The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. Why trust us?ExtrasIndyBestChristmasAdvent calendarsI emptied the Charlotte Tilbury beauty advent calendar – and it’s her best one yetIs the beauty haul worth £170?This year's offering features three more products than last year's (Lucy Smith/The Independent)The Charlotte Tilbury beauty advent calendar has had a bit of a makeover for 2026, with more products and a lower price tag than last year. For anyone choosing between the best beauty advent calendars on offer this year, that’s worth knowing – although calendars from the likes of Harrods and Cult Beauty typically boast better value for money (more on this below). That’s not to say you should rule out Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood beauty wonderland advent calendar, though. It seems the brand has finally listened to feedback, adding more beauty buys while cutting the price by £5.The 12-door calendar still centres on the brand’s bestselling make-up and skincare, with some full-size favourites among the contents, and there’s more to discover than in previous years, including exclusive items and new launches from 2026.So, is this the year Charlotte Tilbury’s calendar finally gives its luxury retail rivals a run for their money? I’ve opened every drawer to work out exactly what you’re getting for your £170 – and whether the year-on-year changes make it better in practice as well as on paper.Read more: I’ve had a first look at Boots’s 2026 beauty advent calendars – here’s what to expectCharlotte Tilbury Charlotte's Hollywood beauty wonderland advent calendarPrice £170Worth £323Number of days 12Number of products 15 (three full-sizes)Advent calendar highlights Charlotte Tilbury unreal blush healthy glow stick, Charlotte Tilbury lip cheat lip liner in 'pillow talk', Charlotte Tilbury magic creamAvailable 3 September from the 'easy beauty for you' app, 10 September via Charlottetilbury.comWhy we love it Three more products year-on-yearMake-up colour selection is useable year-round (versus bold reds)New launches from past two yearsTake note Only one more full-size product than last yearRoughly 50 per cent saving, with some competitors offering nearly 80 per centShow moreShow lessThere’s a familiar feel to much of the Charlotte Tilbury’s 2026 advent calendar, with several products returning from last year, including the beauty light wand, magic cream, magic serum crystal elixir and airbrush flawless setting spray. Admittedly, the repeat items are fan favourites, but they're repeats nonetheless. Because of this, it's super easy to spot the newcomers – the unreal blush healthy glow stick, for example, is a particularly timely drop in given it’s one of the brand’s newer launches. It’s even been spotted on the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, if you fancy recreating their stadium light-approved glow (I’ve used it, it’s really lovely).The exclusive make-up bag is the perfect size for a night out clutch or crossbody (Lucy Smith/The Independent)The brand has made more of an effort is with the non-beauty additions in this year’s haul and, for the first time, the calendar contains an exclusive accessory – a mini pillow talk charm make-up bag – plus a limited-edition white quartz gua sha (inspired by those used at the brand’s Covent Garden skin spa). Given the calendar can’t compete with the value offered by the likes of John Lewis and Sephora (to name a few of big-name advents), these inclusions give the calendar allure beyond shopping in-store or online.Still, I think Charlotte Tilbury could push the concept further. There are no complexion products, despite the exciting launch of the airbrush flawless concealer this year. No7, for example, is giving calendar buyers a gratis voucher to head in-store for a shade match and full-size foundation, while Harrods has included a CurrentBody cash discount voucher. Rather, the calendar feels weighted towards familiar lip, eye and skincare favourites – and the brand has docked the number of full-sizes versus 2025. The airbrush flawless setting spray is my ride or die mist for long-lasting make-up (Lucy Smith/The Independent)I can’t fault the performance of the products – the lip liner is buttery, the big lip plumpgasm seriously does give you pout extra oomph and the magic cream is intensely nourishing, albeit not for my oily skin type. But, ultimately, this calendar is more for the true Charlotte Tilbury devotees than those looking to expand their make-up and skincare horizons. Back to topIs the Charlotte Tilbury beauty advent calendar worth £170?The Charlotte Tilbury beauty advent is mostly worth its price tag, but with some reservations. It’s a step in the right direction and everything from the lower price and increased number of products, to the advent-exclusive accessories certainly make this year’s offering more appealing. However, several familiar products returning from last year and the lack of a complexion products (despite the brand’s stellar complexion line-up) feels like a missed opportunity, particularly given new launches like the airbrush flawless concealer and loose powder. Overall, it’s a more appealing proposition than last year, but there’s still room for Charlotte Tilbury to make its calendar more exciting.What is inside the Charlotte Tilbury beauty advent calendar for 2026?These are the 15 products (three full-sizes) featured in the 12-day calendar:Charlotte Tilbury matte revolution lipstick in pillow talk medium – full-sizeCharlotte Tilbury unreal blush healthy glow stick in rosy glow – full-sizeCharlotte Tilbury beauty light wand in pillow talk – full-sizeCharlotte Tilbury collagen superfusion facial oil – travel-sizeCharlotte Tilbury lip cheat contour duo in medium – full-sizeCharlotte Tilbury lip cheat in pillow talk medium – travel-sizeCharlotte Tilbury unreal lips healthy glow nectar oil in juicylicious strawberry vanilla – travel-sizeCharlotte Tilbury airbrush flawless setting spray, original – travel-sizeCharlotte Tilbury big lip plumpgasm in nudegasm diamonds – travel-sizeCharlotte Tilbury charlotte’s magic cream – travel-sizeCharlotte Tilbury charlotte’s magic serum crystal elixir – travel-sizeCharlotte Tilbury exagger-eyes volume mascara in exagger-black – travel-sizeCharlotte Tilbury rock 'n' kohl in bedroom black – travel-sizeCharlotte Tilbury charlotte’s magic sculpting gua sha tool – limited editionCharlotte Tilbury pillow talk mini charm makeup bag – advent exclusiveHow I testedI’ve been testing and using Charlotte Tilbury products for the better part of a decade, so I’m familiar with how many of its cult formulas perform and how newer launches compare. I also had hands-on access to the 2026 advent calendar several weeks ahead of its public release, giving me time to properly put the contents (specifically, the items I wasn’t already familiar with) through their paces. I paid attention to: Application: I assessed how any products new to me performed, while drawing on my prior knowledge of Charlotte Tilbury products I’ve either reviewed or used extensively before.Performance: I looked at how the make-up applied, wore and felt throughout the day, as well as how the skincare products felt on my skin.Product value: I considered how the overall saving on offer compares with other beauty advent calendars.Line-up: I gauged the balance of new, exclusive and returning products, including whether the contents felt worthwhile for existing Charlotte Tilbury fans. Why you can trust IndyBest reviewsAs a senior shopping writer, this is Lucy Smith’s third year reviewing advent calendars for IndyBest. She’s unboxed more than one hundred advents through the years and knows when you’re really getting bang for your buck. Plus, as a true Charlotte Tilbury fan herself, she’s reviewed everything from the new airbrush flawless concealer to the airbrush flawless foundation. Read more: Lookfantastic has revealed the first products in its beauty advent calendar 2026