The best beauty advent calendars 2021
An editor-approved selection of the best luxury beauty advent calendars 2021 has to offer, because luxurious products beat tiny chocolates
Most beauty calendars are actually worth double or triple in retail value – meaning you get to try testers and full-size products (often award-winners and bestselling heroes) along with new must-haves before anyone else, all at a discounted price. Plus, if there are any items you’re not totally sold on – they also make the best stocking fillers for friends and family too. Here’s our lowdown of what you get inside the best luxury beauty advent calendars Christmas 2021 has to offer. We're on the waiting list for Net-a-Porter 25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar, £255 - click here.
Also, be warned that the best of the bunch always sell out long before Christmas tunes start taking over the airwaves, so make a note of the on-sale dates and be ready.
Space NK The Beauty Advent Calendar 2021, £199 (worth over £700)
THE USP:
If you really want to get your hands on cult beauty favourites, look no further. You save an incredible £545 on the contents of Space NK’s 2021 calendar. Sunday Riley, Drunk Elephant, Olaplex. The gargantuan box has 30 beauty surprises including 6 full-size products. We predict a riot.
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Sunday Riley - C.E.O Glow Oil 15ml; Sunday Riley - A+ High-dose Retinoid Serum 5ml; Charlotte Tilbury - Push Up Lashes Travel Mascara 4ml; Olaplex - No.3 Hair Perfector, full size - 100ml; Dr. Barbara Sturm - Hyaluronic Serum 10ml; Dr. Dennis Gross - Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel 5 App; Hourglass - Scattered Light Glitter Eyeshadow in Reflect 3.5g; Sol De Janeiro - Bom Dia Bright Cream 75ml; The Ordinary - Caffeine Solution 5% + Egcg, full size - 30ml; Drunk Elephant - O-bloos Rosi Drops & Lala Retro Whipped Cream 5ml + 5ml; Boy Smells - Ash Candle 85g; Anastasia Beverly Hills - Loose Setting Powder- Translucent 6g; Fresh - Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy 2.2g; Caudalie - Beauty Elixir 30ml; Kate Somerville - Goat Milk Moisturizing Cream, full size - 50ml; Dermalogica - Special Cleansing Gel 50ml; Dermalogica – Precleanse Sachet; Dermalogica - Daily Microfoliant Sachet; Rose Inc - Blush Divine Radiant Lip & Cheek Color – Azalea, full size - 4.5g; La Mer - Crème De La Mer Moisturizing Cream 7ml; Medik8 - R-retinoate Day & Night Eye Serum, full size - 15ml; Medik8 - Hydr8 B5 Intense 8ml; Jo Loves - A Pomelo Bath & Shower Gel 75ml; Laura Mercier - Pure Canvas Primer in Blurring 25ml; Sisley - Black Rose Cream Mask 10ml;Sisley - Ecological Compound 10ml; Augustinus Bader - The Rich Cream 15ml; Augustinus Bader - The Face Oil 2.2ml; Nars - Sheer Lipstick in Dolce Vita, full size - 3.5g; Summer Fridays - Jet Lag Mask, full size - 64g
ON SALE DATE: 15th October (available to pre-order)
MORE INFORMATION: SPACE NK The Beauty Advent Calendar 2021, £199 (worth over £700) - Buy here
L’Occitane Reusable Advent Calendar, £160 (worth £236)
THE USP:
L’Occitane have 3 calendars on sale this year, but it’s this reusable offering that’s got us all excited. Packed with the brand’s best sellers, including fan favourite Almond Shower Oil, this canvas calendar is made from recycled cotton and decorated with designs by UK Illustrator Kitty McCall. Restock it next year with L’Occitane goodies (or Quality Street).
