YOUNG or old, we all love an Advent calendar. But starting the great chocolate scoff of Christmas on December 1 can be tricky for those of us hoping to look party perfect come the end of the month. The answer? Beauty-filled boxes of brilliance to countdown to the big day.
Select your festive favourite and get gorgeous this Advent...
:: Dr. Hauschka Limited Edition Christmas Advent Calendar, £75 (www.dr.hauschka.com)
Any Dr. Hauschka fans will love this selection of body and skin products, all designed to help encourage wellbeing and calmness during the busy festive season. Includes 23 trial sized goodies, from eye cream and cleanser to bath essence and body oil, and one full-sized surprise for Christmas Eve.
:: You Beauty Advent Calendar 2015, £59.95, plus P&P of £4.95 for non-members (www.youbeautydiscovery.co.uk)
If you're after more bang for your buck this season, this is the Advent calendar for you. Worth a whopping £330 in total, behind each of the 24 windows, you'll find a whole array of different beauty brands, from Molton Brown and Cowshed to Philip Kingsley and REN. We defy anyone who owns one of these not to be excited for the countdown to Christmas.
:: Diptyque Advent Calendar 2015, £250 (Available mid-November; www.selfridges.com)
This Advent calendar, a first for the renowned Parisian fragrance house, contains 25 doors, so there's even a treat on Christmas Day. Containing an edit of the most beautiful Diptyque products, you'll unveil a mix of mini candles, Eau de Toilette vials and the brand's luxury body care.
:: L'Occitane Christmas Beauty Advent Calendar, £39, L'Occitane - in stores only
Already sold out online, be sure to snap up L'Occitane's Advent calendar from its nationwide boutiques fast. Featuring a selection of bestsellers, discover delights like their Almond Shower Oil, Pivoine Flora Eau de Toilette and Cherry Blossom Hand Cream, as well as extra treats such as gift tags and decorations.
:: 24 Happy Days Beauty Advent Calendar, £60 (www.thebodyshop.co.uk)
This is a seriously stunning Advent calendar, containing 24 Body Shop products that are collectively worth £93.50. Filled with a blend of bestsellers from skincare, bath and body care, fragrance and make-up (not to mention the inspiring messages), you'll discover everything from soap and perfume, to brushes and eyelash curlers.
:: Benefit Party Poppers Advent calendar, £34.50 – currently on offer at £31.05 (www.debenhams.com; also in selected Benefit boutiques)
This box of treats counts down the 12 days of Christmas with gorgeous Benefit goodies worth a total of £79.17. There are favourites from across the entire range, including the 'They're Real!' Lengthening Mascara, POREfessional PRO Balm and 'High Beam' Complexion Enhancer. What's more, it even plays a song!
:: Jo Malone Luxury Advent Calendar, £260 (Jo Malone London boutiques nationwide; for stockists call 0800 054 2411)
If money's no object, there's only one Advent calendar you need to consider - the beautiful Georgian townhouse-designed Jo Malone collection, bursting with colognes and cremes that provide the perfect layering of scents.
:: Ciate London Mini Mani Month Beauty Advent Calendar, £49 (www.boots.com)
It may be Ciate London's fourth Mini Mani Month Advent Calendar, but this year, you can discover more than just polish. Containing 17 delicious shades of Ciate mini Paint Pots, two nail toppers, three treatments, a mini crystal nail file and a full size exclusive Paint Pot for December 24, this is one Advent calendar that will live on and on.
:: Mad Beauty Advent Calendar, £19.99 (www.findmeagift.co.uk)
From lipsticks and lip glosses, to nail polish and eye shadows, this Advent calendar is bursting with 24 mini make-up treats and tools to help you create the look.
:: The Book Of Makeup Magic, £150 (www.charlottetilbury.com)
For those who prefer premium make-up, the 12 days of Christmas could not be more beautiful, thanks to expert advice from renowned make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury. Each door contains a mini make-up cabinet, featuring a mix of tiddly and full-size versions of Tilbury's time-tested favourites, as well a book of her 12 best-kept beauty secrets. As an extra special treat, behind the final door you'll find the not-yet-released Magic Night Cream, so you can be one of the first to try it.
:: Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar 2015, £149 (www.liberty.co.uk)
Back by popular demand and now in its second year, the 2015 Liberty Advent Calendar is very special indeed. Costing £149 but worth over £400, products have been hand-selected from some of the most sought-after brands in the Liberty beauty hall, including 11 full-sized products alongside deluxe samples. With 25 treats and - in true Liberty style - showcasing the Felix And Isabelle print from the Classics 2013 Print Collection on the inside of the calendar, it's a tough one to beat.
:: Feelunique Beauty Calendar, £30 (www.feelunique.com)
Exclusive to Feelunique, this calendar comprises 12 beauty surprises, from skincare to haircare and make-up. Featuring lots of great brands (This Works, Redken and Fleur de Force to name just a few) and worth a whopping £85 in total, this is a brilliant bargain buy.
TRIED AND TESTED
Claire Spreadbury gets to grips with a brand new straightening iron that's actually good for your hair
"Poker-straight hair may not be the go-to style any more, but straighteners are a great way to help achieve that salon-look at home. I use mine every other day (on a non-hair wash day) and also for creating curls for more of a party look. But despite knowing I should be slathering my coloured locks with heat-protecting products before styling, I rarely do, which often leads to dry, lacklustre tresses. Step forward the Josh Wood Colourloc Treatment Iron – a straightener which allows you to care for your hair while styling. What looks like a normal iron (and can be used as a normal iron) also comes with a set of 12 patented treatment capsules, which you insert into the straighteners. They're uber-easy to use and each set contains six 'Keep My Colour' vials, which are enriched with UV filters, and six 'Keep Me Smooth' capsules, containing Keratin for super-sleek locks. Each capsule should last at least one straightening session (two or three on my bob-length hair) and the effects last up to three washes. The treatment works by being 'steamed' through your hair via the vented ceramic plates, and the steam option can simply be switched off if you want to style without applying it. Easy to use, great results and a styler that genuinely cares for your hair – me and my red locks are sold!"
:: Josh Wood Colourloc Treatment Iron, £120, Marks & Spencer
BUY IT NOW
Looking for a quirky, festive fragrance gift? Moschino have just launched their Fresh Couture scent, featuring a mandarin and bergamot top note, a floral heart and a woody finish. Dive inside the elegant box to reveal a perfume bottle in the shape of a household cleaner – very Moschino and a great fun present.
:: Moschino Fresh Couture Eau de Toilette, £70 for 100ml (smaller sizes available in store; www.selfridges.com)
BEAUTY BULLETIN
:: WIDE AWAKE CLUB
It would seem the so-called 'have it all generation' – those aged between 30 and 39 – are feeling pretty exhausted. According to a survey by Eylure, more than two-thirds of women in that age group would like to look more rested, and over 40 per cent think they look tired every single day. The answer? Eylure recommends wearing a pair of their false lashes for a quick-fix wide-eyed look.
