I'm a Beauty Editor and this is what I'm buying in Sephora's Black Friday sale

As a Beauty Editor I've tried just about every beauty product under the sun. Years of being sent PR packages with all the latest and greatest makeup, hair, skin care, fragrance, and the like, has forced me to develop better discernment when I do spend on beauty products.

As we all know, Black Friday sales are just around the corner, with the last weekend of November promising to be one of the best times of year to snag a deal. 

Naturally, it's an ideal opportunity to stock up on essentials like a favourite moisturiser or a signature perfume. But I also find that a sale helps to lower the stakes when I've been eyeing up a particularly indulgent purchase too. And — I hate to bring this up — but the impending gifting season is ever-present and looming, so it can't hurt to cross a few names off of the old Christmas present list. There are plenty of limited edition holiday gift packs to choose from at Sephora this year.

Last year, Sephora's Black Friday sale lasted for four whole days, and Sephora Beauty Pass members could enjoy a 15 per cent discount with no minimum spend or 20 per cent off with a minimum spend of $120. So if you're not already a Sephora Beauty Pass member, now is the perfect time to sign up (joining is completely free).

I also suggest fine tuning your wish list now, so you can easily add to cart when the sales start, and most importantly, before stocks run out.

Not sure what to shop? This is what I'm shopping in the Sephora Black Friday sale.

A Beauty Editor's Sephora Black Friday Sale Wish List

L'Atelier Parfum Salty Wood Eau De Parfum

Usually $190 from Sephora

With a new season almost upon us I'm looking for a fresh scent that won't be too overbearing as the weather warms up. This aquatic and wood-based perfume from L'Atelier Parfum hits all the right notes, and I can't wait to douse myself in it's salted breeze aroma. 

Key features:

• Top notes: Fresh air accord
• Heart notes: Oak wood, cedar wood, and Ceylon tea
• Base notes: Sea salt accord and sequoia

Available in:

• 15ml — Usually $56 from Sephora
• 50ml — Usually $135 from Sephora
• 100ml — Usually $190 from Sephora

Bangn Body Mediterranean Minis Set

Usually $88 from Sephora

During summer, there's nothing I love more than a refreshing shower after a day soaking up the sun at the beach, and subsequently slathering myself in Bangn Body's luxurious Firming Lotion. This mini set includes the original formula, as well as a luminous version. Plus, there's a skin scrub that can be used in the shower — and one of my favourite lip products — the Lip & Cheek Gloss Balm in 'Raspberry Drop'. 

Key features:

• 1 x Firming Lotion (50g)
• 1 x Illuminating Firming Lotion (50g)
• 1 x Smooth Skin Scrub (30g)
• 1 x Lip & Cheek Gloss Balm in 'Raspberry Drop' (15g)
• 1 x Makeup bag
   

Available in:

• Holiday Limited Edition — Usually $88 from Sephora

Pixi On-The-Glow Blush Tinted Moisturiser Stick

Usually $33 from Sephora

I wear this blush every day without fail. My favourite shade is the bubble gum pink 'cheektone', because it adds a healthy pop of colour to my cheeks without muddying my complexion. If I'm feeling especially adventurous I'll layer a luminous liquid blush like the Tarte Blush Tape™ Liquid Blush in 'pinky coral' ($60 from Sephora) over the top.

Key features:

• Available in four shades
• Formulated with ginseng, aloe vera and fruit extracts
• Hydrates and conditions skin
• Universally flattering sheer tint

Available in:

• Cheektone — Usually $33 from Sephora
• Fleur — Usually $33 from Sephora
• Juicy — Usually $33 from Sephora
• Ruby — Usually $33 from Sephora

Olaplex Strong Days Ahead Hair Kit

Usually $99 from Sephora

I've been growing out my hair for over a year after shaving it down to a buzzcut, and I've been maintaining the health of my hair with this simple 3-step hair care routine from Olaplex. I like that it simplifies my hair wash days so I'm not spending endless amounts of time in the shower when I could be doing other things. 

