The 7 Best Makeup Advent Calendars of the Season (2024)

Don't get me wrong: I appreciate any gift I receive, and am a strong believer in "it's the thought that counts." That being said, if I'm given the option between receiving seven swimming swans or a gorgeous new lipstick during the countdown to Christmas, well... I'm choosing the latter. (Not least of all because I cannot imagine housing seven swans in my New York City apartment.) And considering you're here, reading this, I'd be willing to wager you feel the same.

If you're eager to head into Christmas with miniature blushes, travel-sized mascaras, and the occasional full-sized surprise, you're in luck. We've rounded up the best makeup and beauty advent calendars of the season; keep scrolling to see them.

Armani Beauty Advent Calendar

While Armani's advent calendar does include many of the brand's legendary fragrances, there is no shortage of gorgeous makeup options. Among them is a trio of lipsticks: Lip Power in #104, a beige mauve; Lip Maestro Satin in the peachy #2; and Lip Power Matte in #112, described as "a soft brick brown." There are also mascaras, glosses, and eye tints, the last of which you might want to open early as a little treat—pair them with some eyeliner and you've got the perfect easy, party-ready eye.

Benefit The Gorgeous Grocer Advent Calendar

If there's one thing you can be sure of when the holidays hit, it's that Benefit will have a very, very cute seasonal theme. This go-round, the vibe is "mid-century grocery store," and the apple of the aisle is The Gorgeous Grocer Advent Calendar. Over 24 days, you'll unwrap many of the brand's hero products, including the POREfessional primer, Hoola matte bronzer, and Benetint lip and cheek stain. Keep an eye out for the quartet of powder blushes, a slept-on category from the brand IMO. (Willow in particular is a great everyday shade.)

Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s Beauty Treasure Chest of Love

As all her darlings know, Charlotte Tilbury takes the holiday season very seriously. This year's advent calendar, Charlotte's Beauty Treasure Chest of Love, is a 12-door heart-shaped box chock full of the brand's All-Star offerings. These include the social media-fave Beauty Light Wand in Pinkgasm (in full size), Push Up! Lashes mascara, and a Hollywood Beauty Icon lipstick. Of course, no Charlotte Tilbury gift is complete without some Pillow Talk, and this chest includes the signature shade in three formats: A Lip Cheat lip liner, eyeliner, and—of course—the iconic Matte Revolution lipstick.

Kylie Cosmetics Holiday Advent Calendar

While Kylie Cosmetics is well established in the skincare and fragrance categories, the 2024 advent calendar is one for the makeup girlies (gender neutral). Specifically, it's worth keeping on your radar if you love a good lip moment: Alongside the brand's matte lipsticks in the beloved shades Candy K (a pinky-nude) and the rosey Kylie, the cal includes a crème lipstick, matte lip crayon, lip liner, and gloss. Among the non-lippie offerings, I can personally vouch for the powder blush stick, which offers beautiful pigment but blends like a dream.

Lancôme Advent Calendar 2024

Lancôme's Advent Calendar screams classic glamourpuss. The 24-piece collection focuses on the brand's bestsellers across skincare, fragrance, and makeup. Within that last category, the selection includes full sizes of the Hypnose Drama mascara, L'Absolu Rouge Intimatte lipstick, and the Hypnose Eyeshadow Palette in the cool-neutral Fraicheur Rosee.

MAC 24K Holiday Advent Calendar

I love all my beauty advent calendars equally, but I must admit—as a committed color cosmetics girlie, MAC advent calendars hold a special place in my heart. One of the most makeup-heavy options, this year's gilded 24-piece set includes the viral Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick in the Brat-ty Like Squirt, mini lip pencils in the fan-favorite shades Spice and Whirl, and the MAC Stack Mascara (which, speaking from experience, delivers next-level length).

Sephora FavoritesBest-of-Beauty Advent Calendar

Limited availability in-store only

Sephora is practically synonymous with expert cosmetics curation, so it's no surprise that the Sephora Best-of-Beauty Advent Calendar is chock full of, well, the best of the best. Among my personal favorites are Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare's Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel (five treatments), Sol de Janeiro's Cheirosa 59 Perfume Mist, Urban Decay's All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray, and Tarte's Marajuca Juicy Lip Plump in Rosy Mauve Shimmer Gloss—though really, there isn't a single miss in the lot.