CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence (Two-Pack) — Staff Pick
Amazon deal price: $23; street price: $29
What we like: A clear snail mucin concentrate we like that smooths and soothes. Made of 96% snail-secretion filtrate. Thicker than a watery essence, more like a serum. Absorbs quickly. One or two pumps hydrates and primes skin, creating a glassy K-beauty complexion. Doesn’t pill under makeup.
Other things to know: Yes, this is the sticky stuff secreted by live snails. Studies suggest snail mucin may improve skin’s overall hydration, texture, and elasticity. The gloopy texture and animal origins may be turnoffs for some. Deal is for a set of two 3.38-ounce bottles with a retinol mini-sample, which we have not tested.
Read more: The Best Korean Skin Care Products
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Face Moisturizer — Best For…
Ulta deal price: $19 (with store pickup); street price: $23
Amazon deal price: $19; street price: $23
What we like: Our moisturizer pick for shine-free hydration on oily skin. Just 16 ingredients, but generously packed with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and skin-smoothing niacinamide. Sheer and cooling. Spreads easily, absorbs quickly, and tamps down shine.
Other things to know: Testers preferred it for day, not night. Contains a trio of oil-absorbing particles: silica, starch, and perlite. 2.54 ounces. At Ulta, choose store pickup to avoid shipping fees.
Read more: The Best Moisturizers
La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum — Best For…
Amazon deal price: $35; street price: $45
Ulta deal price: $35; street price: $45
What we like: The best drugstore upgrade pick from our guide to the best vitamin C serums. A hearty, 10% ascorbic acid gel that seemingly melts into skin to leave a sheer, touchable finish. Includes glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and salicylic acid.
Other things to know: Scent is not for everyone, described as a baby powder-meets-medicinal scent. Pricey 1.01-ounce bottle, even on sale. Dropper can get gummy, doesn’t always deliver a precise portion, and can start to look discolored and dingy over time.
Read more: The Best Vitamin C Serums
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (3-Pack) — Staff Pick
Woot deal price: $43 (free shipping for Prime members); street price: $72
What we like: The prettiest, giftiest cult-fave lip balm staff pick from our Korean skin care guide. Had more fans among Wirecutter’s staff than any other item in that list. A yummy, luscious daytime gloss. Comes in a handful of irresistible, playful scents. Contains ingredients like soft, hydrating shea butter and antioxidant vitamin C.
Other things to know: Its smooth, satiny texture strikes us as too sheer to earn mask status. A little goes a long way. Deal for three pots of the berry flavored lip balm, which gives lips a pretty pinkish cast. Free shipping for Prime members.
Read more: The Best Korean Skin Care Products
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment (Any Tint, Add Four) — Staff Pick
Fresh deal price: $78 with code WIRECUTTER4; street price: $104
What we like: A tinted lip balm staff pick that we also like as a gift for teens. Glides on smoothly with a sheer flush of color. Long-lasting wear (about five hours). Light, pleasant scent. Luscious and hydrating beeswax formula. Sturdy twist-up metal tube.
Other things to know: A former pick in our lip balm guide, and a variant of one of our current picks. Available in over a dozen tints. Pricey, even on sale. Add four to cart (any tint combination) to get the deal price and free shipping using promo code WIRECUTTER4.
Read more: Fresh Sugar Lip Balm Is Expensive. But It’s Great.
Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner (Two-Pack) — Staff Pick
Amazon deal price: $19; street price: $22
What we like: A duo of our refreshing exfoliant staff pick for acne-prone skin, from our guide to the best Korean skin care. With a fresh minty fragrance, this mildly exfoliating, water-based toner gently treats acne and whisks away dullness. Contains surface-buffing citric acid (AHA), pore-excavating salicylic acid (BHA), and brightening lactobionic acid (PHA).
Other things to know: Also contains gently soothing components like witch hazel and niacinamide. If you prefer acne-fighters with a strong smell and skin-firming aftereffects, this may be too gentle. Deal for two 5.07-ounce bottles.
Read more: The Best Korean Skin Care Products
Hero Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 — Top Pick
Amazon deal price: $12; street price: $20
What we like: Our top pick for an unobtrusive mineral formula face sunscreen. Easy to rub in. Doesn’t feel chalky or leave a white cast. Reef-safe. Well-designed bottle dispenses just the right amount.
