The release of beauty advent calendars has become a major event for holiday shoppers, with experts noting that early planning is essential as products frequently sell out quickly. While some may consider September too early for gift shopping, the trend shows launch dates occurring progressively earlier each year. For instance, retailer Anthropologie launched its 12-day and 24-day calendars on August 13, with both versions already sold out by mid-October.
Industry professionals have curated a list of top picks for 2026 across various categories. The Laneige 12 Days of Wonder Advent Calendar is highlighted as the best K-beauty option at $149. For makeup enthusiasts, two leading choices include the Fenty Beauty 12 Dayz of Fenty Beauty + Fenty Skin set priced at $190, and Charlotte Tilbury's Charlotte's Hollywood Beauty Wonderland Advent Calendar for $220. Skincare-focused shoppers can choose between the Best of Dermstore: 24 Days of Beauty Advent Calendar at $250 or the Sunday Riley 12 Days of Sunday Carry-On Essentials Mini Advent Calendar for $115.
Fragrance and multi-brand options also feature prominently in this year's selections. The Parfums de Marly Countdown Calendar is recommended as the best fragrance choice, retailing for $445. Meanwhile, the Revolve 12 Days of Revolve Beauty Advent Calendar offers a multi-brand experience at $89. Experts suggest that despite the initial sticker shock, these calendars often provide better value when calculating the total retail price of individual items included in the sets.
Sarah Han, who has covered this annual roundup for three years, emphasizes that her team tests samples from August through December to ensure quality. She notes that while some calendars may sell out, brands and retailers often restock later in the season based on demand. Shoppers are advised to sign up for waitlists and monitor their inboxes for updates. The review also mentions that a few 2025 calendars remain available for purchase alongside the new 2026 releases.
Sources: Allure.