Our Favourite Picks That Are Actually Worth the Money
There’s something especially exciting about opening a beauty advent calendar during the holidays. Instead of receiving one gift on Christmas morning, there’s a little surprise waiting every day, whether it’s a new lipstick, a skincare favourite, a luxurious body cream or a product you’ve been wanting to try.
But with so many beauty advent calendars launching every year, choosing the right one can be surprisingly difficult. Some promise hundreds of dollars in savings but contain mostly miniature products, while others offer a genuinely impressive selection of full size beauty essentials.
For Christmas 2026, we’re looking beyond the pretty packaging to find calendars with worthwhile contents, appealing product selections and encouraging feedback from customers or beauty editors. We’ve also compared their purchase prices with the retail values advertised by the brands, because a great beauty advent calendar should feel like a treat without leaving you wondering whether you overpaid.
Here are ten calendars worth considering, with an honest look at what makes each one appealing and where some fall short.
All prices are in USD. Retail values are estimates supplied by brands or retailers unless otherwise specified. Some newly released calendars have limited customer reviews, so we’ve identified those separately rather than treating them as extensively tested favourites.
1. Revolve 25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar
Price: $150 | Advertised retail value: $953 | 25 days
The Revolve 25 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar is one of the most impressive options for anyone who loves discovering premium beauty brands without committing to full retail prices. Rather than filling every compartment with products from one company, Revolve brings together a mixture of skincare, body care, makeup and wellness favourites.
The collection features beauty names such as Summer Fridays and Sol de Janeiro, alongside a variety of other products designed to introduce shoppers to brands they might not ordinarily purchase. Everything arrives inside a pink suitcase inspired case, making the presentation feel considerably more luxurious than its price suggests.
What makes this calendar particularly interesting is the value comparison. Revolve advertises approximately $953 worth of products for $150, which represents more than six times the purchase price on paper. An independent review by The Guardian tested both Revolve’s 12 day and 25 day calendars and concluded that the 25 day version offered the stronger purchase, with more full size products and a considerably better overall selection.
The main consideration is that this is a mixed beauty and wellness calendar. Not every item will appeal equally to everyone, particularly if you’re purchasing it primarily for makeup or skincare.
Is it worth it? Yes, especially for someone who enjoys experimenting with multiple beauty brands. Among the calendars independently evaluated this season, Revolve is one of our strongest value picks. Buy it here
2. Anthropologie 24 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar
Price: $98 | Advertised retail value: Over $300 | Independently calculated value: Approximately $275 | 24 days
Anthropologie has a reputation for beautiful gifting, and its 2026 beauty advent calendar brings that same aesthetic into a collection of skincare, haircare, fragrance, nail and body products.
Inside, you’ll find products from recognizable beauty names including Caudalie, Living Proof and Manucurist. Some notable inclusions are Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum, Living Proof Hair Gloss and Manucurist Active Shine nail polish. The variety is especially appealing for someone who loves discovering new beauty products rather than sticking to one particular brand.
One important detail is that none of the 24 products are full size. This is primarily a discovery calendar, which means it’s best suited to someone who enjoys travel size beauty and trying different formulas.
Independent testing by The Guardian found the product selection appealing and calculated its contents at approximately $275, compared with the retailer’s advertised value of more than $300. Although the verified value is lower than the marketing claim, it’s still considerably higher than the $98 purchase price.
Is it worth it? Yes, for beauty enthusiasts who appreciate variety and smaller products. It’s also particularly attractive for someone who travels frequently or likes experimenting with premium skincare without purchasing full size bottles. Buy it Here
3. Sephora Favorites 25 Days of Beauty Must Haves Advent Calendar
Price: $105 | Advertised retail value: $393 | 25 days
For anyone who loves browsing Sephora and discovering the latest beauty trends, the Sephora Favorites calendar offers a particularly appealing selection of products from several well known brands.
The 2026 online exclusive edition includes makeup, skincare and haircare products from brands such as Anastasia Beverly Hills, Armani Beauty, Benefit Cosmetics, AESTURA and Fenty Beauty. Among the featured products are Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze, Armani Beauty Eye Tint and Benefit Benetint.
One of the biggest advantages of a multi-brand calendar is the opportunity to discover products across different price points. Instead of receiving 25 variations from the same company, you can experiment with formulas you may have seen recommended online but haven’t purchased yourself.
Sephora lists the calendar at $105 with an advertised value of $393. Customer feedback on the product page highlights gifting, variety and value as positive attributes, although this is a newly released seasonal collection and the review history is still developing.
