Few brands shy away from producing their own version of a beauty advent calendar, so there is a varied selection across all price points and categories. Yet if discovery is your aim, department stores from Sephora to Selfridges, Harrods to Harvey Nichols and Cult Beauty to Liberty lean on the expertise and data from their hallowed beauty halls to serve up festive surprises – be it brightening balms, plumping potions, compact candles or fragrant flacons. I review beauty products for a living, so I look out to see if I would incorporate the included hair, make-up, skin, fragrance and body into my routine.