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Every Insider Knows That the Best High-End Beauty Black Friday Deals Are Found at Bluemercury
All your quiet luxury needs, all in one place—for a good price.
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Every year, I wait until Black Friday to restock on some of my most indulgent, quiet luxury, I-shouldn’t-be-spending-this-kind-of-money beauty favorites. I’m a shopping editor, so I’m extremely picky about the products I put on my face and hair, and there are certain essentials I just will not compromise on. If you, too, prefer top shelf beauty, or if you’re looking for luxury gifts to give those you want to pamper, I’m going to tell you a not-so-secret secret: Bluemercury has the best deals on high-end beauty brands. It’s where you want to go for fancy names and good prices (this time of year, anyway).
Here’s the deal (literally): To reach 20 percent off your purchase, you need to spend $200 (this will be easily done, for better or worse). For 25 percent off, spend $800+. For 30 percent, the top tier, you must spend $1,500. But look, if you’re replenishing your makeup bag and are using this as a one-stop shop for your gifting, that also may not be so difficult.
As a shopping editor of five years, I’ve tested nearly every beauty brand. here are the products I’m personally buying and recommending.
Makeup
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit
Hourglass’s blush-bronzer-highlighter palettes are the stuff for viral lore: Come for the gorgeous palette designed, stay for the incredible pigment. Hourglass is industry-known for giving you an all-in-one, travel-friendly, fuss-free collection of perfect bronzers, highlighters, and blushes that give you that coveted lit-from-within look.
Bobbi Brown Plump It Up Extra Plump Hydrating Lip Oil Duo (Limited Edition)
If you want a lip oil that does it all (plump, hydrate, and tint), Bobbi Brown is your girl.
Tom Ford Soleil Lip Balm
Another lip product that deserves all the awards is Tom Ford’s Soleil Lip Balm, a lipstick-lip balm hybrid that infuses lips with hydration and gives you a long-lasting pop of color.
Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Foundation
Pat McGrath Labs is rarely on sale, so please do snag this serum-like foundation that comes in a variety of shades (thank you, Pat). This formula gives you a dewy, filter-like finish that’s easily buildable.
Neen Pretty Shiny Cream Highlighter
This is actually one of the more affordable picks on my list, but it works just as well (if not better) than a designer brand. You need just a small swipe of this paste-like highlighter for it to give your cheeks, brow bone, nose, and collar a chic celestial glimmer.
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Guys, this is my tinted moisturizer ride-or-die that I’ve been purchasing and re-purchasing for the last TEN YEARS. It’s been especially so clutch as my now-35-year-old skin has “matured” and isn’t as naturally hydrated anymore. It blends in so seamlessly, giving me really natural, gorgeous coverage, while covering any hyperpigmentation and blemishes. I highly recommend this for a “your skin, but better” look, especially if you’re 30+.
Lune+Aster Foundation Brush
The key to good foundation application is a good brush. Like this one. I love my BeautyBlender, but when I need my foundation to really stay put and look AI-generated-ified (kidding!), I use this brush.
Pat McGrath Labs Mothership V: Bronze Seduction
Yes, another Pat McGrath Labs picks! I have been salivating over Pat’s eyeshadow palettes for years, so this is the year I’m gonna pull the proverbial trigger and purchase one. The Bronze Seduction palette has the most ethereal neutrals, as well as a few unexpected pearly shades, too. Why Pat McGrath eyeshadows are so beloved? They’re creamy, extremely pigmented, and long-lasting.
Skincare
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum
Every dermatologist will tell you that vitamin C is your best bet for clearer, brighter skin once you hit 30. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic is pricey because it’s extremely potent, and also…it extremely works. Maybe brands have attempted in copying the formula, but it’ll (IMO) never go up against the OG.
Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser
The secret to glowing skin and a smooth makeup application is routinely exfoliating your face. You. Must. Exfoliate. Especially as you get older! I use the Regenerating Cleanser at least three times a week (it’s gentle enough, don’t worry) and it leaves my complexion brighter and more subtle without completely stripping it of its natural oils.
It’s also a Taylor Swift-approved pick. Just sayin’.
It’s also a Taylor Swift-approved pick. Just sayin’.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Serum
This anti-aging serum is certainly an investment, but it’s been described as the “Fountain of Youth in a Bottle” for good reason: Its potent formula battles fine lines and wrinkles, soothes inflammation, and helps regenerate cell regeneration, thanks you ingredients like skullcap and purslane.
La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream Duet (Limited Edition)
I fear once you try La Mer once, you will never go back. I have a jar of The Moisturizing Soft Cream in my bathroom cabinet and savor it for months until I have to restock. The Soft Cream is similar to Creme De La Mer, except more “spreadable” and better for everyday use (Creme De La Mer is extremely emollient, and almost paste-like). I credit the Soft Cream for a more even complexion and skin that looks really healthy for a mom of a 15-month-old who never sleeps.
Dr. Whitney Bowe Beauty Exfoliation Night Resurfacing and Brightening Serum
Another amazing exfoliation product that not nearly enough people talk about is Dr. Whitney Bowe’s Night Resurfacing & Brightening Serum. Apply this a couple times a week, and you will wake up to a rejuvenated complexion.
Indie Lee COQ-10 Toner
COQ-10 is a powerful antioxidant that’s been linked to increased fertility, heart health, energy, and so much more—and it’s been infused into skincare more and more. Indie Lee’s COQ-10 Toner is a barrier-protecting formula that’s a must for the winter.
Sisley Paris Exfoliating Enzyme Mask
Okay. ONE more exfoliating product! (Can you tell I love to exfoliate my skin?!) Sisley Paris’ Exfoliating Enzyme Mask takes a tiny bit more effort (you have to mix the powder with water), but the results are worth it: You’ll find that your complexion has never been more radiant. I gifted this to a friend, and she told me she actually pushed her Botox appointment back because this mask gave her such a glowing, lasting complexion.
Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum
The second I gave birth, I started to apply this retinol serum at night again (retinol, I missed you so!). I find that Dermalogica’s retinol products, specifically their Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum is potent enough, yet gentle so it doesn’t leave my skin red and angry. This formula helps brighten my complexion and melts away fine lines and wrinkles with regular use.
Haircare
Moroccanoil Treatment Light
As someone with frizzy, curly-wavy, unmanageable hair that’s thinned out over the last few years, I love that this variation of the OG Treatment oil because it provides the same smoothing benefits, but isn’t as heavy. Snag this travel-sized bottle if you want to try it out, or if you need an on-the-go hair oil that does it all.
Klorane Dry Shampoo With Oat Milk
Snag several bottles of this French dry shampoo and never deal with flaky, itchy scalp problems ever again. Trust me.
R+Co Television Perfect Hair Shampoo
This shampoo literally checks all the boxes: Strengthens and smooths strands, gives you shine, and smells incredible.
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