Kiyo Journal
The Kiyo Beauty 2025 Black Friday Guide
Black Friday beauty deals are only a week away, and like most of us, you might be wondering where to shop. Shopping can be overwhelming, specifically when it comes to Christmas rush when every brand around is shouting about their sales. And understandably, you are going to want to save more than you spend, sticking to your budget. But how do you get great deals whilst shopping consciously? And is it worth saving your spending for Black Friday? Before we dive in, a quick note: Our Black Friday deals are NOW LIVE with up to 40 percent off sitewide at Kiyo Beauty! Discounts are automatically applied at checkout, so you can start shopping your wishlist right away. Now, let's talk about how to shop smartly during sales like these. Set the budget Setting a budget is essential to shopping sustainably on Black Friday, as shopping without a budget is like taking an exam without studying. You don’t want to shop blind; otherwise, you risk shopping in excess. For example, let’s say your budget is £50, prior to black Friday, make a list of your top 5 products and accessories you want to buy. This might look like: Gel Mousse Shampoo Conditioner Cream and Leave-in Satin and Silk hair accessories Assess if there’s anything on your list you can avoid getting, and look at what you have at home before clicking add to basket. It is tempting to buy all the top curly hair products, but the truth is you likely don’t need most of them. For example, I recently bought hair gels, a shampoo, a hair cream leave-in, and I still have plenty of conditioner and hair masks left. So realistically, do I need more of those right now? Probably not. This is where justification comes in - and I don't mean justifying impulse purchases! I mean genuinely asking yourself: ‘Will I use this in the next few months? Do I actually need this, or do I just want it because it's on sale?’ Here’s my list: Miche Gel To Foam Miche Strawberry Champagne Gel That’s it - two items. And why? Because I have used the gel to foam before and I am looking for another product to use in between my travels, as I take the train quite often to visit family so I am looking for a two-in-one product. And the gel? To be truthful, this one is more of a treat as I have heard that you don’t need much, and I have watched thousands of videos across the years that established the Miche gel as one of the best curly hair products around (so if that’s the case just wait for a review.) Plus, I am getting a thirty percent discount, so it puts everything into perspective. Do your Research How long should you be researching Black Friday beauty deals? I wouldn’t quantify it, but we advise spending a little time reading product descriptions, watching reviews, and reading the blogs on here so you know that you're getting quality items that work for your hair type, not just things that are heavily discounted. And this will differ for every head of hair. Who to Shop For (And What to Get Them) The best Black Friday beauty deals aren't just about stocking up for yourself - they give you the opportunity to save on Christmas shopping. And if you are looking to maximise your savings, why not get ahead of birthday shopping too? Yes, even if their birthday isn't until September. So, who could you be shopping for? Your Curl Best Friend: Think starter kits, cult-favourite gels, or those luxury products that they just can’t justify splurging on. Anyone Starting Their Curl Journey: Starting a curl journey often leads to a lot of trial and error - figuring out what actually works for your hair. From shampoos, to conditioners, to styling products, Black Friday is the perfect time to help someone experiment with a range of products without breaking the bank. The Skincare Lover: Many brands offer incredible deals on skincare sets and bundles during Black Friday. We stock a wide range of skincare products, including K-Beauty favourites, so there’s something for every skin type and concern. When You're Not Sure: Gift sets are lifesavers when you don’t exactly know who you’re buying for, as there’s usually plenty of options … even for the pickiest of people. They allow the recipient to try multiple products without committing to full sizes. How to Shop Even More Mindfully Shopping mindfully isn’t just researching products in advance; it’s ensuring you get the best offers at the best time. Here’s what you can do to ensure you get the most out of our Black Friday sales: Sign Up for Early Access: Most brands offer early access to their Black Friday sales if you're on their email list or download their app. Get the Best Deals on Time: Don't wait until the last minute. The best products often go quickly, so shop early in the sale period so your products aren’t out of stock. Consider Buy Now, Pay Later: If you're budgeting carefully but want to spread the cost, options like Klarna or Clearpay can help, and it is a service we offer, but only if you're confident you can make the payments. Shop Mindfully: Just because something is on sale doesn't mean you need it. Stick to your list, remember your budget, and ask yourself if each purchase genuinely adds to your curly hair routine. Top Black Friday Recommendations Here are some brands worth checking out this Black Friday: UK-Based Brands: Kurl Kitchen - Natural ingredients and UK-made products Trepadora - Sustainable, vegan hair care American Brands (Available in the UK): Keep in mind that some popular American brands like The Doux may have stock sitting in customs, so delivery times might be longer. However, they're incredibly popular for good reason: The Doux Curlsmith Camille Rose Bounce Curl Uncle Funky's Daughter Treluxx Kitsch Final Thoughts Black Friday allows you to stock up on all of your favourite products, try new brands, and get your Christmas shopping done early, all while saving money. The key is to shop intentionally, stick to your budget, and focus on products you'll actually use. At Kiyo Beauty, we're offering thirty percent off this Black Friday, making it the perfect time to invest in quality products for your curl journey. Whether you're shopping for yourself or a curl friend, we've got you covered. Happy shopping, and remember: the best deal is on something you actually need.
