Our team of dedicated shopping writers spend all year writing about the best deals, discounts and offers, and there are few online sales better than Amazon’s annual Prime Day event. The 48-hour shopping extravaganza sees products across almost every category reduced, with our tech experts reporting on the top gadgets and electronics, while our consumer specialists have found epic deals on household essentials.
But there’s one category that all of us are shopping, no matter our specialist subject, and that’s the virtual beauty aisle. As such, our makeup and skincare-loving writers have shared their top picks from the Amazon Prime Day sale, including gel nail kits, must-have moisturisers, designer perfumes and do-all makeup palettes.
Many of the products have been tried and tested by our beauty team, while others have been on our digital wish list while we awaited the Prime Day price-cuts. Expect top-notch and innovative brands, as well as celeb-loved favourites from the likes of Embryolisse, COSRX, Paula’s Choice and more. Here’s what our team are adding to our baskets this Amazon Prime Day.
READ MORE: Amazon Prime Day 2024 LIVE: Incredible deals, cash saving tips and big brand bargains
Bethan’s pick: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré – was £20, now £13.95
The Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is hailed as an ‘anti-ageing wonder cream’ and loved by huge name celebrities and their makeup artists from Kim Kardashian to Michelle Keegan. Reportedly selling one tube every 13 seconds, it usually costs £20 for 75ml, it was down to £15 last Amazon Prime Day, but is actually cheaper right now, coming in at £13.95, saving shoppers 30 per cent off.
French skincare has become a pretty big deal, and will continue to be a trend in 2024, and the Embryolisse moisturiser is the perfect example. The multi-tasking lotion, primer, masque, after-shaving product, and make-up remover offers a rich formula containing essential fatty acids and vitamins to reduce irritation especially after shaving and plump skin for firmer results.
I first tried out the cream for myself in March 2022, and it’s been a staple on my skincare and makeup routine ever since. It helps my base go on like a dream and gives me a dewy finish to make my skin look fresh and healthy. You can read our full review of the cream here.
Eve’s pick: Maybelline Sky High Mascara in Burgundy – was £12.99 now £8.66
It’s safe to say that I am pretty obsessed with this mascara. Having been a massive fan of the original Maybelline New York, Sky High Lash Sensational Mascara formula, when I tried the burgundy version , that’s been developed to make green and hazel eyes pop, I was in love. And so, naturally, when I saw it was reduced in the Amazon Prime Day sales to just £8.66, I immediately snapped it up.
Not only does it enhance your eye colour, but my lashes have never been so long and luscious. As someone with relatively short, stumpy lashes, I’m always on the lookout for ways to enhance my lashes without turning to falsies or an LVL, and this mascara elongates them gloriously – without making them look all spidery – and gives them volume like no other.
The flex-wand, too, is easy to use and can easily get to the inner corners of your eyes and the pigment, while subtle, lasts all day and does not flake or smudge. There’s a reason I always come back to this mascara brand – it is magic for my lashes.
Narin’s pick: MyLee Complete Professional Gel Nail kit – was £89.99, now £71.99
I don’t tend to wear much make-up and find a pampering bath more often than not interrupted by an over-excited child so my self-care staple to lift me up and makes me feel less like I’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards is painting my nails.
I bought this kit one Black Friday and, while we often talk about things being ‘a game changer’ in the years since it really has been – for my nails at least. For the price of two manicures it comes with everything you need to start doing gel manicures at home – a curing lamp, big bottles of nail prep liquid and gel remover and a pack of lint-free wipes to use with them, plus full size 10ml bottles of base coat, top coat and gel colours.
You don’t have to be an expert to manage a decent manicure although, after a couple of tries I realised the key to great results is in prepping your nails first. I really love the results and it gives me an instant lift.
Tiff’s pick: Cosrx Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum – was £24.95, now £18.99
Beauty buffs should find the name, hyaluronic acid, familiar as it’s the ultimate ingredient for hydration but what sets Cosrx’s serum apart from the over-the-counter products? The answer is its high-intensity formula.
Most drugstore products contain less than 2% of hyaluronic acid, but the dermatologist-led TikTok sensation is packed with 3% of highly-concentrated hyaluronic acid.
I applied two to three drops of serum across my forehead and cheeks after cleansing my face. It quickly absorbed into my skin without leaving a sticky feeling. Packed with amino acids and skin barrier-binding ceramides, the odourless, skin essential recharges my skin cells and retains the water so my face won’t feel dry for the rest of the day.
