They’re back and they’re more luxurious than ever. We round up the best beauty advent calendars
It’s too soon to be thinking about Advent calendars, right? Well, not if you want to get your hands on one of these beauties.
Packed with pampering products and make-up miniatures, these calendars are like the Glastonbury tickets of the beauty world – they’re pricey, prone to selling out super-fast and some even have a waiting list.
In fact, Selfridges’ original luxury beauty Advent calendar, which costs £85, this year sold out the day it landed.
All is not lost, though. Lots more brands have got in on the act for 2014, so there’s more choice than ever.
Just don’t delay if you want a shot at your most beautiful Advent yet…
- W7 Cosmetics Advent Calendar, £19.99, TK Maxx (www.tkmaxx.com)
New this year, the W7 advent calendar is great value at less than half the £49.95 RRP, and with plenty in stock now, it’s unlikely to sell out. One for make-up lovers, behind each window of the red pop art-inspired box there’s a mini lipstick, gloss, foundation, eyeshadow or glitter pot, plus a full-sized treat for Christmas Eve.
- Ciate Mini Mani Manor Nail Varnish Advent Calendar, £49 (www.ciatelondon.com)
Nail polish perfectionists will be itching to check-in at the Mini Mani Manor, where an Advent of nail art awaits. Fifteen varnishes, eight effects and one full-size Paint Pot complete your stay at Ciate’s holiday hand haven.
- L’Occitane 13 Desserts Of Christmas, £45 (www.loccitane.co.uk)
OK, it’s not technically an Advent calendar, but L’Occitane’s new miniatures collection would still make a gorgeous, if slightly shorter, countdown. Inspired by the Provencal tradition of serving a selection of Christmas desserts, you’ll find a petite pampering treat behind each of the 13 windows.
- You Beauty Discovery Advent Calendar, £49.95 (www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk)
Filled with 24 decent-sized make-up, hair, bath and body miniatures from cult brands like Laura Mercier, Caudalie, Benefit, Liz Earle and Molton Brown, the gold You Beauty calendar is a label-lover’s dream. Worth £240 in total, it’s seriously good value too.
- The Best Of The Body Shop Beauty Advent Calendar, £50 (www.thebodyshop.co.uk)
Worth £83, the Body Shop’s advent calendar has been updated this year to include newbie products like the Glazed Apple Body Lotion and a Colour Crush Nail Varnish, alongside bestsellers from the Vitamin E and White Musk ranges. Plus, for every calendar sold, a charity donation will go to War Child.
- Elemis 12 Days of Beauty Gift Set, £59.50 (www.johnlewis.com)
Another not-quite-Advent calendar, the Elemis box of beauty treats is too luxurious not to consider, and with lots of stockists, there’s little chance of it selling out. Discover some of the brand’s bestsellers, including Pro-Collagen Marine Cream and Papaya Enzyme Peel, during your dozen-day countdown.
- Benefit Candy-Coated Countdown Advent Calendar, £60, only available in store (www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk)
Always hugely popular, the first drop sold out instantly, but there will be more calendars back on Benefit counters in November – if you’re quick! The 24-treat box has had a super-sweet makeover, and this year holds a host of cosmetic cuties plus some adorable hair accessories.
- Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar, £149 (www.liberty.co.uk)
Behind the facade of the iconic Liberty shop, 25 pampering pots and potions await. And not just miniatures either – of the lavish line-up, 10 are full-size, plus there’s £25 to spend on Josh Wood haircare and even a voucher for a 30-minute Sisley facial. It’s super-luxe, but worth every penny.
- Jo Malone Christmas Advent Calendar, £250 (www.jomalone.co.uk)
All hail the queen of the Christmas countdown: Jo Malone’s first foray into the Advent calendar category is, as you’d expect, heavenly to behold. Expensive? Yes, but because the Georgian townhouse front hides 25 dinky drawers, each containing a Malone mini, you can refill and reuse this calendar for years to come.