We're going to put this out there: we think we're getting beauty advent calendars fatigue. Much like Christmas itself, we can't help but feel as though the fuss around advent calendars is starting earlier and earlier each year. Alas, we're firmly in November now and thus we must start thinking about what beauty advent calendar we're putting top of our wish lists for 2023.
Despite the fact, as beauty editors, we feel as though there's advent calendar mania, we can't deny the appeal of saving a whole load of money on some of beauty's best products. Whether you're in the market for the best fragrance, best mascara or the best moisturiser, a great beauty advent delivers it all. The problem? You just have to make sure you're shopping for one that's worth the money.
Let's face it, the best beauty advent calendars aren't cheap, and as the years have gone on, it has become harder to identify which ones are actually worth your money and time. For starters, is the monetary saving really as good as it seems? Is every product in there something you can see yourself using? And, most importantly, is this specific calendar really offering the best of the best in beauty?
Well, we're here to help. As beauty editors, we have access to all of the information on the latest beauty advent calendars weeks (and sometimes months) before they launch, which means we have some time to carefully consider each option.
With the beauty advent calendar 2023 season officially starting, you will want to be quick because some of our favourite advent calendars have already sold out. With that in mind, here are the 13 beauty advent calendars currently in stock that we'd actually buy this year.
1. Harrods of London Beauty Advent Calendar 2023
Shannon Lawlor, Executive Beauty Editor says: "When it comes to luxury beauty, Harrods has one of the best offerings around and its 2023 beauty advent calendar showcases its brightest stars. The box itself is luxe, beautiful and the sort of thing you want to keep ahold of to refill for years to come. The contents are even better—it includes a 15ml bottle of the cult Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream, a travel-size version of one of my favourite dry shampoos of all time (Living Proof) and 21 full-size products, including my go-to Aromatherapy Associates De-stress Muscle Bath & Shower Oil. I honestly can't fault a single product in there, and although it's pricey at £250, it's exceptional value for money."
What's inside?
Augustinus Bader Rich Cream (15ml), Gisou Travel Shampoo and Conditioner (75ml/50ml), Eve Lom Original Balm Cleanser and Muslin (50ml), Decree Treat Tincture (30ml), Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara (Travel Size), ReVive Masque des Yeux Instant Eye Mask, Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Bath and Shower Oil (55ml), Dr Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum (10ml), Kylie Cosmetics High Glossy Crystal (Full Size), Elemis Pro-Collagen Overnight Matrix (30ml), Christophe Robin Purifying Scrub (75ml), Bio Effect EGF Serum (15ml), 111SKIN Celestial Black Diamond Brightening Essence (30ml), Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Rosegold (Full Size), Ren AHA Tonic (250ml), Acqua di Parma Colonia Shower Gel (75ml), Sunday Riley CEO Oil (15ml), Living Proof Dry Shampoo (Travel Size), EviDenS de Beaute The Night Recovery Solution (30ml), Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Powder Pink (Full Size), Rodial DB Eye Gel (15ml), Dermalogica Precleanse (30ml), Champo Pitta Grown Serum (30ml), NARS Lipstick (Full Size), Floraiku Between Two Trees (10ml)
2. Cult Beauty Advent Calendar 2023
Shannon says: "I expected nothing but excellence from Cult Beauty's Beauty Advent Calendar 2023, and it delivered. It is a 39-piece edit of some of the best beauty products the retailer has to offer, including some exclusive Cult Beauty accessories. The highlights? A travel-size Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector, a beautifully festive Jo Loves candle and a full-size Sunday Riley glycolic acid treatment. A detail I really love is that you can add a 'recycle me' bag to your order to ensure those minis are properly recycled."
What's inside?