Jada’s pick: Curél Hydrating Water Essence 150ml for Dry, Sensitive Skin – was £17.50 now £12.25
Curél’s Deep Moisture Spray is a Japanese skincare product that works wonders on keeping skin hydrated. The ultra-fine moisturising spray is suitable for using under and over makeup and provides instant lightweight moisture that stops skin drying out throughout the day. It’s dermatologist tested and for those with sensitive skin they can rest assured as it’s pH balanced as well as being free of alcohol, fragrances and colourants.
Whenever I go to the office I come home with dry skin on my face without fail, in the past I’ve taken in moisturisers but that’s normally pretty inconvenient if I’ve opted to wear makeup. I’m obsessed with this spray.
You can use it on top of your makeup or under it. It’s an instant hydration boost whenever you need it. I braved a -3 degree day out and about in London and thanks to this spray my face wasn’t the slightest bit dry when I got home. This is going to be an absolute essential in my bag going forward.
Rachel’s pick: KISS Salon Acrylic FN Kit in Crush Hour – was £7.92, now £7.13
Okay, so it may not be the biggest Amazon Prime Day discount going, but I would literally die on a hill for these nails, so any sort of discount makes me one happy lady.
I’m a girly girl, so having my nails done at all times is pretty much a necessity. But as anybody who gets their nails done knows, it’s not the cheapest hobby on the planet, nor is it a quick one when you’re running around like a headless chicken – as I am most days.
Cue the KISS Salon Acrylic FN Kit in Crush Hou , which gives me perfectly manicured hands in around ten minutes (now I’ve mastered it). The thing I love most about this kit is that the nails are petite – which isn’t something you generally find in high-street shops like Primark or Superdrug. Because they’re petite, they fit on my teeny tiny nailbeds with ease, and look oh so natural – unlike many other alternatives on the market.
These may not be the best choice if you’re looking for more ‘out there’ designs, but if you’re like me and love a French Manicure that can be paired with pretty much every outfit, no matter your mood, then these are an absolutely delicious option.
To make them last even longer (they’ll stay on for upwards of two weeks if you prep well), I use two other Amazon buys. First I file and buff my nails using the Finishing Touch ProfessionalAt Home Manicure Set (£17.99 down from £24.99 ), which is the exact same kit you’d find at the nail salon. Then I apply the nails with NYK1 Nail Bond Extra Strong Nail Glue (£8.46 down from £12.95) – I highly recommend investing in this glue away from what comes in kits as its lasting power is incredible.
Et voila. Salon-worthy nails without leaving the sofa – or spending half a month’s rent.
Ruth’s pick: COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray – was £27 now £18.90
As someone with fine hair that’s prone to frizz at the slightest sign of humidity, this spray is a lifesaver. COLOR WOW Dream Coat Supernatural Spray helps protect against frizz in humid conditions, resulting in long-lasting sleek and shiny hair.
The product is easy to apply – after washing and towel-drying your hair (use a micro fibre towel or wrap for best results) simply section and spray your hair with the product, then blow dry with tension. The result is a sleek blowout and glossy locks that look like you’ve been to a salon.
The product only needs to be used every few washes and works best on those with straight, wavy, or curly hair that gets frizzy. One thing worth noting is other styling products shouldn’t be used until after your hair is blow-dried.
It’s the perfect product for anyone who wants salon sleek hair but only owns a hairdryer and a round brush.
Nisha’s pick: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant, now £28 down from £35
Trust me when I tell you this viral Paula’s Choice toner is not overrated. I’ve used it for almost four years and it is a staple in my skincare routine. I am a huge fan of skincare and love trying out new products and treatments. As a woman of colour in my early 30s hyperpigmentation, mild sun spots and anti-aging are my priority skincare concerns, so I opt for products that will glow, lift and even skin tone.
I particularly like products that contain multi-tasking ingredients . This exfoliating toner contains salicylic acid (keeps breakouts at bay) and BHAs which can reduce excess oil by slowing down sebum production. It’s also made with green tea extract which calms irritation and redness.
The toner removes dead skin cells and blackheads. I use it two-three times weekly. I used to use it twice a day (day and night) but it is far too potent for that and after about a year of overusing it I damaged my skin barrier – so be wary of this.
If you use it in the day it is advised to follow up with an SPF. The brand also does a lovely two-in-one SPF 50 day moisturiser. It is lightweight and sinks into the skin quickly. It gives a dewy glow, making it a perfect base for make up and on no make up days too. It’s on offer for Prime Day for £31.20, down from £39.
