The best nail polish Advent calendars are gifts that keep on giving. With so many tiny salon-ready surprises tucked away into a collection's numbered boxes, these seasonal favorites are literal treasure troves for their recipients.
Whether you're shopping for a nail pro or a relative who refuses to miss weekly appointments for a fresh set, thoughtful Advents from Le Mini Macaron, Olive & June, and more make replenishing your giftee's polish collection, elevating at-home tools, and expanding their nail art rotation a no-brainer. Like your friend or family member's design preferences, the following Advents feature a range of full- and travel-size options—including chrome powder and decorative charms—to personalize their next look.
Here, Bazaar editors have narrowed down a few of the best nail polish Advent calendars for every manicure-obsessed beauty lover in your life. As gift-giving season is fast approaching, we recommend moving quickly to snap up these holiday gifts before they're out of stock.
They don't have to visit the UK to reap the benefits of a classic London manicure. In addition to nail care staples like a sturdy crystal file and a mini tube of hand cream, your favorite beauty lover will also receive a base coat, two polish shades, and a fun confetti topper to finish off their look with this travel-ready set.
The box is almost too cute to open, but your giftee will be happy they did once they discover what's inside. Along with an assortment of Olive & June polish shades, they'll unwrap the brand's best-selling top coats in quick-dry, shimmer, and glossy finishes. Plus, the 25-day Advent also contains a hand serum, cuticle cream, nail strengthener, files, press-ons, polish remover, and even a sheet of nail stickers.
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Here's another Advent from Olive and June that's curated with the holiday of Hannukah in mind. In addition to six travel-size bottles of their long-lasting and quick-dry polishes, your friend will also discover Blue Glitter French Bow press-ons, a blue polish nail file, plus, a festive and limited-edition mini metallic blue Poppy.
Consider this 12-day Advent the crème de la crème holiday gift for your favorite gel manicure master. Le Mini Macarons' calendar not only features six gel polish shades and a mini gel topcoat, but also chrome powder and an applicator, nail files, a sheet of holiday stickers, and even a mini LED lamp.
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Along with a full-size bottle of baby blue nail polish, they'll also discover a soothing hand mask and a range of makeup essentials from Sephora Collection in this small but mighty six-day Advent. Since the calendar is designed to start after Christmas, they'll have plenty of gifts to enjoy well after the New Year kicks off.
Best for Healthy Nails
Manicurist Paris Let it Glow Advent Calendar
A number of Advents have a mix of travel- and full-size versions of top products, but Manicurist Paris's 25-day collection exclusively features full-size plant-based nail polishes and treatments to make their nails strong and stylish. It also contains a range of tools to help prep their cuticles and fingers before they start painting.
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This collection of bold, mini polishes inspired by the film version of Wicked will delight both new and long-time fans alike. Whether they identify with Elphaba or Glenda more closely, your friend or family member will enjoy unboxing 12 days' worth of shimmer and crème polishes.
Best for Halloween Enthusiasts
Orly x Kelli Marissa Kelli's Haunted House Advent Calendar
Now 30% Off
It's never too late to surprise lovers of everything spooky with this Halloween-themed calendar made in collaboration with beauty content creator Kelli Marissa. The thematic Advent contains three full-size polishes designed by Kelli, along with three mini versions of her favorite Orly shades. Plus, they'll unwrap nail accents and tools to customize their at-home manicures and pedicures.
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If they always request Aprés nails at their local salon, we highly recommend adding this Advent to your holiday shopping list. Over 25 days, your giftee will unwrap all of the essentials for a full Gel-X manicure at home, including tips, polishes, tools, and even nail art accents like cuff rings, stickers, and fun charms.
Looking for more Bazaar-approved beauty Advents?
- The Best Luxury Advent Calendars That Are Worth the Splurge
- The Best Makeup Advent Calendars to Gift This Season
- The Best Candle Advent Calendars to Give and Receive
- The Best Perfume Advent Calendars for Any Fragrance Lover
- The Best Beauty Advent Calendars to Shop Now
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Nykia Spradley
Nykia Spradley is a beauty journalist with over 10 years of experience. She has served as the interim beauty director at Elle.com, commerce editor for Allure, and beauty editor at Essence. Nykia’s writing has also appeared in ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Coveteur, TZR, and more. She holds a master’s degree in digital journalism from Columbia University. Nykia is a red lipstick and hot sauce enthusiast (respectively) and forever lover of ’90s R&B. Keep in touch on Instagram @nyksprads and learn more at nykiaspradley.com.