I Unboxed All Three of Sephora's Advent Calendars So You Don't Have To (2024)

If you’re a longtime beauty lover like myself, you know that the day Sephora drops their holiday offerings is a v exciting time. I’m talking limited-edition products, makeup ornaments, gift sets at a wicked discount, and OBVIOUSLY the coveted Sephora advent calendars, because what better way to make your days merry and bright than by starting them off with a new lipstick or nail polish for 24 days straight? They’re also a pretty good financial decision, in my full-disclaimer-I’m-not-a-financial-advisor opinion, since you typically get more value than you paid for.

This year, there are three Sephora advent calendars available online (plus another that’s in-store only). You’re probably having the same reaction that I did, which is, "So what’s the difference between all of them and how TF do I know which one to buy…?"

Well, dear reader, I ordered all three of ‘em to the office and unboxed them all to give you the spoiler-filled lowdown on what surprises are inside and which one will give you the best bang for your buck.

Sephora Collection Advent Calendar ($50)

• Value: $132
• Standout products: Lip Liner To Go in 03 Classic Red, Bubble Bath & Shower Gel in Monoi

The standard Sephora Collection calendar contains 24 days of beauty surprises from Sephora's in-house brand for just $50, which is significantly cheaper than a lot of makeup advent calendars out there. It comes in a cardboard box rather than a collectible container, but it's cute enough to be displayed on a shelf or something (at least throughout December).

I unboxed the entire thing at my desk for research purposes, obvi, and the overall vibe I got was that some of the advent gifts felt a little random. Think a sheet of rolled up nail stickers, an exfoliating glove, two little hair clips, lots of sheet masks, etc—so it may not excite an experienced makeup lover with an extensive collection of luxe products. But it's still a totally fun gift at a great price point for a younger sibling, cousin, or kiddo who's dipping their toe into the world of makeup and skincare.

Here's what's inside...

• Love the Lift Mascara in Ultra Black
• Cleansing Wipes in Aloe
• Anti-Dark Circles Eye Masks Blueberry Extract + Anti-Fatigue Caffeine
• All Day Hydrator-Hydrate +Glow
• Bubble Bath & Shower Gel in Monoi
• Lip Mask in Cherry Extract
• Nose Strip Blackhead Remover
• Brightening Eye Cream
• Clean Skin Gel
• 2x Nail Polish in 101 and 202
• Top Coat Polish
• Lip Marker in 02 Make it Loud
• Lip Liner To Go in 03 Classic Red
• 12H Retractable Eyeliner Waterproof in 10 matte brown
• Coconut Foot Masks

Sephora Collection Premium Advent Calendar ($89)

• Standout products: Color Shifter Eyeshadow Palette, Glossed Lip Gloss, Scented Body Mist

I unboxed the Premium Advent Calendar right after opening up the standard one, and I could tell right away that it was nicer. Rather than a cardboard box, you get a big silver tin that contains a bunch of little boxes that fit perfectly inside (big news for all of my fellow container-hoarding people).

The products are noticeably bigger, too, if you can look past the occasional nail file and/or scrunchie. There is some overlap between the regular calendar and the premium calendar, but in the latter version you get more full-size products. I opened up a lip gloss, a body mist, some cute nail polishes, a brow gel, and even an eyeshadow palette! And definitely fewer sheet masks, lol.

Oh, and FYI—it's actually completely sold out on the Sephora website. Yep, it's the first week of November and it's already gone. But!! I did some digging and it turns out that you can still purchase their Premium Advent Calendar at Kohls (that is, as long as supplies last).

Here's what's inside...

• Mango Hand Mask
• Shape & Set Clear Brow Gel
• Color Shifter Strange Botanicals Eyeshadow Palette - Khaki Illusion
• Vitamin Face Mask
  
• Blueberry Eye Mask
• Glossed Lip Gloss in 35 Confident
• Outrageous Intense in Lip Plumper in 02 Inferno
• Nail Polish in 804 Cocoa Cuddle
• Nail Polish in 901 Pink Glaze
• Cherry Lip Sheet Mask
• Matcha Tea Face Mask
• Vitamin C + E Super Glow Serum
• Lip Sleeping Mask in Vanilla
• Charcoal Nose Strip
• Cherry Lip Sleeping Mask
• Love The Lift Mascara in Ultra Black
• Colorful Luminizer in 01 Glitzy Gold
• Scented Body Mist in Monoi
• Clear Top Coat
• All Day Hydrator

Sephora Collection After-Advent Calendar ($35)

• Standout products: Colorful Blush in 06 Flirt It Up, Size Up Volumizing Mascara

What's the Sephora After Advent Calendar? I'm so glad you asked—it's seven days of bonus beauty surprises to inject some dopamine into that weirdly dead, liminal week between Christmas and New Years Eve. Keeps the holiday spirit going, etc. Fun, right?

For $35, you get eight products (one of the slots has two items) which brings it to a little over $4 per item. Not bad! There's a full-sized mascara, a baby blue nail polish, a pretty rose lipstick, and a decently-sized blush along with some pampering goodies that are fun for anyone. And the best part is that you could even snag a couple of these as Christmas gifts, because the countdown doesn't start 'til the 26th!

Here's what's inside...

• Cucumber Hand Mask
• Colorful Blush in 06 Flirt It Up (standard size)
• Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner in 01 Black (standard size)
• Caffeine Eye Mask (standard size)
• Lip Sleeping Mask in Vanilla (standard size)
• Nail Polish in 501 Baby Blue (standard size)
• Sheer Shine Lipstick in 07 Rose Refraction (standard size)
• Size Up Volumizing Mascara in Ultra Black (standard size)

And the winner is...

After meticulously opening all three advent calendars, I've come to the conclusion that the Sephora Premium Advent Calendar is the winner-winner by a mile. You get such a fun assortment of full-sized makeup and beauty products, plus a couple of self-care items, and it all comes wrapped up in a nice box that can be reused—what's not to love? Oh, and it's under $100, which is a win considering the fact that people are out here buying $500+ advent calendars like it's no biggie.

If you're sold, friendly reminder that it's sadly out of stock on Sephora's website and won't be restocked for the season but it is still available at Kohls, so use the link below if you're planning on shopping.

And if you're looking for even more variety, Sephora carries a curated selection of advent calendars from other brands like Paula’s Choice, L’Occitane, Laneige, Maison Margiela, Charlotte Tilbury, and more. Here are some of our favorites: