3 Beauty Must-Buys + 3 Early Black Friday Deals You Won't Regret Shopping

And a reminder to have a BF/CM strategy! Because we are smart shoppers, right? Right.

Hi everyone, and happy almost Thanksgiving. If you haven’t figured out what you want to wear on Thursday, a gentle reminder that last week’s newsletter focused on three strategic outfit ideas for the big day. (Also want to note that the investment-worthy High Sport pants with the fanatical following I mentioned are the subject of Jacey Duprie’s substack this week, if you needed additional data points.) And also wanted to reiterate that if cooking a giant meal is stressing you out at all, there are solutions for that, which I detailed in my absolutely psychotic story How To Thanksgiving Like A Virgo a couple of years ago.

For today’s installment of the newsletter, I wanted to give my fellow deal-hunters a heads up that (some) Black Friday sales are already here. Clever brands and retailers are trying to get ahead of the noise and have already launched their own ahead-of-time deals, and I figured I’d follow in their footsteps and get cracking too. Below are a few of my favorite things that are currently enjoying some sort of promotional pricing, including some suggestions for items that might make great holiday presents. Because getting ahead of your holiday shopping whilst saving money? That is truly a gift that keeps on giving.

But before we get into that, I wanted to share a few truly standout beauty products that have captivated me over the last couple of months. As always, these are products I have personally tested over a long period of time, and buy with my own money.

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THREE BEAUTY MUST-BUYS

Merit Solo Shadow Cream-to-Powder Soft Matte Eyeshadow ($24)

When I tell you I haven’t worn eyeshadow in years, it honestly might be more like a decade? I was a Stila girly back in the ‘90s (Kitten for life!) and early aughts, but truthfully just stopped loving all shadow at some point in time. No shade to aging—it means we’re alive!—but getting older hasn’t helped that feeling at all. Often I feel like eyeshadow just makes me look either like I’m trying too hard or it emphasizes the fact that I haven’t slept through the night in a week, due to dueling sick kids and general work anxiety. Ahem.

Until now.

I cannot recommend Merit’s Solo Shadows enough. They are almost annoyingly great, and are a true 11/10 buy for me. I own almost all of the regular colors, and they are so beautiful and easy to apply, it’s astonishing. I’m currently using Vachetta (a warm beige) and Midcentury (a warm brown) the most, but honestly I don’t think you can go wrong. I also love, love, love Nelson, a soft gray that gives you the perfect, buildable smokey eye. 

Best of all, the formula doesn’t transfer for me and it’s super gentle on my smile lines/eye creases. Honestly, I have zero complaints or improvements to suggest, other than I wish I hadn’t lost my Merit Brush No. 2 Double Sided Eyeshadow Brush ($20), and obviously that’s my own fault. You don’t need it to get a great application, but the brush is also worth buying, for sure.

Also, I just put the brand’s Le Gloss Set ($80) in my cart, which has a new, limited edition Solo Shadow in a new shade that has a touch of sheen, a new exclusive lip liner, and Merit’s beloved brow, lash, and skin products too. 

(P.S. Yes, Merit’s founder/CEO is my former business partner! But Katherine doesn’t know I’m writing this; I just like these products so much, I happily pay retail for them.) 

Monika Blunder Melt Down Cleansing Balm ($55)

I’m a longtime fan of celebrity makeup artist Monika Blunder’s beauty line, and have been writing about products like her Blunder Cover concealer for years. So naturally I was curious when she launched skincare products last month, and oh goodness they’re good! 

In particular, I think her incredibly soothing cleansing balm is worth your consideration. It starts as a solid salve, which is ideal for travel, and if you have sensitive, dry, or even combo skin, you will love it. The cleansing balm also gets even the most stubborn makeup off with ease, and my skin felt so fresh after, it’s crazy. Truly excellent and my favorite new face cleanser, period. 

Violette_FR Yeux Paint ($31) in Dieu Bleu

It is impossible to know anything about the incredible French makeup artist and beauty entrepreneur Violette, and not fall madly in love. Her career is absolutely incredible—which we discussed on the Second Life podcast in August of this year—and I truly enjoy and appreciate her perspective on makeup. 

Her own line is filled with hit after hit (every editor I know swoons over the brand’s Boum-Boum Milk and Bisou Balm), including her new aquamarine/Yves Klein Blue eyeliner/eyeshadow, Yeux Paint in Dieu Blue. It can be super dramatic, see: Erin Parsons for example, or go for a subtler Parisian take on it, a la Violette herself. 

violette_fr

A post shared by @violette_fr

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BLACK FRIDAY ON A SUNDAY

Big sales can really test my willpower and make even the most foolproof shopping plan crumble. How many times have I ended up buying a designer piece that I don’t really die for, simply because it’s available at a deep discount? Too many to count, alas. While learning from my mistakes continues to be…a journey, shall we say, I remain hopeful that I will be smarter about it this season.

Before you dive into all of the Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals, I gently suggest creating a framework for yourself. By determining what you’re looking for in advance—a cashmere sweater for your mom, the perfect Snap Circuits set for your kid, a sparkly look for your holiday and New Year’s Eve plans—you will hopefully stay on track and be more mindful with your shopping. 

