If you’re a longtime beauty lover, you know that the day Sephora drops their holiday offerings is a v exciting time. I’m talking limited-edition products, makeup ornaments, gift sets at a wicked discount, and OBVIOUSLY the coveted Sephora advent calendars, because what better way to make your days merry and bright than by starting them off with a new lipstick or nail polish for 24 days straight? They’re also a pretty good financial decision, since you typically get more value than you paid for.

This year, there are three Sephora advent calendars available online (plus another that’s in-store only). You’re probably having the same reaction that I did, which is, “So what’s the difference between all of them and how TF do I know which one to buy…?”

Well, dear reader, I ordered all three of ‘em to the office and unboxed them all to give you the spoiler-filled lowdown on what surprises are inside and which one will give you the best bang for your buck.

The Standard Sephora Collection Advent Calendar

The standard Sephora Collection calendar contains 24 days of beauty surprises from Sephora's in-house brand for just $50, which is significantly cheaper than a lot of makeup advent calendars out there. It comes in a cardboard box rather than a collectible container, but it's cute enough to be displayed on a shelf or something (at least throughout December).

I unboxed the entire thing at my desk for research purposes, obvi, and the overall vibe I got was that some of the advent gifts felt a little random. Think a sheet of rolled up nail stickers, an exfoliating glove, two little hair clips, lots of sheet masks, etc—so it may not excite an experienced makeup lover with an extensive collection of luxe products. But it's still a totally fun gift at a great price point for a younger sibling, cousin, or kiddo who's dipping their toe into the world of makeup and skincare.

Here's what's inside...

The Sephora Premium Advent Calendar

I unboxed the Premium Advent Calendar right after opening up the standard one, and I could tell right away that it was nicer. Rather than a cardboard box, you get a big silver tin that contains a bunch of little boxes that fit perfectly inside (big news for all of my fellow container-hoarding people).

The products are noticeably bigger, too, if you can look past the occasional nail file and/or scrunchie. There is some overlap between the regular calendar and the premium calendar, but in the latter version you get more full-size products. I opened up a lip gloss, a body mist, some cute nail polishes, a brow gel, and even an eyeshadow palette! And definitely fewer sheet masks, lol.

Oh, and FYI—it's actually completely sold out on the Sephora website. Yep, it's the first week of November and it's already gone. But!! I did some digging and it turns out that you can still purchase their Premium Advent Calendar at Kohls (that is, as long as supplies last).

Here's what's inside...

The Sephora After Advent Calendar

What's the Sephora After Advent Calendar? I'm so glad you asked—it's seven days of bonus beauty surprises to inject some dopamine into that weirdly dead, liminal week between Christmas and New Years Eve. Keeps the holiday spirit going, etc. Fun, right?

For $35, you get eight products (one of the slots has two items) which brings it to a little over $4 per item. Not bad! There's a full-sized mascara, a baby blue nail polish, a pretty rose lipstick, and a decently-sized blush along with some pampering goodies that are fun for anyone. And the best part is that you could even snag a couple of these as Christmas gifts, because the countdown doesn't start 'til the 26th!

Here's what's inside...

The Verdict: Which Sephora Advent Calendar Is Best?

After meticulously opening all three advent calendars, I've come to the conclusion that the Sephora Premium Advent Calendar is the winner-winner by a mile. You get such a fun assortment of full-sized makeup and beauty products, plus a couple of self-care items, and it all comes wrapped up in a nice box that can be reused—what's not to love? Oh, and it's under $100, which is a win considering the fact that people are out here buying $500+ advent calendars like it's no biggie.

If you're sold, friendly reminder that it's sadly out of stock on Sephora's website and won't be restocked for the season but it is still available at Kohls, so use the link below if you're planning on shopping.

And if you're looking for even more variety, Sephora carries a curated selection of advent calendars from other brands like Paula’s Choice, L’Occitane, Laneige, Maison Margiela, Charlotte Tilbury, and more. Here are some of our favorites: