When Does Black Friday End? Smart Haircare Buys Without the Hype

Black Friday has become one of the biggest shopping events in the UK beauty calendar, especially for haircare. Yet the frenzy can be confusing: when does it actually end, how different is it from Cyber Monday, and which hair buys are genuinely worth your money? Rather than pushing specific deals, this guide breaks down the timelines, typical UK retailer patterns, and how to shop haircare wisely – so you protect both your hair and your bank balance.

Black Friday vs Cyber Monday: How Long Do UK Haircare Deals Last?

While Black Friday is officially the Friday after the US Thanksgiving holiday, most major UK beauty and haircare retailers now treat it as a multi-day – and often multi-week – event. Department stores, dedicated beauty sites, salon chains and even supermarket beauty aisles tend to roll out discounts from mid-November and keep them running through the weekend.

For hair products and electricals, many UK retailers now refer to the whole period as the “Black Friday weekend” or simply “Black Friday event”, with selected promotions extending until the end of Cyber Monday.

• Traditional end point: deals typically peak on Black Friday itself but continue through to midnight on Cyber Monday.
• Extended events: some sites label offers as “Black Friday Week” or “Cyber Week”, running discounts for 7–10 days.
• Rolling or flash discounts: hair tools such as dryers and straighteners often feature in 24-hour flash sales, changing daily.
• Stock-led cut-offs: once a popular hair item sells out, the offer may not be repeated until Boxing Day or January.

From a practical standpoint, if you’re eyeing a high-demand item – a professional-grade dryer, a salon-standard straightener, a premium mask, or bundles for textured hair – aim to purchase between Thursday evening and Saturday morning. By Sunday, the best-value hair picks are often low in stock or restricted in shade/type options.

Choosing Haircare Deals That Actually Serve Your Hair

It’s tempting to add anything that’s half-price to your basket, but hair professionals in the UK are consistently clear: buying products that do not suit your hair or scalp can be a false economy. Instead, start with what your hair actually needs before you look at discounts.

Stylists generally recommend thinking in terms of condition, texture and goals:

• Condition: Is your hair dry, coloured, fragile, heat-damaged or fairly resilient?
• Texture: Fine, medium, coarse; straight, wavy, curly, coily – or a combination.
• Goals: Strengthening, frizz management, volume, curl definition, colour maintenance, or protective styling.

Once you’ve assessed this, it becomes easier to decide whether a discount is actually useful. For instance, a concentrated, salon-inspired mask may be a sensible Black Friday buy if you regularly heat-style or colour your hair. Conversely, a heavy oil formulated for coarse textures might weigh down fine hair, no matter how good the discount looks.

Many UK hairdressers advise investing first in the products that directly support hair health and structure:

• A gentle, appropriate cleanser (shampoo or co-wash) that doesn’t leave your scalp feeling tight or irritated.
• A well-matched conditioner or mask that improves slip and manageability without excessive residue.
• Leave-in care and heat protection if you style with dryers, straighteners or tongs.

Once the fundamentals are covered, styling extras – volume foams, curl creams, defining gels, shine sprays – can be enjoyable Black Friday additions, but they’re rarely as crucial as your core routine. Before you check out, take a moment to compare ingredients, read independent reviews and, if possible, cross-reference with advice from trusted hair professionals or reputable haircare resources such as Hairporium’s education-led guides.

Smart Strategies for Buying Hair Tools on Black Friday

Hair electricals are a major focus of Black Friday: dryers, hot brushes, straighteners and multi-stylers often headline the weekend’s beauty offers. The savings can be significant, but they’re also where rushed decisions are most common.

Industry experts generally suggest thinking in terms of long-term performance rather than the deepest short-term discount. A reliable tool used gently with heat protection can support healthier-looking hair for years; an overly aggressive or poor-quality tool may lead to breakage and dryness, even if you paid very little for it.