19/99 Beauty Precision Color Pencil in Barna, Amika Hydro Rush Leave-in Conditioner (deluxe), Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream (travel size), bareMinerals Minimalist Gloss Balm in Heart or Serenity (full size), Benefit Fluff Up Brow Wax in Clear (full size), Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream (full size), Byredo Astronomical Mascara (deluxe), Conserving Beauty Conserve You Face Oil (full size), Cult Beauty Compact Mirror, Cult Beauty Ivory Satin Pillowcase, Dieux Skin Tattoo Forever Eye Mask, Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum (deluxe), Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel (travel size), Dr. Levy Switzerland R3 Cell Matrix Mask (full size), Elemis Frangipani Monoi Shower Cream (travel size), Fable & Mane Holiroots Pre-Wash Strengthening Treatment Hair Oil (travel size), Glow Recipe Plump Plump Hyaluronic Cream (travel size), Hair by Sam McKnight Happy Endings Nourishing Balm (travel size), Hair Gain Hair Gummies (full size), Herlum Copa Dew Oil (full size), Huda Beauty Cheeky Tint Blush Stick in Coral Cutie (full size), Jo Loves A Home Candle in Roasted Chestnuts (travel size), Kinship Supermelt Vegan Lip Jelly Mask (full size), Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye (full size), Natasha Denona Bronze & Glow (travel size), Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector (travel size), Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub St Barts (deluxe), Paula's Choice Clear Cleanser (travel size), Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Bluebell Therapies Woods (travel size), Ren Bio Retinoid Youth Serum (full size), Róen Eyes On Me Eyeshadow Palette (full size), Saie Glowy Super Gel in Starglow (full size), Summer Fridays CC Me Serum (full size), Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment (full size), Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF30 (travel size), The Seated Queen Cold Cream (travel size), Verden Herbanum Bath Oil (travel size), Votary Super Sensitive Cleansing Cream (full size)
3. Fortnum & Mason Beauty Advent Calendar 2023
Shannon says: "The thing that makes the Fortnum & Mason advent calendar for 2023 so great is the calibre of products inside. While a few of the calendars on this list include a lot of the same or similar products, this advent calendar showcases some of the luxury beauty space's most exclusive products. I'm talking Acqua di Parma body products, Wildsmith Skin skincare, La Bouche Rouge make-up and Kure Bazaar nail polish. With 30 products (22 of which are full size), it is perfectly curated and, frankly, I'm not sure I could have made a better edit myself."
What's inside?
Wildsmith Skin Active Super Eye Serum 15ml, Charlotte Posner Makeup Bag, Lauren Dickinson Clarke Provocateur Votive Candle 70g, Cult 51 Oxygen Mask 50ml, Bramley x Lily & Lionel Sleep Spray 100ml, Fortnum's Four Seasons Clementine Votive Candle 75g, Olverum Firming Body Moisturizer 30ml, Delilah Travel Brush Set, Delilah Eyebrow Liner, Cult 51 Day Cream 50ml, OTO Cleansing Jam Exfoliator 25ml, Maison Matine Poom Poom Eau De Parfum 15ml, Bramley Bubble Bath 250ml, La Bouche Rouge Nude Lip Pencil, ESPA Pink Hair And Scalp Mud Mask 180ml, Dreem Distillery Moonlit Illuminating Mask 15ml, Fortnum's Garden Song Hand Cream Tube 50ml, Ortigia Florio Bath Salts 4 x 75g, Kure Bazaar Bubble Vvee Nail Polish 10ml, Acqua Di Parma Arancia Di Capri Shower Gel 75ml, Acqua Di Parma Arancia Di Capri Body Lotion 75ml, Aromatherapy Associates Revive Bath And Shower Oil 55ml, OTO Sleep Drops 15ml, Charlotte Posner Eye Mask, Rhug Wild Beauty Protecting Facial Oil With Bakuchiol 10ml, Rhug Wild Beauty Protecting Day Cream With Blue Tansy Oil 15ml, Aromatherapy Associates De Stress Bath And Shower Oil 55ml
4. The Fenwick 2023 12 Days of Beauty Calendar
Valeza Bakolli, Junior Shopping Editor says: "This beauty advent calendar contains basically every luxury brand and product I've had my eye on recently, from indulgent Augustinus Bader and EviDenS items to everyone's favourite Escentric Molecules 01 scent. With 12 full and travel-sized treats inside, it makes the perfect Christmas Eve gift, as you can open one on each of the 12 days of Christmas (goodbye mid-holiday lull). At well under £200 and bursting full of high-end beauty products, it's a great option if you're after a luxury calendar at a more affordable price point."