Is it worth it? It’s one of the more attractive options for makeup and skincare lovers who want recognizable brands in a single gift. The biggest drawback is limited edition availability, so readers should check stock before purchasing. Buy it Here
4. e.l.f. Express Your e.l.f. 24-Day Advent Calendar
Price: $95 | Advertised retail value: $153 | 24 days
The e.l.f. Cosmetics advent calendar is a fun choice for anyone who loves affordable makeup, viral beauty products and experimenting with different looks.
For 2026, the brand has included 24 beauty surprises, with 18 full size products and two advent exclusive items. The collection spans skincare, primers, blushes, lip products, eye makeup, brushes and beauty tools. Exclusive products include the Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm in Apple Crisp and Smoky Kohl Eyeliner in Pretty Penny.
The calendar also has a creative element: its black and white illustrated exterior can be coloured in, making it feel more interactive than a traditional advent calendar.
At $95 for an advertised $153 value, the savings are more modest than those offered by some multi-brand calendars. However, the relatively high number of full-size products makes the contents more practical for someone who intends to use everything rather than simply sample it.
Early customer feedback on the brand’s Canadian website is positive, with a reported rating of 4.8 out of 5, although that’s based on only four reviews.
Is it worth it? A promising choice for e.l.f. fans, makeup beginners and younger beauty enthusiasts. Its biggest selling point is the quantity of full-size products rather than an unusually high retail value multiplier. Buy it here
5. LANEIGE 12 Days of Wonder Advent Calendar
Price: $149 | Advertised retail value: $235 | 12 days
LANEIGE has become a favourite among skincare enthusiasts, particularly for its hydrating lip treatments and Korean skincare formulas. Its 2026 advent calendar offers a selection of products designed to bring some of the brand’s most recognizable formulas into a holiday gift.
The 12-day collection includes full-size and miniature skincare and lip products, including Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serums and Water Bank skincare. These products focus on hydration, moisture retention and keeping the skin and lips feeling comfortable during colder weather.
Unlike a makeup-focused calendar, this collection is especially appealing to someone who already enjoys a consistent skincare routine or wants to explore more Korean beauty products.
At $149, it’s one of the more expensive calendars in this roundup, particularly because it contains only 12 days rather than 24 or 25. Sephora lists its retail value at $235, giving shoppers an advertised saving of $86.
Is it worth it? It’s a lovely option for existing LANEIGE fans, but it isn’t the strongest value purely by product count. We’d recommend it primarily for someone who genuinely wants the included skincare and lip products rather than someone seeking the most surprises for their money. Buy it here
6. Sephora Collection Premium 24 Days of Beauty Surprises
Price: $99 | Advertised retail value: $277 | 24 days
The Sephora Collection Premium Advent Calendar is a practical alternative to more expensive multi-brand calendars. Instead of focusing on prestige labels, it brings together an extensive selection of Sephora’s own makeup, skincare and beauty accessories.
Inside are 18 full size products, two travel-size products and four accessories. Highlights include liquid and cream blushes, highlighters, mascaras, lip glosses, a setting spray, facial cleansers, skincare treatments and beauty tools.
The products arrive in a sequined vanity case that can be reused for makeup storage or travel. This gives the calendar an extra gifting element, particularly for someone who enjoys organizing their beauty collection.
Sephora advertises $277 in value for $99, and its product listing identifies packaging, variety and giftability as positive themes in customer feedback.
Is it worth it? A strong choice for someone building a makeup collection or looking for everyday essentials. It’s especially appealing if you value full size products over prestige brand names. Buy it here.
7. ANUA 7 Days of Glass Skin Advent Calendar
Price: $34 | Advertised retail value: $55 | 7 days
Not every beauty advent calendar needs to cost $100 or more. The ANUA 7 Days of Glass Skin Advent Calendar is a more affordable way to discover Korean skincare, especially for someone interested in hydration and creating a layered skincare routine.
The collection includes products such as the Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil, Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam, Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner, Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum, PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Cream and PDRN Lip Serum.
Rather than offering an assortment of unrelated products, this calendar is designed around a skincare routine, moving from cleansing and toning to treatments and moisturization.
At $34 for an advertised $55 value, the savings are smaller in absolute dollars, but the price makes it accessible for someone who wants to experiment with Korean skincare without making a large investment.
Customer feedback is especially encouraging compared with several newly launched calendars. Ulta currently reports a 5 out of 5 rating from approximately 15 to 16 reviews, although the sample remains relatively small.
