Beauty Editors Are Already Talking About This Beauty Advent Calendar, and I'm Not Surprised

I can't think of many makeup products that are as unanimously loved as Beauty Light Wand. Pinkgasm is one of those shades that makes you look like you've made much more effort than you actually have, which is always a win in my book. I dot a little onto my cheeks, tap it out with my fingers and call it a day. It gives that fresh, lit-from-within look without makeup brushes.

I'm always curious to see what Medik8 is launching next, and this is a really exciting one. Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ combines exosomes and PDRN with niacinamide, centella asiatica and hyaluronic acid, making it a good option when skin is looking a little tired and lacklustre. The fact that it's a full 30ml means you can actually give it a proper trial, too.

My hair doesn't exactly love the amount of heat I put it through, so I'm always interested in anything that makes styling slightly less damaging. K18's HeatBounce is a heat protectant and conditioning treatment in one, designed to help protect hair whilst you're using hot tools. It's also the kind of practical product I wouldn't necessarily think to buy for myself, which is exactly why I like finding things like this in an advent calendar.

If there is ever a time to dream about something as luxurious as La Mer, surely it's December. Crème de la Mer feels like a treat from the moment you open the pot, and the 15ml size gives you enough to really experience it without committing to the full size. I'll be saving this for those evenings when my skin needs some serious comfort—or when I simply want to feel a bit fancy.

Good Genes has been sitting on my beauty wish list for what feels like forever, so I'm very pleased to see it here. It's a lactic acid treatment that helps exfoliate the skin and improve the appearance of dullness and uneven texture. This is one I'd introduce slowly rather than enthusiastically slathering it on every night. My skin and I have learnt that lesson the hard way.

Tatcha has a knack for making skincare feel ridiculously nice to use, and The Dewy Milk Moisturiser is exactly the sort of product I like having around when my skin is feeling a little dehydrated. It's light and milky rather than thick, so I can see myself using it in the morning before makeup. There's something about that extra layer of hydration that makes foundation sit so much better.

I'm very much a blush person, so this was one of the first products to catch my eye. Hourglass's Unreal Liquid Blush is highly pigmented, which sounds slightly terrifying until you realise you only need the tiniest amount. Whim is a soft pink with a lovely luminous finish. One small dot on each cheek is usually plenty—trust me on this one.

Missing Person is a fragrance that people seem to either discover by accident or have recommended to them by a friend. It's soft, warm and sits quite close to the skin, rather than filling an entire room. I particularly like the 7.5ml size here because this is exactly the kind of perfume I'd throw into my handbag and spritz on little pick-me-up later in the day.

I will never get tired of a good lip gloss. Fenty's Gloss Bomb has been a favourite of mine for years, and Fu$$y is an easy pink shade I can imagine reaching for constantly. Wear it alone when you want something quick, or add it over lip liner for a little more definition. And crucially, it gives plenty of shine without leaving your hair completely stuck to your lips the second there's a breeze.

A good cleansing balm can completely change how you feel about taking your makeup off. This one turns that first step of your evening skincare routine into more of a ritual, melting away makeup and the day's build-up without leaving your face feeling tight afterwards. The 100ml size is generous enough that you can actually use it every night, rather than treating it like a precious little sample.

Votary is a brand I always associate with beautiful, oil-rich textures, and Super Renewal Serum has that nourishing quality. This is the one I'd be reaching for on a cold evening when my skin is feeling dry and I want something a little more comforting than my usual lightweight serum. At 50ml, it’s another seriously generous addition, too.

I'll admit that hair perfume used to feel like one of those beauty products I didn't really need. Then I tried one and immediately understood the appeal. Gisou's Honey Infused Hair Perfume is an easy way to refresh your hair between washes, and Vanilla Glaze is a warm, sweet scent I'm particularly drawn to once autumn rolls around. The little 15ml bottle is also practically made for a handbag.

If your hair has survived highlights, heat styling, swimming and the occasional questionable DIY haircut, this is for you. Olaplex No.3 PLUS is a pre-shampoo treatment designed to help repair and strengthen damaged hair. I like treatments that don't require me to completely reorganise my routine, and this is as simple as applying it before washing, leaving it to do its thing and then getting in the shower. Haircare that doesn’t demand too much of me? Always welcome.