Best makeup advent calendars

Top pick: Revolution Beauty Makeup Revolution 24-Piece Advent Calendar — 24 doors of actual makeup (cream, liquid, powder and stick formulas), so it's the closest thing to a pure makeup calendar rather than a skincare sampler, and it's the best-rated of the big ones here.

Who the others suit:

• W7 Beauty Blast (24 boxes) — the budget-friendly all-cosmetics option if you want lots of doors for little.
• essence "baked with love" (24 surprises) — playful, trend-led makeup for a younger or more experimental recipient.
• Laura Geller 12 Days of Geller Gorgeous — 12 doors of makeup, tools and accessories; better for someone who'd rather have fewer, nicer things.
• Fenty Beauty + Fenty Skin 12-Piece — the premium choice, mixing full-size makeup with skincare minis.
• P. Louise "What Glows Around" — 25 full-size products in a big statement box; for a serious makeup lover.
• Neutrogena 7 Days of Skincare — not makeup, but the gentle pick for someone who mostly wants skincare.
• MCoBeauty Limited Edition — a compact, affordable door-style calendar to try a new brand.

Skip the House of Gold calendar — it isn't available to buy right now.