Beauty advent calendars have quite a reputation. Over the years they have become so popular and highly anticipated pre-Christmas treat that many beauty lovers simply can’t resist. To be fair, the joy of popping open an advent calendar door is so exciting no matter what is behind those little doors.
From skincare to makeup and everything in between, most beauty advent calendars feature a mix of full-size products and mini or travel samples.
What makes advent calendars even more desirable is a good value for money since buying these products separately would cost more.
However, make sure to check which products you are getting before jumping in and buying one even if it spoils the excitement. Sometimes those festive treats may not be worth the money, especially if you won’t use half of them or wouldn’t consider buying those products usually.
Still, if you decide to indulge yourself or are looking for a perfect gift for a friend, here are the best cruelty-free beauty calendars you need to check.
Skincare & Bodycare
Holland and Barrett 25 Days Of Beauty Advent Calendar
WHAT: Worth over £170, Holland & Barrett’s 2020 advent calendar features 14 full-sized and 11 sample-sized beauty products. It includes a mix of skin, body and hair products from well-known clean beauty brands, including Weleda, Sukin and Up Circle and the entire selection is vegan-friendly too.
VEGAN: Yes.
CRUELTY-FREE: Yes.
PRICE: £40
The Body Shop Make It Real Together Advent Calendar
WHAT: Beautifully presented, The Body Shop has once again launched a new beauty calendar for this year. Three to be precise. Each at different sizes, they are packed with a selection of skincare and bodycare products that makes a countdown to Christmas even more indulging.
VEGAN: Not entirely.
CRUELTY-FREE: Yes.
PRICE: £50, £70 and £130.
Lush 12 Days of Christmas
WHAT: Known for its natural beauty products, Lush launched an advent countdown calendar that includes 12 bath, shower, and body products all beautifully wrapped in a reusable and recyclable box designed by Harriet Seed.
VEGAN: Yes.
CRUELTY-FREE: Yes.
PRICE: £75
Dr Hauschka Advent Calendar
WHAT: Dr Hauschka is another skincare brand that released an exciting beauty advent calendar this year. Worth over £100, it contains 23 selected travel-sized samples and an original size Rose Day Cream.
VEGAN: Not entirely.
CRUELTY-FREE: Yes.
PRICE: £85
Greener Beauty
WHAT: Eco beauty lovers will be delighted to get their hands on this natural beauty advent calendar. 90% of the calendar is plastic free with no single-use plastics and contains 29 natural beauty products of which 23 are full size.
VEGAN: Yes.
CRUELTY-FREE: Yes.
PRICE: £129.99
Freedm Street
WHAT: The beauty subscription box brand created a plastic-free advent calendar for 2020 filled with sustainable skincare, bath, body, hair, makeup and home fragrance treat, all beautifully presented in a reusable box. Don’t miss it!
VEGAN: Yes.
CRUELTY-FREE: Yes.
PRICE: £149
Dr Barbara Strum Advent Calendar
WHAT: If you’re a fan of high quality, luxury skincare, don’t miss Dr Barbara Strum 24-piece advent calendar. Hidden in a luxurious box, the calendar contains a mixture of full and travel size skincare heroes, from masks and toners to moisturisers and serums.
VEGAN: Not all products are vegan.
CRUELTY-FREE: Yes.
PRICE: £405
Makeup
Makeup Revolution
WHAT: Known for its 25-day advent calendars, Revolution has prepared a brand new one for 2020. It features a mix of makeup products and tools such as lipsticks, eyeshadows and makeup brushes that come at an affordable price.
VEGAN: Yes.
CRUELTY-FREE: Yes.
PRICE: £40
Superdrug Studio London Giant Make Up Gift Set
WHAT: Studio London, Superdrug’s own brand, has prepared a cruelty-free advent calendar that’s a perfect affordable gift set for makeup lovers. Packed in 24 boxes, find a mix of eyeshadow, lipsticks, highlighters and nail polishes.
VEGAN: Yes.
CRUELTY-FREE: Yes.
PRICE: £40
E.L.F. The e.l.f.tastic 12 Day Advent Calendar
WHAT: If you are on a search for another budget-friendly makeup advent calendar, 12-day advent calendar by vegan drugstore brand E.L.F. might fit the bill. It contains the brand’s makeup best-sellers as well as beauty tools.
VEGAN: Yes.
CRUELTY-FREE: Yes.
PRICE: £45
NYX Professional Makeup Diamonds and Ice Please 24 Day Advent Calendar Festive Countdown
WHAT: Whether you gift it or keep it, this advent calendar is every makeup lover’s dream! Presented in a statement pink box, it features 24 beauty products worth £89, from lipsticks to eyeshadows.
VEGAN: Not all products are vegan.
CRUELTY-FREE: Yes.
PRICE: £50
Inika Organic 12 Days Of Natural Beauty Advent Calendar
WHAT: Organic natural beauty brand, Inika, has launched an advent calendar that includes a mix of 8 full-sizes and 4 mini vegan skincare and makeup products. Perfect for natural beauty lovers!
VEGAN: Yes.
CRUELTY-FREE: Yes.
PRICE: £120
Nails
Ciate London Mini Mani Month
WHAT: Worth £150, British makeup and nail polish brand Ciaté London, has an exciting beauty advent calendar for 2020 featuring nail polishes for the fraction of the price! All the packaging is recyclable and biodegradable which makes this beauty treat even more sustainable.
VEGAN: Yes.
CRUELTY-FREE: Yes.
PRICE: £59