Growing up, advent calendars were often made from flimsy cardboard and filled with cheap chocolate and while they were great when we were kids, the novelty tends to wear off a bit as you get older as can eat chocolate whenever you want.
Luckily the Christmas fun doesn’t have to end when you become an adult. These days, countless big brands release advent calendars each year with gifts better than chocolate behind each door (well, usually), so you can still celebrate the countdown to Christmas with a new daily surprise.
One group that does advent calendars surprisingly well is the beauty industry. From calendars containing scented candles, to makeup favourites or perfumes, there’s something for everyone. Purchasing a beauty advent calendar means that you can open an exciting gift every day in the lead up to Christmas, and you get to try a whole new array of products. You may even find some new favourites to permanently add to your beauty regime.
It may only be November but note that many of these calendars tend to sell out quickly. So, if any appeal to you, it’s worth snapping them up early… even if that means resisting the temptation to open those little boxes for a few more weeks!
Here are our top 10 picks for 2025 beauty-oriented advent calendars:
Makeup and skincare advent calendars
Fragrance advent calendars
FAQs
What is a beauty advent calendar?
A beauty advent calendar is a special festive calendar that contains a number of compartments that are opened as you count down the days to Christmas. Filled with mini or full sized beauty products, they’re often 12, 24 or 25 days in length. Many popular beauty brands release their own versions, featuring everything from skincare and makeup to fragrances or a mix of all three.
Are beauty advent calendars worth it?
A lot of the time, yes. Generally, the contents of a beauty advent calendar have a total value significantly higher than what you would pay if you bought the items individually. However, it is worth considering what’s included and how well they suit the recipient – as they’re often only truly worth it if you’ll use most of the items inside.
What types of products are included?
It depends on the brand, but usually you can expect a mix of their most popular items. Common inclusions are skincare, makeup, fragrances, hair care or beauty tools.
Do beauty advent calendars include full size products
This varies between calendars, but many do feature full-size beauty products in combination with smaller ‘sample’ size items. You can usually check the contents list before purchase to see exactly what sizes are included.
Are beauty advent calendars good gifts?
Absolutely – especially for someone who loves trying new beauty products.
