My (Very Early) Predictions for the Best Beauty Advent Calendars of the Year
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Aswe reported last week, Advent calendars have already started to arrive. Usually they land in early-to-mid-October, but this year the timeline has been pushed up to mid-September, similar to how the good Halloween decorations now pop up in July. The Liberty Advent calendar is already live, as is the Anthropologie one, both of which tend to sell out long before Christmas. Lots of the other calendars go on sale after September 15, and I expect those will go quickly too. As always, the deals vary. Some of the calendars contain lots of full-size products, while others have an assortment of travel and mini sizes for a wide range of brands. Like last year, I’ll be updating this often and making note as new calendars launch or sell out.
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The Liberty London Advent calendar essentially invented the category. It was a big hit when it was released in 2014, prompting other department stores, and eventually brands, to launch their own. Every year, the brand tries to one-up itself, this year there are 29 products, 21 of which are full-size valued at over $1,700, which Liberty says is its highest yet. The haul this year is pretty good. There are a couple fragrances, including the beloved Escentric Molecules Molecule One, a facial oil from Augustinus Bader, and the Miracle Balm from Jones Road, an allover product that has amassed a following among beautyheads.
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In recent years, Liberty has also introduced a men’s calendar. The 2026 calendar has fewer full-size products — 14 instead of 21 — but still contains some exciting stuff like a very fancy lip balm from La Mer, a hyaluronic acid serum from Paula’s Choice, and Loewe perfume.
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The Selfridge’s calendar has a little bit of everything. There’s an eye shadow from the newly relaunched Marc Jacobs Beauty, a body brush, and the new glossy Laneige Lip Balm alongside 30 other full-size products. Valued at $1,700, the box is $338 (converted from pounds) and one of the best deals I’ve seen this season.
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The Anthropologie Advent calendar is massively popular — it’s often one of the first to sell out. It’s also one of the best. This year’s is packed with Strategist-approved products, including Verb Ghost Oil, Supergoop Play lotion, Vacation’s nice-smelling sunscreen oil, and Salt & Stone’s deodorant.
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For a less-expensive option, Anthropologie also makes a 12-day version that’s half the price. This one has an entirely different selection of products, so you could double up if you wanted. It’s currently available for preorder and starts shipping around September 24.
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A mix of Lush’s greatest hits, the 25-day Advent calendar is a nice assortment of the brand’s offerings. There’s a hair primer, scented candle, body lotion, and lots of bath bombs, which will take care of your bath routine for the month and beyond. Most years, the Advent calendar comes in a decorative box, but this year’s comes in a handwoven Grinch-green basket that can be used after the gifts run out.
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If the most exciting part of Lush’s Advent calendar is the bath bombs, this one might be more appealing. It contains 25 fizzy bath bombs and is slightly cheaper than the bigger calendar. This one is also available for preorder but ships a bit earlier, starting on September 14.
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We’ve written about the Elemis cleansing balm a bunch. It gently removes makeup and SPF — actress Abby Elliott even uses it to take off the false lashes she wears on set. Get a full size of the balm in this calendar, along with 24 other Elemis products.
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L’Occitane has a few Advent calendars at different retailers this season, but I’m most excited about the premium one on its website. It contains a full-size shower oil (a staple in my shower routine), an assortment of hand creams in the brand’s popular scent, and a suite of body products in travel sizes so you can test them out.
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This year’s Jo Malone Advent calendar comes in a gift-worthy trunk, with each surprise wrapped in plaid. There are 24 days of minis, ranging from travel-size candles to hand creams, and culminates in a full-size cologne on the 25th.
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The Charlotte Tilbury Advent calendar regularly sells out by Christmas, and this year it may go even faster. For the first time, it contains two accessories: a makeup bag and a gua sha, compelling additions for fans of the brand.
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The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
