How to get the best beauty advent calendar for YOU

I truly can’t remember the first time I bought a beauty advent calendar, which is telling. Often stuffed with a mix of deluxe and full-size skincare and makeup treats, most are a five-minute whir of excitement followed by a sense of mild disappointment. That’s probably the reason why I don’t remember that first taste of opening a numbered ‘surprise’ box. And that begs the question: are beauty advent calendars worth buying?

For many, Christmas simply wouldn’t be Christmas without one. There are entire channels dedicated to promoting them. Unboxings, selective reveals, price discounts… If you’re a beauty lover, there’s simply no escaping the pressure to buy into the hype surrounding advents. If you’re feeling tempted this year - and there are plenty of fairly decent offerings waiting to catch your eye - I've got a few deal-breaking pointers to help you get the most for your money (and lessen the likelihood of that sinking feeling spoiling the experience).

Buying a beauty advent calendar can be a fun and exciting way to support your favourite brand, discover new products and indulge your inner goddess. But, before you dig out your debit card or add a ton of debt to a flexible payment plan, consider the following first…

How much can you afford to spend on a beauty advent calendar?

Beauty advent calendars can cost as little as £20. However, they can also set you back well over £500. So deciding on a budget to ensure you don’t overspend in the run-up to the festive season is important. Get that figure fixed in your mind before you start browsing.

Most premium advents, which often include more full-size products, are going to retail for around £250. If you can’t afford that, ensure your search criteria includes a price limit. Think about what you can afford. There’s nothing worse than making an impulse purchase that you later regret. If you focus on what you can comfortably stretch to from the outset, you are less likely to overspend. 

A real issue is dealing with FOMO, if you are a fan of a particular brand. You may feel compelled to spend more than you can reasonably afford simply to support a company you are familiar with or to get your hands on a calendar you traditionally buy every year. You may want to sample an exclusive product, only available in a calendar. You may even be tempted to sign up for a payment plan. Press pause. Think about your current financial situation and your past experiences. Was it really worth it?

It’s hard to ‘move on’ and look for something less expensive if your peers are all gushing over their purchases. ‘Ordered mine’, ‘It’s arrived!’, ‘It’s the best ever’... But think of the water bill that always arrives in late November, the soaring cost of energy in the winter months, the expensive present you pinky-promised a child. There is always something competing for your cash and the real secret to savvy budgeting is knowing what to prioritise. After opening the last box in that eye-wateringly expensive calendar, are you going to say: ‘Well, that was worth it?’ Or are you secretly going to feel gutted?

Last year's two-drawer beauty advent calendar from Holland & Barrett. It was filled with premium natural skincare products as well as thoughtful wellness and hair care items. This year's is just as good!

Consider what floats your boat beauty-wise

Are you a skincare buff or a makeup devotee? If it’s one or the other, tailor your search to beauty advent calendars that focus on the things you love. Ending up with a pile of skincare or makeup you’ll never use is not the goal when it comes to shopping for a beauty advent calendar. The aim is to get real value for money.

Here are your options:

• Multi-brand calendar: Offered by retailers like Liberty, Cult Beauty, Sephora, and Harrods, these calendars feature a variety of brands and product types (skincare, makeup, hair care, fragrance). They are great for discovering new brands and products. If you like a little bit of everything, they are perfect. This year’s offering from Harrods is especially good, if you have a budget of £250.

• Single-brand calendar: If you're loyal to a specific brand (for example Elemis, Molton Brown, MAC, PLouise), a calendar from that brand can be a good way to try new products or get a great deal on your favourites. For example, Day 1 is the entire Obsessed For Less skincare bundle in this year’s PLouise offering. However, loyalty can cost you dear. Remember the points above and stick to your budget. There’s always an alternative that’s cheaper. For example, instead of buying a 25-day calendar, you could opt for a 12-day one instead. That way, you can still indulge yourself without going into the red. Even cheaper options include calendars from W7, Revolution and Holland & Barrett.

• Category-specific calendar: Some calendars focus solely on one category, such as skincare, makeup, or fragrance. If you're a skincare junkie or a makeup lover, this is definitely the best option for you.

