Talk about a holiday win-win!
Price: £250
Worth: £1300
Saving: £1050
Products: 45, 24 FULL SIZE
Extra joy: One in every 50 calendars includes a £100 gift card for Harvey Nics.
If you're all about the finer things in life, the 2023 Harrods Advent Calendar is for you. It's like a who's who of premium beauty brands found in the iconic store's beauty hall. We're talking Augustinus Bader, Eve Lom, Charlotte Tilbury, Aromatherapy Associates, Dr. Barbara Sturm, Kylie Cosmetics, and a whole lot more. Luxury awaits!
Price: £250
Worth: £1173
Saving: £923
Products: 25, 21 Full Size
Extra joy: Can be reused for Jewellery or little trinkets
Get ready to be fabulous for 24 straight days with the Benefit Advent Calendar 2023! It's packed with Benefit's makeup and skincare bestsellers, including mascaras that will make your lashes flirtier than ever. There's Roller Lash, They're Real! Magnet, and the new Fan Fest, plus some pampering skincare treats. Let's face it; you'll be the belle of the ball this holiday season!
Price: £145
Worth: £281
Saving: £136
Products: 24, 4 Full Size
If you think Anthropologie is solely a homeware hub, then think again. The George & Viv Beauty Advent Calendar by Anthropologie is nothing short of a holiday masterpiece. With over £300 worth of premium treats and treasures, including Plenaire Rose Jelly Gentle Makeup Remover, STORIES Nº.02 Eau de Parfum, Plant DPT Day Cream Moisturizer, and Verden Hand & Body Balm, it's a limited-edition delight that will have you swooning. Get ready to elevate your holiday experience!
Price: £78
Worth: £300
Saving: £222
Products: 24
Extra joy: The beautiful Illustrated packaging by Emily Taylor can be reused as a keepsake box
The White Company Advent Calendar is a true delight. Packed with 25 bestsellers, it's a mix of full-sized and travel-sized products from The White Company's fragrance sets. Think Seychelles, Lime and Bay, Winter, and more. Oh, and did I mention two full-sized candles? It's the perfect way to set the mood for a cosy holiday season.
Price: £175
Worth: £273
Saving: £98
Products: 25, 4 FULL SIZE
Extra Joy: This beautifully decorated Calendar can be tucked away and reused next year.
Well, guess who's about to have the cosiest countdown to Christmas ever? That's right, yours truly with the Neal's Yard advent calendar! Inside, you'll find just a dozen carefully curated products. But let me tell you, these aren't your run-of-the-mill goodies. We're talking a pillow mist for dreamy nights, an eye brightener to sparkle through the holiday chaos, and even a foaming bath that's both vegetarian-approved and cruelty-free – because we're all about feeling good in every sense. And if that's not enough, there's a cheeky £15 voucher in there for some pampering at Neal's Yard Therapy rooms. Told you it was worth it!
Price: £95
Worth: £180
Saving: £85
Products: 12, 7 FULL SIZE
Extra Joy: Includes a £15 therapy voucher.
This is always the calendar that I want to display on my fireplace during the festive season due to its brilliant design. And this year Jo Loves is serving up a bauble-shaped beauty bonanza for 2023! Designed by Warner House, the calendar boasts perfumes, body products, candles, and hair care in scents like Mango Thai Lime, Pink Vetiver, and the newest sensation, Amber, Lime & Bergamot. And the cherry on top? Six of these goodies are full-sized. Cheers to smelling fabulous this holiday season!
Price: £365
Worth: £580
Saving: £215
Products: 25, 6 FULL SIZE
Extra Joy: The most beautiful reusable bubbles which look great on any tree.
Sisley's very first beauty Advent Calendar is a whimsical wonderland. Designed by Isabelle d'Ornano, it's adorned with a joy-filled patchwork of inspiration. Behind each of the calendar's 25 drawers lies a carefully selected gift from Sisley's Skincare, Makeup, Haircare, and Fragrance collections. Think Black Rose Cream Mask, Revitalising Fortifying Serum, So Curl Mascara, and more. It's a holiday treat that's as chic as it is fabulous!
Price: £595
Worth: £830
Saving: £235
Products: 25, 5 FULL SIZE
Extra Joy: Earn back £60 on your loyalty account
Okay, so the Net-A-Porter advent calendar isn't technically an advent calendar. It's an "ultimate gift set." Inside, you'll find a mix of travel-sized and full-size products from premium brands like Dr. Barbara Sturm, Charlotte Tilbury, and Westman Atelier. But wait, there's more – candles and jewellery are also part of the package. It's like a luxury grab bag you'll adore!
Price: £275
Worth: £1300
Saving: £1025
Products: 15 FULL SIZE
Extra Joy: IT LIGHTS UP!
Not many people know that Next have an excellent beauty hall. And their calendar is a great place to showcase all their fab brands. And at £95, it’s one of the more affordable yet is still packed with beauty showstoppers including some of my faves from Iconic, Neom and Aromatherapy Associates.
Price: £95
Worth: £355
Saving: £260
Products: 25, 7 FULL SIZE
Extra Joy: The calendar is fully recyclable
Not only is this calendar bursting with iconic bestsellers, including the most-loved products, beauty tools and everything you need to care for your body and soul, but you can also feel-good knowing that you are supporting many communities globally thanks to the Body Shop’s incredible fair trade programme. Now if everyone took a leaf out of their book….
