Welcome to SELF Checkout, a series in which we share the wellness-boosting products currently in our carts. In each installment, you can expect to find our staffers’ essentials as well as genuinely useful splurges and group-chat-worthy finds.
I was raised to shop in bulk (shout out to my mother, who once bought a dozen bags of pretzels because they were on sale, even though no one in our family really liked them). So I naturally view Amazon Prime Day as the perfect opportunity to stock up on the essentials I always end up running low on (hello, dog poop bags, toothbrush heads, deodorant, and coffee filters).
But I also recognize Prime Day’s value as a time to save on what would otherwise be a pricey purchase (like, say, a vacuum). Luckily, you can fit both types of items in your Amazon cart and still save a nice chunk of change. Even luckier, the retailer has extended its biggest sale of the year by two extra days—so you can shop a little today, then come back for more tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday.
Not sure where to start? We’re keeping track of all the best deals right here. And below, you can see what we’re adding to our own carts this Prime Day. Scroll down for some wellness editor-approved shopping inspo.
Sarah Felbin, SELF’s senior commerce editor
To make her life a little easier (and more futuristic), Felbin stocks up on these smart plugs. “I can control them remotely using the Amazon Alexa app on my phone—meaning I can turn my AC on from miles away, so my apartment is nice and cool by the time I get home,” she says. “They’re also great for lights—you can turn them on hands-free, just ask Alexa.”
Dr. Loretta
Intense Replenishing Serum
Felbin, who has “super sensitive skin,” also loves how thick and nourishing this hydrating serum feels. “It’s a little pricey, but it usually goes on sale for Prime Day, so you can bet it’s in my cart,” she says. “Two pumps is enough for my face and neck, and even though the bottle is pretty small, it lasts a while.”
Curious about red light therapy, microcurrent treatments, or facial massage? You can get a feel for all three with the SELF Healthy Beauty Award–winning TheraFace Pro. You’ll be in good company, as Felbin will likely add one to her cart this year too: “Lots of SELF staffers love theirs, and I’m thinking Prime Day is the perfect time to take the plunge and grab one for myself,” she says. “Girl math says it’ll save me hundreds on pricey treatments and facials later down the road.” Her logic is sound.
Milk Makeup
Lip + Cheek Stick
Like me, Felbin’s using Prime Day to restock her old reliables, including Milk’s super versatile blush stick. “I love the color Werk—it’s a really pretty pink that gives me the perfect, natural-looking flush,” she says, adding she may give the Quirk and Dash shades a try too.
Jessica Kasparian, SELF’s commerce writer
Kasparian basically lives in her AirPods: “I seriously wear them every single day to listen to music and podcasts, take calls, and drown out NYC noise.” Her trusty old pair have gone kaput, so she’s using Prime Day as an opportunity to upgrade to a pair of Pro 2s.
“My boyfriend and I use our Nespresso coffee maker every day, and restocking on pods can get pricey,” Kasparian explains. Buying up their favorite flavors while they’re 20% off should help.
Moroccanoil
Luminous Hairspray Medium
In the name of reducing heat wave-induced frizz, Kasparian will be bringing Moroccanoil’s Luminous hairspray back into her routine. “I used to use this hairspray years ago and have been missing it lately, as the summer humidity has been wreaking havoc on my hair,” she says. “It’s a fine mist that leaves my hair looking shiny, and I love its fresh scent.”
Cyklar
Nutrient Rich Body Cream
“I can’t get enough of this Cyklar Nutrient Rich Body Cream—I love the Sacred Santal and Vanilla Verve scents,” Kasparian says. She’s overdue for a restock—and while she’s at it, she may give the matching body wash a try too.
Sara Coughlin, SELF’s senior commerce writer
Babo Botanicals
Sensitive Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
My sensitive skin forces me to be annoyingly picky about sunscreens, so when I can save a little on my go-to, Babo Botanicals’s Sensitive Baby Sunscreen, I make sure to buy multiple tubes. As its name suggests, this SPF is formulated with infants (and, to my shock, not elder millennial women) in mind, so it’s super gentle and easy to blend. It effectively protects my skin for hours at a time and doesn’t make me break out or feel like I’ve turned into a grease slick. Yeah, baby.
Stasher
Premium Silicone Reusable Food Storage Bags
If you’re phasing plastic food containers out of your meal prep rotation, please join me on the Stashers bandwagon. I already have a number of these handy reusable, resealable silicone bags, but I’ve found that I can’t have too many—plus, they’re on sale in this cute, speckled blue colorway.
Wellow
Knee High Compression Socks
My love for Wellow’s compression socks is a love like no other (at least, as far as my socks are concerned). They feel like a snuggly hug for my perpetually achy calves, come in tons of fun colors, and hold up great after many washes. At $30 a pop, they feel a bit like a treat, so I’ll be keeping an eye on their price this Prime Week. (That said, even the most minor discount will justify me adding at least one new pair to my collection.)
My dentist will be pleased to know that a water flosser is on my short list of Prime Day splurges. Anjali Rajpal, DMD, founder of Beverly Hills Dental Arts in Los Angeles, previously recommended the Waterpik Aquarius to SELF because it has a massage mode that stimulates your gums and a large water tank for longer flossing. I know my plaque will hate to see it coming.
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