Best Beauty Advent Calendars 2024: Top Picks and Buying Guide

Makeup and Beauty Advent Calendars 2024: The Ultimate Guide

Every holiday season, beauty advent calendars become one of the most eagerly anticipated releases, offering beauty enthusiasts the chance to discover new products and luxury brands at exceptional value. For 2024, the options are more lavish, creative, and gift-worthy than ever. This comprehensive guide highlights the very best makeup and beauty advent calendars for 2024, including must-know details on value, content, top brands, and shopping tips for securing these coveted boxes before they sell out.

Why Beauty Advent Calendars Are the Holiday’s Hottest Gift

Beauty advent calendars have rapidly evolved from niche luxury treats into mainstream holiday essentials. Each December, these calendars deliver a daily dose of surprise, packed with deluxe minis and full-size products from coveted brands. Whether you are treating yourself or searching for the perfect present, beauty advent calendars offer exceptional value compared to buying products individually, making them a savvy investment for skincare, makeup, haircare, or fragrance aficionados alike.

• Unique variety: Experience a curated collection of bestselling and new launches.
• Great value: Get more for your money, with boxes often valued at 3–4x their retail price.
• Perfect for gifting: Stylishly packaged and universally appreciated, these calendars never fail to delight.
• Discover new brands: Explore top and emerging brands you might never have tried.

2024’s Best Beauty Advent Calendars: Editor-Approved Picks

This year, the beauty advent calendar market is packed with options for every taste and budget. From makeup and skincare super-boxes to hair, fragrance, and even wellness surprises, here are the standout launches you need to know about—complete with pricing, value breakdowns, and star inclusions.

Cult Beauty Advent Calendar 2024

Release Date: Available now
Number of Products: Classic Curation – 34 (20 full-size), Limited Edition – 40 (21 full-size)
Value: Classic over £1,100; Limited Edition over £1,200
Price: £240

The Cult Beauty Advent Calendar reigns supreme again in 2024. This year, there are two main versions:

• Classic Curation: 34 products, including 20 full-size icons for face, hair, and skin.
• Limited Edition Curation: 40 show-stopping products, with 21 full-size items and a curated fragrance edit for ultimate indulgence.

Top new launches, exclusive beauty must-haves, and even a few surprise £1,000 gift vouchers in select boxes add extra allure to Cult Beauty’s offering. Highlights include:

• Summer Fridays Jet Lag Hydrating Mist
• Gisou Honey Infused Lip Oil in ‘Cherry on the Cake’
• K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Molecular Repair Mask
• Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand
• Huda Beauty Faux Filler Gloss
• Paula’s Choice Advanced Moisturiser
• Natasha Denona Mini Xenon Palette
• A mix of trending skincare, makeup, and haircare

Insider Tip: The Cult Beauty Advent Calendar frequently sells out within days of restock—set your alerts and shop quickly if you spot availability.

ASOS Face + Body Advent Calendar 2024

Release Date: Available now
Number of Products: 26 (15 full-size)
Value: £400
Price: £98

The ASOS Face + Body Calendar is beloved by last-minute shoppers and bargain hunters alike. Bursting with 26 products, including cult favorites and TikTok hero items from major names like:

• Charlotte Tilbury
• MAC
• Laneige
• Sol de Janeiro

With an impressive split of 15 full-size products and an ultra-convenient delivery window, this is the ideal choice for anyone looking to sample a variety of brands at an affordable price.

Boots 24 Days of Skincare Advent Calendar 2024

Release Date: Available now
Number of Products: 24
Price: £70

The Boots 24 Days of Skincare Calendar champions popular and up-and-coming brands from Boots’ legendary aisles. It especially delights K-beauty fans, with hidden gems from Round Lab and Anua, alongside buzzworthy favorites like Byoma and Bubble. A perfect intro to skincare lovers wanting to upgrade their daily routine.

Boots 24 Beauty Stars Advent Calendar 2024

Release Date: Available now
Number of Products: 24
Value: £600
Price: £150

The Boots 24 Beauty Stars box is the retailer’s hero calendar, offering a premium unboxing experience with products spanning makeup, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. Major brands like Drunk Elephant, NARS, Sol de Janeiro, Fenty, and Wella decorate the line-up, making this a treat for anyone seeking a luxurious assortment.