Key features:

• 1 x No. 3 Hair Perfector (50ml)
• 1 x No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo (250ml)
• 1 x No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner (250ml)

Available in:

• Holiday Limited Edition — Usually $99 from Sephora

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Vinyl

Usually $45 from Sephora

I recently finished a tube of the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Vinyl in 'sheer petal' and now I have my eyes on the 'sheer iris' shade. The formula is unmatched in my opinion. It's moisturising, conditioning and nourishing, never sticky, and I really appreciate the mess-free pen applicator. 

Key features:

• Available in three sheer shades, two shimmer shades, and three opaque shades
• Glossy, shiny, and juicy 'wet lip look' finish
• Japanese plant complex enhances shine
• Hyaluronic acid and superfruit blend nourish and blur the appearance of fine lines

Available in:

• Sheer Iris — Usually $45 from Sephora
• Sheer Petal — Usually $45 from Sephora
• Sheer Berry — Usually $45 from Sephora
• Rosy Brown — Usually $45 from Sephora
• Hibiscus — Usually $45 from Sephora
• Apple — Usually $45 from Sephora
• Shimmering Pink Lily — Usually $45 from Sephora
• Shimmering Mixed Berries — Usually $45 from Sephora

Rare Beauty Find Comfort Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash

Usually $42 from Sephora

I'm the kind of person that washes their body multiple times in the space of a single showering session, so the body wash I use daily needs to be a pleasure to apply. I usually reach for shower oils, but this exfoliating body wash is the exception to the rule, because it makes my skin feel so soft and smooth. Plus, it's fragranced with Rare Beauty's signature body care scent — a relaxing blend of bright lemon zest, sweet jasmine, and warm cashmere wood.

Key features:

• Exfoliating konjac jelly based formula
• Cleanses, nourishes and softens skin
• Smooths texture and enhances radiance
• Bright lemon zest, sweet jasmine, and warm cashmere wood scent

Available in:

• 250ml — Usually $42 from Sephora

Makeup By Mario Softsculpt Bronzing Shaping Serum

Usually $62 from Sephora

I'm really over using cream or powder bronzers — a sheer liquid formula is where its at. I've been using Glossier Cloud Paint in 'Sail' ($41 from Glossier) religiously all year, and I've just about demolished an entire tube. I was considering buying a refill, but I keep getting served Makeup By Mario spam on TikTok, and I've been sufficiently brainwashed to try something new. Considering Mario Dedivanovic is the makeup artist responsible for Kim Kardashian's flawless contour, I'm looking forward to adding this into my daily makeup rotation — I might just discover a new favourite.

Key features:

• Comes in seven sheer sun-kissed shades
• Warms the complexion
• Softly shapes and contours
• Natural, second-skin finish
• Two in one, pump and doe-foot applicator

Available in:

• Fair — Usually $62 from Sephora
• Light — Usually $62 from Sephora
• Light Medium — Usually $62 from Sephora
• Medium — Usually $62 from Sephora
• Medium Dark — Usually $62 from Sephora
• Dark — Usually $62 from Sephora 
• Dark Deep  — Usually $62 from Sephora 

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum VI

Usually $146 from Sephora

This is an old favourite of mine. I haven't used it for about a year, so I could make a deliberate effort to try new things — it is a requirement of my profession after all — but boy, do I miss it. I have skin that's a little dehydrated and sensitive, and it really vibes with the gentle, radiance-enhancing ginseng technology that makes this serum so special. It's one of those lowkey skin care products that effortlessly keeps my complexion looking its best without much hassle, but when I stop using it I definitely notice the difference it makes.

Key features:

• Enriched with Sulwhasoo's Master Complex™, a ginseng-based skin technology
• Stimulates the skin's natural processes of renewal, hydration and protection
• Promotes a more radiant complexion
• Fast-absorbing formula

Available in:

• 90ml — Usually $146 from Sephora
• 60ml — Usually $119 from Sephora
• 15ml — Usually $35 from Sephora

Main image credit: @rarebeauty

Looking for more discounts and deals? These are the best Black Friday makeup sales to glam up your look.