InkBlog

Black Friday 2023 is nearly upon us, and with millions of deals set to drop across beauty, clothing, mattresses, bedding, jewellery, handbags, furniture, gifts and fragrance – even Christmas trees – it's worth getting a plan in place.

Cyber Week is undoubtedly the biggest shopping event of the year, and with the cost-of-living crisis proving increasingly limiting, it'll provide a valuable opportunity to shop from major retailers like Charlotte Tilbury, Jo Malone, Net-A-Porter, Zara, ASOS, Argos, Currys, and Boden for less.

As ever, organisation is key. So, we thought you'd give you everything you need to know about Black Friday 2023 to help you prepare ahead of time.

The annual November shopping event first started in America in the mid-20th-century, but has since gone global, marking the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Black Friday gifts, come at us. Black Friday 2023 will take place on Friday 24 November, but as ever, discounts do operate outside of that 24-hour period. To help you make considered and sustainable purchases that are actually worthwhile, the GLAMOUR shopping team are on hand to bring you the crème de la crème. Set your best alarm clock. Circle the date in your diaries. Limber up. Here's everything you need to know.

SKIP TO: When is Black Friday 2023? | What is Black Friday? | Why is it called Black Friday? | What's the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday? | When is Cyber Monday 2023? | How long do Cyber sales last? | How to shop the Black Friday sale wisely – and avoid scams | What were the best Black Friday deals last year? | Are there any deals I can already shop? | More Black Friday content.

When is Black Friday in the UK 2023?

Black Friday 2023 takes place on Friday 24th November this year, that is: the day after America's Thanksgiving holiday. Last year, it took place on Friday 25th November. It will run until midnight on Monday 27th November (Cyber Monday).

Of course, many retailers have launched early Black Friday deals events already – giving you longer to consider your purchases – but before you get too carried away, it's worth remembering that lots of big retailers will reserve their best discounts for Black Friday itself.

What is Black Friday?

ICYMI, Black Friday is an international shopping bonanza, with thousands upon thousands of brands discounting their stock in-store and online to their lowest prices of the year. It was once a one-day sale, but it has now evolved to a four-day event which takes up the entirety of the last weekend of November (with warm-up sales before that to boot).

There are Black Friday coat sales and Black Friday designer deals to shop, Black Friday hair dryer deals to be had, and Black Friday travel deals aplenty. Expect OLED TV deals, Apple device sales (iPhones, Apple Airpods Pro, Macbooks and iPads included), and discounts on washing machines, laptops and gaming devices like the Nintendo Switch or latest Xbox. Not one for you, perhaps, but the perfect chance to shop for Christmas gifts for boyfriends, Christmas gifts for mums and the best gifts for her early.

Hold up – why is Black Friday called Black Friday?

To be honest, no one is actually sure why Black Friday is called Black Friday - but we do know that the name originates from our American cousins.

There are a few theories floating around, from the idea that business retailers tend to make note of profits in black (and losses in red) to the idea that police referred to the day as "Black Friday" when they struggled to control crime and carnage which ensued as a result of large queues, the biggest sales and the best bargains. Decide what you will.

What's the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Black Friday is the main event, while Cyber Monday provides a welcome (final) chance to score a saving if you miss out on 24th. Historically, Black Friday was held in-store and online, while Cyber Monday happened online only – though today, most retailers will operate in-store and online over both.

Over the past few years, we've seen the best tech and home appliance deals drop on Black Friday, and the best beauty deals, fashion deals and toy deals drop on Cyber Monday.

Gotcha – and when is Cyber Monday in the UK 2023?

Cyber Monday falls on Monday 27th November in the UK, and most brands will continue their sales until midnight on this day.

How long do the Black Friday sales last?

Good question. Historically, Black Friday was a 24-hour shopping day only, but recent years have seen it stretch out a little (read: a lot) longer.

While many brands will drop huge discounts on the big day and keep them running until midnight on Cyber Monday (more on that later), some stores are set to extend their Cyber deals to week-long sales. In previous years, the Charlotte Tilbury Black Friday sale has started a week early, as have the ghd Black Friday, Urban Decay Black Friday and Net-A-Porter Black Friday events. Online shopping addicts, rejoice.

GLAMOUR's best Black Friday shopping tips:

Let's get one thing straight: Black Friday isn't about impulsive, rushed and countless purchases. Considered shopping is the name of the game, it's ~actually~ about saving on pieces and products that you've wanted for a really long time. Or already replace on the regular. With that in mind, here are the best Black Friday shopping tips.

