Simone Gannon: Start the Christmas countdown with these make-up Advent calendars

A first-ever calendar from Sculpted by Aimee, a bargain-busting offering from M&S, and a treasure trove of beauty treats from Charlotte Tilbury, the countdown to Christmas is officially here with Simone Gannon's pick of the best advent calendars.

Fri, 20 Oct, 2023 - 10:32

Simone Gannon

1. Space NK Beauty Advent Calendar

Arguably one of the best advent calendars released every year, Space NK's annual offering is a beauty lover's dream come true and then some.

This year's calendar is no different. It contains a gasp-inducing selection of 33 products (19 of which are full-size) from some incredible brands, including Rare Beauty, Augustinus Bader, Drunk Elephant, Color Wow, Sunday Riley, Necessaire, Olaplex and 111 Skin, to name just a few.

It sells out every year, so if this is on your gift list, snap it up ASAP.

€270 from spacenk.com.

2. Sculpted by Aimee 12 Days of Sculpted Beauty

At the time of writing this piece, Sculpted by Aimee's very first advent calendar is (unsurprisingly) already sold out.

Fingers crossed for a restock (or several) in the coming weeks, as this pink box of joy is waitlist-worthy.

12 Days of Sculpted Beauty contains twelve gorgeous products, a mixture of mini and full-sized across makeup, skincare and tan – and three of them are brand new!

Race you to the checkout.

€90 from sculptedbyaimee.com.

3. Deluxe Rituals Advent Calendar

Bring the spa home (or gift it to someone you love) with Rituals Deluxe Advent Calendar.

It's packed with 24 of Ritual's bestsellers across skincare, body care and fragrance, including four miniature candles: Wild Fig, Smooth Violet, Savage Garden and Orris Mimosa - one for every Sunday of Advent.

This is a luxurious Christmas countdown like no other.

€109.90 from Rituals.

4. M&S Beauty Advent Calendar

It's one of the best-value advent calendars I've come across this year.

Spend €40 at M&S, in-store or online clothing, home or beauty, and get the brand's 2023 Beauty Advent Calendar for just €50 (worth €380).

What a bargain! Especially considering what's inside: 25 mini and full-sized hair, makeup, skincare and body products from brands such as Clinique, L'Occitane, Ren, Benefit Cosmetics, Aveda and This Works, all housed inside a gorgeous vegan leather beauty case.

Available from October 26. €50 when you spend €40 on Clothing, Home & Beauty in store or online.

5. Ella & Jo 12 Days of Skin-Mas Advent Calendar

Another first-ever advent calendar from an excellent Irish brand, Ella & Jo, is out to impress with their 12 Days of Skin-Mas Advent Calendar.

Unwrap gorgeous, glowing skin with 12 days of mini and full-sized treats to pamper and nourish your skin, including the best-selling Melt The Day Away Cleansing Balm, Relax and Renew Night Cream, 3 in 1 Hyaluronic Skin Mist and The Miracle Mask.

Available to pre-order now. Ships from October 24th. €120 from ellaandjo.ie.

6. Charlotte's Lucky Chest of Beauty Secrets

No advent calendar roundup would be complete without Charlotte Tilbury's annual makeup and skincare treasure trove.

Charlotte's Lucky Chest of Beauty Secrets features 12 drawers of her bestselling beauty products.

A full-size Crystal Elixir Magic Lip Oil, Hot Lips Lipstick, mini versions of Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, Magic Cream, Beauty Light Wand in Spotlight, Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara and many more.

A terrific treat for Charlotte Tilbury fans.

€200 from Charlotte Tilbury.

7. Kiehl's Limited Edition Holiday Advent Calendar

According to my math, Kiehl's is saving skincare lovers a fortune with their Limited Edition Holiday Advent Calendar.

Containing 24 products and retailing at €129, that's just over €5 for each product. Yes, please!

All the greats are in there: Ultra Facial Cream, Midnight Recovery Oil, Crème De Corps, Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask, and lots more.

It's the perfect advent calendar for the skincare fan in your life (or yourself! Think of all those Kiehl's products lined up in your bathroom…)

€129 from Brown Thomas.

8. MAC Cosmetics Frosted Frenzy Advent Calendar

If you're all about full-sized treats this festive season, look no further than MAC Cosmetic's Frosted Frenzy Advent Calendar.

Boasting an impressive 21 full-size products and four minis, this is an entirely new makeup collection in one beautiful keepsake box.

Highlights include five full-sized lipsticks, MACStack Mascara, Hyper Real Skincanvas Balm Moisturising Cream and multiple shades of MAC's bestselling eyeshadow pots.