The Beauty Edit: Sales Edition

All of our beauty staples explained and on sale

I know there are a lot of heavy things going on right now, especially as more deaths are reported every day from the Texas floods. I donate to World Central Kitchen or Convoy of Hope every month, both organizations that consistently respond to disasters. I had already committed to helping Black Fairy Godmother (we micro-fundraise for this organization every July), and will still be going through with that. I will send out details this weekend on how to participate.

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Amazon Prime Day is four days this year. FOUR. It ends Friday, July 11th at 11:59 PM PST. It is always an overwhelming sale to cover because everything is on sale, which makes it hard to prioritize what to cover. Of course, there has been a lot of coverage this year about how many items on sale are not such a good deal, which is true for some items. But beauty? Beauty is where it is at. This is where you'll find some of the steepest discounts on brands throughout the year. And then you have their other brand, Shopbop, which is also offering a discount for Prime customers!

I know this sale is discussed ad nauseam, but we also generate around 30% of our annual affiliate income in July - isn’t that nuts? My promise to you is that I will cover the sale and only feature things we love, regularly use, and that offer a good discount.

If you want to shop any of our Amazon picks, you can browse our storefront and curated lists this year, where you'll find context (click on the “ mark if you're on a desktop or "see creators' comments if you’re on a phone). A few highlights:

• Beauty favorites - discussing my highlighted picks below, but everything I rounded up is worth a look!

• Fashion favorites - We do not buy a lot of Amazon fashion, but have some favorite staples. Click here to see photos and videos of our favorite sunglasses, Missy’s famous bra, the best-selling socks (all types), and the comfiest leggings.

• Home favorites - I think the most pertinent right now are the portable chair, umbrella to block from the sun (I bring with me to the pool and outdoor games), the cooling comforter, and the AC vent boosters.

• Travel favorites - Probably my favorite thing to curate because packing is so stressful to me. the best travel toiletries bottles. The Hulken. The Cincha Strap

I picked things to highlight that I use regularly and are at a discount that is above their usual discount or at par with what they usually offer - no price hikes just to get a lower discount picks here.

Personal Care Favorites

This toothbrush. I have discussed it ad nauseam in this newsletter since I bought it last summer. And won’t stop because it has made my teeth whiter, gums less sensitive, and teeth cleaner.

Braun IPL - At Home Laser Hair Removal - I bought this to test after receiving TONS of DMs from people who have said it works well and does not hurt. I really just wanted something for my underarms because I regularly get them sugared and need one less appointment in my life. It automatically senses your skin and hair color¹ and then flashes a light to help damage the hair at the root. I am approaching week five and have seen a noticeable difference in how my hair is growing back. I will use it weekly for 12 weeks, then maintain as needed.

If you have lighter or finer hair, I recommend the epilator. I have been using this for the past few years on my leg hair (lots of blonde and fine hair), and while it is a bit spicy at first, it does hurt less the more you do it. I could never stand the pain enough to do underarms or a bikini, though. I tried using it on underarms in the shower for like 3 months and the pain never got better for me - my hair is just too coarse underarms. I am still trying the IPL on my legs, and have noticed a difference in the spots where it is thicker.

Originally purchased this gradual self-tanning lotion at my spray tanner to help extend my tan on vacation, but I have repeatedly re-purchased it. I have used without having a base tan and used to extend - works well both ways. Idiot proof and especially great for cool undertones. Just apply with a mitt at night and wake up tan. It does have bronzer in it, so you could use as body makeup, as well.

Topicals Ingrown Roller. You have to shave completely before using the IPL, so I am still using this. I used to get the worst ingrown hairs in my armpit. Using this and a benzoyl peroxide wash after shaving really helps! I also use on my bikini line.² I love that it is a roller.

Body washes - The everyday joy using a body wash that smells good and has benefits for your body. My top favorite is the Sol de Janeiro Bom Dia Bright Body Wash + Deodorant I would pay full price for this stuff. I bought the body wash two years ago because I wanted a fun scent to make me excited for showers. It is juicy but also soft. And it gently exfoliates and brightens skin without drying it out too much. I loved the scent so much I needed to smell like it at all points of the day so tried out the natural deodorant. It smells less juicy than the body wash, but still so intoxicating I was lifting my arms all day trying to smell myself. It also has acids in it so it helps kill the odor causing bacteria.

If you want a more hydrating body wash, try their Delica Drench shower oil (cake/cookie fragrance) - moisturizes like an oil, lathers like a body wash. Or you can get the Bioderma shower oil, which has a much lighter fragrance and great for eczema.

Oh, and I have also added this body wash to my rotation because it smells so dang good. And James loves these body washes.

Hair favorites

You can check out all of our hair favorites here, but these are my top recommendations based on how much I love and discount amount.

Pureology Strength Cure Conditioner - My second top recommendation. I bought this last year when it was on sale for 30% off, and was so sad they did not have that sale this year! So I was surprised to see it included in Prime Day this year because this brand and especially this line, are rarely included in sales. The conditioner is THE BEST conditioner you will ever use. I know that is saying a lot. It does have a stronger fragrance, but I try A LOT of conditioners. This one makes your hair feel like SILK as soon as you wash it out, but does not way your hair down. Plus it helps make it stronger.

