Happy Friday! It’s obviously one of the most noteworthy Fridays of the year, and I hope you’re spending it far away from work but close to a saucy little bevvy.
I’ve spent the last 30 years unlearning the belief that any Black Friday deal is a good deal — and while I love love love the high of online shopping, I’m trying really hard to be mindful with my purchasing power — that is, only buying products/items that I know I will use and love based on intel from trusted sources (last weekend I listed over 20 items on Poshmark, proving that I rarely, if ever, succeed at living by this philosophy). In this spirit, I want to be that trusted source for someone and share recommendations of products I genuinely use constantly and have repurchased at least once.*
*Please note that none of these are being shared with affiliate links, so I earn/lose literally nothing from you clicking or not clicking, and therefore you should feel zero sense of obligation to click/purchase.**
**That said, though, using affiliate links is one of the absolute easiest ways to support creators/media outlets you love. Affiliate links cost the purchaser LITERALLY NOTHING EXTRA but reward creators for their work. It’s a total win-win. I’m very passionate about this as affiliate links were a very big part of my previous job and an even bigger part of the current job of one of my very best friends.
Back to the list!! Like I said, see below for products I have purchased and re-purchased at least once, if not many more times. I’ll let you know if it’s currently on sale — but as a reminder, and in case no one else tells you this today, no deal is so good that it’s worth stressing out your future self or spending money on something you don’t need. Use this as a resource as needed or feel free to click away immediately. Choose your own adventure!!!!
Without further ado…
Merit Beauty The Minimalist Foundation/Concealer Stick: I first saw this advertised as “Zoom’s best friend,” as it’s kind of a cross between foundation and concealer, so you can just use it on certain spots for video calls without needing to put on a full face of makeup. I occasionally use it for that purpose, but I also use it under CC cream as a concealer/color corrector. It is SO smooth, and it makes my entire face of makeup look creamier/more natural when I start with this as my base. I got myself shade-matched at Sephora to find my shade, and it’s a genuinely perfect match. Buy it directly from Merit for 20% off (no code needed) but no free shipping; or buy it from Sephora for full price and get free shipping if you’re a rewards member.
Olive & June Press-On Nails: If I won the lottery, I wouldn’t tell anyone — but the first sign would be that my nails would be constantly manicured to perfection, with a fresh dip mani done once a week. I’ve had to actively cut myself off from salon manicures (I hit rock bottom when my total was over $120 for ONE SINGLE FRENCH MANICURE), but Olive & June press-ons are genuinely a great consolation prize. They’re the most natural-looking fake nails I’ve seen, they come in lots of lengths/shapes for your taste, and I always get compliments on them. (The cool Gen Z intern at work also wears them, so there’s an extra vouch for those who don’t trust me.) The shade/style TT is my absolute go-to (I’m wearing them as we speak), but there are tons and tons of options. Buy them directly from Olive & June for 25% off (code is 25OFF) but no free shipping; or buy them from Target for full price (Sometimes Walgreens has a really good selection of colors, but not every Walgreens has them).
Olaplex No. 6 Leave-In Conditioner: I truly believe I have tried just about every detangling leave-in conditioner out there — and for my personal wavy hair type, nothing works as well as this one. I’ve spent 30 years fighting my natural texture and about half that time dying it, leaving me with hair that is rarely pleased with me. A few years ago, I finally figured out a routine that would allow me to wash my hair without crying after — I use a Wet Brush in the shower while my conditioner’s in, then I rinse the conditioner out and brush it again (right in the shower). Then, when I’m out of the shower, I put in this leave-in and brush for a third time. My hair feels so much smoother, more manageable, and healthier when I’m using this — and I’ve probably burned through at least 10-12 bottles in the last several years. Buy it from Ulta for 30% off (no code needed); I also saw that it’s 30% off on Amazon, but I’m always less inclined to buy beauty products on Amazon when I can get them elsewhere for the same price. It’s also 30% off with free shipping at Nordstrom!
Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Cream: If we’ve met in person, you probably know about my eczema. I’ve unfortunately made it such a part of my brand that everywhere we go, my dear friend Kelly earnestly asks, “Did you bring your cream!?” By “my cream,” she means this Eucerin lotion. My skin is super sensitive and flares up whenever I use anything scented (Especially hand soaps! The absolute most annoying thing about me is that I cannot use those seasonal Bath & Body Hand Soaps!!!), so I’ve routinely applied this lotion every single night (and usually multiple times in a day as well) for several years. I’ve used prescription creams that don’t work as well and I’ve tried other brands that are stickier, weirder, or just less effective. My sister’s skin is less sensitive than mine, but she still uses this on her own hands because it’s simply the BEST for dry winter skin. If I could fill up and envelop my body in an entire bathtub of this stuff without bankrupting myself/causing a very massive mess, believe me when I say that I would. I absolutely love it, and if you’re ever at my house I’ll prove it to you by showing you where I keep my various bottles. Of course this isn’t on Black Friday sale because it’s eczema cream lol but you can buy it at Target or anywhere else you buy drugstore lotion.
And in other news, the literal only other thing on my mind right now:
Wicked!!: I’m seeing Wicked for the second time tonight! I’ve heard it’s even better a second time, which I can’t even imagine because my first viewing was one of the single greatest entertainment experiences of my life. Cynthia Erivo expresses more emotion in 160 minutes than I have in my entire life, Ariana Grande has the comedic timing of a genius, and Jonathan Bailey’s hotness set me back about five years in my dating-a-real-life-non-famous-person efforts. It’s only been out for one single week, but I do fear that “I’m Not That Girl” is going to be my most-played song on Spotify for all of 2024. Cynthia, you’re a dream!!!! Everyone enjoy this TikTok I made.
I hope the rest of your weekend is as electric as Johnny B’s dance moves. Cheers!
XO,
Gail
P.S. My hypothesis is that approximately one adult couple per Dancing with the Stars season hooks up, so about 3% total. I’m shocked by how many of you think the answer is between 6 and 20%!!