Stock up your bathroom shelf, or splash out on loved ones for Christmas this November
(The Independent )
Every year, Black Friday is an opportunity to bag a bargain across thousands of brands.
While traditionally, Black Friday began as just one day of discounts, which happened the day after Thanksgiving, it has quickly expanded to cover the entire weekend and Cyber Monday.
This year the sale has got even bigger, with some retailers – including Amazon, Boots and Superdrug – launching early Black Friday deals weeks earlier than ever before.
Aside from deals across tech, home appliances, kids’ toys and furniture, there are serious savings to be had on beauty products too, with many of them starting early.
It’s a great chance to stock up on your favourite skincare and hair products before lockdown, as well as make-up, stocking fillers and larger Christmas gifts.
Some of our favourite brands such as Fenty Beauty, Clinique and No7 are participating again this year. You can read about the brands taking part in Black Friday and the discounts as they are announced in our guide.
Rather than trawl through hundreds of pages of discounted items, we’ll be doing the hard work for you and bringing you the best deals to shop with the highest savings, so whether you’re shopping for yourself or others, you’re guaranteed to find something in the huge sale. We’ve already found the best early beauty deals to snap up below. You can thank us later.
Our IndyBest team hand-picks every deal we feature. We may earn some commission from the links in this article, but our selections have been made independently and without bias. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Table of Contents
When is Black Friday?
This year, the sale falls on Friday 27 November and runs across the following weekend, finishing on Cyber Monday on 30 November.
Although the main event spans four days, we’ve already seen some retailers start their pre-sales a whole month early, including Boots, Superdrug and Amazon. We’re expecting other brands to follow suit in a bid to make up for lost revenue during the pandemic, so check back in for more offers.
The best early Black Friday beauty deals
Fenty Beauty Stunna Lips & Killawatt Cheeks 2-Piece Lip & Face Set: Was £48, now £24, Boots
Boots will be running its Black Friday sale from 4 to 30 November, with new deals being added every day, offering up to 50 per cent off well-loved brands such as Clinique, Givenchy, Remington and Fenty Beauty.
This half price Fenty set is going straight in our basket. It features the brand’s long-wearing liquid lipstick in “unbutton”, a peachy nude shade, and a killawatt duo-highlighter to bless your cheekbones with a copper glow.
Any make-up by Rihanna’s powerhouse brand is a hit, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled on more Fenty Beauty deals on Boots throughout November.
Buy now
The Body Shop camomile sumptuous cleansing butter: Was £11, now £9.35, The Body Shop
This gentle balm melts make-up off with ease
The Body Shop
A household name when it comes to British cosmetic brands, The Body Shop is treating us early this year with a whole month of discounts for what it calls “Black November”. With the code “14672”, you’ll get 15 per cent off the whole site (excluding gifts and calendars), and free delivery over £25.
Here at IndyBest, we love the brand’s bestselling camomile sumptuous cleansing butter – a buttery balm that melts away the day gently. It tackles everything, from your mascara to full coverage foundation. As well as soothing camomile, the formula features shea butter which is great for dry skin. At just £11 normally, it’s a steal but in the sale you’ll be getting it for even less. Stock up now.
Buy now
Clinique Superstars Gift Set: Was £70, now £35, Clinique
This kit is a five-piece collection of some of Clinque’s bestsellers across skincare and make-up.
There’s a full size “dramatically different” moisturising lotion, a “take the day off” eye make-up remover and the “all about eyes” eye cream, with two miniatures: a lipstick and mascara.
While this would make a perfect gift, we’d be tempted to keep it all to ourselves.
Buy now
Remington Curl & Straight Confidence 2 in 1 Straightener: Was £119.99, now £49.99, Boots
This styling tool featured in our guide to best hair straighteners, which our tester loved for its ability to allow you to switch your hairstyle up with ease.
“While they can be adapted to five different temperatures between 150C and 230C, the end of the tool stays constantly cool, so there’s no risk of burning your fingers while attempting curlier hairstyles,” they said.
If that wasn’t enough to convince you, the huge £70 discount at Boots should do the trick.
Buy now
No7 The Ultimate Vanity Collection Gift Set: Was £50, now £24, Boots
This is an impressive line-up of products from Boots’s well-loved beauty brand. At this price, it’d make a great gift for any make-up lover.
The set contains a mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow palette, two lip gloss’s, a highlighting palette and a skin illuminator that can be worn under or over make-up to add a dewy glow.
It comes in a light pink vanity bag that will come in handy for storage. With more than 50 per cent off, snap it up before it sells out.
Buy now
Soap & Glory Scent from Around The World Collection Christmas Gift Set: Was £42, now £20, Boots
Who doesn’t love a set from Soap & Glory for Christmas?
Save £22 on this one, which features four products; a body wash, body scrub, body butter and hand cream.
With everything you need for silky soft skin, it’s the perfect antidote to the cold, wintery weather that can leave skin feeling dry and tight.
The pretty zipped bag it comes too is a nice touch too.