Anthropologie Beauty Advent Calendar 2024

Release Date: Sign up to AntroPerks for early access
Number of Products: 24 (11 full-size)
Value: £365
Price: £98

Anthropologie’s much-lauded calendar stands out for its eye-catching Nephthys-designed packaging and whimsical graphics. With 24 curated beauty surprises—11 of which are full size—this box boasts a strong wellness focus in addition to skincare, hair, makeup, and fragrance samples. Star inclusions range from L’Occitane and Wonderskin to BeautyWorks and Malin + Goetz. Select lucky recipients may even discover bonus ‘golden ticket’ prizes inside!

How to Choose the Perfect Beauty Advent Calendar

Choosing the right beauty advent calendar is about more than just the price tag. Here’s what to consider when picking your box this year:

• Product Mix: Assess if the calendar’s content leans toward makeup, skincare, haircare, or fragrance depending on your preferences.
• Full-Size vs Mini: Full-size items add value and longevity, while minis are ideal for trying new products or traveling.
• Brand List: Check which brands are included—are they cult-favorites, high-end, K-beauty, or emerging?
• Box Design: Packaging matters—some calendars double as keepsake storage (or add a decorative touch to your holiday display).
• Exclusives & Extras: Some boxes offer exclusive shades, golden tickets, or high-value vouchers for use after December—these can add significant bonus value.

Release Dates and How to Secure Your Calendar

Beauty advent calendars are notoriously fast sellers, with the most famous boxes like Cult Beauty and Anthropologie often gone within hours of release. To maximize your chances:

• Join retailer waitlists for notifications and early shopping access
• Sign up for loyalty programs (like AntroPerks at Anthropologie or early bird lists on Boots/Cult Beauty)
• Follow official brand social media for secret drops and announcements
• Prepare your payment info and log in ahead of release times
• Act quickly — hesitation can mean missing out

2024 Beauty Advent Calendars: Comparison Table

Editor Tips: Saving Money and Maximizing Value

• Shop early during pre-order periods to lock in your box before public release.
• Check multiple retailers for exclusive codes or free gifts with purchase.
• Look out for calendars with redeemable vouchers, added value, or future discounts—these often offset the initial spend in January sales.
• If you only want products from certain categories, consider swapping unopened items with friends or reselling to recoup costs.

Expert Reviews: What Makes a Beauty Advent Calendar Worth Buying?

Consulting beauty editors and influencers, here are expert insights on what distinguishes a truly exceptional calendar:

• Quality over Quantity: A smaller calendar packed with full-size or high-value products usually trumps a larger box of samples and sachets.
• Brand Exclusivity: Limited edition shades or early access products create extra buzz and future collectible appeal.
• Thoughtful Curation: Editors recommend calendars that balance categories (not just 24 lip balms!) and include at least a handful of premium or trending brands worth trying.
• Sustainable Packaging: Companies are increasingly designing reusable boxes, making these calendars stylish keepsakes long after Christmas.

FAQs: Beauty Advent Calendars 2024

Q: Which calendar has the best value for money?

A: Cult Beauty consistently offers the highest value versus retail, with their Classic and Limited Edition Curation boxes delivering £1,100–£1,200 worth of top-tier products for £240.

Q: Are there any vegan or cruelty-free advent calendars in 2024?

A: Yes, both Cult Beauty and Anthropologie routinely highlight brands and inclusions that are vegan, cruelty-free, or have a strong clean beauty focus. Always check the individual product list for details.

Q: Do I need to sign up or register to buy certain calendars?

A: For the Anthropologie calendar, you may get early or exclusive shopping access by signing up for AntroPerks or joining retailer waitlists before launch day.

Q: What are the most exciting new brands featured this year?

A: With launches from Summer Fridays, Byoma, Round Lab, Wonderskin, and returning favorites like Charlotte Tilbury, MAC, and NARS, there is strong diversity across all price points, with a special push for K-beauty and indie wellness lines.

Q: Will more calendars be released closer to December?

A: Some retailers stagger releases and may announce bonus drops in October or November. Sign up for store emails and monitor social media for latest updates and restocks.

Final Thoughts: Are Beauty Advent Calendars Worth It?

If you love discovery, value, and surprise, beauty advent calendars are a must-buy for 2024. Whether you’re investing in the ultra-premium Cult Beauty or snapping up a budget-friendly pick from ASOS or Boots, these calendars offer a unique way to sample the best the beauty world has to offer—while adding festive cheer to your daily routine. Act fast, choose wisely, and be ready to unwrap something unforgettable every day in December!