Beauty advent calendars for skin care, makeup and fragrance, with a few food and tea countdowns for the rest of your gift list.
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My photo of the lounge at Fairmont St Andrews has the quiet, tucked-away feeling I would borrow for a December evening: a cup of tea, a small treat and a few minutes for yourself. That is the mood behind these countdown gifts, not a claim that I have tried every calendar.
Choose beauty advent calendars by the routine
Start with what the person already enjoys: skin and lip care, trying a new makeup look, or opening something sweet with a cup of tea. A larger product count is not automatically the better gift. Some boxes mix full-size products, minis and accessories, and a 12-day calendar is a different countdown from a 24-day one.
Photo credit: Laneige
Photo credit: SABON
Photo credit: Bluemercury
Photo credit: Charlotte Tilbury
A skin-and-lip-care advent calendar: Laneige
skin-and-lip-care advent calendar – Laneige is the skin-and-lip choice: the 12 formulas include Water Bank cream, sleeping masks and lip balms in a mix of full and mini sizes. I would give this to someone whose bag always has a lip balm in it, rather than someone looking for a calendar full of eye makeup. Shop here
A bath-and-body advent calendar: SABON
bath-and-body advent calendar – For the person who would rather have a long bath than another eye palette, start with this 24-day SABON calendar. I would choose a body-care countdown when the gift is meant to feel like a little evening ritual rather than a new makeup look. Shop here
A multi-brand beauty advent calendar: Bluemercury
multi-brand beauty advent calendar – The 31 Days of Dazzle set is the longer countdown in this edit. I would choose it for a beauty enthusiast who enjoys moving between brands rather than staying with a single routine. The blue cases make the presentation feel like a gift before the first product is opened. Shop here
A makeup-and-skin-care advent calendar: Charlotte Tilbury
makeup-and-skin-care advent calendar – Charlotte's Hollywood Beauty Wonderland has 15 surprises, including four full-size beauty products and two accessories: a mini charm makeup bag and a white quartz gua sha. I would pick this for someone who likes a getting-ready moment. Count the accessories as part of the assortment, not as extra makeup. Shop here
Skin-care and makeup advent calendars to explore
Photo credit: Kiehl's
Photo credit: OLIVE YOUNG
Photo credit: L'Occitane
Photo credit: Revolution Beauty
A 24-day skin-care advent calendar: Kiehl's
24-day skin-care advent calendar – The 24 Days of Joy calendar is for someone who likes a practical skin, hair and body routine. Kiehl's lists three full-size products, three travel sizes and 18 minis, so I would choose it as a way to explore the range rather than expect 24 full-size bottles. Shop here
A Korean skin-care advent calendar: OLIVE YOUNG
Korean skin-care advent calendar – For the friend who wants to explore Korean skin care, this OLIVE YOUNG collection brings together 12 brands. The assortment includes Torriden serum, a Beplain cleansing foam and targeted creams and serums. I would choose the variety here over a single-brand box for someone still working out their favorites. Shop here
A body-care advent calendar: L'Occitane
body-care advent calendar – The 12 Days of Provençal Beauty calendar includes skin, bath and body care, with four full-size body-care products. I would give this to someone who enjoys a hand cream or body-care ritual more than color cosmetics. It is another shorter countdown, not a 24-door calendar. Shop here
A color-makeup advent calendar: Revolution Beauty
color-makeup advent calendar – For someone who likes experimenting with makeup, the 24-day Revolution Beauty box includes ten full-size products, eight minis and six accessories. I would pick this for color play, not a skin-care routine. Use each pigment only on the areas specified in its instructions. Shop here
A full-size skin-care advent calendar: Sonage
full-size skin-care advent calendar – This is the one I would choose for someone who wants products to keep using after the countdown. Sonage includes 12 full-size products rather than a box built around tiny samples. It is a 12-door calendar, so it is a shorter beauty ritual, not a daily countdown from the first of December. Shop here
Food, tea and candy advent calendars
For someone who is particular about their skin care, I would choose a food or tea countdown instead of guessing at their routine. Keep dietary needs in mind: a mixed chocolate or candy assortment is not automatically suitable for every allergy.
A loose-leaf tea advent calendar: DAVIDsTEA
loose-leaf tea advent calendar – The 24 Days of Tea calendar has enough loose-leaf tea for two servings in each compartment. I would make this a daily tea-for-two ritual. The selection includes both caffeinated blends and caffeine-free options, so it is not the choice for someone who needs the entire box to be caffeine-free. Shop here
A chocolate-and-cookie advent calendar: Harry & David
chocolate-and-cookie advent calendar – This 24-drawer wooden calendar mixes chocolate truffles, mini mints and shortbread cookies. The light-up Nutcracker scene and music make it a keepsake rather than just a disposable candy box. I would choose it for someone who likes setting up the Christmas decorations; it needs two AAA batteries, which are not included. Shop here
A peppermint-bark advent calendar: Williams Sonoma
peppermint-bark advent calendar – A peppermint-bark countdown is the one I would choose for someone who already looks forward to that particular holiday treat. This calendar keeps the gift focused rather than mixing skin care with sweets. It is the chocolate choice in an edit that is otherwise mostly beauty. Shop here
A candy advent calendar: Sugarfina
candy advent calendar – Sugarfina's Santa's Parisian Christmas calendar is a 24-day candy countdown. I would choose it for someone who wants a small sweet ritual rather than a new beauty routine. The Parisian theme makes it a natural addition to a holiday gift list for a friend who loves the city. Shop here
What to check before choosing an advent calendar
Match the contents to the person, not only the packaging. A skin-care lover may prefer fewer useful formulas to a larger box of makeup; a tea drinker may enjoy sharing the daily compartment. For mixed beauty boxes, notice the number of minis and accessories. For a reusable wooden calendar, think about where it will live after the holidays.
Are beauty advent calendars all 24 days?
No. This edit includes shorter 12-day calendars, a 15-surprise beauty set, 24-day countdowns and a 31-day collection. Choose the format that suits the person rather than expecting every box to follow the same calendar.
Which advent calendar suits someone who does not wear makeup?
Start with a skin-and-lip-care or bath-and-body calendar. A loose-leaf tea, chocolate or candy countdown is another option when you would rather avoid choosing beauty products for someone else.
More holiday gift ideas
For a wider gift list, browse gifts for the woman who has everything. For something to wear to the celebrations, see holiday lace tops and dresses and holiday party dresses.
Shop the full collection: buy it here.
Shop the Post
- Laneige: skin-and-lip-care advent calendar
- SABON: bath-and-body advent calendar
- Bluemercury: multi-brand beauty advent calendar
- Charlotte Tilbury: makeup-and-skin-care advent calendar
- Kiehl's: 24-day skin-care advent calendar
- OLIVE YOUNG: Korean skin-care advent calendar
- L'Occitane: body-care advent calendar
- Revolution Beauty: color-makeup advent calendar
- Sonage: full-size skin-care advent calendar
- DAVIDsTEA: loose-leaf tea advent calendar
- Harry & David: chocolate-and-cookie advent calendar
- Williams Sonoma: peppermint-bark advent calendar
- Sugarfina: candy advent calendar
