Our guide to this year’s Christmas treats from M&S, Cult Beauty and more
With less than five months until Christmas, we’re making sure that we’re more organised than ever for 2021.
One of the best parts of the festive season is the advent calendars and, while we’ll always have a soft spot for the chocolate versions, it’s the beauty ones that have us hooked.
Every year, many of the biggest beauty brands and retailers kick off Christmas with a luxurious advent calendar filled with mini, travel-size and full-size products and indulgent treats across skincare, make-up, fragrance and hair.
The likes of Liberty, Charlotte Tilbury, Lush, Asos and Next all have their own, and in recent years beauty advent calendars have racked up huge waiting lists before selling out – often within just a few minutes.
Many brands release waiting lists you can sign up to in order to be notified when an advent calendar will be available. Typically this can be as early as September – but some brands keep theirs under wraps until October, while others open their pre-orders in August.
Read more:
As Christmas 2021 gets nearer, we’ve created an A-Z directory of the beauty brands and stores launching advent calendars this year, along with the launch dates and what exciting treats you can expect to find inside.
Amazon
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Price: Under £100
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
Amazon is home to many cult-favourite beauty brands, ranging from Olaplex and ghd to Urban Decay and Maybelline, and is often an underrated hub of products worth adding to your virtual shopping basket. Read our guide to the beauty brands you didn’t know you could shop at Amazon for more.
While the retailer has remained tight-lipped on the details of its 2021 beauty advent calendar, if it’s anything like last year’s version, you’re in for a treat.
Its 2020 version contained 24 products – 19 of which were full size – for £60, despite being worth £215. There was a mini Emma Hardie moringa cleansing balm (full size £45.55, Amazon.co.uk) an Elemis apricot toner (full size £24.90, Amazon.co.uk), a Real Techniques miracle powder sponge (£5.99, Amazon.co.uk), a full-size E.L.F. matte lipstick (£6.90, Amazon.co.uk) and a Rimmel London jelly highlighter (£4.93, Amazon.co.uk) to name just a few.
We’re expecting something similar for 2021, with an expansive 24-piece set for less than £100 heading our way.
Asos
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Price: TBC
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
In the last few years, Asos has begun creating its own beauty advent calendars thanks to an ever-expanding face and body section that features brands such as Laura Mercier, Mac, Elemis, Aveda and more.
Its 2020 calendar was a sellout success, costing £75, with a mix of beauty bestsellers such as a Nars laguna bronzer (full size £30, Asos.com), a Nip + Fab glycolic face scrub (£12.95, Asos.com) and a This Works deep sleep pillow spray (full size £19.50, Asos.com) as just some of the 12 items – 10 of which were full-size.
It’s one of the best-value advent calendars and in 2020, it came in a perspex box that could be reused for storing all your new products. We’re hoping the retailer’s 2021 version will be even better.
Avant
For the ultimate indulgence, you can’t get much better than the Avant 12 days of beauty advent calendar, which launches online on 15 September for £350.
What’s inside?
Every product is full size and it includes some of the brand’s biggest hits such as its glycolic acid vivifying and firming body treatment (£90, Avant-skincare.com) and a pro-intense hyaluronic acid illuminating day cream (£98, Avant-skincare.com).
It’s one of the only beauty advent calenders where there are no minis or travel-size products in sight, so if you’re a fan of the brand, this is fantastic value – it’s worth over £900, according to Avant.
Beauty Bay
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Price: Under £50
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
This online retailer is known for stocking some of the most popular American brands dominating the beauty sphere, such as GlamGlow, Dose of Colour and Anastasia Beverly Hills, as well as its face and eyeshadow palettes which blend beautifully and are affordable.
In 2020, it didn’t have its own advent calendar; instead, it’s home to others whose products are stocked on-site, such as the Nyx professional makeup diamond and ice please 12 and 24-day lipstick advent calendar Christmas countdown, the Makeup Revolution advent calendar and Inglot Cosmetics’ 12 beauty wishes advent calendar.