Left: Different barrel sizes from smallest to biggest | Right pic - the curls from biggest barrel to smallest

BioIonic Long Barrel Curl Iron - I have influenced everyone I know in real life to buy this - once they try it, they see it’s greatness. I have had mine for four years and purchased after I realized how good the curls stayed and the frizz stayed away after my hair stylist would use it. Even though I do not have super long hair, the longer barrel makes it easier to curl your hair. I also love that it has different temperature settings. Between Missy and I, we own all four sizes. I use the 1” the most for my fine hair, but if I want curlier hair, I use the 0.75.” Missy loves the 1.25” and the 1.5” for big blowout, bouncy curls.

ColorWow Dreamcoat - One of the steepest discounts you will see all year for this miracle worker against frizz. Like a Brazilian blowout in a bottle. It can weigh your hair down if you have fine hair, but it is worth the frizz protection and dry shampoo, for me. The key is you HAVE to apply a lot - more than you think, then blow out with tension, and even better if you lock it in with extra heat. Oh, and do not use any other products. It can even last through shampoos!

Skincare favorites

Masks

This smoothing mask is HALF OFF!! This one is a newer discovery and one of my favorite things from May. I have been on a search to find a suitable replacement for my beloved Tula mask and love this one. It does not have the gentle exfoliation, but is excellent for smoothing, calming, and moisturizing skin! It is gentle enough that even Rebecca can use it (she has eczema prone skin).

Clarins is 30% off, which is the steepest discount they go with, unless something is on special for half off. This is one of my favorite masks - like a facial in a jar. Cools your skin down, de-puffs, moisturizes, and even helps lift. Apply, leave on for as long as you can, and then wipe off. I also love these tanning drops and am back to using them. The most natural adjustable tan - add a drop to your moisturizer every night and adjust the amount as desired for a more radiant glow.

Cleansers

I have been double cleansing my skin for years and it has helped so much with breakouts and texture. It is the process of using an oil cleanser first - to either get makeup or sunscreen off - that helps clear the way for your second gel cleanser to get in there and remove bacteria/gunk. If you do not feel like using an oil cleanser or just want a quick makeup remover, this is the best miccellar water (a great price!) to use as a first “cleanse”

I have been using this cleansing oil for YEARS. I always leave it to try something else, and always come back. The brand is RARELY 30% off. I love the light fragrance and slip - it makes washing my face feel like a ritual. Apply to dry skin, massage it in, add a little water to your hands, and massage again. Then, rinse off. You will be surprised at how much comes off in the sink!

I will also use this travel-friendly cleansing balm as a first cleanse. I keep a travel-size one in my always-packed toiletries case because t count ’t count as a liquid. I buy the small size, and refill with the bigger size jar. You could use either this or the Tatcha interchangeably.

Then I follow with an gentle exfoliating cleanser - my favorite one right now - a great discount.

Serums

I will never stop singing the praises of adding a growth factor serum to your skincare routine. Going on 18+ months of using this one and constantly receive compliments on my skin. I like the power serum over the regular serum because it contains an extra pigmentation ingredient. I apply tiny little dots twice a day on damp skin (helps prevent extra stickiness). I have gotten so many people hooked on it. I love it because it is usually on sale for at least 20% off every few months (how long a bottle lasts), but 25% off is an even better discount.

I know it is expensive, so if you are not ready to commit to a growth factor serum yet, at least add some peptides to your skincare routine. I love this serum and it is very affordable, but especially so 20% off.

Best time to stock up on this lip balm as it is at its lowest price. Expensive for a lip balm, but it is thick and stays on your lips ALLL night.

Makeup favorites

Supergoop Protectint. Is it makeup? Is it Sunscreen? It’s both! One of my favorite vacation/summer staples is 20% off. I use shade 20C. It is hard to see the shade descriptions on Amazon, so cross reference the descriptions on the site and buy on Amazon. Or if you do not want to buy on Amazon, you can use SISTER10 for 10% off.

I apply with my hands and then will buff out with a beauty sponge or my favorite makeup brush, which is also 30% off. I have three of them because they are so good for travel - they do so much! One side for concealer and contouring, the other for foundation, blush, bronzer or powder!

Langeige Donut Lip in Peach glaze on both of us

Laneige came out with these “donut lip balms” earlier this year and Missy and I love them. A creamy lip balm that glazes your lip without stickiness, with added tint. Helps smooth and plump lips. They also smell good. I made Missy try the Peach Glaze because it looks so much like her favorite discontinued MAC shade. A great lippie for your bag because of the tint + benefits. Also, Laneige sleep masks and lip balms are 30% off - especially relevant if you have a tween, teen, or college-age kiddo in your life.

I've been hosting giveaways on our Instagram, but I know many of you are no longer on the Platform. So if you would like to win your choice of a Oral B toothbrush or a small Kindle (easily fits into purse!), just comment here! I will draw tomorrow at 8 am EST! I will reach out via Substack direct messages if you win!

XX Sarah

1. This will not work for everyone. The ideal candidate is someone that has contrast between skin and hair color.

2. Get a separate one for your bikini line - you don’t want to mix bacteria colonization!