Best Beauty Advent Calendars 2026: What We Know So Far

FAQ’s

What were the best beauty advent calendars last year?

Looking purely at the numbers, the M&S beauty advent calendar was the favourite among Glamour readers in 2025, closely followed by LookFantastic, Liberty, Cult Beauty and Harrods. The calendars that consistently topped our charts all had a few things in common: great value for money, plenty of full-sized products and line-ups packed with brands readers were already searching for, like Medik8, Charlotte Tilbury, Augustinus Bader, Sol de Janeiro and Tatcha.

As for the Glamour team’s favourites? We’d happily recommend Liberty, Harrods, Cult Beauty, LookFantastic and Space NK. After unboxing and reviewing dozens of calendars every year, I’ve found the best ones aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest price tag – they’re the ones where almost every door reveals a product you’re genuinely excited to use, rather than something that’ll sit unopened in your beauty stash.

When do beauty advent calendars go on sale in 2026?

If the words “Christmas in July” make you shudder, I hate to break it to you… but that’s officially beauty advent calendar season. Waitlists usually start opening from late July, with the first calendars launching throughout August and the majority dropping between late August and early September. If you’re after one of the really sought-after calendars, I’d recommend getting your name on the waitlist rather than hoping it’ll still be around in November.

After covering beauty advent calendars for the past six years, I’ve learnt that the best ones rarely hang around for long. That’s exactly why I’ll be updating this guide as each calendar is announced, revealing everything from launch dates and prices to what’s actually worth buying before the festive rush begins.

Who has the best beauty advent calendar?

It’s still a little early to crown an overall winner, simply because a lot of the biggest calendars (including the likes of Charlotte Tilbury, Cult Beauty and LookFantastic) are still keeping their full line-ups under wraps. But based on what I’ve seen so far, Harrods is the one that’s impressed me the most.

For me, it’s the curation that makes it stand out. Alongside beauty icons like Augustinus Bader, Medik8, Charlotte Tilbury and UKLASH, it’s also the first beauty advent calendar I can remember featuring CurrentBody – with two hydrogel masks and a skin voucher towards the brand. As someone who’s become slightly obsessed with all things sculpting, lifting and beauty tech over the past year, I love seeing that represented alongside traditional skincare. Add in 32 products (the most I’ve spotted in a calendar so far) and a line-up I’d genuinely be excited to use from start to finish, and Harrods is the one to beat right now.

Are beauty advent calendars worth it?

I’d say yes – but only if you choose wisely. The best beauty advent calendars aren’t just about the excitement of opening a door every morning; they’re genuinely one of the most cost-effective ways to try premium beauty. Take Harrods’ calendar, for example. It costs £250, but you’re getting over £1,700 worth of products, including a full-sized £170 Augustinus Bader Rich Eye Cream, Medik8’s new C-Tetra Advanced, CurrentBody Skin treats and plenty of other luxury favourites. Or there’s Fortnum & Mason, where £275 gets you 24 full-sized products worth over £1,225.

That said, value isn’t just about the biggest saving. Personally, I’d rather have 12 products I’ll genuinely use than 25 doors filled with products that’ll sit untouched in my beauty cupboard. That’s why I always look at the brands, the product sizes and whether I’d actually spend my own money on what’s inside before recommending a calendar. Do that, and you can easily save yourself hundreds of pounds while discovering a few new favourites along the way.

Why are beauty advent calendars released so early?

Mostly, it’s down to demand. Over the years, beauty advent calendars have become the ultimate gift for beauty lovers – and the good ones (hi, Liberty, LookFantastic, Cult Beauty) sell out fast. Brands have started dropping them earlier than ever this year – some as early as July – just to get ahead of the rush.

It’s also a smart retail move. The beauty advent calendar market has exploded, and launching early gives brands more time to build buzz, restock, and, let’s be honest, dominate your social feeds. Yep, it feels a little wild to be talking tinsel mid-summer, but in the beauty world, Christmas basically starts the minute the first advent calendar lands.