If you’re hoping to get your hands on an advent for less than £50, Beauty Bay’s selection is a budget-friendly indulgence worth keeping your eyes peeled for. Bookmark this page to be in the know when the 2021 drop happens.
Beauty Pro
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Price: £39
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Release date: September
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Pre-order: No
Budget-friendly sheet mask brand Beauty Pro is also getting in on the action with its 12 days of Christmas advent calendar.
What’s inside?
There’s something for your face, under eyes, hands and feet to detox, exfoliate and hydrate skin, so you’ll be in tip-top condition for all those Christmas parties we missed out on in 2020.
Costing £39, it’s one of the more affordable options for 2021 and is launching in September, with a confirmed date coming our way very soon.
Benefit Cosmetics
Calling all Bene-babes, the gift you’ve been waiting for all year is here. Just like last year, Benefit Cosmetics has unveiled its advent calendar in September and is entering Christmas 2021 with a bang.
What’s inside?
Featuring 12 products, the calendar boasts of a mix of minis and fun size goodies (one step up from the miniatures last year). From its all-star porefessional primer (£29.50, Lookfantastic.com) and dandelion blush (£15, Cultbeauty.co.uk) to the trusty hoola bronzer (£15, Cultbeauty.co.uk) and real magnet mascara (£24, Lookfantastic.com) – it is the Aladdin’s cave of treats.
Read the full Benefits Christmas calendar review
Birchbox
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Price: TBC
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
In 2020, beauty subscription service Birchbox made its annual advent calendar available for pre-order in late September. So make sure to mark your diaries, as we’re expecting more of the same for 2021.
Last year’s offering contained a range of products from much-loved beauty brands including Benefit, Sunday Riley and bareMinerals, and was worth a whopping £450. However, it cost just £85 to buy and was made even cheaper for subscribers, who managed to get their hands on one for £70.
Bobbi Brown
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Price: £125
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Release date: 5 October
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Pre-order: TBC
For 2021, Bobbi Brown is making its advent calendar debut by launching a 12-day beauty filled treasure trove, which is packed full of minis and full-size products. The brand’s 12-day advent calendar is worth £227 and launches on 5 October on the Bobbi Brown website.
What’s inside?
Hidden within the draws, you will find a whole host of treats to get you sufficiently glam for the festive party season, including a shimmer brick in bronze (£37, Bobbibrown.co.uk), a luxe lip colour in neutral rose (£30, Bobbibrown.co.uk) and a soothing cleansing oil (£35, Bobbibrown.co.uk) to name just a few. Certainly one to set a reminder for.
The Body Shop
Another brand that’s gone all out for 2021 is The Body Shop, with three advent calendars on offer for the festive season.
What’s inside?
The first is its share the joy advent calendar, costing £55 and filled with 24 little treats that are worth £77. You can expect to find travel-size body butters, sheet masks and bath bubbles for an affordable, pampering treat every day in December.
The second one on offer is called the share the love big advent calendar. Inside is a hearty mix of full-size and mini face and body products, including face masks, shea butter shampoo (£7.50, Thebodyshop.com) and an avocado body butter (£18, Thebodyshop.com). It costs just £80, but is worth £119.
The third and final option is the share love and joy ultimate advent calendar, costing £140, this is one for the big spenders. In it you can expect to find 25 full-size and mini bestsellers, such as the drops of youth concentrate (full size £28, Thebodyshop.com), a vitamin C glow-boosting moisturiser (full size £16, Thebodyshop.com), and miniature face masks, including the Himalayan charcoal purifying glow mask (full size £18, Thebodyshop.com).
Read the full Body Shop 2021 advent calendar review
Boots
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Price: TBC
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
Boots in-house beauty brand, No7, has one of the most popular advent calendars, with waitlists often numbering in the thousands as customers clamour to get their hands on it.
While details of its 2021 calendar remain under wraps, in 2020 it became available to shop from 14 October – six weeks before December. It cost £45, but was worth £172.50, making for a pretty impressive saving.
