PART 1
Advent calendars are as much a part of the run-up to Christmas as mulled wine and Christmas music. But when the price tag often runs to four figures, we expect more than 24 travel-size products we’ll never use. We open, test and rate this year’s most sought-after advent calendars. Which are worth the money, and which can you happily leave on the shop shelf?
It’s September, and yes, we’re going to talk about Christmas. You may be wondering why, and the simple answer is that these calendars usually sell out before you’ve had a chance to read anything about them. So we’re getting in early!
The beauty calendars have already started arriving on shop shelves, and we know that several of them will be snapped up before people have even noticed they’ve launched. So we see no reason to wait until December to make up your mind!
But the selection has also become enormous.
Some promise luxury. Others promise products worth far more than the price tag. And behind the prettiest boxes can hide anything from full-size favourites you’ll actually use to the seventh hand cream you didn’t know you needed.That’s why we’re doing the work for you.
Over two parts, Melk & Honning tests this year’s advent calendars for 2026. We look at contents, variety, value and perhaps the most important factor of all: are we looking forward to opening the next door?
BABOR Ampoule Advent Calendar 2026
24 doors. 24 ampoules. One very ambitious December face.
BABOR doesn’t do things by halves. This year’s calendar is built as a 24-day skincare ritual, taking you from hydration and nourishment to soothing serums, glow and a lift through December.
Here you get Hydra Plus, Nutri Restore, Perfect Glow and Lift Express, among others, put together in a specific order to build on each other.
Who it’s for: The skincare nerd who already loves BABOR ampoules, or anyone who wants to make their skincare a little more luxurious through December.
What we like: The concept is well thought out, and this is a calendar where the contents actually hang together. You get a complete 24-day ritual rather than a random collection of samples. It’s also a plus that every door contains a product with a clear function.
Could be better: The element of surprise disappears fairly quickly. Ampoule yesterday. Ampoule today. Spoiler: ampoule tomorrow too. Several of the variants are also repeated throughout the calendar. Effective for your skincare routine, a little less exciting as an advent calendar.
M&H verdict: ★★★★☆
Skincare: 10/10. Surprises: not so much.
L’Occitane Advent Calendar Premium
For when December should smell like a very expensive hotel bathroom.
L’Occitane goes broad in this year’s premium calendar with skincare, hair care, body and fragrance. Highlights include the brand’s iconic Almond range, as well as a full-size Almond Shower Oil and Shea Hand Cream.
The price is NOK 1,899, while L’Occitane states a total product value of NOK 3,120. And that’s exactly what makes this one interesting.
Who it’s for: Anyone who loves body care, beautiful scents and the kind of products that make a perfectly ordinary shower a little more luxurious.
What we like: The variety. Here you genuinely don’t quite know what awaits behind the next door, and the mix of categories keeps the calendar interesting throughout December. Big bonus points for several full-size products and for products we actually use up.
Could be better: If you’re mainly after makeup and trend products, this is hardly the calendar for you. L’Occitane stays safely within its own universe, and NOK 1,899 is still a significant pre-Christmas gift to yourself.
M&H verdict: ★★★☆☆
Very gift-friendly. Potentially even better as a gift to yourself.
GLÖD Sophie Elise Advent Calendar 2026
Pink, sparkly and definitely not made for a minimalist December.
GLÖD has gone all in on this year’s calendar. Behind 24 doors hide no fewer than 29 products, and every single one is full size. It mixes bestsellers and new launches in self-tan, makeup, nails and body, plus one product available exclusively in the calendar.
The price is NOK 2,499, while the stated product value is NOK 5,913. You’ll find it HERE (Adlink)
Who it’s for: GLÖD fans, or anyone who loves self-tan, glam and makeup and wants plenty to play with through December. Or anyone who loves getting dressed up for a Friday night out – and Saturday too.
What we like: The fact that absolutely everything is full size is a big plus. 29 products spread over 24 doors also means you get a lot for your money compared with calendars full of minis and samples. And we’ll admit it: the sparkly heart is quite fun, and not least girly.
Could be better: This is very clearly a GLÖD universe. If you’re not especially interested in self-tan, makeup and glam, 29 products can quickly become a lot. The design will probably also divide opinion – discreet it is not.
M&H verdict: ★★★★☆
Less is more? Not in this calendar, and that’s the whole point.
Camilla Pihl Cosmetics Advent Calendar 2026
An advent calendar disguised as a coffee table book, with 30 full-size products inside.
Camilla Pihl has clearly decided that the calendar shouldn’t be hidden away as soon as the day’s door has been opened. This year’s version is designed as a large coffee table book and contains 30 full-size products spread across 24 doors. Big plus!
The price is NOK 2,599, with a stated value of NOK 7,013. That means a stated saving of NOK 4,414, provided you actually want the contents. You’ll find it HERE (Adlink)
Who it’s for: The beauty enthusiast who likes the Camilla Pihl universe and wants a calendar with lots of content, but also cares about it looking nice on the chest of drawers.
