Editor’s note: Black Friday is over, which means we’re no longer updating this post. But don’t worry: There are plenty of Cyber Monday deals to be had. Check out our roundup of the best Cyber Monday Sephora deals, and sign up for our email newsletter so you never miss a sale again.
I always turn to Sephora for my beauty needs, whether I’m browsing buzzy new brands or my new favorite, the Sephora Collection corner. I typically wait for their sales events to stock up on my wish-list items, and over the years of shopping at the retailer, I’ve learned that its Black Friday deals are actually very good.
Through Cyber Monday, Sephora is offering different daily discounts on brands that run the gamut from Fenty Beauty and Kiehl’s to Make Up For Ever and Youth to the People. On top of that, it’s offering more sales on our favorite hair products (like a convenient convertible hair tool) and giftable fragrances (in perfume sample set and candle form). As I sifted through the deals, I made sure to prioritize things that Strategist writers, dermatologists, makeup artists, and other experts have vetted themselves. I also added in some of my personal favorites below, like my go-to shimmery lip gloss that’s similar to Dior’s Lip Glow Oil. And to make shopping even easier, you can jump right to exactly what you’re looking for using the table of contents.
We’re done checking this post for the day, but you can continue shopping deals below throughout the weekend. Just note that stock and prices may change. For even more discounts and holiday shopping updates (beauty and otherwise), sign up for our newsletter and check out our gift-guide coverage.
Skin care
This longtime favorite eye treatment — now 50 percent off — is “super-hydrating as well as slightly pigmented, which means it helps with overtime treatment and brightening.”
Kiehl’s vitamin-C serum packs a punch by targeting dullness, fine lines, and wrinkles without irritating skin. All three sizes are 40 percent off and likely to sell out.
As a semi-recent NuFace convert, I can say it delivers on its promises: My cheekbones and jawline look more defined right after using it, and my skin texture seems to have improved over time too. Right now, the starter kit —complete with cream and gel activators and an application brush — is 25 percent off.
This set, which just replaces the Trinity NuFace with the mini-version, is also 25 percent off if you’re looking for a more affordable way in.
And if you’re already a NuFace user, you might want to stock up the brand’s activator gel while it’s on sale.
In time for the chilly weather, you can get nearly 60 percent off of First Aid Beauty’s Repair Cream. It’s thick and hydrating without being greasy.
Topicals’s dark-spots serum is Rio-approved for fading discoloration and evening out skin tone, all while keeping skin moisturized and calm.
These Instagrammable eye masks keep under-eyes moisturized and de-puffed, and make for an excellent beauty gift.
Get 50 percent off this facial-in-a-bottle, which Saweetie told us is a “magic potion.” It “extracts all the dirt and expedites my pimple process and makes them ready to pop,” she says.
Our favorite de-puffing eye cream — packed with caffeine and moisturizing cocoa and shea butters — is nearly half off.
According to the Dewy Dudes podcast hosts, Belif’s Aqua Bomb moisturizer “floods the skin with a rush of hydration while remaining ultra-lightweight.”
If you deal with redness or rosacea, this Clinique ultragentle moisturizer has a healthy dose of probiotics, which Curology CEO David Lortscher says could help.
This is one of my holy grails during the winter. It’s incredibly moisturizing, healing, and it never clogs my pores.
These powerful exfoliating peel pads contain a blend of acids for evening out skin tone. They’re typically pricey, so stock up while the ten-pack is half off.
Peter Thomas Roth’s creamy hyaluronic-acid moisturizer is half off. It locks in moisture with its oil-free, noncomedogenic formula, so your skin will look plump and brightened but not greasy.
The Rich Cream, approved by supermodel and celebrities, reduces moisture loss, leaves skin looking hydrated and supple, and has been dubbed “the secret to rich-person skin.” We suggest snagging the splurge-worthy moisturizer while it’s this discounted.
Kiehl’s celebrity-backed body lotion is ultrahydrating without being perfume-y or greasy. “I have a big one at home, and then a little one that I take with me on planes to slather on my feet in front of horrified passengers,” says designer Rachel Antonoff.
Makeup
Today’s the day to stock up on Fenty Beauty products while they’re 30 percent off. This balm works as a hydrating overnight mask or a good non-greasy daily lip gloss.
Rio dubbed this no-budge matte lipstick the new M.A.C Ruby Woo. It’s universally flattering and lasts for hours.