It featured a mix of full-size and mini skincare and make-up products, such as the extreme length mascara (full size £13, Boots.com), the protect and perfect intense advanced day cream (full size £24.95, Boots.com) and the laboratories line correcting booster serum (full size £34.95, Boots.com).
The retailer also ran a golden-ticket campaign, where 10 lucky customers could find a ticket worth £1,000, redeemable on all No7 products.
Clarins
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Price: TBC
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
Clarins is well known for its 12 days of Christmas beauty advent calendars, and every year they make one for women and men, jam-packed with some of their bestselling products.
Last year the women’s one included a mix of skincare and make-up, such as the instant eye makeup remover (full size £21, Clarins.co.uk), lip oil (full size £19, Clarins.co.uk) and its well-loved hand and nail treatment cream (full size £23, Clarins.co.uk), while the men’s one was exclusively skincare, with products such as a face wash (full size £20, Clarins.co.uk), aftershave soother (full size £25, Clarins.co.uk) and lip balm (full size £20, Clarins.co.uk).
The 2020 calendars cost £60 apiece but were worth £119, so 2021 could be the perfect opportunity to try new Clarins products in your beauty and grooming routine. Keep your eyes peeled on this page to be first in the know about this year’s haul.
Clinique
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Price: £95
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
American beauty brand Clinique’s advent calendar is always a popular one, featuring a host of full-size, mini and travel-size products.
The brand has unveiled its 2021 offering with 24 days of Clinique, with 24 products worth over £220. While there are no details yet on when you can expect it to go on sale, we can share what you’ll be able to find inside.
Full of travel-size treats, there’s a chubby stick moisturising lip balm (full size £18.50, Clinique.co.uk), a moisture surge 72 hour auto-replenishing hydrator (full size £38, Clinique.co.uk) and a deep comfort hand and cuticle cream (£21.50, Clinique.co.uk) to name just a few. Stockists include Clinique’s website, John Lewis, Selfridges and Look Fantastic.
Charlotte Tilbury
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Price: TBC
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Release date: October
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Pre-order: TBC
Every year, beauty advent calendars get bigger and more glamorous: and Charlotte Tilbury is the case in point. Its 2020 bejewelled chest of treasures featured 12 drawers, each containing a mix of full-size and mini products, including a travel-size version of the pillow talk mascara (full size £23, Charlottetilbury.com), a travel-size setting spray (full size £26, Charlottetilbury.co.uk) and a full-size beauty light wand (£29, Charlottetilbury.com).
It cost £150 and became available on 1 October, so mark early in the month on your calendar for the 2021 version. As soon as we have the details, we’ll be sure to share it on this page, so make sure you bookmark it.
It’s typically stocked at Cult Beauty, Space NK, John Lewis & Partners, Feelunique and Selfridges, along with on the Charlotte Tilbury website, so there’s plenty of opportunities to get your hands on it.
Visit Charlottetilbury.com now
Cowshed
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Price: TBC
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
If you’re new to a brand, a beauty advent calendar is ideal for discovering new products without committing to 24 full-size bottles.
Cowshed offered its most popular products in its £130 calendar for 2020, which came with refillable drawers. Everything was also suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
It’s also the perfect way to kick off the Christmas countdown – last year it was adorned with illustrations by artist Tallulah Fontaine, so we’re expecting something spectacular again for 2021, and are waiting with anticipation to hear more about it from the brand.
Cult Beauty
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Price: £215
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Release date: 12 October
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Pre-order: No
Online beauty retailer Cult Beauty is your one-stop shop for all things skincare, make-up, haircare and fragrance, with thousands of products worth adding to your stash. As a result, its annual beauty advent calendar is one of the best money can buy.
Following on from the success of two sold out advent calendars, the beauty destination is back for 2021 with another offering, which launches on 12 October. However, it has already opened up its waitlist here, so you can be first in line to get your hands on one. The calendar contains 38 beauty products, which are together worth a whopping £960, but will only set you back £215.
What’s inside?
Behind each door, you will find a host of products from big-named brands like Augustinus Bader, Victoria Beckham Beauty, Sunday Riley, It Cosmetics and more.
Highlights include Too Faced’s better than sex mascara (£12, Cultbeauty.co.uk), Vieve’s lip dew (£17, Cultbeauty.co.uk), Laura Mercier’s translucent setting powder (£20, Cultbeauty.co.uk) and The Inkey List’s tranexamic acid overnight treatment (£14.99, Cultbeauty.co.uk).
For more details, read our guide on everything you need to know about Cult Beauty’s 2021 advent calendar.
Decléor
Essential-oils-based skincare brand Decléor is home to many luxurious products for your face and body, which are an indulgent treat any day of the year.
It’s you’re not familiar with the brand, its annual beauty advent calendar is a great place to start. It’s already available on the Decléor website, getting us into the Christmas spirit early, but it will also be stocked at Lookfantastic and Feelunique from 1 September.
What’s inside?
The essential oils lab Christmas advent calendar (£120, Decleor.co.uk) has been designed with all skin types in mind, with 24 full-sized and deluxe minis to add to your routine. There are indulgent treats such as the neroli bigarade bath and shower gel (full size £19, Decleor.co.uk) and a neroli bigarade cleansing milk (full size £26, Decleor.co.uk) to enjoy.
Diptyque
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Price: TBC
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
French candle brand Diptyque has earned itself a cult status in the beauty and wellness sphere, counting Meghan Markle, Beyoncé and Kerry Washington as fans.
It’s one of the pricier calendars – for example, its 2020 one cost £320 – so if you have a bigger budget, it might be the perfect splurge.
Last year it launched on 20 October, at Selfridges and via the Diptyque website, featuring the Christmas collection that was designed by Parisian artist and graphic designer, Ugo Gattoni.
It was an eclectic mix of full-size and small candles, room sprays, scented objects and the famous carousel candle – a silver ornament that spins itself from the heat of the flame. We’ve got all our fingers and toes crossed that 2021 will be a knockout too. Keep checking this page for all the updates.
Dr. Hauschka
If you’re a skincare fanatic, you’ll want to mark 27 September in your calendar, as this is when Dr. Hauschka – a brand loved by Jennifer Lopez – is launching its offering. It will cost £85 and be available to purchase on the brand’s website, as well as Feel Unique.
What’s inside?
Packaged within a luxurious gift box, the calendar contains 25 products, which are lovingly wrapped in a reusable cotton bag. You’ll find a host of skincare favourites like the soothing cleansing milk (£25.50, Feelunique.com) and rose day cream (£30.50, Feelunique.com), as well as a full sized hydrating cream mask £39.50, Feelunique.com).
Elemis
If you’re a fan of skincare brand Elemis, its annual beauty advent calendar should be on your radar. Costing £175, this year’s offering is the perfect seasonal surprise and promises to add some festivity to your daily skincare routine. While it isn’t set to launch until 7 September, you can sign up for early VIP access, which will enable you to get your hands on one a whole 24 hours earlier.
What’s inside?
Housed in stackable tins that are adorned with Georgian architecture-inspired patterns, this epic beauty advent calendar is the gift that keeps on giving with 25 skincare and body essentials. Among the products you can expect to find are a full-size pro-collagen marine cream (£87, Lookfantastic.com) and mini versions of the superfood AHA glow cleansing butter (£30, Johnlewis.com), papaya enzyme peel (£35, Lookfantastic.com) and balancing lavender toner (£20, Johnlewis.com). All in all, the goodies inside are worth an impressive £410.
Sign up for early VIP access at Elemis.com now
Espa
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Price: £160
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
Another festive fancy comes from Espa, a natural skincare brand that makes essential-oil-based products for the face, body and bathtime.
For 2021, it’s launching a hidden treasures advent calendar for £160, and full of products for the face, body and home worth £389.
