ADVENT calendars have come a long way from the days of simple chocolates and tiny trinkets.
Today, they’re a festive indulgence, filled with everything from high-end skincare to cheese and wine, turning the countdown to Christmas into a luxurious experience.
For 2024, the industry has truly outdone itself, with a range of calendars designed to suit every style, budget and need.
As we approach the festive season, many of the top brands have released their highly anticipated Advent calendars, making it hard to know which ones are worth the investment.
Whether you’re looking to pamper yourself or gift a loved one, these Advent calendars offer more than just daily surprises in the lead-up to Christmas – they’re a great way to explore new products and brands at a fraction of their regular price.
But with so many options out there, it can be hard to know which ones are actually worth it. To help you out, we’ve done the hard work for you by testing and reviewing the best Advent calendars for women in 2024.
Whether you’re looking for a luxurious gift for someone special or a well-deserved treat for yourself, this guide covers the most exciting and indulgent options out there.
From the best in skincare to foodie must-haves, here’s our list of the best Advent calendars for women in 2024, starting with some we’ve personally tried and tested, followed by the best of the rest.
12 best Advent calendars for women, tried and tested
Beauty Bay Advent Calendar
Beauty Bay Advent Calendar 2024, £100 (worth £345)
Pros: Variety of products, great mix of high street and high end brands, full size and travel size, some windows contain two products, compact design
Cons: Some duplicate beauty products
Rating: 5/5
Beauty Bay’s Advent Calendar is one of the best beauty Advent calendars to launch this year, in my opinion, as it covers a variety of beauty categories such as make-up, skincare, haircare, bodycare, fragrance, and even beauty tools.
The bundle is centred around popular brands of the moment, viral products causing a huge storm on social media, beauty trends such as Korean skincare, as well as timeless classics you will use long after the festive period.
Behind the 25 doors are 27 products, which means some doors have double the treats waiting behind them – which is always a winning formula when it comes to beauty advent calendars.
There are some duplicate products, such as two setting sprays, two mascaras and three lip products.
I don’t mind the three lip products (Laneige’s Lip Glowy Balm, Glow Hub’s Collagen Lip Glow and e.l.f.’s Glow Reviver Lip Oil), as the shades are different and some are better suited for the daytime or night.
However, the two setting sprays seem excessive to me, as I rarely get through one in a few months.
Other beauty brands included in this Advent calendar are Dermalogica, Supergoop and The Inkey List, as well as Bubble, Sol de Janeiro, NYX, Kevyn Aucoin, Beauty Works and Bondi Sands – to name a few.
The collection also features three products from Beauty Bay: however, I expected to find more items from Beauty Bay in this bundle, rather than the majority of brands stocked at the online retailer.
Having said that, the products included I have not seen in other festive countdowns this year, and I’d rank them as more versatile for various skin types and for achieving different make-up looks.
If you love all things beauty, this bundle includes everything you need to enjoy a head-to-toe pamper using high-end and more affordable brands, as well as popular items – and for less than buying each item separately.
It’s a great way to sample products or brands you may not have tested before.
Plus there are plenty of full-size items inside too.
Review by Maisie Bovingdon
Amount of items: 27, Delivery time: Free next-day delivery available.
Look Fantastic Advent Calendar
Iconic Beauty Advent Calendar 2024, £100 (worth £565) from Look Fantastic
Pros: Huge range of make-up, skin, hair and body care, impressive saving of £465
Cons: Flimsy drawers, fewer products than some competitors, some drawers are more exciting than others
Rating: 4.5/5
If you’re after bang for your buck, Look Fantastic’s Advent calendar is hard to beat.
The 25-day beauty bonanza is jam-packed with over £565 worth of “genuinely impressive” products, according to our reviewer Mia Lyndon, making it a firm favourite in our reviews year after year.
The 2024 edition continues to deliver, offering a true mix of skincare, makeup and hair care from brands such as Medik8, Estée Lauder and The Ordinary.
“Unlike other Advent calendars, this one isn’t filled with lots of the same type of product, and instead contains a range of goodies, meaning you’re not left with 25 cleansers for your one face,” she noted.
