Is the build up to Christmas arguably better than the day itself? Perhaps. Who doesn’t love waking up to having a piece of advent calendar chocolate everyday? But then, who wouldn’t love waking up to a small gift everyday? If you didn’t know, chocolate is so last year. It’s all about being counting down with your favourite products because frankly, it’s a lot more fun. We’ve rounded up some beauty must-haves and even a toy alternative for the kids!
Clarins from John Lewis – £95
(Pictured above) Skincare lovers won’t want Christmas to arrive with the Clarins advent calendar, which counts down with 24 treasures to help get perfect skin just in time for Christmas day. Treats include the brand’s best-selling products, so its the ideal calendar to introduce someone to Clarins, if they’ve never used the iconic products before. As well as mini samples, you’ll also receive three full-size products and accessories.
Jo Malone from Beauty Bazaar, Harvey Nichols – £280
Indulge in absolute luxury with a signature surprise in the run up to Christmas. Mini versions of Jo Malone’s famous perfumes and scented body creams come packaged in a quirky Harlequin Christmas set of drawers. This is the perfect calendar for mums who deserve a treat before the big day. At £280, it’s definitely a splurge piece, but there’s 24 products, so you won’t be running out any time soon. There’s very limited stock available, so be quick!
L’Occitane – £42
Indulge in a selection of 24 of L’Occitane’s best sellers, including shower gels, hand creams, lotions, soaps and more. If you were following your nose, this wouldn’t last til Christmas, what with L’Occitane’s divine scents. But it’s worth the willpower to be able to gift yourself with a treat everyday. Tip: their signature hand creams are included in this calendar and they’re the perfect size for popping in your bag for on-the-go or on your desk for a midday nourishing hand treatment.
The Body Shop – from £60
The Body Shop actually has three(!) calendars to choose from, so you can pick whichever suits your budget. Advent indulgence starts from just £60 and going up to £99. Products are worth up to £187, so if you’re a Body Shop fan, this is great value for money. There’s a mix of brand favourites, such as body butters and their Vitamin E range, and makeup must-haves and facial oils. No matter which calendar you choose, there’s 24 days of happiness to open – the hardest part is picking which one to get!
Clinique from Debenhams – £28
This Debenhams exclusive is great if you’re on a budget and just as covetable. 7 Days of Clinique showcases the best of their skincare and colour products at great value for just £28. Save this one for the week before Christmas as an early present to countdown. You know, like a “To me, From me” situation. The gift set includes Clinique’s award-winning moisturiser, Pep-Start eye cream and High Impact Mascara. A* for extremely cute sweetie packaging too.
Tanya Burr from Superdrug – £25
The YouTuber fandom (read: your teenage sister) can rejoice, as Tanya Burr’s 12 Day Beauty Calendar returns for another year. Countdown to the party season with limited edition products from the popular vlogger’s beauty line, which can also be found in Superdrug. It’s all about the eyes, lips and nails, as you’ll open doors to find glitter polishes, lip glosses and party perfect shadows and liners. All with cute names such as “Sleigh Bells” and “Snow Day”, naturally.
LEGO – from £19.95
This is one that you’ll be getting for your little brother/big kid of a boyfriend and then secretly hoping they forget to open it everyday so that you can instead. Behind each door there’s either a mini LEGO figure or object to build. Much more fun that IKEA furniture, we promise. By Christmas day you’ll have a festive scene assembled, almost like a modern day nativity. Except there are no shepherds and EVERYTHING IS AWESOME. Just don’t step on the LEGO. Ouch.
