[affiliate/ad] This is definitely not my favourite time of year – it’s a really difficult week where what was one single shopping day has turned into weeks of bargains that are almost impossible to keep up with. I don’t want BBB readers to miss out on great deals because it’s leaner times for most of us, but neither do I want an inbox full of affiliate agencies wondering what sales I can make for them. Maybe it’s a good time to remind everyone that while I do use affiliate links (apart from making a small – trust me, small but useful – commission fee, it’s helpful for tracking and understanding what you like) I really do not care if you use them or not. It might surprise you to know that the most sales spikes are from the occasional fashion posts – when you see beauty every single day you can’t possibly be tempted by everything but when an unexpectedly nice sweater comes along, it’s a different matter. So, while I learn things about you and what you like, you can now know about what happens behind the scenes. Ask me anything you want about affiliates but as a further insight, the most beauty sales generated from this site are Chanel, Elf, Clinique and Glossier. Foundations, particularly natural looking bases, are always popular, as are mascaras and lipsticks – skin care is variable and you prefer known brands such as Clinique to new and niche brands. Fragrance is a considered purchase but you like try-me sets, and websites you like to shop at are Escentual, John Lewis and SpaceNK for beauty and Hush, M&S and Mango for fashion. You like offers (so do I!), loungewear (so do I!), knitwear (so do I!) and the posts I get the most feedback on are Beauty Business News. So, after a much more lengthy intro than I was expecting to do, here are some offers. I’ll do another update on Thursday (when Glossier starts) and maybe a fashion one and then leave it alone! Interestingly, Hush doesn’t do Black Friday and instead gives 20% of sales on the day to Crisis.
Space NK has up to 25% off brands such as Hourglass, Drunk Elephant and Olaplex, dropping to 20% off Charlotte Tilbury, Nars, Laura Mercier, Fresh and Sol. It’s open to everyone but if you are an N.Dulge member, you’ll get points. Top buys include my beloved Tan Luxe (great for beating winter grey skin) at £28 instead of £35 with 20% off HERE, Other offers include 20% off selected Aesop (Resurrection Hand Wash anyone?) and the Drunk Elephant Trunk with over £500 value at £283 from £378 HERE. I know… but it’s someone’s dream gift!
Any of the Clinique sets – all have 50ml or 30ml products inside and are based on a theme (SPF, hydration, cleansing or make up). They’re reduced from £25 to £18.75 and I think that’s an excellent deal. They’re HERE.
The same goes for these MAC sets – the entire site has 20% off now, but I like these little kits (from £26) because everyone knows someone who would love one. The black smoky kit at the end would be my choice personally (it’s £32 instead of £40) but a friend of mine loves brushes so that set would be perfect for her. They’re HERE. Also look out for the mini lipstick vault reduced from £75 to £60 HERE.
This is a great bargain at Boots – the Estee Lauder Treat Yourself Gift set contains Pure Color Envy Lip Repair Potion, full-size 6ml, Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion, deluxe travel size 50ml, Advanced Night Repair Serum Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex, deluxe travel size 7ml, Advanced Night Repair Treatment Intense Reset Concentrate, deluxe travel size 5ml, Revitalizing Supreme+ Global Anti-Aging Cell Power Creme, deluxe travel size 15ml, New Advanced Night Repair Eye Concentrate Matrix Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex, deluxe travel size 5ml and Deluxe travel bag for £45 instead of £90 HERE. Don’t forget about the EL Blockbuster set with a value of £302 (surely your guilt free gift to self) with a £46 spend (see what they did there? tsk) – yours for £69.
The cheapest way to top up your spend is with a mini Advanced Night Repair for £8 HERE.
Elemis has 30% off lots of its products (gift sets excluded but nothing to stop you building your own – the brand used tins for their advent – you could do the same) using code CELEBRATION including the best selling (for good reason) Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm for £30 instead of £44 HERE. There’s also a 5 piece gift set free if you spend (after discount) over £100.
Elf cosmetics has 40% off for Beauty Squad members (I’m not one) and 25% off for non-members. It’s an easy win to become a member and then manage your preferences about the sure-to-follow marketing materials. Putty Blush £6) for everyone, I say!
There’s 20% off Molton Brown at John Lewis HERE– it’s my fail safe man gift if all else fails (Infusing Eucalyptus or Vetiver and Grapefruit). Bath & Shower gels are (mostly) £17.60 instead of £22.