What’s inside?
Available to buy from Espa’s website from 1 October, it contains a mix of 25 mini and full-size products, including the active nutrients yuzu and ginger cleansing sorbet (£40, Espaskincare.com) and the clean and green detox mask (£40, Espaskincare.com), as well as a restorative bath and body oil (£32, Espaskincare.com) and a restful pillow mist (£24, Espaskincare.com).
Feelunique
Another beauty advent calendar bonanza for skincare, make-up and fragrance fans can be found at Feelunique.
Its already unveiled its 2021 beauty advent calendar (£119, Feelunique.com) which is available for pre-order now for dispatch on 1 September, costing £119, with a value of £385.20.
What’s inside?
There’s a whopping 27 products inside, from Huda Beauty, Charlotte Tilbury, Philip Kinglsey, Sol de Janeiro, Clarins, Molton Brown, Tan-Luxe, Laura Mercier and more, so this is definitely one for the luxury beauty obsessives.
Pre-order at Feelunique.com now
Fortnum & Mason
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Price: £225
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Release date: 24 October
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Pre-order: Yes
Luxury department store Fortnum & Mason has pulled out all the stops for its 2021 beauty advent calendar (£225, Fortnumandmason.com) which is full of skincare, make-up and fragrance favourites from its beauty hall.
Worth over £750, it’s the perfect opportunity to try new brands and products, and it’ll certainly make every day of December much more exciting.
What’s inside?
There are 20 full-size products, 16 deluxe samples and one travel-sized miniature, from the likes of Espa, Wildsmith Skin, Bramley, MZ Skin and Sol de Janeiro. Snap it up now before it sells out.
Fortnum & Mason has also launched its paper, wooden and food advent calendars for 2021, which are available to shop now, read our guide to them all here.
Glossybox
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Release date: 10 September for subscribers, 24 September for non-subscribers
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Pre-order: No
Beauty subscription service Glossybox also gets in on the action every year, releasing a new advent calendar full of beauty must-haves.
What’s inside?
As with all of its previous calendars, its 2021 festive offering will feature 25 doors, behind which you’ll find skincare, make-up and fragrance from cult-favourite beauty brands including Pixi, Sarah Chapman and Elemis.
This year it goes on sale for subscribers on 10 September at 9am, and on general sale for non-subscribers at 9am on 24 September, so set a reminder in your diary and sign up for priority access.
For subscribers it will cost £85, while for non-subscribers it will be £105 – both have free delivery. The retailer is also introducing a bundle offer for subscribers that means when you buy three calendars, you’ll save £30.
Sign up for priority access at Glossybox.com now
Harrods
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Price: TBC
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
The Harrods beauty advent calendar sold out in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, so it’s a popular one you’ll need to keep a close eye on to avoid losing out. It’s also one of the most impressive calendars you can buy, with 25 beautifully presented products wrapped in suede pouches.
Brands such as Augustinus Bader, Chantecaille, Decorte, Guerlain and Natura Bisse have regularly made an appearance in previous years, and it typically costs £250. In 2020, it went on sale on 1 October with the products valued at over £600.
While the department store is keeping quiet about the 2021 version, don’t forget to check back here to find out the launch date once it’s revealed.
Holland and Barrett
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Price: £45
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
Health and wellbeing store Holland and Barrett was one of the first stores to unveil its 2021 beauty advent calendar, and it’s home to many organic, vegan and sustainable beauty brands for the eco-conscious shopper.
What’s inside?
Worth over £170, it will cost £45, making it one of the more budget-friendly options for this year, and the waitlist has already opened up for eager shoppers. In it you can expect to find products from Ren, Dr Paw Paw, Q+A, Weleda and more.
Join the waitlist at HollandandBarrett.com
Huda Beauty
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Price: TBC
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
Many of Huda Beauty’s products can be found across a handful of beauty advent calendars every year, but the brand also has its own version that it launches annually too.
