Remember counting down the days 'til Christmas as a child? If you were anything like us, you probably looked forward to your advent calendar and couldn't wait to take a daily peek inside to see what surprise was hidden behind those tiny little doors. Today we're highlighting the grown-up version by listing our favorite makeup advent calendars! This is such a fun way to pamper yourself or someone you love in the hectic days leading up to Christmas.
GUYS: We've included a quick guide at the end of the post to help you select the perfect gift for your girl — so there's virtually no thinking on your part! 🙂
A great gift idea for the beauty lovers on your list: Makeup Advent Calendars. #makeupaddicts Share on X
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means we’ll receive a small referral fee from purchases at no cost to you. You can read our affiliate policy here.
2016 Makeup Advent Calendars: $50 & Under
Benefit | girl o'clock rock mini bestsellers set | 12 minis | Limited Edition
Cost: $45 ($86 value)
From Benefit's website:
Tick tock, girl you ROCK…with 12 bestsellers around the clock! Open this limited-edition set to play an original “Bene-song” then pop open each door for goodies galore. It’s priced to please & makes gifting a breeze!
What's Included:
- the POREfessional mini | 3.0 mL / 0.1 US fl. oz.
- they’re real! mascara mini | 3.0 g Net wt. 0.1 oz.
- benetint mini | 2.5 mL / 0.08 US fl. oz.
- posietint mini | 2.5 mL / 0.08 US fl. oz.
- they’re real! remover mini | 7.5 mL / 0.25 US fl. oz.
- it’s potent! eye cream mini | 3.0 g Net wt. 0.1 oz.
- lollitint mini | 2.5 mL / 0.08 US fl. oz.
- hoola mini | 3.0 g Net wt. 0.1 oz.
- dandelion mini | 3.0 g Net wt. 0.1 oz.
- BADgal lash mini | 4.0 g Net wt. 0.14 oz.
- high beam mini | 2.5 mL / 0.08 US fl. oz.
- ultra plush lip gloss in lollibop mini | 6.5 mL / 0.22 US fl. oz.
Where to Purchase: Benefit Cosmetics
Clinique | 10 Days of Clinique (via Sephora) | Limited Edition
Cost: $39.50 ($79.00 value)
From Sephora's website:
A luxuriously gift-worthy collection of 10 Clinique favorites for the eyes, skin, and lips. Featuring the best of skin care and color, this gift set includes all the holiday must haves.
What's included:
- Skinny Stick | 0.001 oz., 0.028 g
- Chubby Stick | 0.12 oz, 3.7 ml
- Chubby Lash Fattening Mascara | 0.14 oz, 4 ml
- Pep-Start Eye Cream | 0.24 oz, 7 ml
- Pep-Start HydroBlur Moisturizer | 0.5 oz, 15 ml
- Pep-Start 2-in-1 Exfoliating Cleanser | 1 oz, 30 ml
- Foaming Sonic Facial Soap | 1 oz, 30 ml
- Moisture Surge Overnight Mask | 1 oz, 30 ml
- Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ | 1 oz, 30 ml
- Take The Day Off Makeup Remover For Lids, Lashes & Lips | 1.7 oz, 50 ml
Where to Purchase: Sephora
NUXE | Beauty Countdown Set (via ULTA) | Limited Edition
Cost: $49.00
From ULTA's website:
Hidden behind the illustrated façade of the iconic Parisian street is an advent calendar with ten of NUXE's finest treasures, waiting to be discovered. Literally a gift that keeps on giving, NUXE's Beauty Countdown Set would be the highlight of any beauty aficionado's holiday season! Exclusively on Ulta.com. Enjoy skincare treats each day in deluxe mini sizes!
What's included:
- Rêve de Miel Facial Cleansing and Make-up Removing Gel | 0.5 oz
- Crème Prodigieuse Anti-Fatigue Moisturizing Day Cream | 0.5 oz
- Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Shimmer Dry Oil | 0.34 oz
- Rêve de Miel Hand and Nail Cream | 0.5 fl oz
- Prodigieux Shower Oil | 1.0 oz
- Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil | 1.0 oz
- Nuxellence Éclat | 0.5 oz
- Nuxellence Detox | 0.5 oz
- Crème Fraiche de Beauty Soothing and Moisturizing Cream Normal Skin | 0.5 oz
- Gentle Exfoliating Gel with Rose Petals | 0.5 oz
Where to Purchase: ULTA Beauty
NYX | Wanderlust Advent Calendar | Limited Edition
Cost: $50.00
From the NYX website:
Discover a world of velvety, rich color inside our limited-edition Wanderlust Advent Calendar. This limited-edition collection lets you travel solo and explore a variety of picturesque hues. From the charm of Copenhagen to the mystique of Morocco, you’ll find an irresistible treat behind every door. Let the countdown begin!
