Gloss Angeles Podcast Summary

Episode: "The Black Friday & Cyber Monday Beauty Deals That Could Save You Big Money This Year"

Hosts: Kirbie Johnson & Sara Tan
Release Date: November 25, 2025

Episode Overview

This annual holiday special dives into the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday beauty deals, with Kirbie and Sara sharing insider picks, expert shopping strategies, and candid commentary on cult-favorite products. Expect detailed advice on navigating sales—what’s actually worth your money, where to find the biggest discounts, and which trends are dominating the beauty landscape right now. Bonus: The hosts dish on a fresh report about global beauty treatment trends.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Holiday Shopping & Department Store Finds

• Both hosts reminisce about the thrill and pain of Black Friday in-person shopping, with Kirbie sharing her recent eye-opening trip to Macy’s.
• Notable brands: Good American (Dolly Parton collection), Steve Madden, Sam Edelman.
• Kirbie: “I honestly...I truly probably had not shopped at Macy’s in literal years. And now I’m like—did you open...up a credit card?” (04:13)
• Smart advice on being cautious with seasonal credit offers.
• Discussion about finding great event dresses at traditional department stores vs. rental services (like Rent the Runway).

2. Shopping for Petite Sizes & Tailoring Hacks

• Sara expresses struggles finding clothes for her 5'2" frame and how tools like "Stitchy" and "Tucky" (viral TikTok tailoring gadgets) have become essential.
• Both hosts debate which “gun” is which, illustrating just how deeply TikTok has influenced modern shopping and styling.

3. Don't Expect a Public Deals Doc This Year

• Past years included a live-updating Google doc of deals—this year, they focus on curated picks and encourage listeners to support trusted beauty media sites instead.

4. Global Beauty Trends: 2025 Aesthetic Report (07:17)

• Kirbie breaks down a new study of global beauty search trends (via Fresha), comparing UK, US, UAE, and Australia:
  • Botox still dominates globally by search.
  • In the UK, “lemon bottle fat dissolving” and polynucleotides are surging.
  • In the US, searches for Botox, hair transplants, and IV drips are strong—reflecting “biohacking/wellness clinic” culture.
  • UAE is seeing a 160% jump in searches for thread lifts and polynucleotide injections (“minimal downtime” procedures).
  • Australia shows growing interest in IV drips and hyperbaric therapy alongside Botox/fillers.

Quote:

• “America remains the aesthetic capital, with Botox, hair transplants and IV drips leading search growth thanks to the rise of wellness culture and quote unquote, biohacking clinics.” – Kirbie (08:52)

Discussion:

• The catch-all nature of the term "Botox"—often used for all neuromodulators.
• Rise of medical tourism for things like hair transplants and full-body health scans, especially in places like Korea and the UAE.
• Kirbie’s skepticism: “In my humble opinion, I don’t think [PDRN creams] work even remotely as well as getting the injections…” (13:08)

5. The Best Beauty Deals: Black Friday/Cyber Monday 2025

Macy’s Parade of Deals (15:32)

• Key Offers:
  • Sunday Riley: 30% off select items (Good Genes, charcoal body scrub)
  • Elemis: 25% off (Dynamic Resurfacing Pads, Cleansing Balm, Pro Collagen Cream)
  • Clinique: 30% off Nov 28–Dec 1 (Black Honey lipstick, Moisture Surge serum)
  • Kiehl’s: 30% off Nov 30–Dec 2 (grooming set, facial fuel, teacher/nail tech gifts)
  • MAC: 35% off, Benefit: 30% off, Tarte: 25% off Cyber Monday
  • MAC Disney collab: exclusive Daisy and Minnie-themed products.

Quote:

• “If you are struggling to get a gift for a man in your life, just give him Kiehl’s. Kiehl’s is like a great gift to give someone that you don’t know that well.” – Kirbie (20:42)

Tools, Gadgets, and Devices

• Hulken Bags: Rolling, foldable totes, now 20% off at Target and on Hulken.com through Dec 1.

