5 Small Businesses for Your Black Friday Fashion Fix

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‘Tis the season for holiday shopping — a tradition that will look drastically different this year. Many small and independent businesses are suffering financially due to COVID-19, so it’s more important than ever to shop local this Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or someone on your gifting list, clothes and jewelry are classic holiday purchases. With so many unique and beautiful items to choose from, and something for every aesthetic, the under-the-radar Canadian fashion retailers below are about to become your new go-to’s. There’s only one thing left to do: Get out your credit card and thank me later!

STRGRL

STRGRL Instagram feed

Calling all my ladies (and those buying for their fave ladies)! If you’re a fan of the effortlessly cool and casual looks popularized by the likes of Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber, STRGRL will be your one-stop shop for perfectly-oversized sweatsuits and accessories that bring out your inner edge. Their Signature Sunglasses are a fall/winter must-have and these lightweight tie-dye sweatpants are made for chill weekends on the couch.

Black Friday deal: Save 30% off sitewide (excluding new arrivals and sale) and enjoy free shipping on all Canadian and US orders using code BLACKFRIDAY, starting at 8AM EST 11/27.

Lisa Gozlan

Lisa Gozlan Jewelry Instagram feed

Take it from me: Lisa Gozlan’s stunning jewelry will put a giant smile on anyone’s face — especially if it’s from the Instagram-famous Happy Face collection. For the minimalist in your life, check out Lisa’s beautiful yet understated essentials designed for daily wear.

Black Friday deal: Don’t miss out on 20% off sitewide and 30% off orders $500+.

Jenny Bird

Jenny Bird Instagram feed

You may recognize Jenny Bird’s eye-catching designs that have been sported by celeb fans like Lizzo and TikTok’ers Charli and Dixie D’Amelio. The Toronto-based jeweller offers fresh takes on trendy looks, from chokers to chains and hoop earrings. Since it will be difficult to resist picking up a piece for yourself, consider getting matching bracelets or necklaces with a friend or family member.

Black Friday deal: Score up to 50% off dozens of items all week long. Jenny Bird is also “giving back and paying it forward” this holiday season, donating $7,000 to YWCA Canada — that’s $1,000 a day for every day of the Black Friday Week sale. Incredible!

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Sephora Holiday Beauty and Skincare Haul

The annual Sephora Holiday Savings Event, which wrapped last week, gave beauty lovers a chance to score up to 20% off their favourite makeup and skincare lines and get ahead on the gift-giving season. Some incredible holiday gift sets are excluded from the header image above (patience, friends & family!), but I had to take advantage of the savings to stock up on my fave products and try some highly buzzed-about brands, including Summer Fridays and The Inkey List.

My skin tends to get super needy (read: very dry) during the winter months, so I focused most of my budget on products that would give me a mega moisture boost, as well as new hair and lip care products — basically all the Zoom meeting essentials!

Scroll through my virtual Sephora beauty and skincare haul to see what I picked up!

Skincare and Face Masks

Origins Frothy Face Wash from Sephora

* Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash *

Sephora, $17-$32 (received free sample)

Key benefit: Easily rinses away makeup, impurities, and surface oils for skin that feels comfortably clean

Wishful Yo Glow exfoliating scrub from Sephora

* Wishful Yo Glow Facial Enzyme Scrub *

Sephora, $27-$51 (received free sample)

Key benefit: Gentle yet powerful exfoliator that is infused with pineapple and papaya enzymes, BHAs, and AHAs to leave skin with a healthy glow

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Moisturizer from Sephora

* First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer *

Sephora, $34

Key benefit: This has saved me more times than I count! It’s quite thick, so I recommend using it only overnight or sparingly on especially troubling skin areas

Tatcha The Water Cream moisturizer from Sephora

* Tatcha The Water Cream Oil-Free Pore Minimizing Moisturizer *

Sephora, $26-$89 (received free sample)

Key benefit: Oil-free, anti-aging water cream that releases a burst of skin-improving Japanese nutrients, powerful botanicals, and optimal hydration for poreless-looking skin

The Inkey List Q10 Antioxidant Serum from Sephora

* The Inkey List Q10 Antioxidant Serum *

Sephora, $8.99

Key benefit: Works to both protect and prevent accelerated signs of aging and environmental stress while hydrating the skin

Murad Vitamin C Eye Serum from Sephora

* Murad Vitamin C Dark Circle Correcting Eye Serum *

Sephora, $79 (received free sample)

Key benefit: Fights the look of dark circles while light-reflecting micro-minerals visibly brighten and de-puff

Summer Fridays Jet Lag Face Mask from Sephora

* Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask Mini *

Sephora, $34

Key benefit: Rich hydration and a radiant complexion after just one application — and it’s the closest thing you’ll get to embracing the jetsetter life in the middle of a pandemic

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