If you’re a beauty lover, there’s no better way to celebrate the festivities than by counting down with one of these advent calendars, which are packed to the brim with cult-favourite skincare items and well-loved makeup treats. Adorned with whimsical illustrations that are sure to warm the heart, these calendars range from the affordable to the truly luxurious.
Here are eight that we’re lusting after:
Kiehl’s Holiday 2020 Advent Calendar
Featuring illustrations by Lyon-based artist Maïté Franchi, the cosmetic brand’s 2020 advent calendar perfectly captures the excitement and thrill of the upcoming festivities—from Christmas shopping to gathering with your loved ones. If you look closely, even the store’s iconic Mr Bones skeleton makes a cameo in a scene that’s inspired by the brand’s first-ever store in Manhattan’s East Village neighbourhood. Packaged in a 100 percent recyclable box, the collection features a mix of the brand’s most popular serums, moisturisers, face masks, and cleansers, including the Midnight Recovery Concentrate and the Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner.
More information here.
The Body Shop Make It Real Together Big Advent Calendar
A beautiful tree-decorating scene opens up to a bunch of instantly-recognisable festive illustrations, from ugly Christmas sweaters to puddings, and even a nutcracker. True to the brand’s spirit of sustainability, the calendar features fictional character Erika, an environmental activist who has won a jumper design competition—not surprisingly, hers is made of recycled materials. Inside, twenty-five treats await, including best-sellers like the hydrating Vitamin E Moisturiser, luxurious Body Butter, and relaxing bath bubbles. Designed for self-care, the collection also comes with a couple of sheet masks to hydrate and rejuvenate one’s skin.
More information here.
Diptyque Beauty Advent Calendar
Diptyque’s take on the beauty advent calendar is a magical, cornflower blue-coloured box featuring illustrations by Parisian-born artist Ugo Gattoni. Mythical-looking creatures adorn the packaging, with pull-door doors that reveal 11 scented candles, seven eaux de toilette and eaux de parfum, and more. Aside from house favourites, the collection also comes with exclusive items such as a Moonlit Fir candle and metal festive decorations. Expect to also get your hands on the brand’s classic scented like Noisetier, Amber, Mimosa, and Roses.
More information here.
Sephora Collection Wildest Wishes Advent Calendar
The French beauty retailer is no stranger to the beauty advent calendar game, with yearly launches that feature its most well-loved products. This year, it ups the ante with an enchanted jungle theme where 24 surprises are well hidden behind psychedelic coloured wild animals—from leopards to iguanas. Spanning make up, beauty care, bath products, and accessories, the collection includes everything one might need for the festive parties. Prep your skin with a cucumber eye mask, a bright skin exfoliator, and a charcoal nose strip, before slaying your look with colourful eye shadow and cream lip stains.
More information here.
Fresh 12 Days of Beauty Set
Even though it’s just 12 days long, compared to the usual 25-day ones, this Fresh advent calendar delivers a collection that sparks joy, from start to end. Packaged in a red-rimmed box featuring a minimalist illustration of a snowcapped scene, the calendar is packed full of mini-sized products. Journey from building snowmen to decorating Christmas trees, before making a dash to the final festivities—all while discovering Fresh favourites such as the Soy Face Cleanser, Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream, and the Sugar Caramel Hydrating Lip Balm.
More information here.
Dior Advent Calendar 2020
Modelled after the fashion house’s birthplace at 30 Avenue Montaigne, Dior’s beauty advent calendar is designed to impress whoever you’re gifting it too—even yourself. Featuring whimsical illustrations by French artist Safia Ouares, the black box houses 24 products from skincare favourites to well-loved makeup products. You’ll find Miss Dior, Joy, and J‘adore fragrances, alongside skin pampering treats from the Dior Prestige and Capture Totale line, as well as makeup items like the Diorshow Iconic Overcurl mascara. The biggest surprise of all? An exclusive snow globe for keeps.
More information here.
Net-a-Porter 25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar
The holy grail of beauty lovers, this advent calendar from online designer retail portal Net-a-Porter is as covetable as it is elusive. Currently sold-out (but likely to be restocked again), it comes in a charming, black ribboned box featuring pull-out drawers in cream hues. Numbered randomly from 1-25, the collection features 13 full-size and 12 travel-size products across skincare, body products, hair care, and more. You’ll find cult favourites such Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Matte Revolution Lipstick, Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Hyaluronic Serum, and Hayo’u’s gua sha Beauty Restorer facial massager.
More information here.
Charlotte Tilbury Bejewelled Chest Of Treasures Beauty Advent Calendar
Expect all things glitzy and glamorous with Charlotte Tilbury’s beauty advent calendar, which comes housed in a rose-gold tome, Tug on the drawers’ bejewelled knobs to reveal a bunch of full-sized and travel-sized makeup and skincare products including best-sellers like the Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk, Charlotte’s Magic Cream, and Magic Serum Crystal Elixir. Meanwhile, discover new launches like the Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray and Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara.
More information here.
BLACK FLY BIRD 