Okay, hear me out: An advent calendar is by far the most cost-effective purchase you can make this holiday season. A bold claim, I know, but after combing through pretty much all the beauty advent calendars on the market and doing the math for each, I can confidently say that each calendar’s price per product is absolutely unmatched.
Consider the Dr. Barbara Sturm advent calendar: The average price per product in it is under $25, while a typical Barbara Sturm product will run you over $100, at least. This is the case across all the advent calendars I found. They’re all offering heavily discounted beauty items in a bundle. Buy them for the beauty lover in your life or keep them for yourself. The best advent calendars are below, ranked by how cost-effective each item is within the calendar.
Anyone who’s ever used E.l.f. products knows they work just as well—if not better—than many higher-end brands. With 11 full-size makeup items, it doesn’t get much better than this advent calendar for a budget-conscious makeup lover. Price per item: $1.07
Inspired by the zodiac, Ulta Beauty’s 12-piece makeup advent calendar will essentially give you a full makeup kit for just $22. Each box also has a hidden surprise. Price per item: $1.83
This 12-piece bath set is by far the most relaxing, cost-effective advent calendar out there. Complete with a shower cap, a pumice stone, a bath bomb, and more, it has all the bath-time essentials. Price per item: $1.83
Okay, I found it—the best advent calendar deal out there. For $50, you get almost $300 worth of beauty products from top brands like Lancôme, Kiehl’s, and Sunday Riley. Price per item: $2
Wait—24 cult-favorite Nyx products in one place for only $65? Say less. Price per item: $2.70
This advent calendar is basically like a personal nail salon. With 25 different nail polishes included, you’re easily set for the entire year ahead. Price per item: $3.20
This is the perfect advent calendar for anyone who wishes they were spending the holidays in France. Price per item: $3.33
With a mix of full-size and mini products, this advent calendar is the perfect gift to help someone prioritize self-care. Price per item: $3.60
You can’t gift an entire French pharmacy, but this advent calendar from Parisian-favorite brand Payot might be the next best thing. This advent calendar essentially lets you test out the entire Payot line. Price per item: $3.75
From scented candles to shower gels, this 3-D advent calendar is full of bathroom essentials. Price per item: $5.20
This advent calendar includes five different Benefit mascaras, which is reason enough to buy it since we all know the brand makes some of the best mascara in the game. Price per item: $5.41
Each year, the Dermstore advent calendar takes the beauty world by storm. This year’s doesn’t disappoint: it’s filled with top-tier brands like IS Clinical and Olaplex. Price per item: $6
Voluspa candles smell incredible and have the added bonus of looking incredibly chic in your home. There’s a scent here for everyone, making it the ultimate gift for anyone on your list. Price per item: $6.25
Give the gift of glowing skin with this 12-piece advent calendar from Clarins. Price per item: $6.50
MAC’s advent calendar is a makeup lover’s dream. Plus, the packaging couldn’t be cuter. Price per item: $8.13
Bareminerals is a brand made for anyone with sensitive skin. With both full-size and mini options, these products are non-irritating and high-quality. Price per item: $8.75
For its 150th-anniversary exclusive advent calendar, Bloomingdales is pulling out all the stops. It includes Augustinus Bader, Creed, and Valentino. Price per item: $9.60
If you’ve ever owned Apotheke home scents, you know that they smell incredibly luxurious. This advent calendar has everything you could possibly need for your home to smell unreal. Price per item: $10.40
Not only does this calendar have ALO beauty products, but it’s also filled with wellness and fitness accessories, so the active person in your life can get the most use out of it. Price per item: $10.42
Full-size Westman Atelier and Barbara Sturm products make this advent calendar an incredibly good buy (keep in mind that one of Dr. Barbara Sturm’s The Good C serums will typically set you back $145). Price per item: $11.96
Bluemercury has decided to go above and Beyond by making an advent calendar for every single day of December. Here, you’ll find cult-favorite brands like Augustinus Bader, Chantecaille, and Ellis Brooklyn. Price per item: $12.90
Calling all holiday lovers and candle people: this set of six mini candles includes scents like mistletoe and eggnog, and each candle has a burn time of 20 to 25 hours. That’s 150 hours of holiday cheer. Price per item: $20
Barbara Sturm hive, rise up. Including full, deluxe, and mini sizes, this advent calendar is ideal for any fan of the brand. Price per item: $23.33
Not only is this advent calendar incredibly luxe, but it’s also gorgeously designed. Filled with Dior skincare, makeup, and fragrance, I can’t imagine a more opulent beauty gift. Price per item: $27.08
If you love Kate Somerville products, this is the perfect advent calendar for you. You’ll get an entire skincare routine and then some. Price per item: $41.58
