I’m a Beauty Editor—My Cyber Monday Spending Is Going Towards These 30 Normally High-Ticket Items
If combing through beauty sales is an extreme sport, then Cyber Monday is the freaking Olympics—not just because of the sheer number of markdowns out there, but also because my beauty-editor reputation hinges on recommending top-tier buys. That said, I’ve spent hours identifying deals and cross-referencing retailers so my friends and family members (and you, gentle reader!) can feel confident they’re getting the most bang for their buck. You should see my chaotic scratchpad of notes—not for the easily overwhelmed.
I could rattle off hundreds of deals worth a scroll from Nordstrom, Ulta, Sephora, Dermstore, and more, but ultimately, I suggest dropping coin on normally spendy items you might have otherwise shrugged off. For many luxury brands, Cyber Monday marks the biggest (and sometimes only) sale of the entire year, so there’s no better time to get your hands on a pricey item you can’t stop thinking about. Below, I’ve rounded up the 30 I’m personally adding to cart from brands like Augustinus Bader, Victoria Beckham Beauty, and Tom Ford. And to ensure you’re truly getting the most out of your holiday shopping, I’m only highlighting discounts over 25%. This is Cyber Monday, after all—time to go big or go home.
Quick Highlights
Skincare Deals
Deal: 25% off until December 2
Run, don’t walk: The celeb- and editor-beloved Lyma Laser is over $670 off. Yes, it’s still pricey, but it’s so worth it. It’s the only skincare tool I used regularly leading up to my wedding, if that tells you anything about my personal obsession. Countless celebrities swear by it too without any paid endorsements—Sabrina Carpenter, Kate Hudson, and Sofia Richie Grainge, to name just a few.
Allies of Skin
Multi Peptides & GF Advanced Lifting Serum
Deal: 30% off at Dermstore with the code JOY
You have to stay consistent with it, but this serum does result in tighter, firmer skin over time. Give it a few weeks and you’ll definitely notice a difference.
Augustinus Bader
The Rich Cream
Deal: 25% off at Dermstore with the code JOY
Yes, Augustinus Bader products really are worth the splurge. If you have yet to give them a whirl, I’d suggest starting with the cult-famous Rich Cream. The buttery, skin-smoothing formula is widely considered the gateway product for Bader; once you try it, there’s no going back.
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum
Deal: 30% off at Dermstore with the code JOY
Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Hyaluronic Serum is one of my favorite HA serums of all time, but I’ll admit it physically pains me to shell out over $300 for the hydrator. So when I saw this 30% off price tag, I instantly texted the link to my family group chat.
Medik8
Crystal Retinal 6 Serum
Deal: 30% off at Dermstore with the code JOY
One of my favorite retinol serums on the market. I love how you can level up the concentration over time; I personally started with Retinal 3 before working my way up to Retinal 6, both of which are on sale for 30% off.
Dr. Diamond’s Metacine
Instafacial Plasma Duo
Deal: 30% off at Dermstore
Not a day goes by that I don’t recommend this Instafacial Plasma serum. Truly, it makes my skin look like glass. I’ve gone through three bottles already, so this on-sale duo feels like a smart investment.
NuFACE
Mini+ Starter Kit – Sandy Rose
Deal: 25% off at Dermstore with code JOY, plus a $65 gift
When a NuFace device goes on sale, I simply must alert the masses. This Mini sculptor really comes in clutch during holiday travel season, especially after late nights and heavy, salty dinners.
RéVive
Radiance Ritual Set
Deal: 25% off at Nordstrom
That Brightening Eye Cream is one of the best I’ve ever used. I’m due for a refill, so why not snag the equally effective face serum along with it?
BeautyStat
Peptide Wrinkle Relaxing Moisturizer
Deal: 30% off at Nordstrom
Cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson went ahead and created one of my favorite moisturizers of all time. Brimming with skin-firming peptides, I can literally feel my face tighten upon application.
Makeup Deals
Victoria Beckham Beauty
The Foundation Drops With TFC8
Deal: 25% off sitewide
I was lucky enough to test this VBB x Augustinus Bader collaboration before it launched, and all I can say is wow. (Check out my photos to see the glowy results for yourself!) The featherlight pigment fuses to the skin like magic and has a subtle blurring effect that makes my complexion look naturally perfect. I can only assume it will fly off the shelves during the brand’s buzzy Cyber Monday sale.
MERIT Beauty
Five Minute Morning
Deal: 20% off sitewide with an extra 20% off select sets
Merit’s 20% off sale technically falls below the 25% benchmark I set, but the brand is offering extra markdowns on select sets, including The Full Collection and The Five Minute Morning. The latter already makes up a significant chunk of my makeup routine, so it makes sense to snag the whole set. Plus, it makes the perfect beauty gift.
ARMANI beauty
Luminous Silk Acqua Highlighter
Deal: 40% off at Nordstrom
Dare I say liquid highlighter is the workhorse of your makeup bag? I use this one from Armani Beauty to highlight my cheekbones and tip of my nose, add a dewy sheen to my lids for a wet-look effect, and even on top of my lip color to amp up the shine.
Chantecaille
Just Skin Tinted Moisturizer Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15
Deal: 30% off sitewide with the code CYBER
Chantecaille’s buildable formula is one of our favorite skin tints of all time. It somehow provides full coverage without feeling too heavy on the skin. In fact, that light-as-air consistency is what editors love most about the ultra-hydrating confection.
