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LOOKFANTASTIC’s Black Friday sale is live – here are my top picks as a beauty writer
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Your support makes all the difference.The LOOKFANTASTIC Black Friday beauty sale is officially up and running, meaning it’s time to start browsing for everything from your annual Olaplex restock to those one-off Sol de Janeiro treats. This year’s early deals are certaining enticing and, as for the main event, I’m expecting to see big reductions on tonnes of my favourite brands, from luxury skincare to affordable haircare – nothing’s off limits this November.
Last year, we were treated to deals on our favourite Giorgio Armani foundation, luxury beauty advent calendars and even the cult Elemis cleansing balm – so it’s fair to say my expectations are high for 2024.
The official sales bonanza will span from Friday to Monday, as usual, giving shoppers a full 96 hours of offers and bargain beauty. From when this year’s sale will actually take place, to the early deals already available today, I’ve compiled a big how-to handover with all the intel I’ve gleaned as a beauty writer whose Black Friday experience spans multiple years. Here’s what you need to know.
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When does LOOKFANTASTIC’s Black Friday sale start in 2024?
LOOKFANTASTIC’s Black Friday celebrations have already begun on-site, with discounts of up to 50 per cent up for grabs now. The biggest discounts will drop on the big day itself – 29 November – and continue through to Cyber Monday, or 2 December.
Traditionally, Cyber Monday was described as such because it was the internet counterpart to its in-store Friday predecessor; however, these days, the Black Friday weekend tends to take place both in-store and online across all four days. What’s more, LOOKFANTASTIC only opened its first store in the past few months, so this will actually be its first in-person Black Friday event.
When will LOOKFANTASTIC’s early Black Friday deals launch?
LOOKFANTASTIC’s Black Friday hub page is live now and promises up to 50 per cent off in the month leading up to the big day. We’ve already spotted early deals on everything from from YSL to Kerastase and Color Wow, so there’s certainly enough to be getting on with while we countdown to 29 November.
Read More: Black Friday 2024 live updates
How best to save in LOOKFANTASTIC’s Black Friday sale
Saving money in a sale may seem a de facto outcome, but in reality, these deals events have the potential to catch you out if you’re not careful. In a bid to save you from checking out with a product that was actually cheaper two weeks prior to Black Friday, I’ve compiled the following checklist:
- Make a list of the products and brands you’re hoping to shop around two to four weeks ahead of time, ideally with their prices on that date. It’s widely acknowledged now that retailers falsely hike the prices of their products in the days leading up to the sale in order to create what appears to be a bigger discount. If you’ve noted the products’ prices pre-inflation, you’ll be able to navigate whether each of your items has really been marked down enough to make your purchases worthwhile.
- Check the sizes of gift set items. While a four-piece make-up set with 25 per cent off may seem a good deal, pay attention to the sizes of the formulas included – do you really want to be fiddling around with sample size, after all?
- Test shades in-store prior to the 29 November. Plenty of brands don’t allow you to return foundation, powder or concealer for hygiene reasons, so if you’re hoping to try a new face base or lipstick, I’d recommend popping into your local department store to give the tint a test beforehand.
Best LOOKFANTASTIC deals to shop now
The Ordinary the firm and plump collection: Was £29.40, now £14.70, Lookfantastic.com
An anti-ageing skincare set so fabulous I wrote a whole separate love letter to it, this trio from The Ordinary comprises some of my favourite things, including retinol and hyaluronic acid. Testing the former in IndyBest’s guide to the best cheap skincare under £15, our tester “found this serum to be a gentler introduction to retinol, with the addition of squalane balancing out the formula for a more nourishing result”. Likewise, the natural moisturizing factors + HA face lotion was awarded the title of best lightweight moisturiser for teenagers in our review, with our tester praising how it was “soothing and smoothing without any greasiness.” What more could you want, especially with 50 per cent off?
Benefit brow haul of fame brow basics kit: Was £55, now £27.50, Lookfantastic.com
A haul of fame indeed, this trio of products is quite literally my go-to brow selection for every day, not to mention the gimme brow, specifically, being IndyBest’s best brow gel for adding volume.