Price: £145
Worth: £254
Saving: £109
Products: 25
Extra Joy: The calendar celebrates the Body Shop’s community fair trade partners that helped create them. It is enriched with ingredients or created with packaging from partnerships around the world, from shea butter from Ghana, to gift paper from Nepal. The brand's pioneering CFT programme exists to champion every artisan, farmer and producer involved in the production whilst also investing in social and environmental projects in the community. On top of that, the calendars have been carefully designed to be repurposed, using recycled materials. Mega.
The Liz Earle Advent Calendar is a thing of beauty. With 12 carefully chosen surprises, it's a collection that will leave your skin nourished and radiant. Unwrap full-sizes and luxury miniatures, including classics like Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser and Smooth & Glow Exfoliating Tonic. It's a journey to skincare bliss!
Price: £75
Worth: £178
Saving: £103
Products: 12
Extra: Joy: All the boxes can be reused
Get ready for glowing skin with the Eve Lom beauty advent calendar 2023. It's a handpicked selection of fabulous products, including Eve Lom's Cleanser and Muslin Cleansing Cloth, Moisture Cream, and Radiance Repair Retinol Serum. Unwrap and discover 12 days of skincare joy!
Price: £225
Worth: £419
Saving: £194
Products: 12, 5 Full Size
Bobbi Brown's Advent Calendar 2023, a.k.a. the 12 Days of Glow Calendar, is all about treating yourself. For a dozen days straight, you'll unbox Bobbi Brown's finest skincare, makeup, and tools. Three of these treasures are full-sized, and the rest? Well, they're deluxe and travel-sized, darling. Get ready to shine bright this holiday season!
Price: £195
Worth: £264
Saving: £69
Products: 12, 3 Full Size
Get ready for some makeup magic with the MAC advent calendar. With 21 full-sized and four travel-sized MAC favourites, you'll be in makeup heaven. From lipsticks to mascaras and the new HyperReal Skincare, it's a MAC lover's dream come true. Who needs a partridge in a pear tree when you've got this?
Price: £170
Worth: £485
Saving: £315
Products: 24, 21 Full Size
Extra Joy: When finished its a lovely keepsake box
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the 2023 ASOS advent calendar is here, and it's basically 25 days of makeup and skincare dreams. We're talking Sol De Janeiro, Cetaphil, e.l.f, Charlotte Tilbury, REN, and a bunch more. It's like a beauty buffet brought straight to your door. You know you want it!
Price: £90
Worth: £397
Saving: £307
Products: 25
Extra Joy: Premier customers get 25% OFF with code: ASOSPREMTREAT
If you've been dying to try Charlotte Tilbury, the Beauty Advent Calendar 2023 is your golden ticket. With 12 full-sized and mini products, it's a curated selection of makeup magic. Picture the Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, a full-size Hot Lips 2 lipstick, and more, all in a stunning jewelled box you'll cherish. It's the gift that keeps on giving!
Price: £160
Worth: £565
Saving: £405
Products: 12, 2 Full Size
Available: Exclusive early access on the Charlotte Tilbury app
Extra Joy: This is the most beautiful box that can be enjoyed as a jewellery or trinket box. I’m even tempted to take those crystal handles off and put them on my kitchen cupboards. (You know I’m not kidding - HA).
Vogue, darlings, has entered the advent calendar game! Behind those 25 doors, you'll discover 29 products handpicked by Vogue's writers and editors. From Charlotte Tilbury to Sisley Paris, Olaplex, and beyond, it's a fashion-forward beauty extravaganza. Get ready to slay the holiday season in style!
Price: £350
Worth: £1500
Savings: £1150
Products: 30, 12 Full Size
Extra Joy: £75,000 of proceeds pledged to charities supporting vulnerable communities this Christmas and beyond, and 1 year Vogue Digital Subscription. This also includes a mystery Vogue collectible.
Diptyque candles are the one present that I adore receiving time and time again (note to self, Theo ;)). They are also one of the things I love to gift as you just can’t go wrong. The same goes for their beautiful calendar. It is a beauty that is full of candles and calming fragrances – yum! And if you're a Diptyque fan, you know this is worth every penny. It's got a mix of travel-sized and full-sized versions of their premium bestsellers. Trust me, it's a bargain in disguise!
Price: £390
Worth: £650
Savings: £260
Products: 24
Available: Pre-Order now for delivery on 11th October
Extra Joy: There’s a beautiful set of Holiday decorations included.
I gave this calendar to my mate Dano last year, and I’ve never seen someone so happy. So happy in fact, that I got a daily December pic of the product he had received. I’m not surprised considering this beauty contains products from brands such as Malin & Goetz, Acqua Di Parma and 111 Skin. The boys deserve a pamper too, hey?
Price: £230
Worth: £650
Savings: £420
Products: 25: 14 FULL SIZE
As we wrap up this delightful journey through the best beauty advent calendars for 2023, one thing is abundantly clear: 'tis the season to sparkle, shimmer, and slay. These fabulous calendars aren't just a countdown to Christmas; they're a daily reminder that beauty, like kindness, should be shared and celebrated. So, whether you're gifting yourself or a loved one, remember that in the world of beauty advent calendars, every day is a chance to unwrap a little more self-love and glamour. Cheers to a dazzling December!
Love,
Lisa x