When I was growing up, the true kickoff of the holiday season occurred on December 1st, when I woke up to a small gift in the pocket of my family’s advent calendar—it was pure Christmas magic. These days, I have to make my own magic, meaning I can’t rely on my parents—or Santa for that matter—to deliver me tiny presents each December morning. Luckily, I can count on a beauty advent calendar to give me a little bit of that Christmas joy that I had when I was a kid. After all, what better way to tweak my morning routine for the holiday season than to start each day with a little treat? And by little treat, I do mean a travel-size moisturizer, not a candy cane.
From skincare systems to nail kits to the best of the best makeup products, beauty advent calendars are the perfect way to give the gift of holiday morning cheer to someone you love (or to yourself, of course). We’ve rounded up the most exciting beauty advent calendars of the year, because we all deserve to feel that nostalgic December morning joy this holiday season. Here are the 20 best beauty advent calendars of 2023 that will brighten your chilly mornings and make your December that much more magical.
REVOLVE Beauty
With six full-size makeup and skincare favorites, this REVOLVE beauty advent calendar packs maximum bang for its buck.
Charlotte Tilbury
Charlotte Tilbury fans will love this chest of 12 of the brand’s top makeup and skincare products, from their iconic Magic Cream to Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray.
L’Occitane
This stunning gift set features 24 different travel-size products from L’Occitane, making finding your new favorite bath and body product easy.
Dr. Barbara Sturm
This luxurious advent calendar from Barbara Sturm has a $1,606 retail value with a price tag coming in at less than a third of that, making it a “treat yourself” experience that’s well worth gifting to yourself.
Le Mini Macaron
Any nail lover on your list will adore this set from Le Mini Macaron, with 12 manicure items ranging from classic polish shades to nail tools.
bareMinerals
This bareMinerals holiday advent calendar features eight mini and four full-size clean makeup and skincare essentials, meaning you’re bound to find a new favorite.
Anthropologie
With curated products from brands like Phlur, Sunday Riley, and more, Anthropologie’s advent calendar has a welcome surprise behind each door.
Voluspa
The candle fiend in your life will love this glass candle gift set from Voluspa, featuring 12 delicious scents ranging from warm santal to festive fig.
Sephora
This Sephora collection calendar is designed to extend the magic of the holidays, with 11 full-size beauty surprises that you can open any time between Christmas and the new year.
Cult Beauty
This advent calendar is jam-packed with cult-favorite beauty brands, including Biossance, Saie, Summer Fridays, and more. Plus, it includes both full-size and deluxe-size products.
Olive & June
Olive and June is known for their long-lasting nail products, which is why we love this advent calendar with 25 mini sizes of their top sellers.
Bobbi Brown
This 12-day advent calendar from Bobbi Brown includes the brand’s best skincare and makeup essentials, including three full-size items.
The Body Shop
Choosing a favorite among the 25 items from The Body Shop in this advent calendar will be difficult, with surprises from hand cream to sheet masks to body scrubs.
Fresh
The skincare fanatic will gush over this advent calendar from Neiman Marcus, which includes 24 self-care favorites in both travel and full sizes.
Bloomingdale’s
This 25-day advent calendar is inspired by the beauty floor of Bloomingdale’s iconic 59th Street flagship, with items in both skincare and makeup categories that will be instant favorites.
La Mer
Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with this limited-edition set from La Mer, including travel sizes of some of their most luxurious serums and creams.
Diptyque
This Diptyque holiday advent calendar celebrates the magic of the holidays with 24 days of candles and oils that you can use all year long.
NYX Professional Makeup
The gift that will make you want to hang out under the mistletoe? 12 days of glosses, balms, and lipsticks from NYX.
Bluemercury
With several full-size items, this curated 31-day calendar of beauty favorites from Bluemercury is the perfect way to celebrate the season.
Elemis
Elemis is known for their game-changing skincare products, and this stunning advent calendar will have you glowing all year long.
