If you have a beauty lover in your life who deserves a last-minute treat — or maybe you want to give yourself something fun for the festive period — we’ve narrowed down the best value-for-money buys for beauty treats all month long.
Black Friday sales are everywhere ahead of the actual date on the 28th November, and when it comes to buying beauty advent calendars, this is the one time it really pays off to shop last-minute.
Whether it’s for yourself or a loved one, an advent calendar full of great items can really bring an extra bit of luxury to every (rather chilly) day of the festive season. But which are most worth your money? Scroll on to find our pocket-friendly beauty advent calendar picks (spoilers incoming!)
Macmillan 24 Doors Of Joy Beauty Advent Calendar — currently £44, RRP £90
- Product value: £163
- Saving: £119 or 73%
This year’s offering from Macmillan and Boots gives a little back if you buy it, with £2 from each calendar going to Macmillan Cancer Support. With products ranging from Liz Earle to Soap & Glory (and, of course, a lot of No7), there’s something for everyone in this pretty lavender-coloured box.
With classic favourites like a mini version of the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (and the pure cotton cloth that it comes with) and the Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic, it’s great for skincare while also including a good range of tools, such as tweezers and an eyelash curler.
Top Sante verdict
Great as a gift, this charity box gives a wide range of products from makeup, skincare, and bath and body. Not the most tempting when full price, but now’s the perfect time to snap it up for less.- £2 from every calendar sold goes to Macmillan Cancer Support
- A good mix of products and tools
- Several different brands included, lots of old favourites
- When sold at full price, it is less value-for-money
No7 Pro Artist 12 Days of Glamour Advent Calendar — currently £36, RRP £45
- Product value: £160
- Saving: £124 or 77.5%
At £36 (on sale) this is one of the cheapest calendars on our list, but it doesn’t skimp out on quality for the price. The compromise comes in the number of products instead, with just 12 items — small when compared to the other 24- and 25-product calendars we mention here, though still an acceptable number.
Perfect for the makeup lover in your life, this box contains a range of products which, when worn together, provide a warm-toned and well-put-together look. There’s nothing particularly creative, but most of the products are full-size and decently rated from Boots’ own brand.
The only weird caveat is that this comes with a voucher for a free mascara, which means you (or your giftee) will likely have to make an extra trip out of the house during a busy period in order to claim it. If that’s no problem for you, though, this could be worth a shout!
Top Sante verdict
If you’re looking to give something luxe for less to the makeup lover in your life (and avoid cheap waste), this could do the trick.- A good amount of full-size products
- Easy to make a cohesive makeup look with just these products
- Only lasts for 12 days
- No mascara included — though there is a voucher to buy one separately
ESPA Wellness Advent Calendar — currently £157.50, RRP £175
- Product value: £435
- Saving: £277.50 or 36%
At £157.50 in the sale, this calendar certainly couldn’t be classed as ‘budget’, but there is still a decent saving to be had. Wonderful if you’re seeking a taste of mid-range luxury, the range of ESPA products in this calendar should provide a little spa oasis of self-care each day with 25 skincare and wellness items — including a mini candle! It’s always nice when advent calendars stretch to Christmas Day.
The box is gorgeous and would look very classy on any side table, and the products are ideal for a bit of me-time in the bath or shower, as well as some pampering after. It’s a shame there are only 7 full-size products out of 25, but most of them are still a decent size.
Top Sante verdict
This one is rated 4.9 out of 5 on Look Fantastic, and for good reason; opening this every day in December should make even the dreariest of days feel like a trip to the spa.- 25 good skincare pieces with some added treats
- Perfect for daily self-care with a wide variety of product types
- Lovely, classic packaging
- Only 7 full-size products out of 25
L’OCCITANE Beauty Advent Calendar — currently £65.25, RRP £87
- Product value: £189.50
- Saving: £124.25 or 65.57%
This box is gorgeous, featuring intricate illustrations and L’Occitane’s signature bold yellow throughout. If you know a L’Occitane lover in your life, this would be the perfect gift and a way to help them sample a wide range of classic products, including the Immortelle Divine Cream and Néroli Orchidée Body Lotion.