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Almond Shower Oil 75ml; Herbae par L'OCCITANE Eau de Parfum 5ml; Shea Intensive Hand Balm Travel Size 50ml; Verbena Shower Gel 70ml; Shea Butter Hand Cream 30ml; Almond Supple Skin Oil 15ml; Intensive Repair Conditioner 75ml; Almond Crunchy Muesli Scrub 15g; Sunday Pinknic Intense Fruity Lipstick; Lavender Foaming Bath 100ml; 15ml Relaxing Pillow Mist; Almond Milk Concentrate 50ml; Shea Ultra Rich Lip Balm Certified Organic 12ml; Divine Cream 8ml; Verbena Eau de Toilette 10ml; Néroli & Orchidée Eau de Toilette 7.5ml; Intensive Repair Shampoo 75ml; Oil-To-Milk Facial Make-up Remover 30ml; Almond Delicious Hands 30ml; Immortelle Essential Water 30ml; Precious Cream 8ml; Shea Butter Foot Cream 30ml; Overnight Reset Serum 5ml; The Petit Remedy 15g.
ON SALE DATE: Now
MORE INFORMATION: L’Occitane Reusable Advent Calendar 2021, £160 (worth £236) – Buy here
La Mer, The World of La Mer Advent Calendar, £435 (worth £586)
THE USP:
Serious about luxury skincare with good eco credentials? Then invest in the jam-packed ‘World of La Mer’. It contains 12 deeply decadent products, including the renowned original, Crème de la Mer - come January 1st you’ll look fresh faced and radiant.
WHAT’S INSIDE:
The Treatment Lotion 30ml; The Tonic 30ml; The Intensive Revitalizing Mask 30ml; The Renewal Oil 5ml; The Revitalizing Hydrating Serum 5ml; The Regenerating Serum 5ml; The Eye Concentrate 5ml; The Neck and Décolleté Concentrate 15ml; The Lip Balm 9gr; The Moisturizing Cool Gel Cream 15ml; The Moisturizing Soft Cream 15ml; Crème de la Mer 15ml.
ON SALE DATE: Now
MORE INFORMATION: The World of La Mer Advent Calendar, £435 (worth £586) - Buy here
Decléor Paris Essential Oils Lab Christmas Advent Calendar, £120 (worth £417)
THE USP:
Described as the equivalent of being handed the ‘keys to the Decléor lab’, this calendar is stocked with the brand’s comforting classics as well as serums and masks that really pack a punch. We’re thrilled it contains a facial massage tool – perfect for de-puffing post-party season.
WHAT’S INSIDE
Neroli Bigarade Cleansing Mousse 50ml; Neroli Bigarade Aromessence Serum 5ml; Neroli Bigarade Light Day Cream 15ml; Green Mandarin Sun-kissed Cream 15ml; White Magnolia Rosy Cream 15ml; Rosemary Black Clay Mask 15ml; Antidote Advanced Concentrate 10ml; Neroli Bigarade Comforting Body Milk 50ml; Neroli Bigarade Bath & Shower Gel 50ml; 1000 Grains Body Exfoliator 50ml; White Magnolia Hand Cream Full-Sized - 50ml; Rosemary White Daily Care Full-Sized - 50ml; Cica Mask Full-Sized - 50ml; Jasmine Eye Cream Full-Sized - 15ml; Cornflower Eye Gel Full-Sized -15ml; Sweet Orange Sleeping Mask Full-Sized - 50ml; White Magnolia Facial Massage Tool; Lavender Fine Shower Gel 50ml; Green Mandarin Aromessence 0,7ml; Lavender Fine Aromessence 0,7ml; Neroli Bigarade Night Balm 2,5ml; Rosemary White Clay Daily Care 2ml; Neroli Bigarade BB Cream 15ml; Neroli Bigarade Cleansing Milk 50ml
ON SALE DATE: Now
MORE INFORMATION: Decléor Paris Essential Oils Lab Christmas Advent Calendar 2021, £120 (worth £417) - Buy here
Fortnum & Mason Beauty Advent Calendar 2021, £225 (worth over £750)
THE USP:
We’re super impressed with Fortnum & Mason’s festive creation. You get 20 full-size products including: Escentric Molecules Eau de Toilette and a Fortnum and Mason Christmas candle, all housed in a fully recyclable box.