Last year it came in a hot red lips box that opened up to reveal 12 products including make-up, skincare from its sister brand Wishful and fragrance from perfume brand Kayali, another arm of the Huda Beauty empire.
Costing £153, it featured plenty of full-size items, including the coveted mercury retrograde eyeshadow palette (£58, Cultbeauty.co.uk), a matte and metals cream dual-ended eyeshadow (£22, Cultbeauty.co.uk), lip liner (£17, Cultbeauty.co.uk) and a liquid matte lipstick (£18, Cultbeauty.co.uk). While the brand is keeping mum about its 2021 offering, we’re expecting something similar this year.
Visit Huda Beauty at Cultbeauty.co.uk now
Jo Loves
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Price: £325
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Release date: 7 October
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Pre-order: No
In 2009, Jo Malone set up her second fragrance brand, called Jo Loves, after selling her eponymous brand to Estee Lauder in 2006. Jo Loves has since expanded into a range of candles, home fragrances and luxurious scents. It also makes an impressive fragrance advent calendar every year, which often sells out.
What’s inside?
For 2021, you’ll get to enjoy 24 deluxe travel products and a full-size surprise on Christmas day. It’s shaped in a pretty star design that can also be hung up using the attached red ribbon.
Containing a mix of votive candles, hand washes, perfume bottles and brushes, it costs £325, but is worth £485, and will be available to shop from 7 October in the Jo Loves Belgravia store and online.
Jo Malone London
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Price: £325
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Release date: 1 October
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Pre-order: No
Every year without fail, Jo Malone London launches a luxury fragrance advent calendar in its ultra-chic cream and black packaging.
Often a sellout success, last year’s version presented a magnificent collection of mini candles, perfumes, hand wash and soaps.
What’s inside?
This year, it’s launching online on 1 October in stores from 18 October, costing £325 and featuring a new refillable design, so it won’t go to waste once December is over. There are 24 treats to indulge in, including mini fragrances and soaps in bestselling new scents such as fig and lotus flower (full size £102, Jomalone.co.uk), as well as a 30ml cologne, the very first time this has been included.
John Lewis & Partners
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Price: TBC
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
While John Lewis & Partners stocks beauty advent calendars from brands including Jo Malone London, Diptyque and Rituals, it also has its own version too, that’s equally as impressive
Last year it was a recyclable box made up of colourful pink and purple drawers, with 25 products from Shiseido, Sunday Riley, Elemis, Clarins, Charlotte Tilbury, Nars, Liz Earle, Esteé Lauder and more, with 10 being full-size. It cost £150 with a value of over £375, so you can expect something similar this year, although details have yet to be announced by the department store.
Liberty
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Price: TBC
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Release date: 6 October
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Pre-order: No
Arguably the most coveted beauty advent calendar of them all is by Liberty, as the independent department store is home to one of the biggest, most luxurious festive offerings.
Every year it sells out, sometimes in minutes, while eager customers wait in long queues outside the store on the day of launch too.
What’s inside?
Its 2021 calendar launches on 6 October and is its highest value offering to date according to the store, with 25 products worth over £840 altogether. Last year it cost £215, so we’re expecting a similar price this year, although it’s yet to be announced.
Last year it featured Le Labo, Votary, Nars, Davines, Ren, Hourglass and many more high-end skincare, make-up and haircare brands. It’s promised new brands and exclusive products for 2021, so stay tuned.
Lookfantastic
Another online beauty retailer that pulls out all the stops for its annual advent calendar is Lookfantastic, which each year creates 25 drawers stuffed with goodies from big-name brands such as Espa, Caudalie, Eve Lom, Elemis, Natasha Denona, Tan-Luxe and more.
You can now join the waitlist for 2021, and it has launched pre-orders for subscribers from 1 September, while non-subscribers will be able to buy it from 2 September at 12pm. It will go on general sale on 1 October.
What’s inside?