We loved the inclusion of the full-sized Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 59 Perfume Mist and Rituals Ritual of Sakura Scented Candle, which means you’ll be set for stunning scents for the rest of the year.
As our review notes, “the Look Fantastic Advent calendar saves you a whopping 82%, making it one of the best value-for-money beauty calendars 2024”.
Read our Look Fantastic Advent Calendar review here.
Amount of items: 27 Delivery time: Next-day delivery available.
MAC 2024 Advent Calendar 2024
Beauty Advent Calendar, £180 (worth £439)
Pros: 17 full-sized products and an impressive saving
Cons: It’s heavy on the lip products, so those that don’t like wearing lipsticks may feel limited
Rating: 4.5/5
Mac’s beauty Advent calendar has had an upgrade for 2024, with an impressive 17-full-sized products wrapped in the gorgeous gold gift packaging.
Behind the 24 doors you’ll find everything from lipsticks to eyeshadows, a mascara and an eyeshadow, although the focus is definitely on lip products.
There are 10 lip-related products in total with five lipsticks, which is great if you’re looking to try out some new shades, although I was surprised to see no sign of Velvet Teddy despite being MAC’s most iconic shade.
The colour choices throughout feel perfect for creating party season looks, with some everyday essentials thrown in too. The lack of base makeup makes the calendar suitable for all skin tones which is great.
The packaging has definitely had an upgrade for 2024. The luxe-looking gold boxes stacked to look like presents will make the perfect festive decoration, and unlike some beauty Advent calendars, the design is pretty compact so it won’t take up too much space.
Review by Sophie Bates
Number of items: 24, Delivery: Next day delivery available
Glossybox Advent Calendar
Beauty Advent Calendar 2024, £85 (Worth £585) from Glossybox
Pros: Saving of over £500 if you’re a Glossybox subscriber, more affordable than some alternatives, impressive selection of brands
Cons: Heavy, questionable selection of colours
Rating: 4.5/5
If you’re already a fan of its subscription boxes, then the Glossybox Advent calendar will be right up your street.
Offering incredible value with over £440 worth of beauty treats inside, the 2024 edition is filled with a mix of full-sized and deluxe minis from affordable household names like e.l.f and Aveeno to high-end beauty brands including Medik8 and Kate Somerville.
This year’s calendar retails for £85, though Glossybox subscribers can get it for £70. Either way, however, you will save over £500 on products in the Glossybox Advent calendar, with Beauty Box subscribers saving a massive £515.
Our review by Maisie Bovingdon praised the inclusion of the ICONIC London 20-piece eyeshadow palette, which she noted “is filled with neutral and warm tones you can wear for day or night”.
Whilst the eyeshadow palette is a limited-edition product exclusive to the advent calendar, similar palettes from ICONIC London can retail for £47 and above, “which is over half the price of the entire 29-piece calendar – just in case you needed convincing this is a bargain beauty deal,” Maisie added.
Read our full Glossybox Advent Calendar review here.
Amount of items: 29 Delivery time: Standard 2-3 days. Free delivery over £35.
Cult Beauty Advent Calendar
Cult Beauty Advent Calendar, £235 (worth £1,100)
Pros: Sturdy packaging which could be reused, eclectic range of products (with multiple inside some drawers), £10 Cult Beauty voucher when you purchase, golden tickets up for grabs
Cons: Total saving is slightly lower than some competitors, design isn’t very festive, fewer full-size products in comparison to some competitors
Rating: 4.5/5
The Cult Beauty Advent Calendar is an absolute must-have for beauty lovers.
Priced at £235, it features an impressive collection of 40 ‘beauty icons’ with a combined value of £1,100: that’s a total saving of £865!
Our reviewer, Mia Lyndon, was thrilled to discover a variety of products from well-known brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Huda Beauty and Glow Recipe.
An impressive 19 treats behind the 25 doors are full-sized products, while the selection itself is chef’s kiss, according to Maisie.
‘It perfectly balances viral products with the lesser-known, and features an array of fragrance, skin, hair, and body care offerings.’