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Sol de Janeiro Hair Mask Cream, 75ml; Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream, 25ml; 3Lab WW Face Cream,15ml; Cult51 Night Cream, 20ml; Cult51 Day Cream, 20ml; Instant Effects Instant Eye Lift Serum, 8ml; Escentric Molecules Escentric 05 Eau de Toilette, 30ml; Fortnum & Mason 1707 Lilas Eau de Parfum, 10ml; Dr Vranjes Ginger & Lime Room Spray, 25ml; Dr Vranjes Rosso Nobile Room Spray, 25ml; Fortnum & Mason Votive Christmas Candle, 75g; Bramley Sleep Spray, 100ml; Bramley Mini Calm Balm, 15g; Olverum Nourishing Body Oil, 30ml; Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Gel, 150ml; Aromatherapy Associates Support Breath Bath & Shower Oil, 55ml; Fortnum & Mason Pomegranate Rose Hand Sanitiser, 30ml; Kure Bazaar Organic Cuticle Oil, 10ml; Elizabeth Scarlett Black Bee Velvet Makeup Bag; Gallinée Prebiotic Face Vinegar, 200ml; Gallinée Soothing Cleansing Cream, 200ml; ESPA Positivity Bath & Shower Gel, 50ml & ESPA Soothing Pulse Point Oil, 9ml; ESPA Refining Skin Polish, 55ml; MZ Skin Anti-Pollution Illuminating Eye Mask & MZ Skin Hydra-Bright Golden Eye Treatment Mask; Wildsmith Active Repair Copper Peptide Cream, 15ml
ON SALE DATE: 24th October (available to pre-order)
MORE INFORMATION: Fortnum & Mason Beauty Advent Calendar 2021, £225 worth over £750 – Buy here
Clarins Women’s 12 Day Beauty Advent Calendar, £65 (worth over £123)
THE USP:
Clarins beauty calendars are classics for good reason, and this year it’s bursting with treats including a full size Supra Volume Mascara and Intense Natural Lip Perfector. There’s also a Beauty Flash Balm to brighten and tighten your skin, which will quickly become your best friend during the party season.
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Supra Volume Mascara 01 Intense Black, 8ml - Full size; Intense Natural Lip Perfector 16 Rose Bud, 12ml - Full size; Instant Eye Make-Up Remover, 30ml; Cleansing Micellar Water, 50ml; Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser, 30ml; Beauty Flash Balm, 30ml; Comfort Scrub, 15ml; SOS Hydra Refreshing Hydration Mask, 15ml; Lip Comfort Oil 01 Honey, 2.8ml; Joli Rouge 705 Soft Berry, 1.5g; SOS Primer OO Universal Light, 10ml; Crayon Kohl 01 Carbon Black, 0.4ml.
ON SALE DATE: Now
MORE INFORMATION: Clarins Women’s 12 Day Beauty Advent Calendar, £65 (worth £123) – buy here
By Terry Jewel Exclusive Fantasy Advent Calendar, £169 (Worth £410.70)
THE USP:
No one does opulent, luxurious beauty quite like By Terry, and this year they’ve truly outdone themselves with this deluxe calendar. 2021 may have been a bit of a wash out but here you get a 30ml Tea to Tan so your December can feel a little more Bora Bora than Bognor Regis.