What we like: 30 full-size products is hard to argue with. The stated value is high compared with the price, and the coffee table book design makes this feel more polished than the classic cardboard box with 24 doors.
Could be better: As with GLÖD, the downside of a single-brand calendar is that you put a lot of eggs in one beauty basket. 30 full-size products sounds fantastic, but only if you’ll actually use them. For those who mainly want to discover lots of different brands, there are more exciting alternatives.
M&H verdict: ★★★★½
30 full-size products and no calendar hidden away on the kitchen counter? Camilla Pihl has really nailed the brief this year.
KICKS goes all in this year
Here comes the elephant in the beauty room.
After last year’s calendars disappeared quickly from the shelves, KICKS is back with not one, not two, but four different advent calendars in 2026. We’re talking skincare, makeup, hair and fragrance – and potentially some of the most interesting calendars in the test.
But we’re holding back our verdict until we’ve seen what’s actually behind the doors.
SO LUXE Beauty Calendar: for those who want as much luxury as possible behind the doors.
This is KICKS’ most lavish calendar this year, and the contents match the ambitions. You get 31 products, no fewer than 21 of them full size, from brands such as Sensai, Paula’s Choice, Charlotte Tilbury, Medik8, Hourglass, Babor and Too Faced.
The price is NOK 2,100, while the stated product value is a whopping NOK 10,497.
Who it’s for: The dedicated beauty enthusiast who likes premium skincare and makeup and would rather have a calendar with more than just minis.
What we like: The value is impressive, and 21 full-size products is hard to beat. The brand mix is also strong and varied, with skincare, makeup and hair.
Could be better: NOK 2,100 is still a lot of money, and with so many products, it’s almost guaranteed that not everything will hit the mark. Some of the doors may also feel less exclusive when the calendar otherwise promises so much luxury.
M&H verdict: ★★★★★
The most expensive in the KICKS family, but also the one that looks set to give the most back.
The ESSENTIAL Edit: Five doors, 16 products and perhaps the calendar that makes the most sense for him.
This one breaks completely with the 24-door format. Instead, you get five large doors to open each Advent Sunday, plus Christmas Eve. The contents consist of 16 products, 11 of them full size, from brands including Recipe for Men, Klairs, Versace, Molton Brown, Sebastian Professional and Hugo Boss.
The price is NOK 750, with a stated value of NOK 3,014.
Who it’s for: Him – the one who likes good skin, hair and fragrance products but doesn’t necessarily need a new little surprise every single morning in December. Or really anyone who prefers fewer, bigger doors.
What we like: Finally, a calendar that doesn’t try to fill 24 doors just because it has to. 16 products over five openings make each door feel more substantial, and the price level is good.
Could be better: If you love the ritual of one door every day, you naturally lose some of the calendar feeling here. The product selection is also more classic and less trend-driven than in the other KICKS calendars.
M&H verdict: ★★★☆☆
For those who’d rather have five proper surprises than 24 half-hearted ones.
The ICONIC Beauty Calendar: The TikTok hype gathered in one box.
This one is less about classic luxury and more “have you seen this all over your feed too?”. The calendar contains 29 products, 23 of them full size, from brands including Kylie, Benefit, MILK, Dr. Jart+, Bubble, Biodance, Ole Henriksen and The Ordinary.
The price is NOK 1,300, with a stated value of NOK 6,363.
Who it’s for: Anyone who likes testing the latest in beauty and would love to open products they’ve already seen on TikTok, Instagram or their wish list.
What we like: 23 full-size products at this price is very good. The brand selection feels younger, more current and more trend-driven than many traditional advent calendars.
Could be better: “Hyped” doesn’t necessarily mean everything suits everyone. You could easily end up with a few products you try once because the internet said you should, and then never use again.
M&H verdict: ★★★★☆
The one we think most beauty nerds under 35 will want to get their hands on.
The OMG Beauty Box: Lots of beauty without the most brutal price tag.
The OMG Beauty Box goes for a slightly looser and more playful take on the advent calendar. The 26 products come in unnumbered packages, so every opening becomes a little mystery box.
Here you’ll find Beauty of Joseon, COSRX, Sol de Janeiro, Xlash, Isadora, Hairlust and Juicy Couture, among others.
The price is NOK 850, while the stated value is NOK 3,803.
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants a fun beauty calendar without spending more than a thousand kroner – or as a gift for a younger beauty fan.
What we like: The price level is far more accessible, while you still get 17 full-size products. The brand mix is good, and the mystery factor makes opening it a little more fun.
Could be better: The contents are naturally less premium than in SO LUXE and ICONIC, and the overall feel can become a bit “pick-and-mix bag” compared with the more polished calendars.
M&H verdict: ★★★☆☆
The best combination of price, quantity and fun.
The calendars launch on 17 September at 10:00 at KICKS.