Friends, prepare your wallets. Black Friday is almost upon us.
As someone who can never pass up a good bargain, its hard to not go a little crazy with the beauty shopping at this time of year. There are just so many amazing little sets and great deals to be had, and it's tempting to buy...just about everything.
For the sake of my bank account, I'm trying to be extra choosy about what I put in my shopping cart this year. Black Friday is one of the worst times for impulse purchases, what with the pressure of the time crunch and fear of things selling out, so I'm making an effort to try and plan as much of my shopping ahead of time as possible. Fortunately I've got my hands on some sneak peeks of beauty deals that are going live this Thursday at Sephora and Ulta, which gives me a few days of deliberation before I have to hit that checkout button. Curious to see what this year's offerings look like? I'm more than happy to share!
ULTA //
Ulta's got some pretty excellent Doorbusters to offer this year. I'm going to highlight a few of my favorites for you guys, but you can view the entire preview online right now. These deals go live online this Thursday, November 24th at 5 PM Central Time.
Seeing this ad makes me immediately realize I've been neglecting my Stila Watercolor Blush. This was one of my 2015 summer staples, and I think I just got myself distracted with new launches this year. They've got a really beautiful formula that adds a natural wash of color to your cheeks. In this "Holiday Dreamer Duo" it looks like you get a full sized blush alongside a travel version of the Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick (a cult classic). The shades are both neutral and universally flattering, and for less than the cost of the Watercolor Blush alone, you're definitely getting your money's worth.
Tarte is definitely towards the top of the list of my favorite beauty brands, and for just under $20 this little trio looks like a great way to sample a few of their products. I'm assuming the powder in this set is an Amazonian Clay Blush, but it seems like a really light shade (which makes me wonder if its actually a highlight?). Also, it says this is a $67 value, which leads me to believe the blush and Lippie Lingerie you're getting are both full sized. A full-sized Amazonian Clay Blush normally retails for $28, so at a $19 price point you're getting a crazy bargain with this set.
This Too Faced "Lashes, Love & Lipstick" would make an excellent little stocking stuffer. It's got mini versions of their Love Flush Blush, Melted Matte Lipstick, and Better Than Sex Mascara, and would be perfect for someone who isn't afraid of a bold lip.
Benefit also has a really amazing sampler set during this Friday's sale. You can get a full-sized They're Real! Mascara, as well as a mini High Beam and Hoola Bronzer for only $15. Considering the value of the mascara is $24 this one is another huge steal.
Pacifica's skincare is bomb, and if you haven't had a chance to try any of it before, this deluxe travel set is the perfect way to explore the brand. In it you get mini versions of the Underarm Deodorant Wipes, Hairvana Leave-in Conditioner, Dreamy Youth Face Cream, Kale Detox Cleanser, and Pore Refine Detox Mask. If you've got any green beauty lovers in your life, you might want to snatch this up for holiday gifting.
And last, how cute are these mini palettes from PÜR? Based on the picture the eyeshadow palette also comes with a mini mascara, and the highlighter palette comes with a travel-sized fan brush. For $15 these are also awesome little stocking stuffers for a beauty lover in your life. Or yourself (#judgementfreezone).
SEPHORA //
I'm always pumped to see what little gift sets Sephora is going to offer for Black Friday. The majority retail for around $10, but there are usually a few slightly more pricey options. This year you can only preview the sets on their mobile app, but thanks to a little Photoshopping magic, I've got the whole list for you right here! It's unclear whether these deals will go live on Thursday or Friday, but I'll be sure to keep you posted once I know the scoop.
In this first round of sets, again, my eyes immediately gravitate towards Tarte. I've been dying to try that Rainforest of the Sea Lipstick, which is exclusive to Sephora, so for only $10 it might be worth snatching this one up. Also, if you've ever been curious about MUFE's eyeshadows, you can't get much better than $25 for a 9-Pan Palette. The shade range in this particular version is pretty funky and bold, but if you aren't afraid of a pop of color it's a solid investment for sure.
I'm also a huge fan of NEST Fragrances. Not only is their packaging beautiful, but their scents are really unique and lovely. The fact that this set has three travel-sized sprays versus rollerballs also makes me incredibly happy. I personally just like the experience of spritzing on a perfume versus dabbing it on (maybe that's just me). For $12 it looks like you get to try mini versions of their Indigo, Citrine, and Dahlia & Vines fragrances.
In this next round there are some other really exciting finds. If you're a fan of rose-infused skincare, that little set from Sephora Collection looks like it'd be lovely. From what I can tell you're getting a Rose Sheet Mask, a Rose Sleeping Mask, and a package of Rose Cleansing & Exfoliating Wipes. The set of Origins products also looks pretty excellent, even if it's a little bit pricier than some other offerings. Based on the bottles my best guess as to what you're getting in this set are mini versions of Modern Friction, Original Skin, Clear Improvement, and Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask.
Also, Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencils are some of the best on the market. I personally have more eyeliners than I'll ever need in a lifetime, but if you could use an upgrade to your collection, that trio is an excellent buy. A single full-sized pencil retails for $20, so getting to try three classic shades for $19 is a great deal.
In this last section I think I was most enamored by the Buxom "License to Chill 3 Piece Eye & Lip Collection". I've always been curious to try more Buxom products, and the shades of all three products in this set are stunning. It's hard to say what the exact products in this set are based on the picture alone, but I'm going to guess its a Single Eyeshadow, a Lip Polish or Lip Cream, and a Full-On Lip Stick.
While both Sephora and Ulta have a lot of great offerings for Black Friday this year, I'm pretty confident that I'll be able to keep my spending to a minimum. Considering that my beauty stash is pretty legit already, I know that I don't absolutely need any of these sets for myself. A few of them I think will make for great stockings stuffers and gifts for my family and friends, so I think I'm going to mainly focus on getting my holiday shopping underway. If you're also planning on shopping any Black Friday deals at Ulta or Sephora I'd love to hear what your top choices are. Let me know in the comments down below!
Are any of these Black Friday deals calling to you?
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