What's included:
- 12 mini Soft Matte Lip Creams | Addis Ababa, Cannes, Manila, Milan, Monte Carlo, Morocco, Prague, Rome, Seoul, Stockholm, Transylvania,
- 12 mini Eyeshadows
Where to Purchase: NYX
TIP: Advent calendars are a good way to explore top sellers from your favorite makeup brands. If you find something you love within the calendar, request the full size version as a Christmas gift!
Let the countdown begin: Pamper yourself in the holiday rush with a makeup advent calendar! Share on X
2016 Makeup Advent Calendars: $51 – $100 Gift Sets:
bareMinerals | Countdown to Gorgeous | Limited Edition
Cost: $79 ($205 value)
From bareMinerals website:
Get whisked away to a joyful celebration and countdown to gorgeous with this makeup gift set made up from a bevy of beauties. Fulfill every makeup lover's wish with sumptuous colors; decadent textures, luxurious glistening finishes, and complexion-loving skincare are behind each glamorous door. All face makeup and skincare has been perfectly picked for festive get togethers and creating magical moments.
What's included:
- Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss | Crowd Pleaser (golden vanilla glimmer), Girl Next Door (vintage peach), Trail Blazer (nude gold), Dare Devil (sparkling blackberry), Smooth Talker (golden pink), Risk Taker (chocolate shimmer)
- Pop Of Passion Lip Oil Balm | Pink Passion (youthful pink), Rose Passion (deep blush), Plumberry Pop (pink plum), Nude Passion (caramel buff), and Girl Crush (amethyst rose)
- Eyecolors | Vanilla Sugar (medium golden vanilla), Allspice (brown umber), Chime (gray fog), Thankful (tuscan mauve), Etheral (pink champagne), Queen Phyllis (light buttercup), Pebble (light brown beige), Sex Kitten (deep chestnut)
- Lola Blush | Desert Cranberry
- Glee Radiance | Sheer Joy
- Tropical Sunset Blush | Sunset Pink
- Original Mineral Veil Finishing Powder
- Tinted Mineral Veil Finishing Powder
- Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara | Intense Black
- Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara Petite Precision Brush | Intense Black
- Skinlongevity Vital Power Infusion
- Keychain keepsake
Where to Purchase: bareMinerals or ULTA
L'Occitane | Holiday 2016 Advent Calendar | 24 Exclusive Gifts | Limited Edition
Cost: $55 (a $107 value)
From L'Occitane's website:
A captivating advent calendar with 24 exclusive gifts for a fun way to beautify the countdown to the holidays. Treat yourself to a must-have skin care, bath and body, or hand care gift every day with this Advent calendar. Open all 24 château doors and find a surprise hidden behind each one.
What's included:
- Aromachologie Relaxing Shower Gel | 1.18 fl. oz.
- Aromachologie Repairing Shampoo | 1.18. fl. oz.
- Shea Butter Body Lotion | 1 oz.
- Shea Ultra Rich Face Cream | 0.33 oz.
- Almond Delicious Hand Cream | 0.33 oz.
- Peony Hand Cream | 0.33 oz.
- Shea Butter Shower Gel | 1 oz.
- Cherry Blossom Shimmering Lotion | 1.18 oz.
- Verbena Shower Gel | 1 oz.
- Rose et Reines Hand Cream | 0.33 oz.
- Almond Shower Oil | 1.18 fl. oz.
- The Vert & Bigarade Shower Gel | 1 oz.
- Verbena Fresh Toilette
- Jasmin & Bergamote Shower Gel | 1 oz.
- Cherry Blossom Shower Gel | 1.18 fl. oz.
- Shea Butter Hand Cream | 0.33 oz.
- Verbena Leaf Soap | .88 oz.
- Cherry Blossom Mini EDT | 0.25 fl. oz.
- Verbena Hand Cream | 0.33 oz.
- Immortelle Essential Water | 1 fl. oz.
- Shea Butter Cleansing Water | 1 fl. oz.
- Almond Delicious Soap | 1.76 oz.
- Almond Milk Concentrate | 0.67 oz.
- Shea Butter Foot Cream | 0.33 oz.