Day 1 begins with a full-size Krave Beauty Great Barrier Relief Serum (worth £51); a Cult Beauty exclusive that hit UK shores less than a year ago.
And like several beauty calendars this year, it includes a Medik8 product – the H.E.O Mask set, which usually retails for £60 and promises to be a hydrating, rejuvenating one-weekly treatment.
‘I’m calling it — this is one of 2024’s best Advent calendars,’ Maisie concludes.
Read our full Cult Beauty Advent Calendar review here.
Amount of items: 40 Delivery time: Free standard plus next-day delivery available.
Avant Advent Calendar 2024
Dreams Advent Calendar, £99 (worth £807) from Avant
Pros: A selection of luxury beauty products suitable for all skin types, a great option skincare fans
Cons: Only 12 products included
Rating: 4.5/5
Avant’t beauty advent calendar has a great selection of high-end products that skincare fanatics are bound to love.
While some calendars include items that you’ll either use or not at all, the list of products feels like they would be suitable for everyone, with moisturisers, eye creams, lip scrubs and hair creams.
Avant knows how to nail anti-ageing products, so I was glad to see the brand’s Firming Eye Cream, Vitamin C Reset Mask and Advanced Bio Restorative Superfood Facial Oil inside.
This year’s calendar is inspired by dreams, and scanning the QR code on the box will unlock details about each products relation to the theme, along with discount codes for select products.
The Advent calendar definitely ticks the boxes when it comes to gifting, but I’m sure most beauty fans would be tempted to keep Avant’s advent calendar for themselves.
Review by Sophie Bates
Number of items: 12, Delivery: Next day delivery available
Charlotte Tilbury Advent Calendar
Treasure Chest of Love 2024 Beauty Advent Calendar, £170 (worth £243) from Charlotte Tilbury
Pros: Good range of products including skincare and makeup, beautiful reusable box
Cons: Mostly includes travel-size products, missing some key hero products, only 12 days
Rating: 4/5
Charlotte Tilbury’s Advent calendar is the epitome of indulgence, and 2024 brings another showstopper.
Packed with 12 of Charlotte’s best-loved products, including full-sized skincare essentials and mini makeup treats, this calendar is a must-have for any beauty aficionado.
In our review, the standouts were a 15ml Charlotte’s Magic Cream – the full-sized version alone is worth £79 – and a full-sized Beauty Light Wand.
Writer Zoe Bennetts also loved the travel-sized Pillow Talk Lipstick, perfect for parties throughout the festive season.
As mentioned in our review, “the Advent calendar strikes the perfect balance of skincare vs makeup. Many on the market often go too heavy on one and forget about the other, while Charlotte Tilbury’s Love Chest provides a full selection.”
It’s more on the side of investment price, but our reviewer notes: “I would say it is good value for money in terms of the products you get, especially for Charlotte Tilbury fans.”
With the full-sized products alone valued at over £240, this calendar offers great value for those looking to treat themselves to some high-end beauty luxuries this Christmas.
Read our Charlotte Tilbury Advent Calendar review here.
Amount of items: 12 Delivery time: Express delivery available.
Lovehoney Advent calendar
Shop Lovehoney sex toy Advent calendars
Pros: Excellent value for money, contains more than just sex toys, helpful manuals included
Cons: You may not want to use every toy included
Rating: 4/5
If you’re looking to spice up the cold months, then it’s worth taking a cheeky glance at Lovehoney’s lineup of Advent calendars.
The risqué retailer has a trio of calendars to choose from this year and our writer Olivia Perl tested two of them: the Lovehoney 24-Day X Womanizer Couple’s Sex Toy Advent Calendar, and the Lovehoney Indulge Sex Toy Advent Calendar, which is a 12-day calendar tailored towards solo pleasure.
Summarising her review, Olivia wrote: “Discreet delivery, high-quality products, good aftercare instructions and something for everyone; I can’t think of a better way to count down to Christmas.”
For more information, read our Lovehoney Advent Calendar review.