Lauren’s pick: Rimmel London Sculpting Highlighter Palette 3-tone – £5.32 down from £7.99
I may have upgraded most of my skincare and beauty bits since I entered my ‘grown-up era’ (i.e. turning 30), but I still can’t resist affordable high-street products that don’t break the bank. I’ve been a champion of Rimmel’s London Sculpting Highlighter Palette ever since I impulse bought it when I desperately needed a cheap bronzer for a night out — and I’ve never gone back since.
It has everything I need, whether I’m after a subtle glow for date night or a flushed, rosy look for summer days. Even better, the highlighter palette doubles up as eyeshadow, so I’m getting even more bang for my buck.
My daily go-to, though, is definitely the bronzing contour. It gives me effortless definition with the help of my trusty blending brush, bringing out the best of my cheekbones and making my jawline look sharper. All this for just over a fiver — what’s not to like?
Lucy’s pick: Vera Wang Princess Eau de Toilette £19.95 (was £60, 67% off)
If you’re anything like me and like to spray your perfumes liberally every morning, Amazon Prime Day is an ideal opportunity to top up on designer fragrances. A 100ml bottle of the Vera Wang Princess Eau de Toilette is now under £20 making it cheaper than you’ll currently find it at Boots (£26) or Superdrug (£24).
Best suited for those who prefer sweeter scents, it features notes of amber and vanilla. It’s one of Vera Wang’s best-selling perfumes and if I wasn’t treating myself to it, the deal is an ideal time to buy it as a gift for someone to take advantage of the impressive £40 saving.
Phoebe’s pick: Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Primer – was £27 now £19.60
I often need my makeup to stay put from morning until night, and after trialling a few different primers, the Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Primer quickly became my go-to with it being the best I’ve used by far. The longwear complexion primer boosts your foundation’s staying power and helps your makeup look fresh for up to eight hours, but I’ve found it works for even longer than this.
A little goes a long way, with the 30ml tube lasting me around eight months. It has a sheer lightweight formula that sits nicely on top of my moisturiser and it absorbs into the skin quickly, allowing me to start applying my makeup straight away.
I like how the primer doesn’t have much of a scent, and another big positive is it doesn’t make my combination skin oily or dry like some other primers can. It currently costs £21 at LookFantastic and £28 at Boots, so Amazon’s Prime Day deal of £19.60 is the cheapest option.
Harriet’s pick: Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster – was £52 now £41
Since having real success using the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliator I’ve noticed a huge difference in my skin and acne prone texture. So I’ve made it my mission to slowly add to my routine and invest in non-damaging products.
And the C15 Super Booster is one, a daily vitamin C brightening serum that can be added into your routine very easily – I simply mix it in with my moisturiser in the morning before applying make-up.
It’s been clinically formulated to help improve wrinkles, fine lines and brighten naturally darker areas of the face (for me it’s my under eyes that often look tired). What I love about the product is the lightweight formula, so there’s no stickiness residue left on the face.
Another pro, for me, is the lack of scent. As someone with very sensitive skin any strong perfumes can cause eczema flare-up and this natural unscented option personally works well for me. In the past I have tried the Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Serum but it left my skin feeling sore.
Elsewhere, Boots is currently running their regular £10 Tuesday sale, with dozens of skincare and beauty favourites reduced, including this Hyaluronic Fix Extreme4 Overnight Bounce Water Cream 2% from Nip+Fab, which is still £14.40 on Amazon. Sephora UK are also hosting their own up to 40% off sale, including the likes of Milk Makeup, Anastasia Beverly Hills, and Clinique to name a few. This might be one to check out if you’re looking to add some variety to your makeup bag.
Laura’s pick: L’Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama Mascara – was £12.99, now £5.76
I’m fussy about my mascara. I want it all – length, lift, volume, definition with no clumping or smudging throughout the day – and I find that very few live up to the task.
One of my all-time favourites – and one that I rebuy over and over again – is Gucci’s Mascara L’Obscur. At £31 though, it’s one of the pricier mascaras on the market, but I think I’ve found a great alternative with the L’Oréal Paris Volume Million Lashes Panorama Mascara – and it’s currently at an incredible price this Amazon Prime Day.
I found that it ticked all the boxes: it gives great volume and length and coats every millimetre of every lash, and keeps the hairs lifted and locked in place all day long without flaking or smudging.
With an RRP of £12.99, it’s not a bad price at full price, but I’ve spotted that it’s down to an unmissable £5.76 on Amazon at the moment – and I’ll definitely be stocking up.
More deals on beauty can be found at LookFantastic.