The 62 Best Prime Day Beauty Deals, According to Our Beauty Writer

LuxurySkinCare

It isn’t Prime Day without a NuFace sale. Themicrocurrent devicesculpts and tones the face by delivering electrical current to the face muscles underneath the skin. If you’re mildly curious about microcurrent and don’t want to shell out hundreds of dollars to try it out, the Mini is the best place to start.

When I asked aestheticians about their favoritemicrocurrent devices, two mentioned the TheraFace Pro. “It is very easy to use, it’s cord-free, and it leaves instant results. It really de-puffs and tones,” says Natalie Aguilar, an aesthetician based in Beverly Hills.

Writer Diksha Basu saysthe Solawave wandhas changed her skin for the better: “My face glows, and myeyeslook much less tired than they feel,” she says. The wand uses red light and galvanic current to stimulate collagen, heal hyperpigmentation, and encourage glowier skin.

I’m an evangelist for this moisturizing body wash from L’Occitane, which starts hydrating my skin while I’m in the shower. The scent is incredible, too, and lingers just enough after I wash it off.

A much-loved serum that’s good at clearing up discoloration with its blend of kojic acid and niacinamide.

A lightweight, full-coverageCC creamthat contains SPF and soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and vitamin E.

For handily removing makeup, an omega-rich cleansing oil from Tatcha.

Also on sale from Tatcha, the popularSilk Canvas primer, which helps makeup lay smoother while also moisturizing skin. Beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton says it keeps her makeup in place all day on very sweaty summer days.

I hate the idea of using a bacteria-ridden towel on my skin, so I opt for these single-use disposable ones, which feel like softer paper towels. The XL size is really massive, so I like to cut them in half to double my supply.

Everyone’s favorite lip mask (and I do mean everyone) is on sale. Its thick consistency and glossy finish makes it a standout.

And for a lightweight daytime alternative, there’s theglowy lip balm, which comes in tinted shades.

For acne-prone skin, there’s our favoritesalicylic-acid-based tonerfrom Paula’s Choice, which helps with active breakouts and stopping new ones from forming. I’ve been using this occasionally over the past few years and can attest that it doesn’t irritate my skin.

It’s a good time to stock up on EltaMD sunscreen, which sometimes goes on sale but is rarely this cheap. It’s a favorite here at the Strategist and comes recommended by dermatologists and staffers. Both the tinted and clear versions are on sale, and while the clear one is great, the tinted option is superior because it has zero white cast and gives skin a hint of warmth. For deeper skin tones, thedeep-tinted versionis on sale too.

Supergoop’s Unseensunscreenis a crowd favorite, and for good reason. It’s incredibly lightweight and has a glowy finish, creating the perfect base for face makeup.

If you want to stock up on SPF for the next year, Supergoop’s Everyday Lotion can be used on the face and body, and the large pump bottle makes it more economical and also easier to dispense a generous amount for proper coverage.

One of our favoriteretinol serumsis Medik8 Crystal Retinal, which uses double encapsulation to slow absorption, releasing throughout the night instead of all at once. This helps to reduce irritation. It also contains soothing, hydrating ingredients to counteract the effects of retinol, making it a solid option for most.

Drag QueenFarrah Moanis also a skin-care influencer in the drag community, turning her fellow performers on to products that will support and improve their skin. One of her recommendations is the ultrahydrating Belif Aqua Bomb, which she learned about from fellow performer Kim Chi.
”I’ve tried so many moisturizers and this is the only one that I keep coming back to,” she says.

In my four years of covering Prime Day, Sunday Riley has consistently discounted its most popular products, including the Good Genes Sunday Riley treatment, which uses lactic acid to exfoliate skin. Of all the AHAs, it’s one of the most gentle, making it a good option for newbie exfoliators who want to see results without wreaking havoc on their skin.

Another perennial favorite is the vitamin-C and turmeric face oil. Its ingredients are the gold standard for tackling discoloration and hyperpigmentation.

B.J. Novak’sskin-care routineis mostly Noxzema, but every once in a while he’ll slather on Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, which he discovered while starring onThe Office. It’s deeply hydrating due to a mix of moisturizing ingredients and noncomedogenic squalane oil, and its also contains glycoproteins, which help to support skin’s structure.

Mineral sunscreen gets a bad rap for being thick and gloopy, but this one from Spanish brand Isdin is lightweight and doesn’t leave a chalky film behind.