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Baume de Rose Lip Care Stick 2.3g; UV Base 30ml; Baume de Rose Hand Cream 75g; Lash-Expert Mascara 'N°1 Master Black' 8.3g; Lip-Expert Matte in'N°6 Chili Fig' 4.4g; Lip-Expert Matte in 'N°8 Red Shot' 4.4g; Lip-Expert Shine in 'N°3 Rosy Kiss' 4.4g; Crayon Khôl Terrybly in 'N°2 Brown Stellar' 1.2g; Ombre Blackstar in 'N°1 Black Pearl' 1.64g; Baume de Rose Bi-phase Makeup Remover 30ml; Baume de Rose Micellar Water 30ml; Brightening Cc Serum in 'N°4 Sunny Flash' 10ml; Ombre Blackstar in 'N°4 Bronze Moon' 0.9g; Mascara Terrybly in 'N°1 Black Parti-Pris' 4g; Hyaluronic Hydra-Primer 16g; Tea To Tan 30ml; Hyaluronic Hydra-Pressed Powder 2.5g; Hyaluronic Hydra Powder 4g; Baume de Rose Glowing Mask 2ml; Hyaluronic Global Face Cream 5ml; Mini Kabuki Brush; Double Ended Eye Brush; Beauty Sponge; Cheek Brush
ON SALE DATE: October 1st (available to pre-order)
MORE INFORMATION: By Terry Jewel Exclusive Fantasy Advent Calendar, £169 (Worth £410.70) – buy here
Penhaligon’s A Fragrance Countdown, £375
THE USP:
Everyone from fragrance aficionados to simply those with a nose will appreciate this gorgeously scented calendar. It contains miniature versions of the British brand’s most beloved scents, plus luxurious extras including candles and lip balm. There’s so much to spritz here you’ll be smelling divine well into 2022.
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Halfeti 10ml; Quercus 5ml; Brass Evergreen Charm; Lord George 10ml; Anbar Stone 35g Candle; Elisabethan Rose 5ml; Babylon 10ml; Halfeti Body & Hand Wash 30ml; The Favourite 10ml; Halfeti Cedar 5ml;Orange Blossom Lip Balm 15g; Comoros Pearl 35g Candle; Endymion Concentré 5ml; Luna 10ml; Juniper Sling 5ml; Duchess Rose 10ml; Halfeti 5ml;, Endymion 10ml; Roanoke Ivy 35g Candle; Blenheim Bouquet 5ml; Luna Body & Hand Lotion 30ml; Empressa 10ml; Brass Christmas Charm; Maduro Leaf Candle 65g.
ON SALE DATE: Now
MORE INFORMATION: A Fragrance Countdown, £375 – buy here
Harrods Beauty Advent Calendar (worth £1,166)
THE USP:
We had to double check the maths on this, but trust us, the sums add up. This calendar contains a simply incredible £1,166 worth of products. They’re keeping a lid on the price tag, but based on previous years (where they sold out in record time), we predict astonishing value. Don’t walk, run.
WHAT’S INSIDE:
111SKIN Vitamin C Brightening Booster, 20ml; Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Muscle Bath & Shower Oil, 55ml; Augustinus Bader Lip Balm, 4g; Byredo Vetyver Rinse-Free Hand Wash, 30ml; Dermalogica BioLumin-C Eye Serum, 15ml; DR. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Extra Strength Formula, x5; Dr Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Serum, 10ml; Dr Sebagh Rose de Vie Serum, 50ml; Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30, 30ml; Evidens de Beaute The Special Mask, 30ml; Floral Street Discovery Set, 8 x 1.5ml; Fresh Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask, 30ml; Wishful Get Even Rose Oil, 10ml; Iconic London Triple Threat Mascara, 9ml; MZ SKIN Anti-Pollution Illuminating Eye Mask; NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, 3g; Natura Bisse Inhibit Tensolift Neck Cream, 20ml; NIOD Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Complex, 30ml; Omorovicza Thermal Cleansing Balm, 15ml; Oribe Power Drops & Anti-Pollution Booster, 30ml; Rahua Hydration Shampoo and Conditioner, 2 x 22ml; Rodial Glass Primer, 30ml; SLIP Scrunchie Trio; Sunday Riley C.E.O Cream, 50ml
ON SALE DATE: 14th October
MORE INFORMATION: Harrods Beauty Advent Calendar (worth £1,166) – buy here
Assisted by, Clare Pennington
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