Sisley Paris
Phyto-Rouge Shine Lipstick
Deal: 25% off at Dermstore with the code JOY
Is $70 a bit much for a glossy lipstick? I’d normally say yes, but this Sisley Paris number is legitimately worth every penny. So many lip products claim to “melt” into your lips, but this formula really does. You’d be hard-pressed to find a lip color more nourishing. That jewelry-inspired case only amps up the luxury look and feel.
Fragrance Deals
DedCool
Mochi Milk Fragrance
Deal: 30% off sitewide
I could wax poetic about my favorite Dedcool scents (please, do yourself a favor and buy the elevated laundry detergent!), but Mochi Milk has been my current go-to since it launched back in March. It’s creamy yet not too sweet, thanks to a base of amber and white musk, with a decadence that’s downright addicting.
Gucci
Flora Gorgeous Jasmine Eau De Parfum
Deal: 40% off at Ulta
There’s something about jasmine that just makes you smell expensive. When paired with gardenia and magnolia, the fragrance becomes all the more elegant.
Snif
Crumb Couture Gift Set Eau De Toilette
Deal: 30% off at Ulta
Okay, if you have somehow yet to try the transportive magic of Crumb Couture, please take this as your sign to invest. Unapologetically sweet (yet somehow never too cloying), it makes you smell like you just spent hours in a French bakery.
Burberry
Brit for Her Eau De Parfum
Deal: 40% off at Ulta
Burberry Brit will always be nostalgic for me (my best friend wore it as her signature scent in high school), but the crisp, candied floral definitely still hits.
TOM FORD
Vanilla Sex Eau De Parfum
Deal: 25% off at Nordstrom
Vanilla Sex remains one of my most complimented perfumes to date. Warm and sultry, it also layers exceptionally well with lighter perfumes (vibrant florals and the like), so it’s a sound investment for your fragrance wardrobe.
Marc Jacobs
Daisy Ever so Fresh Eau De Parfum
Deal: 40% off on Amazon
Speaking of nostalgic scents, I wore Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau de Toilette as a teen like it was my freaking job. Ever so Fresh has a similarly bright profile topped with extra juicy notes of mango, mandarin, and rosewater to give the floral a fresh, playful quality. In my opinion, it’s the closest it comes to bottling straight-up sunshine.
Vacation
“Grand Cuvée” by Vacation Eau De Toilette
Deal: 30% off at Dermstore with the code JOY, plus a free gift
Vacation’s warm, mysterious fragrance is meant to transport you to a “teakwood-decked yacht at sunset,” which is exactly where I want to be as soon as wintry weather hits.
Glasshouse Fragrances
Kyoto in Bloom Candle
Deal: 25% off at Dermstore with the code JOY
I gasped when I saw this Glasshouse Fragrances candle on sale. Kyoto in Bloom is on a constant burn in my apartment; the blend of camellia, lotus, and amber is elegant and grounding.
Haircare Deals
Laduora
Duo 4-In-1 Pod Based Scalp & Hair Care Device
Deal: 40% off on orders $50+ with the code BF40
This high-tech tool may look ultra-sophisticated, but it’s actually so simple to use—as easy as combing your hair. Just pick your pod of choice (there’s one to target thinning, dryness, and flaky buildup), pop it into the device, and glide it across your scalp for at least five minutes per day. The best part? It fits seamlessly into your existing haircare routine, so you don’t have to switch up your go-to products (well, unless you discover some new staples from this list).
Jolie
The Jolie Filtered Showerhead
Deal: 42% off at Jolie Skin Co
Don’t wait—this is the biggest discount you’ll get on a high-quality filtered showerhead. If you’ve ever been curious about its skin and hair benefits, now’s your chance to see the magic for yourself.
Act+Acre
Daily Hydro Hydration System
Deal: 25% off sitewide
As someone whose mane can never get enough moisture, I’ll be adding this hydrating shampoo, conditioner, and scalp serum trio to my haircare lineup, stat. The sleek, minimal packaging makes me even more inclined to display it in my shower. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a chic aesthetic!
Olaplex
No. 7 Bonding Oil
Deal: 30% off all products on Amazon (excluding kits)
Don’t be fooled by the 1-ounce size. A little goes a long way with this bonding oil! I use a few drops on my entire mane with an extra touch on the ends to mend pesky splits.
GRANDE Cosmetics
GrandeLash-MD Lash Enhancing Serum
Deal: 30% off at Dermstore wtih the code JOY
True story: I once asked a friend if she was wearing lash extensions, to which she replied, “No, I’ve just been using GrandeLash for three months.” I’ve been sold ever since.
Shark
FlexStyle, Black Cherry
Deal: 38% off on Amazon
Yep, this TikTok-viral multi-styler earns our beauty-editor stamp of approval. It dries my hair in record time with a frizz-free finish that’s very hard to master with my perpetually thirsty curls.
ghd
Chronos Styler 1-Inch Flat Iron
Deal: 30% off at Nordstrom
The most user-friendly flat-iron you’ll ever own. It comes with one temperature setting to prevent hair damage, ceramic floating plates for an easy glide and frizz-free finish, and an automatic switch-off feature after 10 minutes of inactivity. No more panicking that you forgot to unplug your straightener.
