How To Shop Black Friday Like A Pro (And Save The Most $$$)

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Black Friday is without a doubt THE biggest shopping day, and now week, of the year. For that reason, it can also be a kinda overwhelming experience – there are just SO many great deals! Plus, many of the products are only available in limited quantities, and therefore, best sellers often sell out FAST. To ensure you guys get exactly what you want, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to Black Friday shopping, from planning ahead to need-to-know time-saving hacks.

1. Follow Your Fave Brands on Social Media 

Many brands will spill the details of their sales exclusively on social media ahead of Black Friday, so follow your fave brands on Instagram to find out the inside scoop. Plus, some brands offer exclusive deals or early access to their followers, making it a no-brainer! You can also sign up to newsletters to be the first to know when the sale goes live.

2. Do Your Research

One of the most important things to do ahead of the big day is RESEARCH. Start by my making a wishlist of products you’ve been eyeing up for a while, then check out if the brand is doing a sale (they probably will be!). It’s also helpful to find out if those products are stocked on other sites and then do a price comparison to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Often, the actual brand will be hosting the best deals and is most likely to have the most amount of stock. However, if the product is already sold out on the brand’s site, it may still be available with other retailers.

3. Keep your Eyes Peeled for Limited Edition Purchases

If a product is limited edition and on sale, chances are it’ll sell out fast, and this could be the last opportunity to buy it. For example, our limited-edition Huda Beauty Color Block Obsession Eyeshadow Palettes are included in our Black Friday sale, so if you’ve had your eye on one, we’d suggest snagging them ASAP before they’re gone!

4. Make a POA

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Once you’ve done your research, make a plan of action. Make a list of the products you’re looking to buy (it’s great timing to shop for Holiday gifts!), along with the time the sale starts to save yourself from stressing when the sale goes live. This will also help you budget and prevent overspending or making impulse decisions you may later regret. It’s also important to get the timing right for your location, so look out for time stamps like PST or EST and make the conversion.

5. Check your Stock!

Before you start browsing, check out your current product stock. If your fave lipstick or skincare formula is about to run out, it’s the perfect opportunity to stock up. Especially when it comes to skincare ahead of the winter months when your skin needs extra hydration. If you’re running low on moisturizer, our WISHFUL Honey Balm Jelly Moisturizer (40% off in our sale), is on sale and will instantly soften and soothe dry skin, all the while minimizing the appearance of pores, leaving your skin glowing and radiant.

That said, if you already have a couple of cleansers you’re waiting to use or have three open anyway, it’s probably sensible not to buy another one.

6. Buy from Small Businesses & Black-Owned Brands

A lot has happened over the past few years, and it’s just as important now as it was back in 2020 to support the Black community by purchasing from Black-owned brands and small businesses that have been affected by the pandemic. Now is the perfect time to try some of the brands you wanted to support that may have been previously out of budget. Check out some of our fave Black-owned beauty brands and wellness brands that offer up some amazing formulas.

7. Look for Versatile, Do-It-All Products

As much as we love trending products, when it comes to sale shopping it’s always best to look for do-it-all, versatile products that you will use every day. For example, instead of splurging on an expensive glitter or bold liner, opt for a product that will give you plenty of use and allow you to create a variety of looks.

8. Buy in Bulk (the products you will use!)

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If your favorite product is on sale, don’t be afraid to buy multiple. You’ll find us stocking up on the WISHFUL Thirst Trap Cocoon Mask, (40% off in our sale) and Huda Beauty Silk Balm Hydra-Plumping Lip Balm, (30% off in our sale), as they’re two of our beauty staples.

9. Look for Long-Lasting Products

To make the most of your hard-earned dollar, look for products that’ll last and save you from having to stock up at full price throughout the year. Like Ruby Love Period Underwear that can save you lots of money in the long run, even if the initial cost is more of a splurge than a box of tampons. Another good example is the WISHFUL Clean Genie Cleansing Balm (40% off in our sale), as you only need a small amount of product to remove all of your makeup, and it’s so effective – it’ll last you a lot longer than your average cleanser.

10. Get Your $$$ in Order

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It’s easy to get overwhelmed or over-excited when you’re shopping during sales. However, to ensure you don’t go over budget, set aside a limit, and try to stick to it. Some shopping sites also require alternative spending methods like PayPal, so double-check before the sale begins.

You could also think about trying a cashback site, as some sites pay you a percentage of what you spend when you buy through their tracked links. Check sites like TopCashback or Quidco to find out if any of your favorite brands have this scheme. We know ASOS is currently offering 10% cashback – the money is added to your online account within 14 days.

Most importantly, think about your purchases and be responsible.

Check out all of the deets for the Huda Beauty, WISHFUL, and KAYALI Black Friday sale here.

Disclaimer: Every product we review has been independently selected and tested without bias by our editorial team. We never take payment to review products, however, some brands allow affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you purchase a product by clicking on one of our links.