Every December, the beauty world is buried under a mountain of advent calendars. Sephora has them stacked to the ceiling, Saks has them, Bluemercury too, and Net-A-Porter could probably build a menorah out of theirs alone. But what about Hanukkah? For a holiday that stretches over eight nights—eight!—you’d think beauty brands would see the obvious potential for a weeklong gifting spree. Instead, it’s crickets. Or more accurately: bupkis.

The oversight is baffling. Why settle for one morning of Christmas stockings when you could stretch the joy across more than a week of candles, latkes, and little presents? Until brands get wise, the solution is simple: curate your own Hanukkah beauty box. Think of it as a self-styled advent calendar with a menorah twist—eight bite-sized beauty delights, each one special but not bank-breaking. Like the oil that lasted eight nights, your budget’s gotta stretch, too.

Ready to play beauty Maccabee? Here’s how to fill each evening with something worth unwrapping.

Night One: A Balm That Never Quits

Start strong with something universally useful: lip balm. Not just any balm, though—the Kosas Lipfuel Snack Pack. The trio is winter survival in a box. Each stick has a refreshing minty kick, a subtle tint that flatters without trying too hard, and a butter-smooth formula that actually heals chapped lips instead of just glossing over them. The oblong bullet shape makes swiping it on weirdly satisfying, and the candy-bright packaging feels festive in its own right. Keep one on your nightstand, one in your bag, and one in your coat pocket, because in December, there’s no such thing as too many lip balms.

Night Two: The Perfect Red

Hanukkah has dreidels and gelt, but your nails deserve their own centerpiece. Enter Jinsoon’s Coquette, the red nail polish you didn’t know you were missing. Neither vampy-dark nor candy-apple bright, it sits squarely in that Goldilocks zone of “just right.” The glossy finish looks chic, and the minimalist bottle could pass for Chanel without the Chanel price tag. This isn’t a filler gift—it’s the kind of polish you’ll reach for all year, not just during the holidays.

Night Three: French Pharmacy, But Make It Fun

Receiving skincare from a French pharmacy can sometimes feel a little… practical. (Great, another tube of cream, thanks.) But Nuxe’s Honey Makeup Removing Gel is the exception. First, it smells divine—sweet, cozy honey that makes cleansing feel less like a chore and more like dessert. Second, the jelly texture is unexpectedly delightful and actually does the job, melting off everyday makeup without stripping skin. Add the Nuxe name, and you’ve got a gift that feels luxe without being extravagant.

Night Four: A Sparkle Shortcut

By now, you’ve lit a few candles, spun a dreidel or two, and eaten your fill of latkes. Time for some drama—in the form of Danessa Myricks Twin Flames liquid shadow. One swipe and you’ve got the kind of multidimensional eye look that usually requires at least three powders and 20 minutes of blending. Crazy 4 U shifts between peach, gold, and aqua, making it equally irresistible to beauty maximalists and makeup minimalists. It’s fun in the tube, fun on the lid, and impossible not to show off.

Night Five: The Numbers Game

Sometimes, quantity is its own kind of quality. Case in point: Mediheal’s NMF sheet mask pack. Ten masks for about $13 is a gift that keeps giving, long after the menorah’s candles burn out. Developed by dermatologists in Korea, the formula hydrates, soothes, and revives skin—exactly what winter-ravaged faces need. Whether you use them nightly or hoard them for the dreaded January chill, this is a skincare gift that feels both indulgent and practical.

Night Six: Hands-On Glam

Hanukkah is a hands-on holiday—spinning dreidels, frying latkes, lighting candles. Which makes a little nail polish moment extra fitting. Pair the earlier Jinsoon red with something playful, like a glitter topcoat or nail stickers, and suddenly you’ve got a mini manicure kit. It’s small, festive, and guaranteed to make those candle-lighting selfies pop.

Night Seven: A Tool Worth Splurging On

After a week of clever little gifts, it’s time for the big one: Revlon’s One Step Plus styling brush. Think of it as the modern miracle of beauty gadgets. The original was beloved for turning at-home blowouts into a near-salon experience, and the new version improves on the classic. It’s lighter, less bulky, comes with a detachable brush head for easy packing, and even has adjustable heat settings for healthier strands. At under $100, it’s still a bargain compared to its luxury competitors, and it delivers results that feel like a true holiday miracle.

Night Eight: The Grand Finale

By the final night, you’ve got candles burning, maybe some sufganiyot on the table, and a week’s worth of little beauty treasures to enjoy. The last gift doesn’t have to be the biggest, but it should feel celebratory. Think something shimmery, fun, and maybe a little unexpected—a highlighter stick, a sparkly gloss, or even a mini fragrance that leaves a trail as bright as a menorah.

The Takeaway

Eight nights deserve eight thoughtful moments, and building your own Hanukkah beauty countdown isn’t just doable—it’s fun. From everyday staples like lip balm and masks to indulgent surprises like a shiny red lacquer or a high-tech blow-dry brush, you can stretch the joy, the sparkle, and the self-care across the entire holiday.

So while brands drag their feet on the obvious market opportunity (seriously, where are the Hanukkah beauty boxes?), you can light the candles, pass the latkes, and celebrate each night with a little extra glow. Mazel tov—and happy pampering.