- Advent Calendar Box
Where to Purchase: L'Occitane
2016 Makeup Advent Calendars: $100 – $200
Charlotte Tilbury | World of Legendary Parties | 2016 Advent Calendar
Cost: $200
From Charlotte Tilbury's website:
Charlotte Tilbury shares her beauty secrets in 12 magical makeup cabinets. The calendar features an assortment of 12 travel-size beauty products, including Magic Cream® Moisturiser, Wonderglow® Skin Primer, EXCLUSIVE Pocket Pout Lipstick in Jessica Red and more.
What's included:
- Mini Magic Cream®
- Mini Wonderglow®
- Mini Multi Miracle Glow
- Mini Goddess Skin Clay Mask
- Mini Take It All Off Eye Makeup Remover
- Mini Supermodel Body
- Full Size Eyes to Mesmerise | Marie Antoinette
- Full Size K.I.S.S.I.N.G.® Lipstick | Penelope Pink
- Full Size Colour Chameleon | Black Diamonds
- Full Size EXCLUSIVE Pocket Pout | Jessica Red
- Mini Legendary Lashes
- Full Size Lip Lustre | Sweet Stiletto
Where to Purchase: Charlotte Tilbury
2016 Makeup Advent Calendars: Splurges
Estee Lauder | Holiday Countdown | 24 Luxe Beauty Surprises | Quantities Limited
Cost: $275 ($320 value)
From Estee Lauder's Website:
Start each day with a little luxury, including 24 beauty surprises from our best-selling skincare, makeup and fragrance. This collection features our newest innovation, Revitalizing Supreme+ Creme, Advanced Night Repair —Our #1 Repair Serum, Pure Color Envy Lipstick, Modern Muse Eau de Parfum and so much more. Count down the holiday season in style.
What's included:
- Advanced Night Micro Cleansing Balm – .22 oz.
- Revitalizing Supreme + Global Anti-Aging Cell Power Crème – .5 oz.
- New Dimension Sculpt + Glow Mask – .5 oz.
- New Dimension Shape + Fill Expert Serum – .14 oz.
- Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex II – .17 oz.
- Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion – .5 oz.
- Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II – .5 oz.
- Advanced Night Repair Intensive Recovery Ampoules – 10 ampoules
- 3 Pure Color Nail Lacquers – in Pure Red, Ballerina Pink, Fallen Angel
- 3 Pure Color Envy Lipsticks – in Envious, Desirable, Irresistible
- Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lacquer – in Wicked Apple
- 2 Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lip Glosses – in Plum Impulse, Shameless Glow
- Sumptuous Infinite Daring Length + Volume Mascara – in Black
- Sumptuous Knockout Defining Lift And Fan Mascara – in Black
- Brow Now Stay-In-Place Brow Gel – in Clear (Full-Size)
- Bronze Goddess Powder Bronzer – in Medium
- Modern Muse Eau de Parfum Spray – .14 oz.
- Modern Muse Le Rouge Eau de Parfum Spray – .14 oz.
- Modern Muse Le Rouge Gloss Eau de Parfum Spray – .14 oz.
Where to Purchase: Nordstrom
ATTN GUYS: Give your girl a makeup gift she'll love this Christmas with our easy gift guide. Share on X
Our Helpful Shopping Guide for the Guys:
Guys, are you still unsure which gift is perfect for your wife, girlfriend, or significant other? Don't worry, we're here to help! Select the three words which describe her best and we'll give you our top choices.
- Timeless | Enchanting | Glamorous – We recommend Charlotte Tilbury and bareMinerals.
- Classic | Charming | Preppy – We recommend Estee Lauder and Clinique.
- Youthful | Adventuresome | Bold – We recommend Benefit and NYX.
- Selective | Stylish | Sophisticated – We recommend NUXE and L'Occitane.
Still unsure? You can't go wrong with Benefit! It's our top pick; it includes so many of our favorite makeup products that we included it on our own Christmas list. We mention the they're real! mascara constantly on the site because it's one of our favorites for daytime makeup, we also use Benefit's POREfessional primer daily, and you can see a video tutorial of the Hoola bronzer in action here.
The Benefit brand is awesome, and to get all of the top products they included for less than $50 is a bargain.
As always, we're happy to help! Leave a comment below or send us an email if you're still stuck and can't decide which makeup advent calendars are right for you. Oh, and check this handy Christmas Countdown Clock to see how many days you have left until the big day and happy holiday shopping!
I keep seeing these everywhere so I guess I need them! LOL
I love this! I want all of them haha. It’s great that you included a little cheat sheet for guys. I would for sure love anything from Benefit.
I figured it would be helpful, since all the men in my life hate shopping. lol Ya gotta make it as easy as possible on them! And I’m with ya…Benefit is so awesome. Love their products!