Treatingkeratosis pilariscan be tricky, but body scrubs tend to be incredibly effective. This one from First Aid Beauty is an already-affordable and effective option. It uses physical and chemical exfoliants to smooth out skin texture — and contains soothing ingredients to balance out the potentially sensitizing active ingredients.

ActressAbby Elliottis a fan of the Elemis cleansing balm, which she learned about while filmingThe Bear. “I was wearing false lashes a lot while filming, and this completely took off the glue and the rest of my makeup while being very moisturizing,” she says. “If I’m feeling super-tired, I’ll skip my 20-step skin-care routine. I just use this, don’t put anything else on my face, go right to bed, and I feel like I’ve done enough.”

Also on the cleansing-balm front, I’m a big fan of the Banila Clean It Zero. Its ability to remove every trace of dirt and makeup while also hydrating skin is impressive. And if you need anymore convincing, it’s an originalRio Skin-Care Google docfavorite.

I’m generally skeptical about “clean beauty” claims because there’s no good definition for it, but this cleanser from Youth to the People, which we’ve previously recommended forcombination skin, is formulated without parabens and harsh sulfates. As for what it does contain, it’s chock-full of plant-derived antioxidants like vitamins C, E, and K.

Toner is a great way to deliver extra hydration to the skin. We’ve previously recommended this one from Kiehl’s for the ideal 30-year-old skin-care routine because it contains soothing calendula and moisturizing burdock root. You don’t need to be 30-plus to reap the benefits though—it can be helpful for moisturizing dry skin at any age.

Makeup artists love thisFrench pharmacy staplebecause it’s nonirritating and turns skin into a smooth, moisturized canvas for face makeup. It’s a no-fuss basic that’s incredibly effective and feels a little fancy because it’s from Europe.

Body oils have become increasingly popular of late, but the Nuxe dry oil is an OG. The French pharmacy staple is a reliable option for achieving a shimmery, healthy glow, and it has a distinct, slightly sweet scent.

DrugstoreSkinCare

I recently ditched my Dermaflash for this dermaplane razor from Flamingo, which is much more cost effective and efficiently removes any peach fuzz on my face.

Snail mucinhas been the big ingredient this year, with the popularity of the essence reaching fever pitch. Its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties make it beneficial for virtually every skin type, and it’s relatively affordable too. In addition to the essence, CosRX also makes a snail-mucin cream, which offers the same benefits but feels a little more nourishing on the skin.

The essence is extremely popular for a reason, though, and at $10, it’s the cheapest I’ve seen it this year.

And to take things one step further, this essence uses snail mucin and niacinamide to moisturize and even out skin tone.

Also on sale from CosRX: the brand’s beloved hydrocolloid pimple patches, which Viera-Newton has said are her “holy grail.”

My favorite daily cleanser, which combines the benefits of a cream and foam face wash into one. It’s moisturizing but gives skin that squeaky clean feeling, and so far, no breakouts.

In case you don’t have already skin care routine in place, La Roche-Posay is selling this readymade bundle that includes the double repair moisturizer (a personal favorite) and the brand’s ultra-gentle cleanser.

If I had to think of a beauty product I can’t live without, Bioderma Micellar Water is high on the list. It’s our best overall pick formakeup removers, with writer Kitty Guo saying it’s “perfect as an initial step to tackle stubborn mascara and eyeliner streaks.”

This has been called a “perfect sunscreen” because once applied, it feels virtually invisible. It can be used on the face and body, and because of its lightweight feel, it’s perfect for sweaty activities.

When we asked our writers about theface SPF they’re actually buying, Rachael Griffiths mentioned Bioré UV Aqua Rich, which she’s been using faithfully for years. “It doesn’t pill, it’s fast-absorbing and nongreasy, so you can reapply it throughout the day and layer makeup over it,” she says, noting that it also doesn’t trigger her acne-prone skin.

Dermatologists love this sunscreen from Neutrogena, which I’ve previously named the best less-expensive option for most people. It ticks all the boxes, offering broad UV protection, a lightweight consistency that doesn’t clog pores, and an affordable price point so you can slather it on mindlessly without thinking of the cost.

