The Holiday Creep Is Here

Real talk: summer just ended, yet Halloween decor is already hitting the clearance aisles. Retailers are officially in their gifting bag, and the holiday season is coming in hot. Whether you're looking to manifest a glow-up or just need a solid gift for your bestie, beauty advent calendars have been hitting the market early this year.

Before you drop a bag on these, keep in mind that not all of them are a W. Some are genuinely stacked with high-value, viral beauty staples—think luxe moisturizers and cult-favorite lip combos—while others are lowkey just filler. Since these items tend to sell out faster than a concert ticket, we tested the most hyped options so you don't have to.

The Breakdown

  • Anthropologie: This one is a total vibe if you’re looking to assemble stocking stuffers. Everything comes in individual boxes, so you can easily break it up and gift items separately. While the hair clips and press-ons were giving "throwaway," the skincare inclusions like the Sunday Riley Lactic Acid Serum are high-key fire.

  • Liberty London: Consider this the "Rolls Royce" of the bunch. At nearly $400, it’s a heavy hitter, but it’s loaded with full-sized, high-end skincare. It’s definitely for the skincare obsessed, and the trifold packaging is super aesthetic—if you have the desk space for it.

  • Charlotte Tilbury: If you want that main character energy, this is your go-to. It’s packed with viral bestsellers (Pillow Talk, anyone?) and comes in a reusable red case that you can actually use as a travel makeup bag later. It’s a total slay if you’re trying to build a makeup collection from scratch.

  • Lush: For the bath-ritual girlies, this one is pure self-care. It’s 25 bath bombs and bubble bars in the cutest holiday shapes. It’s sustainable, cruelty-free, and honestly, the vibes are immaculate.

Why it matters

Beauty advent calendars can be a smart hack to snag expensive, full-sized products for less than their typical price tags. Just be strategic—check the value, verify the ingredients, and make sure the contents actually fit your routine before you commit to the purchase.