Beauty advent calendars from Anthropologie, Lush 29 ½ High Street, and Charlotte Tilbury have been tested and vetted to determine which are worth your money. The holiday season can be overwhelming with gifting options, but these offerings have been put to the test.
What We Tested
The calendars tested include Anthropologie 24 Days of Beauty ($98), Liberty London Beauty ($395), Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Wonderland ($220), and Lush 29 ½ High Street ($195). Each was evaluated for packaging, product quality, and overall value.
How We Tested
Samples of each calendar were obtained to assess packaging, product quality, and value. About half of the items in each calendar were tested, and feedback was crowdsourced from friends with various skin types. Packaging design and sustainability were examined, and the ease of opening each calendar's doors was tested. The total prices of each product were calculated to check the accuracy of the claimed value, and the number of bestsellers in each calendar was tracked using data from Sephora.
Anthropologie 24 Days of Beauty
Priced at $98, this calendar has a listed value of more than $300, with a calculated value of $274.93. It includes 24 items, none of which are full-size, and features standout items like Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum, Manicurist Active Shine nail polish, and Living Proof Hair Gloss. Five bestsellers are included. The packaging is a recyclable shell with recyclable mini boxes.
The calendar is a favorite way to buy stocking stuffers, as each item comes in its own cardboard box, allowing for individual gifting. It covers diverse beauty categories including skincare, haircare, nail accessories, perfume, bodycare, and makeup. Some items, like sparkly hair clips and press-on nails, felt like throwaway items, and the lineup was not as universal as others, with only three beauty items and two lip products among the 24 days.
Liberty London Beauty
Priced at $395, this calendar has a listed value of more than $1,700, with a calculated value of $1,722. It includes 29 items, 21 of which are full-size, and features standout items like Sunday Riley CEO Vitamin C Serum, Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara, Violette FR Lip Nectar, and MZ Skin Eye Cream. Seven bestsellers are included. The packaging is a reusable drawstring bag with cardboard.
The calendar weighs just over 11lb and is one of the most storied beauty advent calendars, selling out every year for over a decade. It is the most expensive calendar tested and is full of high-end products. Testers enjoyed the products, including the Joonybyrd Haze Body Scrub and the Zelens Emulsion D fortifying moisturizer. However, it is primarily catered towards skincare lovers, with only five of the 29 items being makeup, and some products contain retinol, which may irritate sensitive skin.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Beauty Wonderland
Priced at $220, this calendar has a listed value of $400, with a calculated value of $395. It includes 12 items, four of which are full-size, and features standout items like lip oil, Unreal Blush Glow Stick, and Pillow Talk lip liner. Four bestsellers are included. The packaging is a reusable chest of drawers.
The packaging is lightweight but durable and reusable as a toiletries case. It is not too big and would fit nicely on a small vanity table. Aside from foundation and concealer, you could do an entire makeup look with solely these products. However, one-third of the items are lip products, and only the medium shade of Pillow Talk is included.
Lush 29 ½ High Street
Priced at $195, the listed value is not disclosed, but the calculated value is $205. It includes 25 items, all of which are full-size, and features standout items like Christmas tree bath bomb and Swirly Sticky Dates Bath Bomb. Five bestsellers are included. The packaging uses recycled plastic bottle ribbon and 100% recycled board fibers, with biodegradable and compostable packing peanuts.
The calendar is filled with 25 bath bombs and bubble bars in a cheery, two-fold house. While festive, it also has year-round options. The bath bombs' bright colors easily transferred onto the table, and the calendar is quite heavy and tall, making it difficult to store in smaller bathrooms. The total price of items would be only $10 more to purchase individually.
Are Beauty Advent Calendars a Good Value?
This depends on the calendar. If you don't plan to use a majority of the items, your money is better spent on individual products. In general, though, they offer a significant discount on the products as a bundle. The calendars recommended in this list do save you as much as they claim.
Are Beauty Advent Calendars Sustainable?
When the Guardian asked this question last year, Sali Hughes, a longtime beauty columnist, offered advice: “I think it's worthwhile imagining all the products in a pile, without the seductive packaging. If it consequently loses its allure, then you're paying all that money for something pretty ephemeral that will, if it's even been designed responsibly in the first place, just go into recycling after Christmas.” You can also split the items with loved ones, reducing waste and ensuring everyone has smooth, moisturized skin for the new year.
When Do Beauty Advent Calendars Sell Out?
There's no hard data around advent calendar sales overall, but because these items are quite popular, they can go fast. If you see an advent calendar that appeals to you, it's probably prudent to buy it when you see it.
Will Beauty Advent Calendars Go on Sale?
Because beauty advent calendars are a seasonal item and have different offerings and products each year, they rarely, if ever, go on sale. Most beauty advent calendars sell out before the holiday season is over.