I don’t know if Escentual has a black friday deal because they’re already so well discounted but if ever there was a stocking filler waiting to be had, it’s this 3 set of mini Moschino Toy fragrances (one of Lucy’s favourites). It’s £14.45 instead of £17 HERE.
My last is REN – 25% off almost everything site-wide. I’ve got some of these sets to review fully but in case I don’t get to them in time, this is the All Is Bright set, reduced from £76 to £57 HERE and an easy win for conscious beauty lovers. The entire thing is recyclable and vegan.
Non Affiliate Elemis HERE
Non Affiliate Clinique HERE
Non Affiliate MAC HERE
Non Affiliate Boots HERE
Non Affiliate John Lewis HERE
Non Affiliate REN HERE
Transparency Disclosure
All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
11 comments
Fascinating insight into the machinations (in a nice way) of BBB, thank you Jane. I wonder if Chanel is popular with readers as it is most certainly popular with you 😉 They could make a brown paper bag and call it Le Shopping / Sac de Chanel and we’d buy it!
Thank you for distilling down the chaos and confusion that Black Friday is becoming. The problem is when you do need to buy something, anything essential at this time of year.. Where do the real offers start and end gggrrr! I need to do some homework on pricing for a new upright vacuum, wish me luck as I try not to self gift (the Moschino mini trio is adorable). Also to note that Urban Decay is 40% off everything, though like a lot of brands their eyeshadow ranges have shrunk considerably.
Thank you again for your blog Jane and your lovely readers. Cuddles to Honey, I bet she has a chic warm something to wear in this weather. xxx
Thanks so much Chrissie – I know … yes readers do like Chanel (if outgoing links are anything to go by). This is my most stressful week of the year – I’m always second guessing myself on what’s appropriate and then an offer pops up that I’d feel neglectful not to highlight therefore becoming a contributor to the problem!
I am a bit of a Chanel fan myself (sshhh). BBB is a haven of calm and information amidst the discount din and there are sooo many sites, brands, offers etc I trust you entirely in keeping up with the mêlée. I am trying to remember what it was like pre online shopping and that buzz of getting a bargain in the shops due to double discounting, pleading the box was bashed / damaged, extra points etc. Plus of course you can’t beat the festive ambiance of tinsel, music, testing and trying in store whilst balancing your glass of mulled wine / other in hand.
Always so lovely to have your encouraging comments Chrissie 🙂 Yes, you either had to chew your nails in the hopes that there would be some bargains on Christmas Eve OR buy in the January sale for the following year if you wanted a discount. I think internet has made us less organised! The stores really need us to go in – I know retail staff are pulling the stops out … actually, I was briefly on Oxford street a couple of times last week and it was very busy and I felt pleased for the retailers (although more masks please!) x
Yvw Jane. Absolutely! Now that everything can be bought 24/7, 365 days a year, you are totally right plus I am buying more stuff.
A wonderful friend who used to work for very well known beauty brand said she couldn’t understand why folks a) left everything to the last minute for festive gifting and b) angrily expected all the stock to be available right up until closing time on 24 December. The internet by turn has made sell outs a phenomenon (sorry waffling today). I used to love the thrill of what might be found in those post Christmas sales (ie what had been lurking under counters, in stockrooms).
And yes definitely going to London for some not just Christmas shoppery. All the shops I’ve been in to (London, Croydon, Bromley, Brighton..others) have been so welcoming and have that human touch very much lacking online (eg instore pampering and facials). And yes more masks everyone, on transport too. x
I love these insights, Jane, thank you. I bought the Chanel Les Beiges cushion foundation a few years ago on the strength of one of your recommendations, and I still buy and use it today!
you’re so welcome!
I agree with you on the links, I use them for more tracking what is clicked on the 13p I might make from a sale and I find the most obscure not beauty related content gets a huge spike in clicks.
exactly – they’re really helpful in knowing what’s useful content for anyone reading. Also that – I’m just about to update a post from 2018 that is still one of my most read…I don’t know how people keep finding it.
Thanks so much Jane for your work at this time of year. The Korean beauty post was particularly helpful for teen Christmas presents – I would NEVER have found this on my own – not least because BBB has been my only source of beauty info for a decade. Long gone for me are those one page, heavily sponsored but not transparent beauty pages in magazines!
Thanks also for your insights into blogging – I’ve learned so much for you.
Wishing you and your family all the very best. Cx
Oh, thank you so much! That’s so lovely to hear…. and encouraging me onward – I’m compiling Thursday’s fashion BF post and I hate it already :-))))