The retailer has new and exclusive products for 2021 from Kate Somerville, Nars, Philip Kingsley and more. Containing six full-size, 17 deluxe minis and two travel-size products, it’s full to the brim with cult favourite beauty treats.
Read the full Lookfantastic calendar review
Lumene
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Price: TBC
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
If you’re a fan of Finnish skincare brand Lumene, its annual beauty advent calendar is always a treat for your skin and your senses.
While it remains secretive on what’s on offer for 2021, last year’s offering was the perfect way to countdown to Christmas. Costing £89.90, it was worth £240, and full of mini and full-size skincare and make-up treats.
Lush
Loved for its bath bombs and environmentally friendly products and packaging, Lush’s beauty advent calendar is usually a sight to behold, with bright colours, vibrant prints and an eye-catching design jam-packed with indulgent treats.
What’s inside?
For 2021, we can share that it’ll be made in a keepsake box with 25 vegan products – some exclusively made for it, and plenty of the brand’s bestselling face and body bits – and it will cost £185.
Available from 26 August online and in Lush shops from 23 September, it is designed with reusable and recyclable packaging too.
Read the full Lush advent calendar review
L’Occitane
French face and body brand L’Occitane doesn’t do things in a low-key way, and this year it’s launching not one but three beauty advent calendars.
What’s inside?
The first for 2021 is the reusable advent calendar, created in collaboration with UK illustrator Kity McCall and inspired by nature. Costing £160, but worth £236, there are 25 pockets, each made from recyclable cotton and home to a bestselling product from the brand, including the well-loved almond supple skin oil (£36, Loccitane.com) and the immortelle overnight reset serum (£50, Loccitane.com).
Second in the line-up is the classic advent calendar, which has a more traditional design with 25 cardboard doors that can be torn open. In recent years its ditched the plastic interior and opted for sustainable cardboard. Costing £55, but worth £99.50, it’s full of gorgeous travel minis and a full-size shea butter hand cream (£21.50, Loccitane.com).
The third is a luxury advent calendar, costing £99, but worth £141. Featuring the brand’s 25 bestselling products, each week you’ll be treated to one full-size item to add to your shower, bath, bodycare or skincare routine.
All three beauty advent calendars are available for 1 September via the L’Occitane online store.
M&S
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Price: TBC
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
The department store is a very underrated beauty destination and is home to some brilliant brands including Living Proof, Emma Hardie, Pixi and Percy & Reed.
However, in 2020, it took a more pared-back approach with its Autograph 2020 beauty advent calendar, featuring products just from the in-house brand. Featuring 12 doors to open, with mostly make-up products, it was a smaller, more considered approach.
The department store has remained coy on what we can expect for 2021, but we’re hoping it comes back with a bang with an advent calendar full of its greatest beauty hits.
Net-A-Porter
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Price: TBC
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Release date: TBC
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Pre-order: TBC
Luxury fashion retailer Net-A-Porter is also home to one of the most glamorous Christmas products, despite being relatively new to the advent calendar game.
Last year’s version contained 12 full-size and 12 travel-size products from some of the retailer’s bestselling beauty brands such as Dr Barbara Sturm, Oribe, Charlotte Tilbury and Augustinus Bader, making a collection of make-up, skincare and haircare must-haves.
It cost £240, but was reportedly worth over £1,000 and was so popular it was re-stocked after a sellout launch in October 2020, so we’re expecting a similar outcome for 2021. Stay tuned for all the updates.
Next
Last year, Next bowled us over with its £69 beauty advent calendar that boasted an impressive line-up of skincare, haircare and make-up products from the likes of ghd, St Tropez, Esteé Lauder, Nails Inc, Benefit and By Terry, and you can expect similar goodies from its 2021 calendar too, which launches on 15 September.
This year, the retailer is launching two advent calendars – one for men and one for women, both costing £69.
What’s inside?
Inside the women’s calendar, you’ll find make-up and skincare must haves such as Mac’s ruby woo lipstick (£17.50, Lookfantastic.com), Bobbi Brown’s smokey eye mascara (£26, Lookfantastic.com), the Clarins moisture rich body lotion (£33, Feelunique.com) and much more. Meanwhile, the men’s offering contains a host of grooming products like the Elemis deep cleanse facial wash (£25, Cultbeauty.co.uk), Bull Dog original bamboo razor (£12, Lookfantastic.com) and even a mini version of Paco Rabanne’s one million eau de toilette (£42.50, Lookfantastic.com).
As one of the more affordable beauty advent calendars on the market, make sure you run to snap this up.
OPI
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Price: £60.90
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Release date: 1 October
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Pre-order: TBC
OPI’s festive advent calendar launches on 1 October, so if you’re a nail polish obsessive, or know someone that is, make sure it’s in your diary to avoid losing out.
What’s inside?
It will cost £60.90 and comes with 25, 3.5ml nail varnishes, that are a mix of classic shades such as “big apple red” (£13.90, Opiuk.com) and “bubble bath” (£13.90, Opiuk.com) as well as colours from OPI’s limited-edition celebration collection.
You’ll also receive a rapidry top coat (£15.50, Opiuk.com), and a bottle of nail envy (£20.50, Opiuk.com), the brand’s bestselling nail-strengthening treatment.
Penhaligon’s
British fragrance brand Penhaligon’s has a well-loved collection of luxury perfumes, with opulent bottles to match.
What’s inside?
It’s launching its advent calendar on 1 September, costing £375, and it will be available from its website. Behind 25 doors you’ll find mini versions of Penhaligon’s most recognisable scents, with fragranced extras such as lip balm, hand wash, body wash and even a candle.
Rituals
This year Rituals is offering two beauty advent calendars so you’re truly spoilt for choice. Launching on 6 September online and 4 October in Rituals stores, there’s no waitlist either, so it’s first-come, first-served.
What’s inside?
The first is called the ritual of advent 3D calendar, and as the name suggests it is a stunning gold festive village with 24 luxurious gifts including the ritual of oudh foaming shower gel (full size £9.50, Rituals.com) and the ritual of mehr body mousse-to-oil (full size £12.50, Rituals.com). It costs £89.90, but the products are worth £150.
The second is the ritual of advent 2D calendar, which costs £59.90, but is packed with 24 gifts worth £120. Behind each door is a mix of fragrance, skincare and bodycare, ranging from the ritual of jing hand lotion (full size £9.90, Rituals.com) to mini candles from the brand’s premium private collection.
Space NK
Building on the success of its 2020 advent calendar – its fastest selling yet (at a rate of 2.6 units per minute) – popular beauty destination Space NK is back with another offering for 2021.
This year’s calendar has has a value of £744 but can be yours for £199 and officially launches online and in-store on 18 September 2021. If you want to get your hands on one, make sure to sign up to the waitlist here.
What’s inside?
Behind each of the calendar’s 24 doors you will find a host of little luxuries to indulge in from make-up and skincare brands such as Crème de la Mer, Olaplex, Augustinus Bader and more. Among the products you will find inside are Charlotte Tilbury’s pillow talk mascara (£12, Spacenk.com), the Nars dolce vita lipstick (£22, Spacenk.com) and Olaplex no. 3 (£26, Spacenk.com).
Join the waitlist at Spacenk.com now
Voucher codes
For the latest offers on make-up and other beauty products, try the discount codes below:
Read more about the best beauty advent calendars for 2021
Fortnum & Mason advent calendar – From traditional to 3D pop-ups versions, food fit for a feast and of course, the beauty advent calendar, you’re spoilt for choice
Body Shop advent calendar – This year’s calendar features a selection of the ethically conscious brand’s cult classics
Cult Beauty advent calendar – It’s overflowing with skincare and make-up from Charlotte Tilbury, Sunday Riley and more
Lush advent calendar– True to form, the beauty brand’s calendar is made from reusable and recyclable packaging and is every bit as bold and colourful as you’d expect.
