The most exciting beauty advent calendars to get you feeling *very* festive

By: Renée Tse - The Kit, Toronto Star Posted: Last Modified:

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Once upon a time, advent calendars were mainly exclusive to chocolate; flimsy cardboard boxes filled with cheap confectionery. Fast-forward to 2021, and there is a festive buffet of extravagant, limited-edition 3-D structures housing delightful beauty surprises catered to whatever the recipients’ interests are. But as one of the hottest commodities during the holiday season, the most-coveted ones are selling out fast (we see you, Chanel), so you’ll want to get yours soon. Here are the nine best beauty advent calendars for everyone on your list.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/10/2021 (1809 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Once upon a time, advent calendars were mainly exclusive to chocolate; flimsy cardboard boxes filled with cheap confectionery. Fast-forward to 2021, and there is a festive buffet of extravagant, limited-edition 3-D structures housing delightful beauty surprises catered to whatever the recipients’ interests are. But as one of the hottest commodities during the holiday season, the most-coveted ones are selling out fast (we see you, Chanel), so you’ll want to get yours soon. Here are the nine best beauty advent calendars for everyone on your list.

The Bay x Lesley Hampton advent calendar, $225, thebay.com

The best variety: Made in collaboration with Anishinaabe fashion designer Lesley Hampton, The Bay’s 25 Beautiful Days calendar features an Anishinaabe phrase, “Mino Bimaadiziwin” (the good life) on the door panel. Giftees will discover a must-have beauty treat a day, from brands like YSL, NARS and Mont Blanc. For every beauty calendar sold, 10 per cent of the sale will be donated to Indspire, a charitable organization supporting Indigenous youth.

- Supplied These are the nine best beauty advent calendars, from fun for teens to the ultimate extravagance.
- Supplied These are the nine best beauty advent calendars, from fun for teens to the ultimate extravagance.

Valmont advent calendar, $460, holtrenfrew.com

The most luxe skin care: Given that this features all of Valmont’s hero products (including the crème de la crème, l’Elixir des Glaciers), we won’t be surprised if they open all the doors at once.

Charlotte Tilbury advent calendar, $250, charlottetilbury.com

The most glam makeup: Have you seen a more bedazzled advent calendar? Probably not. But then again, we expected nothing less from the glammiest celeb makeup artist of them all, Charlotte Tilbury.

Jo Malone advent calendar, $595, jomalone.ca

The best smelling: Blackberry & Bay? Check. Dark Amber & Ginger Lily? That, too. Here it is: The ultimate gift for any fan of the London brand Jo Malone’s iconic fragrances.

Florence by Mills, $160, shop.shoppersdrugmart.ca

The teen score: Need a gift for a teen looking to dip their feet into the world of skin care? Give them this fun 12-day advent calendar from Florence by Mills (Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown‘s brand). It features nine full-sized products — including the Mind Glowing Peel Off Mask, Look Alive Eye Balm and MBB’s personal fave, the Built to Lash mascara — to start stocking their own beauty top shelf with. (Coming soon.)

Net-A-Porter 25 Days of Beauty advent calendar, $433, net-a-porter.com

The cult favourites: Packed with the buzziest beauty brands in the industry, this curated set features cult products like Augustinus Bader’s luxe Rich Cream, Susanne Kaufmann’s indulgent Mallow Bubble Bath and Victoria Beckham Beauty’s sultry lipstick. This will get the beauty lovers’ hearts palpitating.

Kiehl’s advent calendar, $140, kiehls.ca

The most chic: Kiehl’s limited-edition calendar designed by French illustrator Marylou Faure will transport them to the streets of N.Y.C. with its whimsical illustrations. Inside are 24 top-selling formulas (Creme de Corps! Midnight Recovery Oil!), with deluxe travel-friendly packaging perfect to throw into the carry-on for on their next escape.

La Mer advent calendar, $750, saksfifthavenue.com

The ultimate extravagance: This limited-edition green and gold box houses the very best of La Mer, and it may or may not get you the daughter of the year award. (Available only in stores.)

The Body Shop advent calendar, $89, thebodyshop.com

The fun treats: Not only will this blockbuster advent calendar pamper your giftee with head-to-toe skin care treats (like Pink Grapefruit Body Wash and Mango Body Butter) and offer daily suggestions for acts of kindness, but this season The Body Shop will donate $50,000 to The Caring Society to support First Nations youth across the country.

When you make a purchase through the links in this article, we may earn a small commission. Our journalism is independent and not influenced by advertising. Learn more

Renée Tse is the editor of The Kit Chinese edition, based in Toronto. She writes about beauty and fashion. Reach her via email: rtse@thekit.ca

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