I also think this is the best time of year to assess what are the key pieces in your wardrobe, what you are missing, and then either refresh or add accordingly. Additionally, while this goes against my earlier advice somewhat, I personally always search coats and evening wear, because those are pieces I don’t like to spend full price on. I’ll be back with more suggestions next week, but until then, here are a few early options for your shopping pleasure. 

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MADEWELL

Sequin Midi Skirt (normally $132, now $82.80/ 40% off) 

It seems every brand under the sun got the same memo for holiday dressing, and that is: A sequin skirt, preferably pencil! Madewell’s iteration comes in almost a rose champagne hue; it’s not full on rose gold, but something softer and dare I say it, more elevated. You can style it with a matching square neck cami, or pay homage to old-school Jenna Lyons with a cozy worn-in gray sweatshirt or cropped cashmere sweater. 

The Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean (normally $132, now $82.80 / 40% off ) in Black

Madewell, IMHO, makes the best jeans at this price point. Period. They (mostly) are available in plus, petite, standard, and tall, and go up to a size 28. Right now I’ve got this pair in my bag, because they’re a) black, which is my preferred color b) ankle-grazing, to show off my shoes, always and c) have a wide-leg silhouette that’s not too overwhelming for my short legs. 

The Essential Mini Bucket Tote (normally $132, now $82.80 / 40% off) in Wild Poppy

Ugh the color is so good! A pretty pop of color that will brighten up even the gloomiest winter day? That’s a yes please, especially at this price point. And you can personalize it! If not for you, perhaps buy it for a friend? ‘Tis the season….

The Vernon Loafer (normally $158, now $94.80 / 40% off) in Silver

Remember how we talked about metallic shoes having a moment in the newsletter two weeks ago? Well, I’m still on the topic, and feel like these silver loafers offer another easy way to try the trend without breaking the bank. 

The Essential Mini Bucket Tote in the cutest color ever! Thanks for making this Madewell; you’re awesome.

NORDSTROM

Nordys has almost 2000 items already on sale for Black Friday, and there are some gems in the mix! 

Maison Margiela Replica By the Fireplace Eau de Toilette Fragrance (normally $85, now $72.25 / 15% off)

By The Fireplace is a Who What Wear editor favorite—and also the brand’s most beloved scent—so I was a little shocked to see it in the Black Friday deals section, but thrilled! In fact, there’s a big selection of the cult fragrances, candles, and diffusers on sale right now, so let this be your pass to try a new scent or stock up on a beloved favorite. 

Bony Levy 4-Carat Round Diamond Stud Earrings (normally $54,995, now $41,246.25 / 25% off) 

Do you have a casual 40 grand sitting around, burning a hole in your pocket? Have pierced ears? Love diamonds? Well, do I have a suggestion for you! If that price point made you gasp, the brand is also offering a range of smaller, more affordable styles, all at 25% off, The .25 ct tw pair is now $521.25, or you could go for the most petite, the .05 ct tw pair, which is $146.25 now.

Hunter Kids’ First Classic Rainboots (normally $65, now $46.99 / 32% off)

If you have a friend who has kids, know that there’s little that will warm their heart more than an adorable and splurgy present for said child, like a pair of Kate Moss’s favorite wellies. My kids have Hunter boots, which they use year round as their “outdoor” shoes. Watching them water the garden in the summer in these boots is absurdly cute. They come in lots of colors, so nose around.

Alexander McQueen Drape Detail Long Sleeve Wool Midi Dress (normally $2890, now $1445 / 50% off)

Here’s the thing: Some of the best items I own are pieces I bought without a specific plan in mind. They’re just excellent quality from a designer or brand I love, and I knew they’d come in handy at some point. That’s why my eye is on allllll the McQueen that Nordstrom has on sale. The clothes are expensive, but they are sumptuous, will last forever, and the last of the Sarah Burton era. This dress, for example? Timeless. So is this red mini dress. And this off-the-shoulder black dress.

HILL HOUSE HOME

The Sequin Ellie Nap Dress (normally $278, now $194.60 / 30%off)

Because I can’t and I won’t and I don’t stop recommending sequins! The classic Hill House Home dress is now a disco ball of joy, and the perfect dress to pass out in. 

The Olympia Skirt (normally $150, now $105 / 30% off) and The Pia Top (normally $128, now $89.60 / 30% off)

I love a set because it has the ease of a dress, but obviously more versatile because you can also wear the pieces separately. This duo is sleeker than the silhouettes I typically associate with Hill House, and I love that you can make it revealing or not, depending on your styling choices.

The Tulle Ellie Nap Dress (normally $278, now $194.60 / 30% off)

Not into sequins, but open to showing your undies? Try the black tulle iteration of the nap dress. And yes, you can style this with more modest undergarments, but is that fun? Eh. And if you get it in blush or powder blue, you can get a matching one for your little.

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As always, if there’s an item you’re shopping for or you need help sorting through the zillions of options out there, please don’t hesitate to drop me a comment and I will add it to my to-do list. (And why am I prompting you to comment? Because while I love DMs and always try to answer you there, my inbox is messy, and comments here are much easier for me to find and use as source material as I’m working on new things. Also, I love comments; they make me feel seen.)

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Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post. I’m truly so glad you’re here. If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter. (And if you have the time to like it, that would mean a lot to me!) All products mentioned are independently chosen, and some may be affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.