Read moreKiyo Journal
The K-Beauty Essentials You Actually Need
Korean beauty products have revolutionised the skincare world with their gentle and innovative products. You might be asking, ‘Is K-Beauty worth it?’ or you might already be sold and have a collection in your bathroom. Either way, at Kiyo Beauty, we are here to answer your every question and are proud to bring to you a curated collection of K-Beauty essentials. And if you’re searching for ‘Korean skincare near me’ just know that you’re at the right place. Why K-Beauty Stands Apart What makes a Korean skincare routine so special? Korean beauty practices aren't about whether you're into makeup or skincare, nor are they tied to status, gender, or wealth. Skincare is an essential cultural heritage, passed down from generation to generation as a fundamental aspect of self-care and well-being. South Koreans are known to spend more on skincare than anywhere else in the world, not as a luxury, but as an investment in oneself. But K-beauty is not just trendy; it is effective, with natural ingredients that nurture the skin and prevent damage, resulting in radiant, healthy skin that K-beauty is renowned for. The K-Beauty Essentials You Actually Need Double Cleansing Agents Double cleansing is an essential step of Korean skincare. Firstly, use an oil-based cleanser to cleanse without damaging the skin. We recommend the Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil. It is suitable for all skin types (as most if not all oil-based cleansers are). This lightweight cleanser soothes the skin as it dissolves any makeup and sunscreen without stripping the skin, leaving it prepped for the second cleanse. For your second cleanse, we recommend a water-based cleanser like the Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Deep Cleansing Foam. This deep pore cleanser will gently exfoliate your skin, leaving it refreshed and hydrated. It is great for all skin types, but specifically those with oily and combination skin. Exfoliants for Brighter, Smoother Skin Exfoliation is an important step to any Korean skincare routine, removing dead skin cells which will reveal a smoother texture and lead to better product absorption. At Kiyo Beauty, we have a wide range of K-beauty exfoliants, such as: Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder – this powder-to-foam exfoliant will gently remove any impurities from your skin without stripping away its natural oils. The key ingredient of rice extract moisturises and brightens skin, leaving it soft, smooth and nourished. Medicube Zero Pore Pad – These double-sided pro-soaked pads work to gently exfoliate the skin. Plus, they reduce your pores, leaving the skin clear and smooth. Toners: The Misunderstood Essential of K-Beauty Korean toners are nothing like the astringent, alcohol-heavy Western versions you might remember. In K-beauty, toners serve multiple crucial functions depending on their formulation, such as: pH Balancing Hydration Exfoliation When looking for the right toner for you, look for toners based on your skin type and skin goals. This k-beauty product Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner is perfect for use after cleansing. It refreshes the skin and calms inflammation, as well as providing gentle hydration. Serums: Concentrated Solutions for Targeted Concerns K-beauty serums are concentrated skincare products that target specific skin concerns, such as brightening skin and feature ingredients like snail mucin, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, green tea, and ginseng. Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum - this lightweight serum is suitable for those who struggle with hyperpigmentation, even out your skin tone. Jumiso Waterfull Hyaluronic Acid Serum - this serum delivers multi-layer hydration and simultaneously strengthens the skin barrier. Moisture and Protection Korean moisturisers focus on deeply hydrating and repairing the skin with their lightweight formulations: Anua Heartleaf 70% Intense Calming Cream - This trending cream has a rich texture, soothing irritated skin whilst providing moisture, helping you achieve that famous ‘glass skin’ glow. ``` Medicube Deep Vita C Capsule Cream - and if you're looking to tackle uneven skin tone, look no further. This innovative formula works by