Ahhh, the joys of black friday / small business saturday / green friday or DTC friday (I think both already passed) / cyber monday / and whatever other fauxlidays the commerce engine that is us dreams up … suddenly I MUST HAVE every little thing I’ve seen on insta, or pinned on pinterest, and because it’s 20% off I MUST HAVE IT NOW. In the spirit of not buying things I will attempt to show restraint; that said, it IS a great time to start shopping for holiday gifts if you’re the type of person who gives those (and who isn’t, really?).
Now, I’m out of the loop as a blogger so very few brands I care about emailed me this year to say “EMBARGO! DO NOT SHARE OUR TOP SECRET ONE OF A KIND SUPER AMAZING 12.839% OFF SALE IN TIERS WHERE IF YOU SPEND $32.32 YOU GET 18.204% OFF YAY FOR YOU YOU BIG SAVER UNTIL BLACK FRIDAY ITSELF AS IF I AM GOING TO GET UP AT SOME UNGODLY HOUR TO GO TO REAL LIFE STORES AND REMEMBER WHILE BEING STAMPEDED AT A WALMART TO PUT UP A POST ABOUT IT.”
Yes, that’s an awfully specific, sarcastic scenario to warm you up for this being the least helpful shopping post you’ll read all day, when it posts before the holiday and before the fauxliday, and doesn’t give you anything you need at all. Maybe this is a sign: you don’t need to shop.
Nonetheless, these are the brands I’ll be clicking through Friday-Tuesday (or perhaps even til after Christmas because sales happen all the time amirite?), to see what discounts or special gifts they have for me, because I likely would have bought them anyway, at some point, if not today.
ALSO! If you’re not already, you gotta use Rakuten (there’s a Chrome browser plugin) for cash back on sites you’re shopping anyway, because then you’re getting deals on top of deals. <–AND AND you get $10 after spending $25 for using that link!
Tarte Cosmetics
Out of brow architect and need a new Lights, Camera, Flashes mascara; Tarte often runs really good sales so there’s not much of a reason to wait on Black Friday unless you just actually need makeup, and they have it.
ManiMe
Been stalking this brand on IG as an alternative to even SNS gel manis, which I tried recently and absolutely ruined my nails. Plus the sound of the grinder on my nails makes me shiver even thinking about it. Hoping these awesome 3D-modeled stick-ons that promise to last 10 days have a deal, but probably will order if not because I want to try it.
Everlane
Their entire ethos is against artificial markups which would translate to then discounting in the form of massive sales, so I’m probably S.O.L. on this one but people can’t stop raving about Everlane’s new jeans or their Day Heel so I obviously want to try! And if you’re in there anyway, might as well check out their ReNew recycled line, or perhaps their cashmere? Rabbit. Hole.
J. Crew
I’ve had my eye on some work basics (ok and this leopard coat), and when J. Crew does a sale they do go all out… currently 40% off, will it get better?!
Athleta
I’m not saying I’m over it, but I am slowing my roll on the athleisure trend. Nonetheless, there are some items that have been gaining virtual dust in my cart that could benefit from a GAP-style sale (GAP currently has 50% off everything + 10% off with code BESTEVER + 10% cash back with Rakuten).
Aerie
Another brand that does massive sales pretty much all the time, it’s really a guessing game as to wether shopping now or later will have a bigger impact. Right now, everything is 40% off—can it get better?? I’ve got a whole cart saved over there waiting to find out (bralettes and sweaters and winter pjs and more).
Paula’s Choice
I need to stock up ANYWAY, and today is the last day of the VIP earlybird sale with 20% off sitewide and 25% off best-sellers: EARLY ACCESS BLACK FRIDAY SALE: Get 20% Off Sitewide + Free Shipping + 2 Free Gifts on $125+ (Up to $89 Value). Use code CYBERVIP. Valid: 11/25 – 11/27. Stay tuned for deals the rest of the cyber weekend, but they will be similar.
Ready-Made
20% off everything, and more percent off the more you buy! I don’t need to stock up, but you definitely do. As shared here, I love this very affordable brand. I got a replacement pendant recently (to the one I loved and promptly lost, eye roll) and the founder included this sweet note:
