I got a first look at John Lewis's beauty advent calendar 2026 – and skincare fans are in for a treat

The most wonderful time in the beauty world is nearly here. Joining the likes of Liberty and Harrods, John Lewis has unveiled its advent calendar for 2026. I got an exclusive first look – and it could be the retailer’s best lineup yet, with 23 full-size products and dozens of luxury brands.Worth over £1,000 but setting you back £250, the calendar sets you up for an indulgent December with 41 products spread over 25 days. Replacing sweet treats and chocolate with skincare saviours, luxury fragrances and make-up staples, John Lewis is promising a particularly pampered festive period. Each year, the stalwart’s offering has only got better – for 2026, it’s the highest value calendar yet, while the beautifully hand-painted, celestial-inspired box can easily be repurposed for storage. From Molton Brown, L’Occitane and Clinique to Medik8, La Mer, Charlotte Tilbury and Benefit, the full-size roster packs in plenty of household names, while deluxe-size goodies span Gucci scents and Elemis skincare. Read MoreRivalling department stores including Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, John Lewis is always among the most anticipated calendars – particularly thanks to its mature skin offering, high ratio of full-size products and mystery vouchers. This year’s calendar is no exception. This year, perfumistas will also be treated to John Lewis’s first-ever 12-day fragrance calendar, featuring luxury brands such as Memo Paris, Essential Parfums, Killian and Frederic Malle. Priced at just £99 but worth £305, the calendar is perfect for those looking to find a new signature scent for 2027. From the full curated lineup to release date, here’s an exclusive first look at John Lewis’ beauty advent calendar for 2026. John Lewis Worth: Over £1,160Confirmed cost: £250Number of days: 25 Number of products: 41 (23 full size) Advent calendar highlights: Available: Pre-orders from 3 August This year, the John Lewis calendar is more dazzling than ever. There are 41 products in 25 drawers to count you down to Christmas Day, including a huge 23 full-size goodies and 18 deluxe minis. Ensuring each day of December is a decadent surprise, 10 drawers feature more than one product. A showcase of the best brands in John Lewis’s beauty hall, Trinny, Fenty Beauty, Elemis and Gucci feature alongside beauty tech – including Foreo’s UFO mini, worth £129 alone. Among the full-size skincare products, personal favourites include the L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil, Liz Earle’s Cleanse & PolishTM, and Medik8’s Hydr8 B5, while make-up heroes span the Sculpted by Aimee Line and Shine Lip Liner and Gloss Duo, Fenty Beauty Hella Thicc Volumising Mascara, and Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand. The deluxe products offer an opportunity to sample formulas without committing to a full-size – think the Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum Intense, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, and Shiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting and Firming Advanced Cream. What’s more, one in 41 customers is in the running to win a mystery voucher: prizes include a Shark face or hair tool, and a Clarins spa treatment. The hand-painted, celestial-style box feels evergreen enough for year-round beauty storage, too. Discover the full 41-strong line-up below. Clarins Comfort Lip OilForeo Mini UFOForeo UFO MaskMolton Brown Red Berry Hand WashJo by Jo Loves Mini CandleL’Occitane Almond Shower Oil, 75mlLiz Earle Cleanse & PolishTM Relaxing Edition and Muslin ClothGrown Alchemist Rich Restorative Hand CreamNuxe Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse® Spray Bottle, 50mlClinique All About Eyes Brightening Serum Concentrate, 10mlBenefit Benefit Juice Stick Cream Blush in FiggieMedik8 Hydr8 B5, 30mlAveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave in Treatment, 25mlPhilip Kingsley Frizz-Fighting Gloss, 50mlMalin+Goetz Niacinamide Restorative Cream, 50mlMavala Pure Diamond Nail PolishDermaskTM Vital Hydra SolutionTM Pro Sheet MaskLa Mer The Lip BalmDermalogica Daily Microfoliant, 13mlSculpted by Aimee Line and Shine Lip Liner & Gloss Duo in shade BlushFenty Beauty Hella Thicc Volumising MascaraLaura Mercier Translucent Hydrating Setting Spray Ultra-Blur, 100mlCharlotte Tilbury Beauty Light WandTrinny Bounce Back Mini, 14.5mlLaneige Bouncy & Firm Serum, 15mlThe Ordinary Glucoside Foaming Cleanser, 50mlEstee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, 15mlThis Works Perfect CleavageRituals Ayurveda Body CreamNeals Yard Frankincense Intense Age Defying CreamSkin Rocks The Moisturiser, 15mlElemis Pro-Collagen Future Restore Serum, 15mlSisley Paris Black Rose Mask, 10mlSisley Paris Black Rose Skin Infusion, 10mlShiseido Vital Perfection Uplifting & Firming Advanced Cream, 15mlShiseido Intensive Sculptdefine Serum, 7mlLumière d’Issey Eau de Parfum, 10mlWella Ultimate Smooth Shampoo, 100mlVersace Crystal Emerald, 5mlLancome Bi-Facil, 30mlGucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum Intense, 5mlWhen does the John Lewis beauty advent calendar 2026 launch? John Lewis The John Lewis beauty advent calendar 2026 is available to pre-order from 3 August for MyJL Beauty members, who get exclusive early access. I’d suggest signing up now to avoid missing out (the John Lewis beauty advent calendar has consistently sold out in previous years). MyJL Beauty is completely free, operating as a free community and rewards tier attached to the standard My John Lewis loyalty program via the John Lewis app.Pre-orders will be shipped from 3 September, before going on general sale from 7 September – so it’s well worth becoming a member. The fragrance calendar will be available to buy for MyJL members from 21 September, ahead of general sale on 25 September.