  
  

An example of an unbranded, mixed beauty advent calendar. Ask yourself, would you be happy with this?

Analyse a beauty advent calendar for value

Don’t overlook this step in your search for the perfect advent calendar. Many retailers reveal the full contents of their calendar before launch. Make sure you take note. Some things to consider:

• Product sizes: Don't be fooled by the high ‘total value’ of the contents. Check how many of the products are full-sized versus travel-sized or deluxe minis. Calendars with more full-sized products offer better long-term value, even if they cost more. 

• Product mix: Look at the balance of products. Does the calendar contain a good mix of items you'll actually use? A high-value calendar isn't a good deal if it's full of products that aren't suited to your skin type or personal style. For example, makeup calendars often include generic shades that may not be right for you.

• Read the reviews: Look for unboxing videos. They often provide a detailed breakdown of the contents, which can help you decide if a calendar is right for you. Some people worry that watching an unboxing will spoil the surprise, but it’s amazing how quickly you can forget what you’ve seen between now and December 1!

Think about the launch date and availability

Popular calendars from well-known brands and retailers often sell out quickly. To get the beauty advent calendar you really want, bear in mind the following:

• Launch windows: Most calendars are released between August and October. If you want a specific one, it's best to buy it early to avoid disappointment. Many brands will let you sign up in advance, so you can be notified by email when a calendar goes on sale. This is a quick and easy way of ensuring you don’t miss you. It’s also a good reminder to budget in advance. 

• Early access: Newsletter subscribers, app users and loyalty card members often get access to calendars before they go on general sale. Other ways to get your hands on one is to tune into live reveals on TikTok. You may even get your advent at a big discount, thanks to TikTok vouchers and deal drops.

• Discounts: If you're willing to risk a sell-out, you can sometimes find calendars on sale during Black Friday.

  
  

An example of a premium, eco friendly advent calendar.

Consider the packaging

While the contents are the most important part, the packaging can also be a factor. Many people purchase advent calendars based purely on the look of the box. They may be dazzled by drawers, gold embossing, stand-out branding, or even size. Before all that eye candy pulls on your purse strings, consider:

• Sustainability: Some calendars have elaborate, bulky packaging that can be difficult to store or recycle. If you're environmentally conscious, look for calendars with reusable or recyclable boxes.

• Design: The calendar's design can be a fun part of the experience. Some are beautifully illustrated and make for a great decorative piece during the festive season. If you’re not a fan of perforated product windows, go for a calendar with drawers.

Beauty advent calendar alternatives

If you can't find a calendar that meets your needs or budget, consider making your own! Alternatively, have a look at what other options are available. Most beauty brands release festive bundles. They often represent excellent value for money and focus on popular as well as new products. Benefit, Revolution and PLouise are good for this type of treat or gift. Likewise, Beauty Bay is often a great port of call. 

PLouise's Miniwood vanity bundle is a good alternative to the brand's advent calendar.

One of my best-ever festive bundle buys was a gi-normous Revolution Christmas bauble stuffed full of the brand’s Chocolate-themed makeup products, including full-size palettes (note the plural!). It was so good, I bought a second one to give to a family member. 

The bottom line here is to get what you want, and a little bit more, at a price you can afford. For skincare junkies and those who lean towards natural ingredients, I recommend the beauty advent calendar from Holland & Barrett. Always beautifully presented and packed with premium products, it costs just £50. If you are looking for makeup, my top budget pick is W7’s Beauty Blast (get in quick, it always sells out!). If you’re on a really tight budget, you can’t go wrong with Collection Cosmetics’ £10 Beauty Box. 

Christmas should be a time of joy. It shouldn’t be marred by money worries, a disappointing advent calendar buy or, worse, issues with a calendar that cost you more than you could afford. 

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Note: I must say how much I have enjoyed (and am still enjoying) beauty advent calendar unboxings by @MissBoux on YouTube. I've really gotten a feel for ones that may be suitable for me - from savings to contents. It's been compulsive viewing.