I keep a sleeve of these pimple patches in every bag, and if for some reason I happen to leave them at home, I’m off to repurchase another to make sure I don’t go without. We named them thebest overall pimple patchbecause they’re near undetectable and only contain hydrocolloid, a healing ingredient well-tolerated by all skin types.

For looking like you’ve spent a week in the Caribbean without the UV rays, there’sself-tanner. Strategist writer Rachael Griffiths has been using this Bondi Sands one for almost five years and says she’ll never switch. It’s affordable, moisturizing, and quick-drying, and has a relatively inoffensive scent.

Makeup

Our favoritealready cheap mascarais even more affordable today. It’s impressive at lifting and lengthening, and doesn’t clump or fade, making fans of both beauty writers and makeup artists who appreciate the dramatic results.

This was the first-ever mascara I bought. and I loved it so much I used it for years. It creates volume, has ultrablack pigment, and is cheap enough that you can replace it easily and often. Makeup artists like it too, noting that the thick formula really gives lashes that “falsies” look.

For creating that summer flush, a buildable blush from RMS Beauty that has a surprisingly creamy texture.

If you prefer a cream blush, theLip2Cheek Tintis also on sale, which Viera-Newton has said “creates the most gorgeous, natural tint.”

In addition to creating a smooth base, this makeup primer from Hourglass also contains SPF 15. Not enough to skip your daily application of sun protection, but a perk nonetheless.

I love a versatile makeup product, which is why I’m such a big fan of the Ami Colé cream multistick. It can be applied to the lips, cheeks, or eyes and comes in four rich, melanated-skin-friendly shades.

No brand has had a bigger impact in the brow space than Anastasia Beverly Hills, so it stands to reason that the company’s brow gel is very good. I personally have gone through about five tubes of this stuff, and I love the way it freezes my bushy brows in place for hours on end.

On that same note, the Brow Wiz is particularly good. The colors are natural and pigmented but not intimidatingly so. The thin tip also makes it easy to draw hairlike strokes, so you can get the bushy-brow look without creating a block of color.

Hair

A deeply moisturizing and lightweight leave-in that doubles as a heat protectant.

The Revlon One-Step had a banner year in 2023 — everywhere I looked, there it was. Things have quieted down a bit, but it’s still a very goodblow-dryer brush, making quick work of drying thick and textured hair.

The Dyson Airwrap also had a banner year, so much so that it launched a deluge of dupes. The original is still top-tier, though, and almost 20 percent off.

TheGHD straighteneris a perennial Strategist favorite because of its intuitive heat settings and reasonable price point. It works on a variety of hair textures — from Strategist writer Dominique Pariso’s naturally straight hair to former First Lady Michelle Obama’s tighter, textured coils.

If you have a bit more to spend and straighten your hair often, the Dyson Corrale is a worthwhile buy. “It’s significantly less damaging compared to the other straighteners I’ve tested,” says Pariso, noting the intelligent heat settings that self-adjust depending on your hair’s length, thickness, and texture, and the flexible copper plates, which reduce the amount of pressure and tension needed to straighten hair.

And for finer, shorter hair — a super-thin and lightweight flat iron with 50 different heat settings.

It wouldn’t be Prime Day without some on-sale Olaplex. This year, you can snag the protein-rich conditioner for 25 percent off, which is likely the cheapest it’ll be this year. Beloved by hairstylists and bleached blondes, it can revive and refresh overprocessed hair in a single treatment.

Back in 2021, global editorial manager at M.A.C Cosmetics Khalea Underwood told us about her affinity for Pattern’s leave-in conditioner, which she says offers hydration without weighing down hair. It contains a blend of lightweight oils including jojoba and avocado, honey, and biotin — a deeply moisturizing combination that creates soft, defined curls.

Lots of Ouai products are on sale, including the detoxshampoo, which Viera-Newton started using after dealing with super-greasy hair caused by London’s infamously hard water. “This shampoo works wonders for giving your hair a deeper cleanse,” she says. It uses apple-cider vinegar — the gold standard of detoxing ingredients — and metal-chelating agents, which act like magnets to minerals and lift them from the hair strand. The result: squeaky-clean, volumized hair.

If you do find yourself in need of a dry shampoo, Viera-Newton says Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day is the best she’s ever used, especially for bangs. The formula mimics the way shampoo works on the hair, removing oil rather than just concealing it. “There’s zero stickiness or tackiness, and my hair feels just as it would if I had showered that morning,” she says.