Which beauty Advent calendars are worth the splurge? I tested 20 to find the best in the UK for 2026

Christmas is getting closer, and this year’s calendars are already on sale. From bargain buys and cult favourites to cruelty-free picks, here are the ones we rate the most

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Christmas may still be weeks away, but the festive season has already begun for fans of beauty Advent calendars. Most of this year’s calendars are now on sale, and many of the most popular could sell out long before Whamageddon claims its first victim.

So, much as it pains me to say it, now might be a good time to buy one. Below, you’ll find my favourites, from bargain beauty Advent calendars under £50 to three-figure luxuries. I’ve tested 20 to find calendars packed with cult-favourite products suitable for a whole spectrum of skin types and preferences. I also looked at the packaging and broad appeal of each calendar to help minimise waste.

I’ve covered a wide range of beauty Advent calendars and updated the list as new ones have been released, so there should be something below to tickle everyone’s fancy.

I test beauty products for a living, which means I’ve worked my way through more skincare, makeup, hair care, perfume and nail care products than I dare to count. Working in this industry has shown me the very best and absolute worst of what’s out there. I know how to spot a good product when I see one, even if it’s tucked away in the corner of a beauty Advent calendar.

I also have a certification in cosmetic science, so I know how to identify products suited to different skin and hair types. I’ve struggled with sensitive skin for years, so I keep a close eye out for ingredients that might irritate. The calendars below are all full of products suitable for most people to minimise waste.

Heaps of Advent calendars are released every year. To help find the best, I longlisted 30 before testing the 20 that offer the best range of products and value for money.

Testing them lets me assess the quality of each calendar and its contents, as well as the packaging it arrives in. If the calendar itself is recyclable but arrives shrouded in plastic bags and polystyrene, that lands it firmly on my ‘naughty’ list and I’ve made a note of it in my write-up. I also check that each calendar is made from packaging that is recyclable at home or genuinely reusable.

It’s impossible to test every product inside every calendar – I only have one face, after all – but I judge each calendar based on the range, quality and usefulness of the products inside. Broad appeal is key to avoiding wasted products, and luckily, this is how most Advent calendars are designed.

I look for a good mix of skincare, makeup, body care, hair care and nail care, unless a calendar is specifically dedicated to a certain product type. I also check how easy it is to incorporate each product into a typical routine. Too many harsh treatments or bold makeup shades would be less appealing than a calendar with a more approachable lineup.

This helps me assess how broadly usable the contents are and how much is likely to go to waste. While beauty Advent calendars can’t be considered eco-friendly, it’s important to minimise waste where possible.

Each year I end up with far more products than one woman can reasonably use. This year, I donated the contents of the calendars to the Redbridge Reach Out service, which supports anyone experiencing domestic abuse.

For more, read Sali Hughes’s guide to the best anti-ageing creams, serums and treatments

This depends entirely on your beauty routine and how much you enjoy experimenting with new products. If you like high-end, luxury beauty, then beauty Advent calendars can be a great way to get expensive products bundled together for a lower cost. It’s also an opportunity to try luxe brands without committing to buying full-size products.

The first risk is you end up spending a lot of money on products you won’t use. To avoid this, think about the elements of your beauty routine you would like to switch up. If there’s anything you’re staunchly loyal to – certain skincare brands, for example – think twice before buying a skincare Advent calendar.

There’s also the environmental impact of any products you don’t use, so it’s worth considering either donating them unopened to charity or giving them to any other beauty lovers in your circle.

There is a huge range of beauty Advent calendars available, from below £20 to over £500. That chasmic difference in cost makes a big difference to the products inside. Entry-level calendars offer mostly mini-size products from high-street beauty brands. Some more affordable calendars also offer 12 doors, for the 12 days of Christmas, rather than 24.

With the £20-£60 bracket covered by budget brands, the mid-range contenders sit somewhere between £61 and £150. These calendars tend to offer more full-size products than lower-priced calendars from mid-range brands. Unless you’re a big fan of one particular brand, the best way to try lots of new skincare, makeup and hair care is to choose a calendar from a beauty retailers such as Lookfantastic and Anthropologie, which offer curated calendars with a selection of brands. Most beauty fans will find something suitable in this price bracket.

Spend between £151 and £275, and you can expect to find calendars filled with mainly full-size products, whether from mid-range or luxury brands or higher-end beauty retailers such as Cult Beauty and Space NK.

If you’re hoping for full-fat luxury at full-fat prices, you can spend over £250 and grab a calendar from super-high-end retailers such as Selfridges and Liberty, or premium brands such as Diptyque. These tend to contain higher-value products, with some brands claiming a total value of more than £1,000. Just be sure to triple-check the contents all appeal to you before spending this much.

Unlike edible Advent calendars, which can be packed up and filled with the same chocolates year after year, beauty Advent calendars take months of planning and coordination. As you’re opening the 2026 calendar, most brands will already be deep in planning what to include in 2027.

By opening waiting lists early, brands are able to better plan the number of calendars they need to make, and ensure they have enough time to send them out before 1 December.

In the US? Check our US beauty Advent calendars guide here

Sarah Matthews is a consumer journalist who specialises in giving health and beauty recommendations. She’s tested her way through more makeup, skincare and hair care than you can shake a stick at