Other things to know: Green tint is marketed to reduce skin redness, but doesn’t seem to do anything. Not great for those with facial hair. Matches lowest price we’ve seen.
Read more: The Best Sunscreens for Your Face
Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 (18 Ounces) — Top Pick
Supergoop deal price: $54 with code WCPLAY; street price: $68
What we like: One of our top chemical facial sunscreen picks, available in bulk. Good for face and body. Rubs in easily and is nearly transparent once applied. Light, pleasant scent. SPF 50 rating offers a high level of protection. User-friendly pump bottle.
Other things to know: Some testers noted it left them feeling greasy. The 18-ounce jug is the most affordable size on a per-ounce basis. Use promo code WCPLAY to get the deal price and free shipping.
Read more: The Best Sunscreens for Your Face
Supergoop Glow Stick SPF 50 (Two-Pack) — Gift Pick
Supergoop deal price: $50 with code WCGLOW; street price: $60
What we like: A stocking stuffer set we love for a sun-safe, dewy glow. It rolls on easily and doesn’t leave slimy residue behind, so even the most reluctant sunscreen wearer won’t mind it.
Other things to know: Two-pack of tubes that are small, but sized for travel or stuffing in a stocking. Use promo code WCGLOW to the get the deal price and free shipping.
Read more: 50 Wirecutter-Approved Stocking Stuffers for Adults
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant — Best For…
Amazon deal price: $28; street price: $35
What we like: The best upgrade facial exfoliant with a range of strengths. Fragrance-free and concise formula delivers a 2% dose of salicylic acid without a long list of potential irritants. More than any other BHA serum we tested, this made us feel like it was really getting in there to lift away oils and grime.
Other things to know: Some may find the price too high, even on sale. Testers were split on the tingling sensation, but all appreciated how smooth it left their skin and noted they could feel it working. One said it could be a bit irritating. 4-ounce bottle.
Read more: The Best Exfoliants
Real Techniques Ultra Plush Blush Cheek Makeup Brush — Best For…
Amazon deal price: $6 with clipped on-page coupon; street price: $9
What we like: One of the best cheap makeup brushes that punches above its weight. The brand’s distinctive bristles are matte and grippy. Its full-size weighted metallic handles feel high-quality and durable. The dome shapes are unique and sculptural. For the quality, the price per brush is impressive.
Other things to know: The brand’s bundles include some oddly shaped and redundant tools, and we recommend buying individual brushes for your specific needs. We especially like this brush designed for applying powder products to the cheeks. Recurring deal. Clip on-page coupon.
Read more: The Best Makeup Brushes
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brush 12 — Best For…
Amazon deal price: $13; street price: $19
What we like: The best do-it-all eyebrow makeup brush. Dual-ended. Deftly serves all brow types, adding precise, hairlike strokes with the sharp angled tip or combing through thick, tangly hairs with its long, grippy spoolie. More versatile and high-quality than cheaper options we tested.
Other things to know: Our testers found themselves using this brush beyond their brows, such as laying down thin bands of eyeliner and shadow or using the spoolie to declump mascara.
Read more: The Best Makeup Brushes
Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil — Staff Pick
Amazon deal price: $7; street price: $10
What we like: A hair oil we recommend in our drugstore beauty guide. Lightweight. Smoothes split ends and flyaways. Leaves your scalp more hydrated and hair shinier. Creates optimal environment for healthy hair growth.
Other things to know: Regular evening application on a dry scalp makes hair feel thick and glossy. Two-ounce bottle.
Read more: The Best Drugstore Makeup, Skin Care, and Other Beauty Products
Kitsch Rice Water Shampoo Bar for Hair Growth — Best For…
Amazon deal price: $11; street price: $14
What we like: The best solid shampoo bar for most hair types. Lathers and rinses easily. Citrusy-scented, with only eight ingredients. Leaves hair clean, soft, and moisturized, but not weighed down. Fragrance is pleasant but not overbearing. Grooved S shape makes bar less slippy.
Other things to know: None of our testers experienced extra hair growth, nor did we expect any to. Not moisturizing enough for everyday use on curly strands. Contains added fragrance, which some people avoid because of the link to certain health concerns, such as migraines.
