When it comes to advent calendars, there’s no such thing as too early in the beauty world. Liberty’s artisanally designed box, M&S’s affordable offering, and Harrods’ luxury line-up have made these countdowns a contemporary Christmas tradition. An indulgent – and longer-lasting – alternative to chocolate, beauty advent calendars reveal a make-up, skincare, haircare, or fragrance treat behind each door of December. Whether it’s a Charlotte Tilbury foundation, a Byredo lipstick, or an Augustinus Bader cream, the gifts last long beyond party season.
While once considered excessive, beauty advent calendars have become an increasingly mainstream choice for Christmas gifting – and most sell out by late October. As a shopping editor who has covered beauty advent calendars for more than half a decade, I’ve reviewed line-ups from Selfridges, Cult Beauty, John Lewis, and Space NK. So far, heavyweights including Liberty and Harrods have already dropped their waiting lists, while others are teasing details online.
Liberty London Beauty Advent Calendar 2026
When Liberty unveiled its beauty advent calendar in 2014, the modern mania began. A snapshot of its iconic beauty hall, the London department store’s annual offering is known for spotlighting more underground brands while delivering reliably luxurious skincare and fragrance staples. The box is worth the investment alone – it takes pride of place on any Christmas display.
This year, the retailer has confirmed that its calendar can be pre-ordered from early August, with the waitlist already open. In the line-up, you’ll find Sunday Riley CEO vitamin C 15 per cent brightening serum, Lisa Eldridge baume embrace melting lip colour, Augustinus Bader’s The Face Oil, and Davines Oi Shampoo, among other goodies. The calendar is worth £1,300 and costs £285, featuring 25 days and 29 products, 21 of which are full-size.
Harrods Beauty Advent Calendar 2026
The Harrods beauty advent calendar is always one of the earliest to launch – and it’s already revealed this year’s offering. Inside, there are 34 products – 21 of which are full-size – spanning make-up from Charlotte Tilbury, skincare from Augustinus Bader and Tatcha, haircare from Color Wow, and fake tan from By Terry. It’s shaping up to be this year’s most covetable calendar.
Priced at £270 for 25 days, the calendar includes highlights such as Hourglass ambient lighting blush, By Terry tea to tan for face and body, and Medik8 C-tetra advanced vitamin C gel serum. Pre-orders open in late August.
Selfridges Beauty Advent Calendar 2026
Many mistakenly believe Liberty was the first to debut a multi-brand advent calendar, but it was actually Selfridges in 2010. The retailer’s line-up has remained consistently excellent – and while the 2026 offering remains under wraps, I’m expecting the likes of Jo Malone, Hourglass, Nars, Aesop and Valentino to make an appearance. Last year’s calendar was worth £1,136, cost £250, and featured 25 days with 37 products, 25 of which were full-size.
Space NK Beauty Advent Calendar 2026
Space NK’s advent calendars are always a starry line-up of both cult classic formulas and viral products. Last year, beauty lovers were treated to Augustinus Bader, Sol de Janeiro, Color Wow, K18, Paula’s Choice and Summer Fridays, alongside popular brands including Refy, The Ordinary and Medik8. With an overall worth of more than £1,150, it was a sell-out success. The 2025 calendar cost £260 for 25 days, with 35 products, 26 full-size.
Cult Beauty Beauty Advent Calendar 2026
Cult Beauty’s 2025 advent calendar offered incredible value for money, with 40 products worth £1,200 for less than £300. Overflowing with recognisable names, the likes of Gisou, Charlotte Tilbury, Hourglass and Summer Fridays were behind each door. This one sold out fast, so I’d suggest signing up for the waitlist to be in the know early this year. The 2025 calendar cost £240 for 25 days, with 40 products, 20 full-size.
Harvey Nichols Beauty Advent Calendar 2026
The Harvey Nichols advent calendar was as luxurious as you’d expect in 2025. With 20 full-size products out of 35, every day of December promised skincare, makeup, haircare, and fragrance. Personal highlights included La Mer’s renewal oil, Le Labo’s eucalyptus 20 eau de parfum, Color Wow’s conditioner and a Jo Loves candle. The crowd-pleasing lineup was great for individual gifting, too. The 2025 calendar was worth £1,000 and cost £250 for 25 days, with 37 products, 20 full-size.
Lookfantastic Beauty Advent Calendar 2026
I’ve reviewed Lookfantastic’s advent calendar for several years now – and I’m always impressed with how many covetable formulas are packed in at such a low price point. At £105, the calendar was among the cheapest for 2025. From Elemis and Medik8 to Mac, Color Wow and Aveda, it delivered on all fronts. The 2025 calendar was worth £655, with 25 days and 25 products, 15 full-size.
Boots Beauty Advent Calendar 2026
The Boots beauty advent calendar is a much underrated option. Always affordable at less than £150, last year’s calendar was brimming with premium names and genuinely useful products. Think Estee Lauder cleansers, a full-size Drunk Elephant cream that lasted me into the spring, and a Nars primer. Boots can always be relied on. The 2025 calendar was worth £600 and cost £150 for 24 days, with 24 products, 17 full-size.
M&S Beauty Advent Calendar 2026
Widely considered the best value beauty advent calendar each year, M&S’s lineup reflects its ever-growing beauty hall. In 2025, the box was designed by Bella Freud while the contents spanned haircare, make-up, fragrance and skincare from top brands including Clinique, Color Wow, Living Proof and Cowshed. If you’re dipping your toe into the world of beauty advent calendars, M&S’s is perfect. The 2025 calendar was worth £330 and cost £60 for 25 days, with 25 products, 8 full-size.
John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar 2026
Packaged in a beautifully designed box that rivalled Liberty, John Lewis’ beauty advent calendar for 2025 was worth more than £1,000. With 23 full-size products and plenty of premium names, those who nabbed it before it sold out enjoyed Le Labo, Charlotte Tilbury, Trinny London and Chantecaille beauty. Providing pampering during party season and staples to last you into the new year, the calendar was carefully curated. The 2025 calendar cost £235 for 25 days, with 36 products, 23 full-size.
Sephora Beauty Advent Calendar 2026
Sephora is somewhat synonymous with viral brands and formulas – and its beauty advent calendar is among the more youthful offerings. Make-up included Rare Beauty, Merit and Huda Beauty cult products, while the skincare offering comprised Glow Recipe and Drunk Elephant. Fragrances such as Neom and Malin + Goetz featured alongside hair and body care from Sol de Janeiro and K18. If you’re shopping for a daughter or young family member, this is the calendar to bookmark. The 2025 calendar was worth £1,025 and cost £225 for 25 days, with 41 products, 24 full-size.