• Adjustable heat settings: Look for tools that allow you to work at lower temperatures, especially for fine or colour-treated hair.
• Even heat distribution: Consistent plates and barrels help minimise hot spots that can singe strands.
• UK-specific plugs and voltages: Ensure electricals are suitable for UK use, with relevant safety markings.
• Warranty and returns: During Black Friday, some retailers tighten returns policies; always check the fine print.
• Noise and weight: Lightweight, ergonomically balanced tools matter if you frequently blow-dry or have limited grip strength.

If you’re upgrading a core piece, consider your daily routine. For example, if you air-dry most days and only smooth the hairline, a compact styler may be more practical than a large, multi-head system. Make a simple list of what you actually do to your hair in a typical week, then weigh each purchase against that reality.

How to Avoid Gimmicks and Over-Buying in the Sale Rush

Beyond timelines and tools, perhaps the biggest Black Friday challenge is simply knowing when to stop. Hair professionals often see clients arrive in salons with bathroom shelves full of unused, half-suitable products purchased in big events – and still feel dissatisfied with their results.

To shop intentionally rather than reactively, a few practical steps can help:

• Audit what you already own: Before browsing, check which products you’re close to finishing and which you barely use.
• Set a clear budget: Decide a realistic upper limit for haircare and hair tools combined, and keep a running tally as you shop.
• Prioritise multi-taskers: Products that combine benefits – such as a leave-in that detangles, protects from heat and adds light hold – often deliver better value than several overlapping formulas.
• Watch for misleading ‘was’ prices: UK consumer groups frequently remind shoppers that some pre-sale RRPs may be inflated. Focus on the final price and whether it represents good value to you.
• Check usage instructions: Some intensive treatments are designed for occasional use. Buying multiple tubs may be unnecessary.

If you’re unsure whether a formula will work for you, smaller sizes can be a sensible way to test performance without a major commitment, particularly for stronger resurfacing, bond-focused or protein-heavy products. Where possible, compare full ingredients lists and look for clarity around how and when to use each product – an area Hairporium and other education-minded brands work hard to explain.

In real terms, a thoughtful approach might look like this: you identify one repair-focused treatment, one targeted styling product, and one tool upgrade that directly fit your hair goals for the coming year – and leave everything else for another time.

Key Takeaways

• Most UK Black Friday haircare offers now run from mid-November through to Cyber Monday, with the strongest discounts typically clustered around the main weekend.
• Focus on your hair’s condition, texture and goals before buying; tailor any Black Friday purchase to what your hair genuinely needs, not just the biggest advertised saving.
• When investing in hair tools, prioritise adjustable heat settings, even heat distribution, UK-appropriate safety standards and solid warranties over short-term, deep discounts.
• A quick home audit, a clear spending limit and a focus on multi-tasking formulas can help you avoid over-buying during the sales rush.
• Use independent reviews and education-led resources such as Hairporium’s guides to cross-check claims, ingredients and usage advice before committing to new products.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Black Friday officially end for haircare deals?
In the UK, most haircare discounts peak on Black Friday itself and continue until the end of Cyber Monday. Some retailers extend promotions into a wider “Cyber Week”, but specific offers can change daily or end when stock sells out.

Is it better to wait until Cyber Monday for hair tools?
Not necessarily. Many retailers mirror prices across Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and popular tools sometimes sell out by the end of the weekend. If you see a tool that meets your needs at a price you’re comfortable with, it’s usually sensible to buy rather than wait for a marginal extra saving.

Which hair products are actually worth buying in the Black Friday sales?
Stylists often highlight core routine items as the most worthwhile investments: a suitable cleanser, an effective conditioner or mask, a reliable heat protector and a targeted leave-in. Upgrades that support your existing routine – rather than experimental purchases – tend to give the best long-term value.

How can I tell if a Black Friday deal really is a bargain?
Compare the sale price against recent prices rather than a single “was” figure, and look at the cost per 100ml or per use when comparing different sizes. Check that returns policies and warranties are still robust during the promotion period.

What should I avoid when shopping haircare in big sales?
Be wary of buying multiple products that all promise the same thing, grabbing formulas unsuited to your hair type and chasing extremely high heat tools without adjustable settings. If in doubt, buy one carefully chosen product, use it consistently and see how your hair responds before adding more.