deeply hydrating and visibly brightening the skin, helping to create a more radiant and even complexion. And no K-beauty routine is complete without sun protection: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh Rice + B5 SPF50+ -this fast-absorbing sun cream provides UV protection with SPF50+ without a white cast. Formulated with rice extract and vitamin B5 for skin barrier repair and added hydration. Solutions for Specific Concerns For acne-prone skin try COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch - these thin, clear hydrocolloid patches gently extract impurities while protecting blemishes from bacteria. These blemish patches are virtually invisible under make up and come in three sizes to address all types of blemishes. And for Anti-Aging: Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask - this overnight treatment restores elasticity to the skin whilst locking in moisture, leaving the skin clear and glowy. Build Your K-Beauty Routine The famous 10-step Korean routine isn't mandatory. Begin with the essentials, a cleanser, a toner,serum, moisturiser, and SPF. You’ll have glass skin in no-time. And don't forget to incorporate sheet masks once or twice a week - these Korean beauty products deliver concentrated ingredients for an instant boost of hydration and nourishment. At Kiyo Beauty, we bring you all your Korean Beauty favourites at accessible prices. Explore our full range and discover why Korean beauty has transformed skincare worldwide.
Why Your Curls Hate Every Product You Try: The Curl Care Tips You Need To Know
Imagine this: You have finally found curly hair products that work for you - products that you have researched extensively for months. Then suddenly, they stop working. Your hair is excessively crunchy, greasy or just wonky. Before you toss your products, pause to identify why your products don’t seem to work. It’s not that your hair is being difficult; your hair is telling you something about the product, your technique, or what it needs right now. You're Not Using the Product as Intended This sounds obvious, but most of us skip reading the instructions. I did it just the other day. I was in a Facebook group discussing hair gels, and I shared that I couldn’t justify buying this particular gel as it was 8 oz and I would go through it within a month. A commenter replied that you only need the smallest amount. After more research, I realised she was right. Following instructions matters more than you think, as they tell you: How wet your hair should be - 'damp' or 'soaking wet' makes a huge difference with stylers for curl definition. The amount - that 'quarter-sized' recommendation exists for a reason Application - does it need to be emulsified in your palms first? Layering order - does it work best over a leave-in conditioner or on product-free hair? Product Buildup Sabotages Your Curl Results Dirty won’t perform its best, as the products just sit on top of your head rather than being absorbed into your strands. Build-up can clog your pores and make your hair appear greasy rather than shiny, feel sticky rather than soft, and wonky rather than curly. Before blaming the product for not working, make sure you've applied it to clean hair if you are looking to achieve frizz-free results. It doesn't need to be day 1 hair, but past day 7, you're risking significant buildup that will block any product from working properly and ruin your curl definition. You're Not Clarifying Often Enough Even if you’re double cleansing, your regular shampoo might not be enough to remove everything. Silicones, oils, creams, gels, hard water minerals and product residue can accumulate over time - and your everyday shampoo isn't designed to strip all of that away. Here’s a tip: if your shampoo is described as ‘gentle’, you might just need a clarifying shampoo to detox your hair every 4-6 weeks. Signs you need to clarify: Your curls feel limp or weighed down Products sit on top of your hair instead of absorbing Your hair looks dull, even right after washing You're using the same products but getting different results Your scalp feels itchy or greasy faster than usual Our product recommendation: Use a clarifying shampoo like Olaplex No. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo, which removes buildup, hard water minerals, and pollutants without stripping your natural hair. Apply to wet hair, lather well, and leave on for up to 5 minutes before rinsing. Always follow with a conditioner or hair mask since clarifying can be drying. Your Protein-Moisture Balance is Off Your hair needs both protein and moisture to thrive. Too much moisture makes curls limp, stretchy, and unable to hold shape. Too much protein makes hair dry, brittle, and straw-like. So if your curly hair products are all protein or all moisture, you might be dealing with an imbalance. Here’s how to fix it in your curl routine - check the ingredients for every product you use. Look for products like hydrolysed wheat protein, keratin, amino acids, and moisture products like glycerin, aloe vera, or oils. Use protein treatments every 4-6 weeks and deep condition weekly with a hair mask. Balance is key for frizz-free curls. Your Water or Climate is the Problem Hard water minerals coat your hair and prevent products from penetrating. Humidity affects glycerin-based products, which is a favourite ingredient in most curly-based products. A product that works beautifully in one season can fail to work in another. Tip: to make your curls last longer and to prevent humidity from ruining your curls, use hairspray once your hair is fully dry. Final Thoughts Most of the time, a product stops working isn’t because your hair got used to it (which is definitely a thing - switch things up occasionally), it is because your is telling you it needs something else - to be clarified, more moisture or protein or applied differently. Before you blame the product and start shopping for replacements, pause and troubleshoot. Your natural hair isn’t being high maintenance - it’s just telling you what it needs.
Celebrate Black History Month UK: 5 Black-Owned Businesses to Support
Five Black-owned businesses revolutionising curly hair care with natural ingredients. Find your new favourites for curl definition, frizz control and lasting hold.
Budget Curly Hair Routine: 5 Essential Products Under £30 (That Actually Work)
Create the perfect curly hair routine for just £30! Discover budget-friendly products for frizz-free curls and amazing definition on natural hair.
Back to School? Your New 5-Minute Curly Hair Routine Is Here
Get ready for school and master your curly hair routine in just five minutes with these essential curly hair products.
5 Festival Hairstyles for Curly Hair That Last All Day
Festival hairstyles for curly hair made simple! 5 sweatproof, boho curl styles including bubble braids and Bantu knots, that protect your curls and look amazing.
How to Refresh Your Curls: Getting Past Day 2
Learn how to refresh your curls properly with three proven methods - from quick morning touch-ups to more intensive resets. With the right approach, you can extend your wash day results for a week or longer.
The Clean Beauty Starter Kit for Curly Hair
Going 'chemical free' and building up a clean beauty routine for your curls is becoming more popular than ever. But what does clean beauty actually mean? Do you have to ditch sulfates for good? Discover how to transition to natural, non-toxic products that actually work for curly hair
How to Prevent Frizz on Humid Days
Humidity doesn't have to ruin your curls. With a few smart tips and the right product recommendations, your curls can go from 'this is definitely a hat day' to confidently rocking your glorious fro. Learn how to wear and protect your hair from frizz on humid days - from proper shower prep to building an emergency touch-up kit. Discover the best anti-frizz products and styling methods that will keep your curls defined, bouncy, and beautiful, no matter what the weather throws at you.
Debunking Protein Sensitivity Myths: How to Use Protein in Your Curly Hair Routine
Think you’re protein sensitive? Learn the truth about protein in curly hair care, how to spot real sensitivity, and when to use (or skip) protein for stronger, healthier curls.
10 Winter Curl Care Tips
From hydration to protection, we’ve rounded up our best 10 curly hair care tips that’ll have your curls thriving all winter long.
Holiday Gift Guide 2024: Gifting Hair Goals & Skin Glow
We've rounded up some of the hottest haircare and skincare essentials that’ll make your Christmas gifts shine brighter than the holiday lights.
