Mariah Carey has officially emerged from her reverse hibernation, which can only mean one thing: Christmas is approaching. And while the festive season may still feel some weeks away, beauty brands are already getting into the spirit with the return of their much-anticipated advent calendars.
For those who prefer to get their Christmas shopping done early, now is the time to start looking. Unlike conventional gifts, advent calendars are meant to be opened one day at a time, beginning on Dec 1. Buying one at the last minute rather defeats the purpose of the countdown.
There is also something undeniably exciting about unboxing an advent calendar. Think of it as a blind box, long before Pop Mart made the concept a collectible obsession. Behind every little door is a surprise, whether it is a miniature fragrance, a skincare essential or a product you might never have thought to try.
Beyond the novelty, beauty advent calendars offer an opportunity to explore a brand's assortment without committing to full-sized products. They also make thoughtful gifts for the women in your life, particularly those who are notoriously difficult to shop for.
Here are five worth putting on your radar, each suited to a specific woman in your life.
For your mother who seems to have everything
Charlotte's Hollywood Beauty Wonderland Advent Calendar
Finding a gift for a mother who seemingly has everything can be a challenge. Another handbag might be unnecessary, a perfume might already be sitting on her dressing table and choosing skincare can be risky when she has her own tried-and-tested routine.
Charlotte Tilbury offers a solution with its 2026 Hollywood Beauty Wonderland Advent Calendar. Designed like a miniature beauty treasure chest, the calendar contains 15 makeup and skincare surprises, including four full-sized products and two accessories.
Among the highlights are the Pillow Talk Medium lipstick, Hollywood Beauty Light Wand and Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick, alongside travel-sized versions of Charlotte's Magic Cream, Magic Serum and Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray. It also includes a makeup organiser and a sculpting gua sha tool.
After all, even the woman who has everything deserves a little surprise behind a door or two.
For the older sister with impeccable taste
Byredo Advent Calendar
She has impeccable taste, knows the difference between an ordinary fragrance and a good one, had an era of wearing Euphoria-esque eyelooks to school every day and probably introduced you to a niche perfume brand before it became popular.
For she who always seems to be one step ahead of everyone else, Byredo is a fitting choice.
The Swedish fragrance house returns with its second advent calendar, bringing together 25 surprises from its fragrance, body, makeup and home collections.
The selection includes a 50ml bottle of Bal d'Afrique Eau de Parfum, Mojave Ghost Hair Perfume, Blanche Body Mist and a Bibliothèque candle. There are also accessories such as a candlewick trimmer and hairbrush, among other makeup products to discover.
The calendar is particularly attractive for someone who enjoys building a personal fragrance wardrobe and likes experimenting with makeup. Rather than committing to one signature scent, she gets to explore different olfactory moods, from familiar perfumes to home fragrances.
For the trendiest younger sister
Dyson Advent Calendar
Not every beauty advent calendar needs to be filled with lipsticks and skincare. For the younger sister who follows every beauty trend, saves countless hair tutorials and always seems to know which product is going viral, Dyson has something particularly interesting this year.
For the first time in the brand's history, Dyson has introduced its own beauty advent calendar for the 2026 festive season. The 12-day Dyson Beauty Advent Calendar contains 12 products and accessories, with the Dyson Supersonic Travel hair dryer as its centrepiece.
Alongside the compact hair dryer are Dyson haircare products and styling accessories, including products from Chitosan and Omega formulations, a paddle brush, hair clips and a detangling comb.
Though the calendar is currently available exclusively in Germany and in limited quantities, several resellers online are stocking the Dyson Beauty Advent Calendar, ready to ship it to your doorstep.
For your best friend who is the life of the party
Lush Advent Calendar
Some people make every occasion feel like a celebration, and the best friend who brings that energy deserves a gift that matches her personality. Enter Lush, a brand that has built its identity around colourful bathbombs, playful fragrances and a little theatricality in every product.
Inside the advent calendar are 25 bathing treats, from colourful bath bombs and bubble bars to festive favourites such as Snow Fairy.
There are also gift-exclusive creations, including Turmeric Latte dusting power, Honey Bear bath bomb and Christmas Eve body butter, alongside other seasonal surprises.
As with every Lush product, the brand's advent calendar also puts sustainability at the heart of its gifting. The calendar features reusable and recyclable packaging, including a 100% organic cotton liner, recycled-board inserts and natural jute twine.
And if you order it online, the protective Eco-Pops are made from puffed non-GM cornstarch rather than conventional polystyrene, offering a more environmentally conscious alternative to plastic-based packaging.
It is a gift that encourages her to enjoy a little festive surprise, even on an ordinary weekday.
For your grandma who appreciates life's little luxuries
12 Days of Jo Malone Advent Calendar
There is something special about a home that smells lovely on Christmas day. Whether it is the scent of fresh flowers, a candle burning in the living room or a familiar fragrance lingering in the bedroom, little details can make a space feel more welcoming.
For the grandmother who enjoys these simple pleasures, Jo Malone's advent calendar is a thoughtful choice.
Expect familiar favourites from the house, including English Pear & Freesia, Wood Sage & Sea Salt and Lime Basil & Mandarin. The assortment offers an opportunity to explore different fragrances while introducing a little luxury into everyday routines.
It is a lovely way to remind her that the festive season is not just about the big celebrations, but also about enjoying the little things at home.
Advent calendars have come a long way from their traditional chocolate-filled beginnings. Today, they cater to almost every interest, from fragrance enthusiasts and skincare devotees to those who simply enjoy the excitement of discovering something new each morning.
The best part is that there is no need to wait until Christmas Day to enjoy the gift. In fact, that is precisely the point. With surprises to look forward to throughout December, the countdown itself becomes part of the present.
One thing to remember, however, is that these calendars are seasonal releases and often come in limited quantities. So, if someone on your Christmas list has caught your eye, it might be worth getting ahead of the festive rush. After all, the countdown begins on Dec 1, not Dec 24.