Notice to all beauutystas! In 2015, the world of beauty is massively investing the religious tradition of Advent calendars. They had discreetly made their appearance last year at L'Occitane, L'Oréal Paris, Auchan… but this autumn, we wonder who doesn't have his! Nocibé, Sephora, Monoprix, The Body Shop, L'Occitane, Lancôme, Kérastase, Benefit, Durance, Ciaté, Dr Hauschka (non-exhaustive list…) and we bet that many others will be announced in the coming weeks… An excellent idea that has everything to seduce women (great variety of products, taste for miniatures, discovery of novelties…), especially as prices range from 19.95 € to 125 €.

Showcases for brands

Bringing together 24 emblematic or new products, Advent beauty calendars are an excellent opportunity for brands to remember their consumers, via miniatures, samples or test models, sometimes even life-size products for the last day. Often presented in diptychs or triptychs, richly decorated with sequins, gilding, crystals, frost, red satin knots, Christmas symbols… they also represent pretty decorations that give a festive air to our interiors, for end of year celebrations placed under the sign of beauty. With their 24 pre-cut windows opening onto charming treasures, they reveal a foretaste of Christmas and help impatient women count the days!

To each his own specificity

Mini varnish for Ciaté, hair care for Kérastase, tea lights for Durance, organic certified facial and body care for Dr Hauschka… there's something for everyone!

The cheapest Nocibé's (€19.95), a red cube shaped gift pack that includes an assortment of make-up products and accessories (eye shadow, blush, brushes…).

The most crunchy The one of L'Occitane, designed by Kanako, famous illustrator of My Little Paris . Every day, a new surprise: Ultra Rich Facial Cream, Body Milk with Verbena, Extra Gentle Soap, Mini Shea Hand Cream… (39 €, from October 28, but you can reserve it on the brand's website from October 17).

The most fragrant The one from Durance, which reveals 24 cult and original perfumes of mini candles to use in a photophore (39.90 €).

The most wintery Sephora, which, in its winter sports resort setting, offers multicoloured skis and snow-capped peaks, a nutritious care mix, a night mask, varnish, make-up, wipes, polishing block… (39.95 €, from 9 November).

The most musical Benefit's. Not very orthodox because it has only 12 windows but it is the only one that is musical. Here, the words of the nursery rhyme"The twelve days of Christmas" are diverted to become"The twelve things at parties" (the 12 things to do in the evening!) and this original music sounds when you open the box, as well as each window! 12 essential mini products of the brand are hidden there, like The Porefessional balm, They're real mascara, Lollitint liquid blush and many other attentions. With the lyrics of the music as a bonus if you want to sing from the heart! (Kit Party Poppers  48.95, starting in November).

The most Parisian Lancôme's which displays the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Grande Roue… on a mountain of gold, white and red gift packages. A delightful"so frenchy" decor and nuggets of all kinds: perfumes, skincare or make-up, including 2 Hypnôse mini-mascaras, very practical for the weekend! (  24 beauty wishes with Lancôme  69, from 2 November).

The most"cocooning" Kérastase, a monogrammed gold and white case containing 24 baths and cult hair care products (from 20 to 80 ml), with a full-size product on December 24 (Ultimate Elixir Solid Serum). Every day, a new opportunity to pamper her hair! ( Waiting for Christmas  89, in hair salons, from October).

The most complete The Body Shop. Red or green, they combine their many combinations in an air of naturalness and fair trade ("the world is our source of beauty"). The brand's best-selling facial, body, fragrance and make-up products are on display, as well as various accessories such as eyelash curlers, a shower flower, mini nail files and brushes (€85 or €125 in the Deluxe version, which comes with a 25th surprise from 27 October).

The most varnished The one from Ciaté, English brand queen of the"fun nail art", with 22 mini nail polishes, a nail file and a glitter nail polish, in a typical British look ( Mini Mani Month Ciaté, 49,95 €, from the end of September).

The most natural The one from Dr. Hauschka. Poetry of nature and snow crystals for this calendar which contains 24 certified organic body and face treatments, including a life-size Eye Contour Fluid Cream for the last day (87 €, from October 15).

More original than the endless Christmas boxes, the Advent beauty calendars, generalists or specialists, allow brands to convey their values. We can imagine some dedicated to perfume, body, accessories or eye products, depending on what companies decide to promote. One thing is certain, in November, they will be highly appreciated holiday pre-gifts!  24 days to wait for Christmas in style. The countdown has begun…

Ariane Le Febvre