Buy now
Gucci Bamboo For Her Eau de Toilette 75ml: Was £85, now £42.50, Superdrug
Superdrug has kicked off its sale early with up to 80 per cent off make-up, skincare, electricals and haircare from 4 November to 1 December.
Any fragrance fans should move quick to snap up this bargain on Gucci’s Bamboo eau de toilette perfume that has 50 per cent off.
Fresh and light, it has notes of Tahitian vanilla, Casablanca lily and mandarin, perfect for perking up a cold, wintery morning.
Buy now
Braun FaceSpa Pro 922 Facial Epilator Beauty Gift Set: Was £149.99, now £69.99, Superdrug
If you’re worried about missing out on salon treatments during lockdown, look to this handy device that epilates, cleanses and tones the skin.
It works to remove facial hair, whether that’s on your upper lip, chin, or simply all over, with a separate head to cleanse the skin.
According to Braun, it removes three times as much short hair than waxing. For the best results, you will need to continually use this to prevent future hair growth.
It also comes with a stand, bronze cap and pouch to keep it neat and tidy.
Buy now
Spectrum 5 piece Rose Quartz Face Brush Set: Was £24.99, now £17.49, Superdrug
Buff and blend your make-up with this set of brushes that work with cream, liquid, powder and gel formulas.
There’s an angled eyeliner brush for precise application, a small blending brush for eyes, a densely packed buffing brush for foundation and contouring, a tapered brush for bronzer and blush and a large fluffy brush for powders.
With wooden handles and synthetic bristles, they’re all vegan and housed in a biodegradable pouch.
Buy now
The Body Shop warm vanilla body butter: Was £16, now £13.60
This festive scent will make the perfect stocking filler
The Body Shop
We’re huge fans of The Body Shop’s body butters, and its range of festive scents always get us excited for Christmas. Although the gift sets aren’t included in the brand’s Black Friday sale, the full-size body butters make great stocking fillers, and are discounted for the whole of November.
We’re adding this warm vanilla scent to our basket, a wintery take on a classic. It’s formulated with Fairtrade ingredients including vanilla extract from Madagascar and shea butter from Ghana. We love the design on the packaging too – festive without being too OTT.
Buy now
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+ Anti-Blemish Moisturiser: Was £15.99, now £11.99, Superdrug
The sensitive skin experts at La Roche-Posay have made this moisturiser with problem skin in mind –it’s ideal for tackling the dreaded maskne.
The formula is a powerhouse of ingredients including niacinamide, glycerin and salicylic acid, which work together to unclog pores, mattify the skin, control breakouts and reduce discolouration, all while keeping the skin hydrated.
The texture is a lightweight gel-cream that dries down into a demi-matte finish, and sits well under make-up. Stock up now while it’s on offer.
Buy now
BaByliss Platinum Diamond 2300 Diffuser Hair Dryer: Was £55, now £29.99, Amazon
If you’re looking to recreate a bouncy blow dry without leaving the house during lockdown (and beyond), this Babyliss hair dryer is the next best thing.
The brand claims its diamond-infused ceramic technology will provide ultra-smooth tresses, free from frizz and full of shine, without taking hours.
The large diffuser that comes with it is ideal if you have curly hair and are looking for volume and definition.
Buy now
Maybelline Lash Sensational 01 Very Black Mascara: Was £8.99, now £6.38, Amazon
When it comes to budget-friendly mascaras, Maybelline has the monopoly, and this one is on offer as part of Amazon’s pre-Black Friday sale.
The design of the curved brush claims to follow the natural shape of your lashes, with a jet black formula that won’t clump, but voluminise and define.
Seeing as we’re set to be wearing face coverings for the foreseeable future, now’s the perfect opportunity to focus on your eye make-up if you like a bold look, and this mascara will come in handy. We also reviewed the waterproof version in our guide to the best waterproof mascaras.
Buy now
Max Factor Masterpiece Nude Palette Contouring Eye Shadows: Was £14.99, now £8.82, Amazon
As face coverings are now part of daily life, ditch the bright lipsticks for statement eye make-up instead, as it won’t rub off or smear throughout the day.
This palette has a mix of matte, shimmer and glitter shades in neutral tones so you can create a dramatic smokey eye or tonal nude look.
It would also make the perfect stocking filler for any make-up fan.
Buy now
The beauty Black Friday deals to expect
Online beauty retailers had plenty of deals to snap up last year; Beauty Bay offered up to 50 per cent of certain products, while Cult Beauty gave 15 per cent off purchases of £15 or more, 20 per cent off purchases of £75 or more, 25 per cent off purchases of £200 or more and 30 per cent off purchases of £500 or more.
Look Fantastic also participated in 2019, giving 22 per cent off with the code “BLACKOUT”. But this year’s sale is set to be even bigger, with up to 50 per cent off selected products and a free beauty bundle gift with purchases. Standout offers will include 50 per cent off Anastasia Beverly Hills highlighters and selected palettes and 33 per cent off Elizabeth Arden.