Amount of items: 12 or 24, Delivery time: Next-day delivery available.
Space NK Advent Calendar
Beauty Advent Calendar, £250 (Worth £1,200) from Space NK
Pros: Multiple products on some days, excellent range of products from best-selling brands, whopping 79% saving
Cons: Paper boxes rather than sturdy drawer
Rating: 4/5
Space NK’s Advent calendar is a beauty lover’s dream come true, and the 2024 edition offers £1200 worth of products.
Featuring 25 drawers filled with luxury beauty products from brands such as Augustinus Bader, Olaplex and Rare Beauty, it’s an excellent option if you’re looking to explore top-tier skincare and makeup.
Our top picks from the calendar include the Drunk Elephant Polypeptide Cream and the Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense serum, which made a big splash in our tester Mia’s morning routine.
It’s definitely at the higher end of the price scale at £250, but with the sheer volume of premium products you get (a huge 35!), plus the overall value of the Advent calendar, the Space NK Advent calendar would still be worth the investment for beauty fans.
Likening it to a “beauty hall of fame”, Mia wrote: “Bursting with crowd-pleasing beauty goodies, this is one of the best-curated Advent calendars I’ve ever reviewed”.
Read our full Space NK Advent Calendar review here.
Amount of items: 35, Delivery time: Next-day weekday delivery available.
Holland & Barrett Advent calendar
Beauty Advent Calendar 2024, £45 (worth £219) from Holland & Barrett
Pros: Weighty, has 26 items including some full size, good mix of Holland & Barrett own-brands and other top names
Cons: Less suitable if you want makeup items
Rating: 4/5
E-commerce editor Chantelle Symester is a big skincare fan and likes the wide variety of ‘eco’ brands that Holland & Barrett stocks, so she expected to like this Advent calendar from the jump.
First off, this is a weighty package and it is fairly large, which many people will appreciate and adds to the specialness of the whole Advent experience.
Chantelle also loved the simple two-drawer design of the calendar, which is neat and easy to open or store away when not in use.
Impressively, 16 out of the 26 items are full-sized, with a good mix of products for face, body and general wellness included.
Chantelle loves Trilogy and Weleda and was very pleased to see items from both brands inside, alongside some lesser-known brands like Disciple she could try for the first time.
You get value for money with this calendar as the total contents are worth £219 but the calendar only costs £45, which is considerably cheaper than other beauty Advent calendars out there.
It’s probably not the right Advent for you if you are a makeup lover, but if you enjoy trying out different skin and body care items you will love the selection on offer.
Amount of items: 26 Delivery time: Free standard delivery, plus next-day delivery available
Rituals Classic Advent Calendar
Rituals Classic Advent Calendar, £91.90 (worth £166.90)
Pros: Festive packaging, varied fragrances (not all just festive), unique and rare gifts inside, unisex contents, daily descriptions behind each door explaining the product and its function
Cons: Heavy, majority of items are miniature, expensive in comparison to others, some duplicate products
Rating: 4/5
The Rituals Classic Advent Calendar is a luxurious way to treat yourself throughout the festive season.
Priced at £91.90, it’s the cheapest of the Dutch brand’s four Advent calendars for 2024 – yet still manages to save you £75, compared to buying each product individually.
The Advent contains 24 of Rituals’ bestsellers, offering great value for the price.
Our reviewer, Maisie Bovingdon, loved the premium packaging and the fact the calendar features ‘a mix of shower foams, which are my favourite products from Rituals.’
Great care and attention has gone into the calendar to make it as festive as possible, too.
‘Even Day 11’s Micellar water has a festive spin. Rituals has infused it with holy lotus, which is a subtle Christmassy nod,’ Maisie notes.
Featuring an array of body scrubs, lotions, haircare, fragrances, hand care and so much more, it’s the perfect treat for Rituals fans – and indeed, anyone wanting to sample the brand’s range of luxury products for the first time.
Read our full Rituals Classic Advent Calendar review here.
Amount of items: 24, Delivery time: Free standard plus next-day delivery available.
