There’s an important holiday coming up, and it’s not Thanksgiving … it’s Black Friday! We’ve got school off, so roll up your sleeves and get ready to go shopping. I’ve taken the liberty of scouring the internet for the best deals from the brands we love, and I’ve highlighted a few items that are specifically worth checking out. Happy shopping, and make sure you keep an eye on your bank account balance!

Lululemon
Lululemon — notorious for its high-quality athleisure clothes with a hefty price tag — is a place that many of us will surely turn to this Friday, eager to get a discount on one of their many products. In the past, their sales have only dropped day-of, but typically include an extra “We Made Too Much” drop — basically just a sale on select items. Members are able to gain early access to the sales exclusively on the Lululemon app. Numerous Reddit users have warned that their Black Friday sale is typically pretty disappointing, though, so be warned.

Item to look out for:
I’ve spotted the Dance Studio Mid-Rise Pant frequently around the MIHS campus, and its trendy wide-leg and range of colors make it a good option for everyday wear. Plus, a chop off that $118 price tag could be nice.

Sephora
For those of us trying to shop Sephora’s online selection in order to avoid the hordes of tweens who’ve been commandeering all the in-store products recently, you’re in luck. Sephora is offering 30% off all hair tools through Dec. 7 — perfect for those of you who haven’t sprung for the TikTok Shop version of the Beachwaver curling iron yet. The select products and side-wide sale, though, have yet to be revealed.

Item to look out for:
For those of you in the market for a new blush, let me introduce you to my holy grail. The ONE/SIZE Cheek Clapper palettes last forever, and have a very strong pigment. I have the shade Phat Ass (yes, they’re trying to take the title of “Most Obscene Product Names” from Nars), and I absolutely love it. If this one goes on sale, I recommend an immediate purchase — I’ve had mine for almost a year, and barely made a dent in it.

TikTok Shop
After its meteoric rise to success this past year, I’m sure some of you are wondering: does TikTok Shop do Black Friday? The answer? Well … kinda. For starters, their “holiday shopping season” lasts from Nov. 13 to Dec. 2. As part of their campaign, they’re offering live TikTok shopping events featuring exclusive deals, which I personally could not care less about, but some might see the appeal. The second part to this sale is called “Brand Palooza,” in which, from Nov. 13 to Nov. 28 (so we don’t even get to Black Friday), select brands are offering up to 55% off, including Fenty Beauty, The Ordinary, Liquid IV and a few other brands — check their website for details.

Item to look out for:
To be honest, I have zero faith in TikTok Shop because the prices are so cheap, so I’ve never bought anything … and don’t really plan on it. Since I haven’t spent a single moment on the site, I can’t even give a recommendation … sorry y’all.

Aritzia
Similar to Lululemon, I can feel my bank account cry anytime I walk into Aritzia. However, their quality is to die for, and no one does elevated basics quite like them. They’ve already launched a campaign called “Black Fiveday,” where certain items are 30-50% off. However, they’re also offering 20-50% off absolutely everything, so go check it out while stuff is still in stock.

Item to look out for:
I’m going to avoid the standard answer of The Super Puff, and I’d suggest snatching up one of their Contour Squareneck Bodysuits, which I admittedly own three of. They’re incredibly comfortable, snatching, and — from experience — garner a lot of compliments.

Levi’s
Everyone needs a good pair of jeans in their life — maybe multiple — and Levi’s never disappoints, offering a variety of fits and styles. Their sales are also coming in clutch, offering 40% off everything available on their site. They’ve already launched — go ahead and check it out now here.

Item to look out for:
The Levi’s jeans you hear people talking about most often are definitely the 501s, and I have numerous friends who love this classic fit. However, they didn’t fit me quite right, and I actually ended up falling in love with the Ribcage Straight Ankle fit, which are now my favorite jeans in my closet. I myself will be picking up a few this Friday!

Alo
Alo has been a prominent seller in the athleisure market for a while, and they’ve got one of the best sales I’ve seen so far, with a sitewide 30% discount. Some sale items, though, are up to 70% off. Their Black Friday sale is actually beginning on Thanksgiving, though, so check the site out ASAP to secure items before they sell out!

Item to look out for:
Wide-leg pants continue to dominate the sweatpant market, and I’ve got it on good authority from a friend that their quality is incredible, but she reports that their oversized fit means you “should definitely size down.” This best seller of theirs is worth checking out.

Summer Fridays
Would it be a real review of mine if it didn’t have a Summer Fridays feature? They’ve got a Cyber Week sale running from Nov. 24 to Dec. 2, with 20% off select items, and various other perks each day, which are mostly just sweepstakes. Additionally, on purchases over $75, they’ll give you a free travel tote.

Item to look out for:
Obviously, they’ve got a standout product — their Lip Butter Balm. This is my holy grail lip product, for its silky texture and gorgeous shine, plus the appropriate amount of pigment for each shade you choose.


Graphic by Jordan Balousek