How to Create a DIY Beauty Advent Calendar

Beauty advent calendars are the latest holiday beauty trend. After all, who wouldn’t want to receive a different makeup, skin care, or hair styling product each day leading up to the main event? If you want to be responsible for giving someone’s favorite holiday gift this year, read on for our tutorial on how to DIY a 12-day beauty advent calendar and spoil your loved ones day after day.

HOW TO CREATE A DIY BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR

You’re probably wondering, “How am I supposed to create a DIY calendar that will fit all the beauty products I want to include?” Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Let’s get crafty!

What you’ll need:

Twine

Scissors

Decorative envelopes or gift bags

Permanent markers or number stickers

Your beauty products of choice

Box (optional)

Step #1: Number your envelopes or bags

Before we get into the details, start by numbering your envelopes or bags—these will be what holds each of your gifts. You can create the necessary numbers (one through 12) by using a permanent marker to write them out in a cute font or by applying number stickers—get creative with it!

Step #2: Grab your twine

Gather your twine and cut two pieces of string that are long enough to hold six bags each. Then, cut 12 smaller pieces of twine. These will be used to tie your bags to your longer strings.

Step #3: “Wrap” your gifts

Place your beauty products into their corresponding bags!

Step #4: Choose your gifting method

To finish your advent calendar, you’ll have to consider what gifting method you’ll be using. There’s more than one way to give this beauty (pun intended)!

Option #1: Pack everything up. Put your bags, products, and string into a box so your friend can DIY their calendar themselves! Just make sure to keep the products in their numbered bags. Write assembly instructions in a card and include it with your box.

This can even be a great option for friends who don’t live super close, if you pick lighter products, you can ship it to a friend—it’ll make for an amazing gift and care package all in one.

Option #2: Get creative. If you’re gifting the calendar to a family member or roommate—someone you live with, basically—attach your bags to your long strings of twine before hanging them up on a wall or door! It’ll be the ultimate surprise. Don’t want to put anything on your wall? You can simply place your 12 bags under the tree for your giftee to find.

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR BEAUTY ADVENT CALENDAR

You’ve almost completed your advent calendar—and now it’s time for the best part—choosing what to fill it with! When it comes to picking out what beauty products to include, you may be a little overwhelmed by your options. We’ve compiled a list with a mix of makeup, skin care, and hair products for every day of your beauty advent calendar.

Day #1: Red lipstick

Red lipstick is a holiday classic. Give your beauty lover one with a long-wearing, matte formula—just in time for all the festive celebrations. Choose the L’Oréal Paris Rouge Signature Matte High Pigment, Lightweight Lip Ink in I Achieve, I Am Worth It, or I Don’t, making your pick based on your loved one’s skin tone. (Here’s Our Best Red Lipstick for Every Skin Tone.) This matte liquid lipstick is ultra-comfortable and highly pigmented, so you don’t have to worry whether your friend will love it or not.

Day #2: Wash out hair color

‘Tis the season to try a new hair color! While rocking a new ‘do isn’t for everyone, give the gift of a wash out hair color for a temporary, fun change. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris Colorista 1-Day Spray or the L’Oréal Paris Colorista Hair Makeup 1-Day Color. Both hair colors wash out in just one shampoo and come in pretty petite packaging—perfect for an advent calendar.

Day #3: Multi-purpose moisturizer

Winter (unfortunately) is the season of dry skin. That’s why you can’t go wrong with gifting a multi-purpose moisturizer, like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Hydra Nutrition Manuka Honey All Over Balm - Face/Neck/Chest/Hands, to help keep skin looking its best. This all-over balm is formulated with manuka honey and nurturing oils to soothe and rescue dry skin on the face, neck, chest, and hands.

Day #4: Lengthening mascara

Who doesn’t want lifted lashes? Pop the L’Oréal Paris Unlimited Lash Lifting and Lengthening Washable Mascara into one of your bags. This mascara has a unique two-position wand for a customizable lash look with intense length.

Day #5: Hydrating hair mask

Hair needs TLC during the holidays, too! Treat your giftee to a hair mask for the ultimate pampering. We suggest sticking with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Intense Repair Hair Sheet Mask or the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Deep Moisture Hair Sheet Mask since their slim packaging is sure to fit into most envelopes and gift bags.

Day #6: Long-lasting eyebrow makeup

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow—because the recipient of this advent calendar won’t have to worry about their brows going anywhere, regardless of how crazy the weather gets! Help your friend/family member/roommate survive winter with the L’Oréal Paris Unbelieva-Brow Longwear Waterproof Brow Gel.

Day #7: Vitamin C serum

Beyond dryness, winter weather can cause skin to look dull. Brighten things up by including a vitamin C serum, like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Derm Intensives 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum, in your beauty advent calendar. The serum is formulated with 10% pure vitamin C and helps restore a healthy radiance and reduce wrinkles.

Day #8: Strong hold hairspray

With so many holiday hairstyles to try, no one wants all their hard work to go to waste. Stick the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold (Travel Size)—a product your giftee can appreciate whether they have long hair or short hair—into one of your bags for on-the-go hairstyle protection.

Day #9: Makeup spray

Another thing no one wants to be wasted? A stunning holiday makeup look. Keep your makeup in place with the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi-Shake and Glow Dew Mist. This spray primes, sets, and refreshes makeup for a natural, healthy glow in just one spritz. Formulated with coconut water and vitamin C, it also provides a boost of hydration.

Day #10: Self-tanner

There’s no need to sacrifice a summer glow. While you may not have the funds to send anyone on vacation, you can give someone a self-tanner so they can get a golden, sun-kissed glow at-home. We love the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Towelettes for Body. If you’re making multiple advent calendars, you could even split up a pack and give each of your friends a few towelettes.

Day #11: Multi-masking kit

Everyone loves options, and we’re betting the person you plan to bestow this advent calendar to does too. The L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Multi-Mask Clay Tripod Kit contains three clay face masks to indulge in. Your giftee can try just one or multi-mask with all three!

Day #12: Makeup blender

Once you use a makeup blender, you won’t go back to applying foundation with a brush. Give your loved one the gift of the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender for effortless, seamlessly blended complexion.

Want more holiday gift ideas? Read our article, The Perfect Gift for Every Person in Your Life.