5 Things You Don’t Need To Buy This Black Friday & 5 Things You Really Do

How to spend your money wisely this Black Friday.

TikTok is great at influencing us to spend money we probably don’t need to buy. If you’re super tempted by big Black Friday deals but want to get the most out of your money and make sure you’re actually buying something you need we’ve got it covered.

We’ve found the best dupes or just generally better and more affordable products to add to your Black Friday wishlist this year. From things that will save you money to products that you’re just way more likely to reach for.

DON’T buy: Dyson Airwrap

The Dyson Airwrap might be able to give you a bouncy blowout and flawless hair but the price tag is not so pretty. Even if you think it would really improve your haircare routine there are so many things you could be spending the nearly £500 price tag on instead. In fact, lots of people have even taken to TikTok to say the hair tool is overrated and not worth the money. Unless you want to rock a bouncy blowout most days, you’re probably best avoiding it.

DO buy: Shark Flexstyle

The Shark Flexstyle is the answer you need if you really want an Airwrap but the price tag makes your eyes water. Starting from around £230 the Shark Flexstyle is still expensive, but is half the price of the Airwrap and is essentially the same thing. It uses the same technology as the Dyson to be able to auto-curl and style your hair using air and low heat. Plus you can customise it to suit your hair type, by choosing attachments specific to curly or coily hair––which the Dyson doesn’t offer.

There are loads of videos of people comparing the two tools and the Shark Flexstyle ranks pretty highly with most people agreeing that it creates near identical results to the Dyson while being a great everyday hair styling tool and basic hairdryer, too. While there are some differences in the size and available attachments, it’s pretty much agreed that the only way you’d really notice the differences is if you already owned a Dyson and changed to the Flexstyle. Plus, Shark already has some great Black Friday offers listed for the Flexstyle allowing you to choose your own attachments and build a bundle for just £229.

Get a student discount at Shark

DON’T buy: AirPods Max

Just because you’ve seen them all over TikTok it doesn’t mean you need to spend £500 on them. The AirPods Max might be aesthetically pleasing, but there’s no denying they’re an expensive purchase. While Apple does offer a student discount, it’s rare to see a huge offer on the AirPods Max, meaning if you want them you are going to have to fork out quite a bit of money.

Many reviews also suggest that the sound quality and noise cancelling isn’t as amazing as it could be and you could get way better for less, so unless you’re comfortable with dropping £500 for them, stay away from them this Black Friday.

DO buy: Sony WH-1000XM4

Investing in a good quality pair of headphones is a wise decision as a student, as the noise cancelling will come in helpful, but you don’t have to fork out £100s either. The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones have won multiple awards and remain a firm favourite for tech enthusiasts. With the newer edition the Sony WH-1000XM5 being out, this means the price is now lower, but they’re still amazing headphones and many people prefer them over the newer model.

You can snag the Sony headphones for £250 on Amazon and with industry-leading noise cancellation, a portable and foldable design, and the option to customise your sound settings via the app they’re a great option to invest in.

Get a student discount at Amazon Prime

DON’T buy: Lululemon Leggings

Lululemon leggings are super popular on TikTok and while they do have great reviews, they’re super expensive for leggings. While good quality and comfortable leggings are a great investment for both the gym and loungewear, there’s no reason why you should have to spend around £100 on one pair of leggings when there are more affordable options out there. Unless you really feel comfortable spending that much money on one pair of leggings, there are some really great affordable options where you can snag 2-3 pairs for the price of one pair from Lululemon.

DO buy: TALA Leggings

TALA is a great alternative to Lululemon, with comfortable and stylish activewear at a slightly more affordable price point. With a diverse size range, focus on sustainability and comfortable and practical gymwear, TALA leggings are more in line with a student budget so it’s worth investing in some this Black Friday for both early morning lectures and going to the gym.

Get a student discount at TALA

DON’T buy: Stanley cup

While the Stanley cup might be practical, it’s literally just a cup that doesn’t need to cost you over £40. If you struggle to drink enough water throughout the day and love the straw feature, there are equally great cups out there that can help you stay hydrated without breaking the bank.

DO buy: Amazon Stanley cup dupe

For just £12.60 it has loads of 5-star reviews and looks just like the original. It’s leakproof, nonslip, great for travelling, and perfect for taking to uni lectures to stay hydrated and stop you from buying a drink every time you leave the house.

DON’T buy: Expensive skincare

Skincare is important but TikTok has made many of us feel like we need to rush out and buy a 10-step routine from high-end skincare brands. Everyone’s skin is different and while some people might benefit from a more intensive treatment, for others it might just make things worse.

Even if your FYP is pushing these really expensive skincare products to you that look great, you never know how your skin will react, and if you look at the ingredients you can find the same things in products that are way cheaper. Unless you’ve found your holy grail product from a high-end skincare brand, there are plenty of affordable alternatives that will do a better job.

DO buy: Affordable skincare brands like Simple, CeraVe, and Cetaphil

If your skin needs a refresh, there are plenty of affordable drug store brands from Superdrug and Boots that will help give your skin the love and attention it needs. CeraVe, Simple, and Cetaphil are some of the many affordable brands that won’t break the bank and have simple ingredients to really benefit your skin.

Of course, everyone has different skin needs but you can find something that works for you without breaking the bank, and your skin will definitely thank you. If you’re experimenting with what works for your skin and what doesn’t, the last thing you want to be doing is spending £100s on expensive products that you hate or that break you out so definitely stick to the basics while you’re finding out what works for you.

Don’t forget to check out all of the big discounts we have at Student Beans this Black Friday to help you save and spend responsibly!