Cyber Monday is here. To find the best deals in every category, follow all of our Cyber Monday coverage.
Even if you missed out on Sephora’s biannual sales event last month, the deals in the Cyber Monday sale are very good. As a beauty writer who has covered the sale for three years now, I know this is the time to replenish empties, try something you saw on TikTok, or stock up on gifts. To help you get the best deals, I sifted through pages of products and curated a list of my holy grails, things we’ve written about before, and wish-list items I’ve been eyeing.
One thing about Sephora’s Cyber Week sale is that the deals are different day-to-day — brands run the gamut, from Fresh and Fenty to Tarte and Youth to the People — so be sure you’re checking in on this article. Cyber Monday is coming to a close, so if you’re eyeing something, don’t dillydally. That also means I’m done updating this article, so stock and prices may change. For even more discounts and holiday-shopping updates (beauty and otherwise), check out the rest of our Cyber Monday stories and gift-guide coverage.
Update on December 2: Updated prices and checked stock for all products; new products added.
Deals I Personally Think Are the Best
Sephora takes off 30 percent from different brands each day, and today’s companies are Peter Thomas Roth and Youth To The People. That means some quenching eye patches and our favorite oily skin cleanser are now under $30. Elsewhere, I found really excellent reductions on three Strategist staples: a First Aid Beauty moisturizer, a Clinique cleansing balm, and a value pack of Rio’s favorite Living Proof dry shampoo.
Skin-care sales
Augustinus Bader’s Rich Cream is worth the splurge: It’s packed with fatty acids and antioxidants, reduces moisture loss, and leaves skin hydrated and supple. Now you can get it for 25 percent off (the deepest discount on the cream I’ve seen in a while).
I’ve had my NūFace microcurrent device for a little over a year and can attest to its face-lifting abilities. I have the Trinity+, which is under $300 right now, and the Mini+ is also discounted if you want to spend even less.
Grab this kit of best sellers from Glow Recipe, the brand beloved by beauty editors, dermatologists, and teens on TikTok. The gentle exfoliating toner in particular is buzzy for smoothing out texture.
This set of limited-edition Balm Dotcom lip balms would make an excellent stocking stuffer for the Glossier-obsessed.
If they use Bum Bum Cream year-round, gift them this on-sale jumbo-size one that’ll last for months.
This discounted set of minis would be an excellent starter pack for the teen new to skincare.
Here’s an excellent deal on a hydrating set from longtime Strategist favorite Inkey List. It includes a cleansing balm, hyaluronic acid serum, moisturizer, and lip balm.
Also on sale from the brand: a Rio Viera-Newton–approved (very inexpensive) vitamin-C serum. It gives you all the benefits of the antioxidant, and this is said to be more stable (meaning a longer shelf life).
Here’s half off our favorite moisturizer for dry skin, just in time for cold weather. It applies to only the eight-ounce size, so act fast.
A lot of Supergoop! is on sale at Sephora, including its mineral version of Unseen Sunscreen. From my own testing, it’s lightweight, pill-resistant, and leaves no white cast.
Another personal favorite from the brand is on sale. This one doubles as moisturizer and SPF without leaving my skin oily.
Taraji P. Henson swears by these depuffing hydrating eye patches. “I can literally see the difference: I can see the puffiness shrink in the morning,” she says. Stock up while they’re half off.
And here’s another celebrity-backed eye treatment that’s 50 percent off, if you prefer a cream over patch. (Keke Palmer and Briana King are both fans.)
Our beauty writer Tembe Denton-Hurst likes this for sloughing away dry skin while also moisturizing the fresh, new skin underneath. And it’s gentle enough for daily use without irritating sensitive skin.
Topicals — known for its eczema-friendly skin-care line — makes a mist that reduces hyperpigmentation without any irritation.
If you prefer a cream, the brand’s dark-spot-correcting serum is just as effective, according to Viera-Newton.
Makeup sales
Our favorite long-wear foundation for mature skin — it’s luminous and hydrating without sacrificing longevity.
This has been my personal go-to, especially for days I need more coverage than a skin tint. It’s packed with moisturizing ingredients (squalene and glycerin) and never cakey.
When I spoke to makeup artists about the best CC creams, IT Cosmetics took the cake. Out of all the formulas, this was the standout because it offers medium-to-full coverage, provides SPF, and is lightweight.
I won’t stop talking about the Tarte Shape Tape dupe because it is that good (and now under $10). If you buy one thing, it should be this.
Urban Decay’s eyeliners are smudge- and sweat-proof, and right now, they’re nearly half off.
For a dramatic lash, you can’t go wrong with Too Faced’s mascara. It gets lashes thick, long, separated, and never clumpy.
Some of Pat McGrath’s typically pricey products are deeply discounted, including its super-silky powder blush that melts right into the skin.
The brand’s shimmery lipstick would pair nicely with holiday outfits.
Lastly, a palette of 18 eyeshadows that’s 70 percent off.
Tarte’s deeply discounted palettes are selling out fast, but I found this one that’s just $20.
If you want a palette with more color options, this Too Faced one comes with 18 eye-popping shades.
To replace your current beauty sponge (which has probably seen better days).
And your makeup brushes could probably use a refresh while you’re at it.
Hair-care sales
Rio has called this the best dry shampoo out there, because it removes oil from your hair, rather than just mattifying and concealing it. This is a steal for two full-size bottles.
Sohla El-Waylly told us this alone keeps frizziness at bay without weighing her hair down.
Lots of products from Strategist-favorite hair-care brand Verb are 30 percent off, including its Ghost Hair Mask. It’s our favorite-overall affordable hair mask and works with all hair types.
The brand’s shampoo and conditioner are said to be best suited for fine hair, and it has a line dedicated to banishing frizz fast.
Olaplex is 30 percent off through December 2 at Sephora, so now’s the time to restock your hair care. The
No. 3 (our favorite overall hair mask known for restoring damaged dyed hair) is a good place to start.
The above is recommended for high-porosity hair, and this is better suited for low porosity because it easily rinses out with warm water. Plus it helps minimize fly-aways and frizz but is incredibly lightweight.
This was once described as a “lip gloss for your hair” because of its moisturizing ingredients. Right now, the mini version is under $10.
We’ve long been fans of T3’s easy-to-use hot tools. This one has interchangeable barrels for beach waves, tight curls, or big ringlets.
Here’s a compact flat iron that won’t take up much space in your carry-on.
If you’ve been curious about Shark’s styling tools (said to be decent Dyson dupes), now’s the time to take the plunge.
Fragrance sales
This would make an excellent gift for the beauty-obsessed teen in your life.
After a friend let me spritz their Maison Margiela, I’ve been wanting a sample set of my own. This one comes with seasonally appropriate cozy scents: Jazz Club, By the Fireplace, and Autumn Vibes.
DedCool’s Milk fragrance is my new favorite “you but better” scent. I plan on grabbing an on-the-go version while it’s discounted.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