• Create a wish list of items you really want and need ahead of time, so that you can save on things you really want and avoid overspending.
• You should also write a holiday season gifting list, so that you can do better for your loved ones than a subscription or gift voucher.
• You should always follow your favourite brands on social media, and sign up to GLAMOUR's shopping newsletter for details of every Black Friday highlight you need to know.
• Read reviews for sites you haven't used before.
• On that note, we'll be covering Black Friday in a big way. As we always do. But we'll only be covering genuinely good deals from reputable sites and brands. Consider bookmarking some of these pages to stay up-to-date: Black Friday homeware deals, Missoma sale guide, YSL Black Friday, Reformation Black Friday, Lululemon Black Friday, Trinny London Black Friday, Elemis Black Friday, GHD Black Friday sale and UGG Black Friday sale.
• Finally, follow the NCSC's advice to shoppers to avoid scams and frauds. Examples include: setting up two-step verification, using random passwords to prevent cyber scammers from gaining access to your shopping baskets or email inbox, and consider using payment platforms like Apple Pay and PayPal when checking out for extra financial protection.

What were the best Black Friday deals last year?

If Black Friday 2022 is anything to go by, this year's sale is set to be pretty special. Last year, you could get up to up to 50% off on select makeup, haircare, skincare and bodycare products at Sephora, Charlotte Tilbury Mystery Boxes which offered seven iconic products with 50% off, 25% off everything at YSL Beauty – including the Touche Éclat concealer and Libre perfume – and £75 off the Dyson Corrale Cordless Straightener. The online deals in the world of beauty were chef’s kiss.

When it came to tech online retailers, you could get an iPhone 13 mobile phone at O2.co.uk for £30 up front (with six months of free airtime to boot), and you could get £100 off the Tefal Actifry Genius air fryer.

On that note, Amazon, unsurprisingly, served up some epic Black Friday offers in the Amazon Black Friday sale event last year – and even though Amazon Prime Day has been and gone, we're expecting them to take part once more. Forget what you thought you knew: the Amazon sale isn't limited to gaming consoles, laptop deals, cordless Shark cordless vacuum cleaners, LEGO, electric toothbrushes and Echo smart home devices. (Although they will be serving up price cuts aplenty on smart speakers, Samsung’s best TV deals and kitchen appliances like air fryers and coffee machines). Their Black Friday beauty deals are incredible, too, with savings on brands like L'Oreal, Remington, Philips and Elemis.

As for the most-purchased products by GLAMOUR readers on Black Friday? That'd be the LookFantastic beauty advent calendar, the Glossybox Beauty Advent Calendar (the best beauty advent calendars all tend to be discounted on Black Friday, so watch out), Antler's Chelsea laptop backpack in taupe and the Dusk Feels Like Down Duvet.

What are the best early Black Friday deals to shop already?

Aren't we glad you asked. While most Black Friday sales haven't kicked off yet, there are some pretty good autumn sales happening across a few of our favourite retailers – with discounts to compete with those that'll be live on Black Friday. There's currently a Net-A-Porter sale with discounts across luxury clothing brands like Hunza G and Acne Studios and a clearance sale at The Outnet – as well as the below. You're welcome.

• 20% off full priced items at Fortnum & Mason until November 15th. Enter code: XMAS23.
• A miniature Jo Malone cologne FREE, when you spend £130 on their website. Use code: GIFT.
• Monsoon are having a 20% off women's clothing sale right now.
• Up to 40% off in the Autumn Plant Sale at Waitrose.
• Complimentary Parfums de Marly gift when you spend over £100 on the brand, at Harvey Nichols, until November 14.
• Save up to 20% on selected Fragrance at Boots until 31st October.
• Save 10% on selected electrical beauty when you spend £60 at Boots until 31st October.
• Save up to 20% on selected Premium Beauty and No7, online only at Boots, until 31st October.
• Save 15% when you spend £40 on selected baby products with code BABYOCT15 - online at Boots only, until 31st October.

More Black Friday 2023:

• Olapex Black Friday
• John Lewis Black Friday
• H&M Black Friday
• Marks and Spencer Black Friday
• Sephora Black Friday
• LELO Black Friday
• Black Friday Sex Toy Deals

For more from Glamour UK Senior European Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.

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