Christmas countdown: 10 best beauty advent calendars in Hong Kong

Photo: L’Occitane

We hate to alarm you, but there are only nine weeks to go until Christmas… and so far, we’ve ticked approximately zero items off our holiday shopping list.

Thankfully, we’ve got just the thing to get you into the festive spirit – 2020’s finest beauty advent calendars. Whether you snag one as a gift for that special someone or use this as an opportunity to treat yourself, there’s nothing better for counting down the days in truly luxurious fashion than an advent calendar from the best beauty brands on the block – so take your pick and get shopping before they sell out.

Charlotte Tilbury

Photo: Charlotte Tilbury

Beauty guru Charlotte Tilbury’s long-awaited advent calendar features twelve days of makeup magic and supercharged skincare, all packaged up in a gorgeous golden treasure trove.

Charlotte’s Bejewelled Chest of Beauty Treasures includes a mesmerising mix of full-size and travel-size versions of Tilbury’s most beloved signature products – including her award-winning Magic Cream moisturiser, cult favourite Pillow Talk Matte Revolution Lipstick, and super-versatile Colour Chameleon eyeshadow pencil in a limited-edition shade.

Price: HK$1,600

Available at Charlotte Tilbury in-store or online

Liberty London

Photo: Liberty London

Liberty London’s advent calendar is pretty much an icon in the beauty world; it’s the heritage British department store’s fastest-ever selling product in its 145-year history. They’ve pulled out all the stops for their 2020 edition, which comes in their trademark exquisite packaging – an eye-catching recyclable box depicting the store’s legendary shopfront alongside their striking Liberty Standen Manor print.

Inside, you’ll find 26 of the most sought-after products from their Beauty Hall, worth over GBP£789 – including highly covetable goodies from luxury brands like Augustinus Bader, Hourglass, Le Labo, NARS and Herbivore Botanicals. There’s also a men’s version with grooming treats worth over GBP£460 from the likes of Frédérick Malle, Omorovicza and Dr Sebagh, plus a cheeky tipple of Liberty’s own Sloe Gin.

Price: Women’s Calendar costs GBP£215; Men’s Calendar costs GBP£195

Available at Liberty London online with worldwide shipping

YSL Beauté

Photo: YSL Beaute

Count down the days in très chic style with YSL Beauté’s Dress Me Wild Advent Calendar.

This black-and-red stunner comes stuffed with full-size and travel-sized versions of the Parisian powerhouse’s classic makeup, skincare and fragrance products – including their iconic Touchè Eclat Illuminating Pen, intoxicating Black Opium perfume, and several shades of their luscious Rouge Pur Couture lipsticks. 

Price: HK$2,500

Available at YSL Beauté online from 19 October 2020, and in-store from 28 October 2020 

Diptyque

Photo: Diptyque

Make sure your Christmas is totally scent-sational with Diptyque’s advent calendar, featuring whimsical illustrations from renowned Parisian artist Ugo Gattoni.

Your holiday season is certain to smell truly divine thanks to this bumper selection of surprises from the French fragrance house – with highlights including a seasonal Moonlit Fir candle, eleven different varieties of miniature candle, an assortment of travel-sized perfumes, and even some limited-edition Christmas decorations.

Price: HK$3,490

Available at Diptyque in-store

Kiehl’s 

Photo: Kiehl’s

Level up your complexion this holiday season with a skincare-stuffed advent calendar from American beauty experts Kiehl’s.

Featuring bright-and-bold illustrations from quirky French illustrator Maite Franchi, it’s filled with best-sellers from the much-loved skincare brand worth HK$1,700 – including miniature versions of signatures like their Midnight Recovery Concentrate, Ultra Facial Cream and Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask, plus a collectable pin badge. Even better, the packaging uses zero plastics and is 100% recyclable too. 

Price: HK$495, to be redeemed with Kiehl’s purchases over HK$500 

Available at Kiehl’s in-store

Armani Beauty

Photo: Armani Beauty

Celebrate la dolce vita with Armani Beauty’s bellissima advent calendar, which is packed with 24 days of stunning surprises from the luxe Italian brand.

The perfect way to recharge your beauty regime, pop open the red-and-gold drawers to reveal a range of full-size and travel-sized Armani Beauty superstars – including multiple shades of their sophisticated Lip Maestro lipsticks, a seriously sparkly Eyes To Kill eyeshadow, and an exclusive preview of their My Way fragrance, which has yet to officially launch in Hong Kong.

Price: HK$2,500

Available in-store at Armani Beauty Lane Crawford counters, and from 2 November 2020 at all Armani Beauty boutiques and counters

L’Occitane

Photo: L’Occitane

Treat yourself to some blissed-out bodycare from French favourites L’Occitane, meaning there’s no excuse for dry, damaged skin this Christmas.

Featuring a charming illustration of a Provence Christmas market, their advent calendar is filled with indulgent lotions and potions galore worth HK$925 – including brand new launches such as their Immortelle Overnight Reset Oil-In Serum and Aromachologie SOS Shine Hair Mask, alongside traditional classics like their Shea Butter Hand Cream and Almond Shower Oil.

Price: HK$550

Available at L’Occitane in-store and online

Dior Beauty

Photo: Dior Beauty

Enjoy a Christmas helping of joie de vivre with Dior Beauty’s divinely elegant advent calendar, which features a dreamy illustration of the designer maison’s iconic Parisian boutique by artist Safia Ouares.

Its contents are just as magical, with 24 lust-worthy treats waiting to be revealed behind each gold-dust sprinkled door – including miniatures of several of the brand’s best-selling perfumes, cosmetics and skincare products, plus an exclusive Dior snow globe.

Price: HK$2,900

Available at Dior Beauty online from 26 October 2020, and in-store from 2 November 2020

Atelier Cologne

Photo: Atelier Cologne

If you’ve still not found your signature scent, Atelier Cologne’s fabulously fragrant advent calendars offer the ideal opportunity to embark on a journey of perfume discovery.

Their Discovery Advent Calendar features 24 days of perfume gifts to play with, including a 30ml bottle of their sunshine-soaked Clémentine California fragrance complete with matching leather case. Meanwhile, their Luxury Advent Calendar showcases a hand-picked selection of full-size and miniature perfumes to explore, plus all-indulgent scented candles and hand creams too.

Price: Discovery Calendar costs HK$900; Luxury Calendar costs HK$2,980

Available at Atelier Cologne in-store from 23 October 2020

Clarins

Photo: Clarin’s

Get your glow on and supercharge your skincare routine this festive season with Clarins’ advent calendar, which features 24 hero items worth HK$2,170 from the renowned French line.

This Christmas countdown is filled to the brim with travel-sized skincare delights like their Beauty Flash Balm, Blue Orchid Treatment Oil, SOS Comfort Mask and Water Lip Stain – all in a super-cute hang-up fabric calendar, which can be reused for Christmases to come.

Price: HK$650

Available at Clarins online from 23 October 2020, and in-store from 1 November 2020

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