You know what’s better than receiving one gift? Twenty four gifts that you can open daily! 

November is upon us, and that means it’s time to gear ourselves up for Christmas. Let’s be real, everyone’s (unspoken) favourite part of Christmas is the presents - and this holiday season, the beauty brands in Hong Kong (many are available worldwide) have really amped up their advent calendar offerings. So here are 10 of our favourite beauty advent calendars to gift, or to treat yourself with. 

1. Penhaligon’s 

Classic British fragrance company Penhaligon’s have stepped into the advent calendar for the first time ever in the brand’s 149 year history. You can explore an array of fragrant trinkets from this selection of minis from Penhaligon’s, including their latest Terrible Teddy and Heartless Helen fragrances. 

2. Kiehl’s

Need a daily dose of skincare joy? Kiehl’s is the steady go-to skincare brand, and this year’s advent calendar (HK$495 (USD~$65) with any purchase of HK$500) contains goodies from their Ultra Facial Cream to the must-try Butterstick Lip Treatment. The packaging is also adorable, and created by Helsinki based designer and illustrator Janine Rewell - perfect for brightening up your home for the holidays (until you break open every door, of course). 

3. Charlotte Tilbury

Say yes to the glitter and glam with Charlotte Tilbury’s eye-catching, pull-out drawer advent calendar (HK$1,300- USD~$200). Instead of the standard 24 gifts, there are only 12 pull out drawers in this set, but you do get 4 full sized products (instead of the traditional advent calendar minis from other brands), including the cult favourite Pillow Talk Matte Revolution lipstick. 

4. Net-A-Porter

This Net-A-Porter one’s for those of you who want to splurge on something a little more lux. With 25 handpicked items from the team’s beauty buyers, this advent calendar (HK$2,300- USD~$315) includes products from brands like Hourglass, Dr. Barbara Sturm, Marc Jacobs and Sunday Riley. 

5. Diptyque

If you know a candle lover, this is the advent calendar they can’t miss out on. It really doesn’t get better than Diptyque’s selection of 24 mini candles, scented oils and travel sized perfumes — all hidden within an adorably designed drawer box. 

6. Rituals

Dutch brand Rituals recently launched in Hong Kong, and they're encouraging us to countdown to Christmas by opening up a gift from The Ritual of Advent — their 2019 advent calendar (HK$888). Want to set the mood right for the holidays? This festive calendar also includes four special advent candles for you to light up. 

7. ASOS

First they set their sights on our wardrobe, now they want to dress our faces as well. ASOS newly revealed a Face + Body advent calendar (Around HK$740- USD~$100 ), and its already looking like a fan favourite, promising to provide us with a ton of beauty products that we didn’t even know we needed, from brands like Laura Mercier, Elemis and Sand & Sky. 

8. Sephora

Giant beauty retailer Sephora recently opened up its shop at IFC, and is offering up possibly the best and most affordable advent calendar option with the widest range of goodies (HK$430- USD$45). The treasure trove of extremely useful items within include nail varnish, eye and lip masks, and even a pocket mirror. The adorable penguin themed box is a plus as well. 

9. Lush

Another first timer to the advent calendar game, Lush is only selling 500 of these babies worldwide.  This super limited edition set has 24 full sized classics, including the festive Candy Cane tooth Jelly and Jing Spells Bath Bomb. 

10. Maison Christian Dior

Here’s another splurge-worthy option from Maison Christian Dior. To celebrate the holiday season, the luxury brand launches this advent calendar with exclusive gifts within including products from their Lucky bath line like the body creme, liquid soap and bar soap that smell divine - like lily-of-the-valley and white flowers.

By guest editor (& friend) Aydee Tie

IG: @aydeetie