  • Sara's Tip: Great for people in cities or carrying lots of groceries (“Maybe this is the gift that I just give every family member”—Sara (25:41))

• Shark Beauty: Up to 45% off on styling and skin tools (FlexStyle, CryoGlow Mask, etc.)

  • Deal details: Nov 26–Dec 6, with extra gifts-with-purchase.
  • Notable: “This is kind of brilliant. Basically, you should just have a tab open on sharkninja.com.” – Kirbie (27:28)

• Dyson: Up to $150 off Airwrap, Supersonic, and Air Straight (plus new colorways).

  • Candid debate: Dyson is potentially better long-term for hair health/shininess, but Shark’s price and power win on value.
  • Quote: “There’s a luxury element to Dyson...but Shark is a dupe.” – Kirbie (30:36)

• Dr. Dennis Gross: Red light LED face mask (FSA/HSA-eligible on their site) plus discounts on Amazon, Sephora, Nordstrom.

• Zip, Current Body, Omnilux: Expected deals on other LED and microcurrent devices.

• Nori Steamer/Iron: 25% off ($120 → $90), with the caveat it’s not lefty-friendly; tips for looking polished fast.

Makeup & Skincare Picks

• Lanolips: 20% off sitewide, 30% off select SKUs (Ulta, Amazon, Walgreens BOGO 50% off).
  • “It predates Road. Predates Summer Fridays.” (35:18)
• La Roche-Posay: 25% off on Amazon.
• SkinMedica: 25% off direct through Dec 7 (brand refresh).
• Bloom Effects: 35% off with code BLOOMVIP35.

Hair & Personal Care

• amika: 30% off sitewide; early VIP access, gifts with purchase.
• MEJ: 25% off sitewide (excludes custom), fun for tweens/teens.
• Volo Towels: 35% off all site-wide Black Friday/Saturday; 40% off bundles on Cyber Monday. Kirbie says these are “life-changing.”
• Wheezy: Up to 30% off site-wide, adorable monogrammed robes, and towels (great for gifts).
  • “It’s so cute. It’s so comfortable. Scalloped collar, adorable.” – Sara (39:43)

6. Hosts’ Personal Shopping Strategies & Picks

Kirbie:

• Obsessed with clothing brands like MAJE and Sandro for sparkly pants finds; on-the-hunt for great deals. Sara:
• Annual tradition of scoping Zara’s post-Thanksgiving sales: “Zara…it’s all so super, super cute…” (40:19)
• Both: Love the festive mall energy, even on Black Friday—nostalgic department store shopping in person.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On sales fatigue & economic realities:
  “Remember when we were complaining about a 20% discount...now that’s essentially getting rid of tax—or a price spike.” – Kirbie (16:58)

• On Black Friday gifting realities:
  “There are a lot of people...this is their only time to stock up on gifts and, you know, treat themselves too.” – Sara (17:43)

• On the MAC Disney Advent Calendar:
  “Wait, I want this Mac Mystery Advent calendar.” – Sara (22:46)

• On the simple genius of the Hulken Bag:
  “This Hulken bag is not only so, so helpful, but really cute.” – Kirbie (24:14)

• On the value of beauty devices:
  “This is the time to buy your tools and devices, peeps.” – Kirbie (32:15)

• On left-handed struggles:
  “I think they need to make either a left handed version or…make it less, like, easier for me to clamp.” – Kirbie (32:53)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Holiday shopping at Macy’s, credit card caution: (01:00–04:37)
• Tailoring tools ('Stitchy', 'Tucky') TikTok trends: (05:31–06:21)
• Global Beauty Report analysis: (07:17–15:05)
• Macy’s / Key Black Friday Deals Overview: (15:32–22:59)
• Best Tools, Devices, and Gift Sets: (22:59–33:01)
• Makeup, Skincare, & Hair highlights: (34:14–39:43)
• Hosts’ own shopping wishlists: (39:43–41:24)

The Tone:

Conversational, friendly, self-deprecating (especially on “chronically online” obsessions and shopping rationalizations), with honest recommendations and sharp consumer insight.

This episode is a must-listen for beauty fans looking to shop smartly during Black Friday/Cyber Monday—expect practical takeaways, expert commentary, and plenty of laughter.