Escentual, another beauty retailer, has confirmed that it will be offering up to 60 per cent off a range of top brands in make-up, skincare and fragrance this Black Friday. From La Roche-Posay and Avene to Benefit and Givenchy, keep your eyes peeled for top deals.
Marks & Spencer, an underrated treasure trove of beauty brands, also had 20 per cent off L’Occitane, Nuxe and Emma Hardie last year, and we’re certainly expecting something similar for 2020.
Brands who also took part offered savings when shopping with them directly. Charlotte Tilbury had 40 per cent off many of its products and bundles, Clinique offered 20 per cent off at checkout along with up to 50 per cent off its Christmas gift sets, making it easier and cheaper to get organised for Christmas.
Living Proof has also confirmed its Black Friday 2020 deal will be running from 26 to 29 November, offering 20 per cent off everything and a free full-size dry shampoo with every order over £60.
Murad is also getting in on the action, discounting everything on its site by 25 per cent, excluding kits. It will also be offering a free AHA/BHA exfoliating cleanser when you spend £70, or a multi-vitamin infusion oil when you spend over £100, between 25 and 30 November.
Nars has confirmed that it will be offering 20 per cent off everything on its site between Tuesday 24 November and Tuesday 1 December, meaning there’s a whole week of deals to be had from the brand this year.
Elsewhere, tanning brand Isle of Paradise gave customers 50 per cent of all its products site-wide in 2019, along with a free mental health and body confidence guide with every purchase.
Skincare brand Oskia offered 25 per cent off full-size products, and every year it donates 100 per cent of its profits to Bloody Good Period, a charity that delivers sanitary items to refugees and asylum seekers, which it is expected to continue doing this year too.
Subscription box brands also participated in last year’s sale, Birchbox offered 20 per cent off gift subscriptions, as well as 25 per cent off everything in its online shop.
In similar fashion to its 2019 offering, Glossybox has announced the launch of its limited edition Black Friday box. The space-themed packaging houses 10 beauty treats that are worth over £120.
It will cost just £15 for Glossybox subscribers, while non-subscribers can expect to pay £20. We won’t spoil all the fun, but the contents includes false eyelashes, an eyeshadow palette a face mask and much more. You can sign up for the waitlist to be the first to know more.
How to get the best Black Friday beauty deals?
Shop smart by being organised ahead of time and making a list of items you need, stick to it and you’ll avoid impulse buys that you might later regret.
Most beauty retailers have mailing lists you can subscribe to for exclusive deals and updates on sale launches and offers, while others give you priority access to deals before they become widely available, so sign up now with your favourite brands to ensure you get the products you’ve had your eye on.
Along with beauty, there’s also many discounts to be found across fashion, TVs and laptops too, which the IndyBest team will be covering too.
How long will the discounts last?
Don’t miss out on a bargain as ahead of Black Friday on 27 November, as some retailers have already kicked off their Black Friday sales, including Amazon and Boots.
Be sure to check back here regularly as we’ll be constantly updating our shopping guides, so you can easily navigate the deals on offer.
Read more on Black Friday 2020
How to get the best Black Friday deals this year – When the sale starts, how to get the best savings, and how to prepare
Best Amazon Black Friday deals – There will be millions of deals, so check in here for our pick of the best
Best John Lewis & Partners Black Friday deals – With great deals on quality fashion, beauty, tech, kids and homeware brands, it will be a go-to for many
Best Currys PC World Black Friday deals – For everything from TVs to laptops, and kettles to coffee machines
Best Argos Black Friday deals – Covering everything from kids to homewares and fitness to DIY
Best Apple Black Friday deals – The tech giant is notorious for not participating in Black Friday, so how can you find deals on Apple products? Find out in our guide
Best Black Friday tech deals – Whether it’s a new phone contract or noise-cancelling headphones, you’ll find the best deal here
Best Black Friday TV deals – Update your at-home cinema experience without paying full price with our featured deals
Best Black Friday laptop deals – There’s hundreds of pounds to be saved on laptops from big-name brands such as Apple, Microsoft and HP
Best Black Friday gaming deals – Struggling to choose which console to buy, or after a new controller or game? Here’s our expert guide
Best Black Friday home appliances deals – Now’s the time to upgrade your vacuum cleaner or coffee machine
Best Black Friday fashion deals – Whether its a pair of boots or a coat, treat yourself to new season essentials
Best Black Friday kids’ toys deals – Get your Christmas shopping done and dusted, with deals from Disney, Lego, Playmobil and more
Best Black Friday mattress deals – Rest easy with big discounts for brands such as Emma, Eve Sleep and Simba
Best Black Friday furniture deals – There’s no need to wait until the January sale to get a bargain sofa, wardrobe or armchair
The stores taking part in Black Friday – Our predictions based on last year, which we’ll be updating as the deals begin
Read more
Best Black Friday fashion deals 2020: What to expect in the sale
Black Friday UK deals: Date and best offers to expect
Best early Amazon Black Friday 2020 deals available now
Best John Lewis Black Friday deals 2020: what to expect in the sale