Boots 24 Days of Beauty Christmas Advent Calendar
Boots 24 Days of Beauty Christmas Advent Calendar, £99 (Worth £362.15)
Pros: One of the most affordable beauty calendars on the market, compact design, good balance of make-up, skin, hair, and body care products
Cons: Half of its contents are travel or sample-size, basic unfestive design, inner boxes are flimsy and tricky to remove
Rating: 3.5/5
The Boots 24 Days of Beauty Christmas Advent Calendar is a brilliant pick for beauty enthusiasts looking to pick up one of the more affordable Advent calendars on the market.
Priced at £99, it offers a hefty value of over £360, with a fantastic assortment of brands like Sol de Janeiro, Fenty and Laura Mercier.
Each of the 24 boxes unveils a beauty treat, ranging from skincare essentials to makeup and pampering treats.
‘Starring a cult perfume, sculpting moisturiser, and (arguably) the world’s most-wanted body cream, the products inside the Boots Beauty Advent Calendar are posher than you’d expect,’ says our reviewer, Mia Lyndon.
With its minimalist design made from 24 cardboard boxes, it’s admittedly not the most festive of calendars out there – ‘but its product lineup speaks for itself,’ notes Mia.
It’s perfect for anyone who loves exploring new beauty goodies or stocking up on favourites like No7 and Soap & Glory.
With its impressive value and variety, it’s sure to add a bit of magic to your holiday season.
Read our full Boots 24 Days of Beauty Christmas Advent Calendar review here.
Amount of items: 24, Delivery time: Free standard delivery, plus next-day available
PrettyLittleThing Advent Calendar 2024
Beauty Advent Calendar, £55 (worth £195)
Pros: Products from a range of brands including Bondi Sands, Carmex and Starskin
Cons: More everyday items than beauty products such as hair clips and makeup sponges
Rating: 3/5
PrettyLittleThing’s advent calendar has a mix of tanning, makeup and skincare products, along with some handy everyday essentials.
I was impressed to see items from Bondi Sands, St Tropez and Tanologist included, with some other popular products in the mix too, including Carmex lip balm and Star Skin eye patches.
The brands included are very similar to last year’s Advent calendar, although the products from each brand does vary slightly. I could see this being a great gift for teens, and the eyelash curler, makeup sponges and hair clips will all come in handy throughout the year.
Review by Sophie Bates
Number of items: 24, Delivery: Next day delivery available
Revolution Advent Calendar
Revolution Beauty Advent Calendar 2024, £48 (Worth £100)
Pros: Includes make-up products as well as tools such as a brush and beauty blender, a variety of timeless shades, affordable
Cons: No skincare included, no mascara included, excess of lip products
Rating: 3/5
For those shopping on a budget, the Revolution Advent calendar is a beauty steal at just £48 – it’s even available at certain retailers for less with a discounted deal.
It’s packed with 25 days of makeup surprises, from lip glosses to eyeshadow palettes and worth nearly £100, meaning a saving of over £50.
As our review mentioned, “If you’re looking for a vegan and cruelty-free make-up-filled advent calendar, want to specifically test products from Revolution or overhaul your beauty regime, you’ve struck gold with this festive countdown”.
Favourite items include the mini Reloaded Palette, featuring soft pink and purple tones that’s exclusive to the Revolution Beauty Advent Calendar, and the mini Loose Baking Powder perfect for finishing your Christmas or New Year’s Eve party looks.
Amount of items: 25 Delivery time: Next-day delivery available.
Advent calendars for women: best of the rest
Diptyque Advent Calendar
Diptyque Paris Advent Calendar 2024[/caption]
Diptyque Paris Advent Calendar, £390
If you’re a fan of luxurious home fragrance, Diptyque’s Advent calendar should be high on your wish list for when it becomes available in October.
Known for its iconic candles, the 2024 edition of Diptyque’s Advent calendar includes 25 delightful scented miniatures, including votives, eau de toilettes and body care products.
This year, there’s a focus on festive fragrances like L’Eau Papier and Feu de Bois, ensuring that your home will smell divine throughout the winter season.