Another Rio favorite: the brand’s matte full-coverage concealer. “This concealer is one of the best there is for effectively covering up stubborn, giant breakouts,” she says.
Rio, who likes applying these highlighters as eye shadow, says they “wake up your eyes instantly — and I love that they can be applied easily with fingers!”
We love this super-sheer skin tint from Milk Makeup for subtle coverage and a dewy glow. Plus it’s good for acne-prone and dry skin and protects from UV rays.
Here’s half off of Tom Ford’s creamy, easy-to-apply foundation stick, which we’ve recommended for mature skin. The nonliquid formula works just as well as a concealer to spot-treat redness or discoloration.
And, another 50 percent off for those who prefer a liquid formula. Shades have already sold out, so make sure to act fast.
Also on our list of best foundations for mature skin is Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup. It dries down to a skinlike, matte finish for a natural everyday look.
I love this setting powder for smoothing over my texture and keeping my makeup in place for hours.
A new favorite of mine is Sephora Collection’s shimmery lip gloss. I have Cinnamon Toast (which I think is pretty similar to Dior Lip Glow Oil in rosewood) and plan on stocking up since all 30 shades are just $5.
If you like a dramatic eye, try out Fenty’s super-pigmented, easy-to-apply creamy liners. They come in a wide range of colors and in matte, shimmer, metallic, and glitter finishes.
If you’ve wanted to try our favorite dramatic mascara, you can get the mini-tube for under $10. It’s buildable and doesn’t clump, resulting in thick, long and separated lashes.
Also discounted is our favorite “clean” mascara from Milk Makeup. “One coat is a huge difference, but when you add several coats, this mascara gives a faux-lash effect,” says makeup artist Dillon Peña.
For expertly precise brows, try Benefit’s ultrafine-tip brow pencil. It comes in 12 shades and is half off right now.
If your eyeshadow palette’s in need of a refresh, Urban Decay’s Naked palettes are a longtime favorite of mine. The range of neutrals work for day and night looks.
Hair care
Olaplex, known for reviving damaged hair, is taking 30 percent off several products in its lineup. Its shampoo is our favorite for color-treated hair because it “repairs protein bonds in hair, limits split ends and subsequent hair breakage, and helps keep hair smooth and frizz free.”
Pair the above with our favorite strengthening conditioner for extra-silky locks.
The brand’s powerhouse hair mask is said to “help reform shattered hair bonds.”
And its hair oil protects against heat damage up to 450 degrees and can be used on wet or dry hair. It also helps minimize flyaways and frizz but is incredibly lightweight.
We’ve long been fans of T3’s non-damaging, frizz-reducing curling irons. Right now, you can get their handy interchangeable set at a discount.
The brand’s hair dryer is our favorite for styling. It has “settings for hair texture (fine, medium, coarse), as well as styling type (rough dry, smooth, diffuse, volume),” making it simple to achieve your styling goals.
Maybe controversial, but I think the Dyson Airwrap is worth its high price. It’s saved me money and time at the salon, since I can easily create expensive-looking blowout looks at home. And today, it’s $100 cheaper.
Living Proof, makers of excellent dry shampoo, is taking 50 percent off of its medium-hold hairspray. It promises to set, style, and finish hair without stiffness.
This duo comes with Bread’s travel-size hair cream and a full-size hair oil, which we’ve said is “practically lip gloss for your hair.”
Fragrance
Boy Smells, makers of our favorite status-y candles, is taking 30 percent off select candles, including this floral, fruity number.
Beverly Nguyen told us this calming fragrance — now just $49 — has been her favorite for a decade. “I remember picking it up and it was like, I am obsessed with the smell,” she says. “I put it on and I knew, and it’s been with me ever since.”
Former Strategist deals writer Leah Muncy described Mugler’s Alien Goddess as a “more mature, complex version of Juicy Couture’s Viva La Juicy with floral notes of bergamot, vanilla, and jasmine.”
This set would make an excellent gift for a host or fragrance lover. It comes with a candle version of the above perfume oil, No.04 Bois de Balincourt (a favorite of actress Heather Morris), and No.09 Vallée de Farney.
If you’ve been curious about Los Angeles–based, unisex, vegan fragrance brand DedCool, its discovery set is 20 percent off. Rio, who’s sensitive to strong fragrances, says the No.2 (included in the set) is one of her favorites.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