What's inside?
Augustinus Bader – The Rich Cream 15ml, Dr. Barbara Sturm – Super Anti-Aging Serum 10ml, Charlotte Tilbury – Matte Revolution Lipstick in Shade Supermodel 3.5g, Parfums de Marly – Delina Hair Mist 75ml, Slip® - Pure Silk Skinnie Scrunchie in Black, Bobbi Brown - Smokey Eye Mascara 6ml, Laura Mercier - Pure Canvas Primer – Illuminating 50ml, benefit - The POREfessional Get Unblocked Mini Oil Cleanser 45ml, BIOEFFECT - EGF Serum 15ml, Nurse Jamie - Beauty Stamp, EviDenS de Beauté - The Day Moisturizer 30ml, Trinny - Sheer Shimmer in Shade Dido 4g, Rahua - Classic Shampoo & Classic Conditioner 2 x 22ml, Escentric Molecules - Escentric 01 30ml, Ormonde Jayne - OJ Bukhara Parfum 8ml
5. The Body Shop The Big Advent of Wonders
Shannon says: "I don't usually consider single-brand advent calendars diverse enough to put them on my tight edit of the best available, and I'll admit the saving on this calendar isn't as good as the multi-brand advent calendars that other retailers offer. However, this is perhaps the advent calendar I look forward to most year after year. The Body Shop is home to some of my all-time favourite bath and body products, and this advent calendar includes most of them, including the Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter, a cleansing charcoal mask and a shea body butter. The products inside keep my bath and shower routine topped up virtually all year. Frankly, it just fills me with joy."
What's inside?
Shea Hand Balm 30ml, Avocado Lip Care Stick 4.2g, Strawberry Shower Gel 60ml, Camomile Muslin Cloth, Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter 20ml, Aloe Calm Hydration Sheet Mask 18ml, British Rose Shower Scrub 50ml, Bath Lily Large Ramie Gift, Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask 15ml, Shea Intense Repair Shampoo 250ml, Avocado Shower Cream 60ml, Mango Body Butter 50ml, Almond Milk Shower Cream 60ml, Tie Front Headband, Nicaraguan Coffee Intense Awakening Mask 15ml, Almond Milk Soap 100g, Pink Grapefruit Shower Gel 60ml, Vitamin C Glow Sheet Mask 18ml, Avocado Body scrub 50ml, British Rose Shower Gel 60ml, British Rose Hand Cream 30ml, Vitamin E Quench Sheet Mask 18ml, Shea Body Butter 50ml, Himalayan Charcoal Skin Clarifying Night Peel 30ml, Breathe Massage Melt 75ml
6. John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar 2023
Katie Thomas, Senior Beauty Editor says: "As we've seen from others on the list, beauty advent calendars are now so much more than products behind little Xmas windows. Brands are now going above and beyond to create the most special offering. In some calendars, like the John Lewis one, you'll find extra treats that are only available to a lucky few. Hidden inside ten of the retailer's calendars are £500 gift vouchers and inside four are experience prizes. One of which includes a weekend trip for two to Rome, with a hotel stay and dinner included. I'll be practicing my Italian just in case."
What's inside?
Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector, (Full Size 100ml), L'OCCITANE Almond Delicious Hands Hand & Nail Care (Full Size 75ml), Neom Organics London Bedtime Hero Scented Candle (Full Size 185g), Neom Organics London Bedtime Hero Pillow Mist (Full Size 30ml), Spectrum Domed Powder Makeup Brush (Full Size), Votary Super Seed Serum, Broccoli Seeds & Peptides (Full Size 50m), Frederic Malle Portrait Of A Lady Eau de Parfum Refill (10ml),Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Eyeshadow Palette in Walk of No Shame (Full Size), OTO 10% CBD Sleep Drops (Full Size 15ml) or OTO Power Drops 7.5% CBD (Full Size 15ml), Elemis Pro-Collagen Rose Marine Cream (15ml), Rodial Banana Low Lighter Concealer (1.6ml), Acqua di Parma Colonia Eau de Cologne Spray (12ml) & Acqua di Parma Colonia Bath & Shower Gel (40ml), Lumene Lahde Nordic Hydra Oat Milk Cleanser (50ml), Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Bath & Shower Oil (Full Size 55ml), The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors + HA (Full Size 30ml), Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment (Full Size 15ml), Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder in Translucent (9.3g), Murad Targeted Wrinkle Corrector (Full Size 15ml), REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Gel (50ml), Clarins Eau Extraordinaire (30ml), Clinique High Impact Mascara, Black (7g), NARS Blush in Behave (1.2g), Susanne Kaufmann Glow Mask (Full Size 50ml), Dermalogica Awaken Peptide Eye Gel (Full Size 15ml), Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Golden Bronze (Full Size 1.6kg), Living Proof Triple Bond Complex (Travel Size 15ml), Philip Kingsley Body Building Weightless Shampoo (75ml), Philip Kingsley Body Building Weightless Conditioner (75ml), Sisley Hair Rituel Precious Hair Care Oil Glossiness & Nutrition (10ml)
7. NET-A-PORTER The Ultimate Gift Set
Valeza says: "Though described as a gift set, this really is the ultimate beauty advent calendar. I'm obsessed with the luxe contents, including pieces from Westman Atelier, Sarah Chapman and 111SKIN. You'll also be treated to an Anissa Kermiche candle and other accessories, and can we please take a moment for the unreasonably chic packaging?"
What's inside?
Revive Skincare Foaming Cleanser: 125ml/ 4.2fl.oz.; Anissa Kermiche Popotin Candle: 100g/ 3.38oz.; Dr Barbara Sturm Night Serum: 30ml/ 1.01fl.oz.; Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream: 15ml/ 0.5fl.oz.; U BEAUTY Resurfacing Compound: 15ml/ 0.5fl.oz.; MZ Skin Reviving Antioxidant Facial Oil: 15ml/ 0.5fl.oz.; Sarah Chapman Overnight Facial: 15ml/ 0.5fl.oz.; Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow Palette – The Golden Goddess: 5.2g/ 0.18oz; Westman Atelier Lip Suede – Les Nudes: 4.8g/ 0.16oz.; Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick – Elson: 4g/ 0.14oz.; 111Skin Firming Concentrate Ampoules: 3 x 2ml/ 0.06fl.oz.; Mateo Vegan Leather Jewelry Case; JIA JIA Set of Two Crystal Bracelets; LIÉ STUDIO Silver Earrings; Arch4 Cashmere Gloves
8. Charlotte's Lucky Chest Of Beauty Secrets 2023
Katie says: "My make-up bag is a glorious mixture of high-end and affordable make-up brands but the one brand that features more than the rest is Charlotte Tilbury. It's my go-to for creating party looks, which is exactly what you'd be able to do this December with Charlotte's 12-day calendar. In each drawer you'll find an iconic Tilbury product, including some of her skincare which was inspired by work on shoots and backstage at fashion week."
What's inside?
Hot Lips 2 Lipstick in Glowing Jen (Full Size 3.5g), Charlotte's Magic Lip Oil Crystal Elixir (Full Size 8ml), Charlotte's Magic Cream (Travel size 15ml), Charlotte's Magic Serum Crystal Elixir (Travel size 8ml), Hollywood Complexion Brush (Travel size), Pillow Talk Matte Beauty Blush Wand in Pillow Talk (Travel size 5ml), Beauty Light Wand in Spotlight (Travel size 5ml), Collagen Lip Bath in Walk of No Shame (Travel size 2.6ml), Rock 'N' Kohl in Barbarella Brown (Travel size 0.8g), Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara in Super Black (Travel size 4ml), Lip Cheat Lip Liner in Hot Gossip (Travel size 0.8g), Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray (Travel size 34ml)