Though the price tag is steep, the Diptyque Advent calendar is truly a work of art, with beautiful packaging that doubles as a keepsake box to use long after the countdown to Christmas has ended.
Each day feels like a slice of luxury, making it the perfect treat for candle connoisseurs or those who appreciate premium fragrances.
M&S Beauty Advent Calendar
Marks & Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar 2024[/caption]
Marks & Spencer Beauty Advent Calendar, £50 when you spend £35 on clothing, home or beauty (Available 24 October)
M&S has become a staple in the beauty Advent calendar scene, and 2024 is no exception.
This year’s edition offers over £300 worth of products for just £50, provided you spend £30 in-store or online.
It’s a brilliant option for savvy shoppers who want to score luxury beauty bargains at a fraction of the price.
Inside, you’ll find an impressive mix of hair care brands such as Color WOW, Aveda and Living Proof, with full-sized and deluxe minis to try.
For skincare lovers, the Clinique Take the Day Off Balm is a standout product, perfect for achieving radiant skin in the colder months.
Plus with make-up favourites such as Benefit’s Fan Fest mascara, which is worth £27 alone, and 11 full-sized products, you’re getting an affordable calendar that doesn’t skimp on quality.
Kiehl’s Advent Calendar
Kiehl’s Open for Advent-ure Calendar 2024, £118
Skincare lovers, this one’s for you. Kiehl’s Advent calendar is back for 2024, featuring 24 of the brand’s best-selling products.
Known for their efficacious formulas, Kiehl’s is a great choice if you want to level up your skincare routine.
The Midnight Recovery Concentrate and Ultra Facial Cream are just two of the hero products inside that’ll keep your skin looking and feeling hydrated throughout the festive season.
Whilst it may not have the razzle-dazzle of some more makeup-heavy calendars, this one is perfect for skincare enthusiasts looking for high-quality formulations to see them through the winter.
Plus it comes in a limited-edition box designed by studio Public/Official.
John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar
John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar 2024[/caption]
John Lewis Beauty Advent Calendar 2024, £195
John Lewis has become a major player in the beauty Advent calendar scene, and its 2024 offering is a testament to why the brand is so popular.
Featuring products from premium brands such as Neom, Charlotte Tilbury, Sunday Riley and Ouai, this calendar is packed with indulgent treats to pamper yourself throughout the season.
What we love about the John Lewis calendar is the mix of skincare, makeup and home fragrance – perfect for anyone who loves a bit of variety.
With 32 full-sized and deluxe products, this calendar offers a luxurious way to explore some of the best beauty brands available at John Lewis.
Ideal for those who love high-end beauty and want a well-rounded calendar with a range of products.
Sephora Advent Calendar
Sephora Beauty Advent Calendar 2024[/caption]
Sephora Favorites Advent Calendar 2024, £199 (Worth over £1,000)
The iconic beauty giant Sephora is back with its 2024 Advent calendar, and it’s an absolute treat for makeup lovers.
The 24-day calendar includes products from Sephora Collection, offering a mix of full-sized and deluxe items across skincare, make-up and bath products.
Some standout items include products from best-selling brands such as Glow Recipe, Glossier, Rare Beauty and Makeup By Mario.
The Sephora Advent calendar might be at the higher end of the scale, but with 40 products, 24 of which are full-sized, is an excellent introduction to some of the beauty industry’s top stars.
Jo Malone Advent Calendar
Jo Malone London Advent Calendar 2024[/caption]
Jo Malone London Advent Calendar 2024, £360
Jo Malone is synonymous with sophisticated fragrances, and its 2024 Advent calendar is nothing short of luxurious.
Filled with a selection of mini colognes, candles and body care products, the calendar is likely to bring together some of the brand’s most beloved scents such as Pomegranate Noir, Lime Basil & Mandarin and English Pear & Freesia, as well as potentially some new scents for Christmas.
If you’re looking to elevate your fragrance game or gift someone a truly indulgent experience, Jo Malone’s Advent calendar will not disappoint.
It’s a pricey option, but for those who love premium fragrances, it’s the ultimate festive treat.
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