Is it worth it? Yes, particularly for a skincare beginner or someone curious about ANUA. It’s one of our favourite affordable options because the products work together as a routine rather than feeling like random samples. Buy it here.
8. Revolution Beauty Advent Calendar 2026
Price: $65 | Advertised retail value: $135
Revolution Beauty is known for accessible makeup and trend inspired products, and its 2026 advent calendar brings together a playful collection of lip, face and eye products.
The lineup includes products such as mini lip oils, peptide lip treatments, face pigments, setting powder, shimmer products and a holiday eyeshadow palette. The assortment is designed for someone who enjoys experimenting with makeup rather than someone looking primarily for skincare.
At $65 for an advertised $135 value, the calendar offers just over twice its purchase price in products. That makes it a reasonable midrange option, especially for younger makeup lovers or anyone who wants a festive assortment without spending more than $100.
Early reviews at Ulta are positive, with a reported 5 out of 5 rating, but this is based on only two customer reviews. It’s therefore too early to call it a proven customer favourite.
Is it worth it? Potentially, especially for someone who enjoys Revolution’s makeup. We’d recommend reviewing the shades and product types before purchasing, since this calendar is more focused on creative makeup than everyday skincare essentials. Buy it here, it looks like its on sale!
9. Clarins 12 Day Advent Calendar
Price: $98 | Advertised retail value: $226 | 12 days
For someone who prefers classic skincare and understated beauty, the Clarins 12 Day Advent Calendar offers a more sophisticated alternative to brightly packaged makeup collections.
The selection includes the Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream, Hydra-Essentiel Lip Balm, Lip Perfector in Rose Shimmer, Total Eye Lift, Cryo-Flash Face Mask, Lip Comfort Oil, Wonder Volume XXL Mascara and several body and skincare treatments.
Three of the products are listed as full size, including the Hydra-Essentiel Silky Cream, Lip Perfector and Hydra-Essentiel Lip Balm. The remaining items are travel or miniature sizes, making the collection useful for sampling several formulas without committing to full-size purchases.
With an advertised value of $226 and a price of $98, the calendar offers more than twice its purchase price in products.
Is it worth it? Worth considering for an existing Clarins enthusiast, particularly someone who appreciates skincare and lip treatments. However, we’d wait for more substantial customer feedback before calling it one of the year’s most reliably reviewed calendars. Looks like its on sale , buy it here.
10. Sephora Collection 24-Day Advent Calendar
Price: $60 | Advertised retail value: $190 | 24 days
For shoppers who want the traditional experience of opening a surprise every day without spending a fortune, Sephora Collection’s standard advent calendar is an appealing entry level option.
It contains 24 surprises, including 13 full size products, five travel size products and six accessories. The selection covers face masks, cleansers, mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss, blush, a bath bomb, a makeup sponge, hair accessories and other beauty essentials.
The variety makes it particularly suitable for someone just beginning to experiment with makeup and skincare. There’s enough range to discover different categories without needing an established beauty routine.
At $60 with an advertised retail value of $190, the calendar offers one of the more attractive price-to-value comparisons in the affordable category. The trade off is that the products come from Sephora Collection rather than a mixture of prestige beauty brands.
Is it worth it? Yes, especially as a gift for someone who loves beauty surprises and wants a full 24-day countdown. It’s also one of the more accessible choices for shoppers who want to stay comfortably below $100.
Which Beauty Advent Calendar Is the Best Value in 2026?
If you’re choosing purely on advertised savings, Revolve’s 25 Days of Beauty stands out, offering approximately $953 in products for $150. It also benefits from independent editorial testing that found the larger calendar particularly worthwhile.
For a mix of recognizable beauty brands, Sephora Favorites is one of the most appealing choices. Anthropologie is especially attractive for discovering premium beauty products, while e.l.f. and Sephora Collection offer more accessible ways to enjoy the holiday countdown.
Skincare enthusiasts may prefer ANUA or LANEIGE, depending on their budget and whether they’re looking for a complete routine or a collection of familiar favourites.
Ultimately, the best beauty advent calendar isn’t necessarily the one with the highest advertised retail value. It’s the one filled with products you’ll genuinely enjoy using.
A calendar with $500 worth of products you don’t need may be less valuable than a $60 collection filled with everyday essentials you’ll reach for throughout the year.
And that’s what makes a beauty advent calendar truly worth gifting: the excitement of discovering something new, combined with products that continue bringing joy long after Christmas is over.