In the review, our tester commented that it “is light enough that you can wear it alone or over other brow products, and it gives good hold and lift”. As for the precisely, my brow detailer, it also comes IndyBest-approved as the best brow pencil for volume. Our reviewer praised how it “boasts an extra small tip (0.8mm to be precise) for fine strokes that mimic hairs”. The set is not to be missed with 50 per cent off.
Laura Mercier lunar New Year translucent setting powder: Was £55.50, now £27.50, Lookfantastic.com
The GOAT of the setting powder sphere, Laura Mercier’s translucent formula is weightless, smoothing and the physical embodiment of an airbrush. Now, in this limited edition packaging, you can take it home with a pop of red and a hefty 50 per cent off. Earning the title of ‘best for under eyes’ in our setting powder review, our tester praised how “just a touch on the end of a powder puff or brush will blur pores, conceal shine and result in a more radiant complexion.” A shine-free festive season is on the horizon, folks.
Estée Lauder double wear stay-in-place make-up: Was £39.50, now £29.63, Lookfantastic.com
The foundation to rival all others, Estée Lauder’s double wear is king of buildable coverage and will be there for you whether you’ve a massive blemish or you’re just after a touch of smoothing. Reviewing it as part of a guide to the best foundations for acne-prone skin, Louise Whitbread pointed out that formula ensured that her “skin looked smooth and spot-free for hours and the oil-free, matte formula kept [her] usual shiny T-zone at bay.” Achieve blemish-free skin like Louise, today, with 25 per cent off.
IT Cosmetics your skin but better CC+ cream with SPF50: Was £36.50, now £27.40, Lookfantastic.com
With its sibling ‘illuminate’ iteration gaining a five-star rating in our guide to the best CC creams, IT Cosmetics’ original your skin but better CC+ cream is a face base with somewhat of a legend status. Describing the finish therein, our tester praised how the formula “looks fresh, healthy and natural,” discussing how it offers “great hydration and anti-ageing properties that also work to give your skin a more balanced appearance”. With 25 per cent off today, I’ll be grabbing this for our no make-up make-up days. Don’t miss out.
KVD Beauty full sleeve long and defined tubing mascara: Was £22, now £13.20, Lookfantastic.com
Chosen as the best tubing formula in our round-up of the best mascaras of 2024, this product promises 360-degree lash coverage with its uniquely shaped plastic spoolie. Testing it out alongside 31 other formulas, our reviewer said: “You can expect no smudging or flaking, making it ideal for hooded eyes, those with oily lids or serial eye rubbers who are prone to looking like a panda throughout the day.” I’ll be stocking up now with this 40 per cent off deal.
Liz Earle cleanse and tone duo: Was £42, now £25, Lookfantastic.com
The cleanser that had the nation in its clutches back in 2013, Liz Earle’s cleanse and polish is as cult now as it was in its heydey. In a review of the formula, our tester described is as “an absolute staple skincare product”. “It removed all of my make-up with no trouble and didn’t require any scrubbing or harsh actions on my skin,” they said. The duo also includes Liz Earle’s instant boost skin tonic, which is a hero for glowy complexions. With both products, plus one of the brand’s muslin cloths, for just £25, this is a deal that’s far too good to miss.
The Inkey List tripeptide plumping lip balm: Was £11, now £7.70, Lookfantastic.com
A product the IndyBest team described as leaving our “lips quenched like nothing else,” The Inkey List tripeptide plumping lip balm uses a combination of hyaluronic acid and unique ‘ultra filling spheres’ to leave your pout looking smoother and bouncier. Now, you can take home the balm in all four shades for less, as there’s 30 per cent off the price.
Pureology hydrate duo and mini colour fanatic spray with limited edition candle bundle: Was £61.60, now £30.80, Lookfantastic.com
In Amazon’s latest big deals day Prime sale, IndyBest readers were lapping up reductions on Pureology’s color fanatic spray. Now, ahead of Black Friday, you can grab the spray plus Pureology’s best-selling hydrate shampoo and conditioner duo, as well as a limited-edition candle for almost the same price as the color fanatic spray (£28.08, Lookfantastic.com) alone.
The spray in question ranked top in our review of the best heat protectors, with our tester describing how it “moisturised dry strands, thanks to the blend of natural oils – making it much more manageable, easier to brush and silky soft to touch.” Because who doesn’t want silky soft tresses?
After more sales inspiration? Why not browse the best Black Friday deals to expect from a shopping expert