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.
Our top picks
- Dr. Loretta Intense Replenishing Serum,
$75$71 - AirPods Pro 2,
$249$149 - Waterpik Aquarius WP-660 Water Flosser,
$100$55 - Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser,
$15$11 - Neutrogena Body Oil,
$25$17
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.”
Medicube
Age-R Booster Pro
Curious about Medicube’s SELF Healthy Beauty Award–winning facial massager and skin care booster? It’s a great time to try it for less—and 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.
Nespresso
Capsules Original Line, Ispirazione Variety Pack
“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.
Melanie Curry, SELF’s associate manager of audience development
Neutrogena
Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser
Curry is stocking up on some of her skin care staples, including this Neutrogena face wash. “I love how it lathers and cleanses my skin, but doesn’t leave it dry or irritated,” she says. “I have super sensitive skin, so I’m careful about what I put on my face, and this cleanser has never let me down.”
Vaseline
Illuminate Me Shimmering Body Oil
You can also save a few dollars on one of Curry’s go-to body care products. “I’m so excited to grab this body oil because my skin responds amazingly to Vaseline products,” she says. “Plus, the shimmer isn’t too overpowering and looks like a natural glow, instead of a super bright glitter.”
Katie Gunderman, SELF’s associate social media manager
Rettacy
Bullet Dotted Journal
Sure, your phone is a great place to take notes, but nothing beats good ‘ol pen and paper. Gunderman is picking up this notebook to jot down her thoughts and organize her work day. “Nothing keeps me organized like a bullet journal, and considering mine is almost full, this is the perfect time to pick up a new one and save a few bucks!” she says.
Of course, Gunderman needs pens to go with her new notebook. “These are my favorite felt tip pens to use while I journal,” she says. “The fun colors always bring a brightness into whatever I’m doing!”
Gunderman is also eyeing tools that make mealtime easier (and way faster). “One kitchen gadget I’ve been looking to add to my collection is an immersion blender,” she says. “This Cuisinart one will be perfect for all my soup, sauce, and shake needs.”
This body oil will level up your shower routine, according to Gunderman. “This is an absolute shower staple for me! I love to pick it up every Prime Day, so I know I always have it in stock,” she says. “I use this after every single shower, and it gives my skin such a moisturized, glowy look—not to mention, it smells amazing.”
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