The products cover a lot of bases, from shower gels and scrubs, hand creams, oils, lotions, serums and even hair care, all in a range of luxe scents and ingredients. The savings on the calendar are decent at the moment, so this could be a solid purchase that I doubt will disappoint.
Top Sante verdict
Perfect for people who love L’Occitane and want to test out more products, this box gives classic festive vibes and a wide range of quality products.- High-quality products
- Beautifully illustrated box
- Only 5 full-size products
Boots 24 Day Premium Beauty Advent Calendar — £150
- Product value: £615.50
- Saving: £462.50 or 76%
Not only does this calendar have one of the highest savings percentages on this list when compared to the product value, but it comes with an extra bonus for Boots loyalty card users: you’ll receive 450 beauty points at checkout.
If that’s got your attention already, then this calendar might just be perfect for you. With 24 makeup and skin favourites, including 17 full-sized (!) items, the only real downside could be the design. This year’s theme is ‘circus’, which doesn’t particularly scream festive, but if you don’t mind how it looks on your shelf (or you’re a circus lover!) then that might be immaterial to you.
The calendar contains a wide range of trusted brand names like Caudalíe, NARS, MAC, Fenty Beauty, Laura Mercier, Sol de Janeiro, Laneige, Hoola, and many more. Ardent brand enthusiasts will be hard-pushed to find something they dislike here!
Top Sante verdict
Great for those who really know their beauty brands, with a lot of pleasant surprises. The only problem is that you might want to keep it for yourself!- 17 full-sized products
- Great brand names
- Both makeup AND skincare
- A little bit repetitive on product types
- Not especially festive to look at
RITUALS Wreath Advent Calendar 2025 — currently £82.40, RRP £103
- Product value: £163.60
- Saving: £81.20 or 49.7%
If you want something with ‘wow’ factor this festive season, this wreath from Rituals is sure to be a conversation piece. But that isn’t all — inside you’ll find a great range of products, including not one but four mini candles for any well-needed pampering sessions throughout the season. There’s also an exfoliating glove if that’s your thing, makeup wipes, and lots of small products to try — all with signature rituals scents.
The products are from many of Rituals’ main collections and will likely really please someone who’s already a fan. There’s also a decent range, from face masks and hair masks, shampoo and conditioner, body oil and micellar water, though it is mostly focused around bath and body.
Top Sante verdict
An advent calendar that will put a smile on the face of even the biggest scrooge, this one makes up for its lack of full-size products in pure festive cheer (and at a decent price, too!)- Gorgeous versatile box design, as festive as it gets
- Products smell lovely
- Great variety of festive products from Rituals
- Only one full-size product — but the rest are still an okay size
The Glitz is e.l.f.ing Glitzing 24-Day Advent Calendar — £92
- Product value: £170
- Saving: £80 or 46%
Here’s one for the makeup lovers in your life. The e.l.f advent calendar provides a tonne of full-size products, and doesn’t skimp out when it comes to what’s included. Inside you’ll find the cult-favourite Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray and Poreless Putty Primer, as well as a number of tools, including two full-size makeup brushes and a sponge in an exclusive colour I can only describe as periwinkle blue. There’s also a whole full-size eyeshadow palette, so it’s hard to turn your nose up at the generous amount of products!
The box itself leaves a little to be desired if you’re looking for something seasonal, but does give a sort of party-glam look. This would suit someone on the younger end (your ‘tween siblings, nieces or cousins perhaps) perfectly, especially if they’ve been nagging you to buy them makeup all year.
Top Sante verdict
A great gift for younger family members, or just for if you’re looking to try a lot of new makeup for less! Many of the products could be put together for a glam makeup look come New Year.- All products are vegan and cruelty free
- Lots of e.l.f favourites
- 20 full-size products
- Not the most sophisticated packaging
- Not all the products are ones I’d buy separately