Read more: Our Favorite Solid Shampoo Bars
HiBar Soothe Solid Shampoo — Best For…
Amazon deal price: $11; street price: $14
What we like: The best shampoo bar for itchy, sensitive scalps. Made our testers’ hair look and feel clean for days. Contains salicylic acid for mild exfoliation of flaky scalps. Unique teardrop shape (with a flat bottom and an angled point) helps the bar sit upright and dry faster in the shower. Lightly honey- and citrus–scented.
Other things to know: Those with serious skin conditions may prefer an even more neutral formula. A couple testers found this bar easily slipped out of their hands due to its shape and size. Not tested on animals. Contains a honey derivative, so it’s our only pick that isn’t vegan.
Read more: Our Favorite Solid Shampoo Bars
I Dew Care Tap Secret Mattifying Dry Shampoo Powder — Best For…
Amazon deal price: $13; street price: $18
What we like: The best dry shampoo for on-the-go touch-ups. Supremely silky and fine powder. A little goes a long way. Relatively easy to apply, even when you’re on the go. Comes in a range of colors. Tinted powders don’t stain, and the pigment brushes away readily.
Other things to know: Be careful how you open it, or it’ll spill everywhere. Pigment can transfer to the hairline and fingertips. Refillable, but only in the original translucent, not the colored versions. Precise applicator isn’t great for covering large areas, at least not quickly.
Read more: The Best Dry Shampoo
Rusk W8less Professional 2000 Watt Dryer — Top Pick
Amazon deal price: $67; street price: $85
What we like: Our top hair dryer pick. Tied for blowing the hottest and fastest air among the models we tested. Dries hair efficiently at a fraction of the price of a luxury dryer. Lightweight, good quality construction with nicely placed buttons and a long 8-foot cord. Comes with a concentrator.
Other things to know: Doesn’t come with a diffuser; you’ll have to buy one separately if you have curly hair and prefer to dry with a diffuser (though it’s best to buy a dryer that comes with one). Two-year warranty. We’ve seen much better deals in the past, but street price has skyrocketed over the past few years.
Read more: The Lightweight Rusk W8less Beats All the Pricey Hair Dryers I’ve Tried. And It’s Under $100.
Panasonic Nanoe Compact Quick-Dry Hair Dryer — Staff Pick
Amazon deal price: $70 in black; street price: $85
What we like: A folding hair dryer staff pick. This little dryer runs on a cooler temperature and has an oscillating head to distribute heat more evenly for quick rough drying. Lightweight and quiet. Folds down into a tiny rectangle.
Other things to know: Doesn’t come with any attachments such as a diffuser or concentrator, limiting style options. Not dual-voltage, so you’ll need a converter to use it abroad. The cooler tech probably won’t work for every hair type.
Read more: Hotel Hair Dryers Are Notoriously Bad. This Travel Dryer Is Better.
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CosRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence (Two-Pack) — Staff Pick
Amazon deal price: $23; street price: $29
What we like: A clear snail mucin concentrate we like that smooths and soothes. Made of 96% snail-secretion filtrate. Thicker than a watery essence, more like a serum. Absorbs quickly. One or two pumps hydrates and primes skin, creating a glassy K-beauty complexion. Doesn’t pill under makeup.
Other things to know: Yes, this is the sticky stuff secreted by live snails. Studies suggest snail mucin may improve skin’s overall hydration, texture, and elasticity. The gloopy texture and animal origins may be turnoffs for some. Deal is for a set of two 3.38-ounce bottles with a retinol mini-sample, which we have not tested.
Read more: The Best Korean Skin Care Products
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Matte Face Moisturizer — Best For…
Ulta deal price: $19 (with store pickup); street price: $23
Amazon deal price: $19; street price: $23
What we like: Our moisturizer pick for shine-free hydration on oily skin. Just 16 ingredients, but generously packed with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and skin-smoothing niacinamide. Sheer and cooling. Spreads easily, absorbs quickly, and tamps down shine.
Other things to know: Testers preferred it for day, not night. Contains a trio of oil-absorbing particles: silica, starch, and perlite. 2.54 ounces. At Ulta, choose store pickup to avoid shipping fees.
Read more: The Best Moisturizers
La Roche-Posay 10% Pure Vitamin C Serum — Best For…
Amazon deal price: $35; street price: $45
Ulta deal price: $35; street price: $45
What we like: The best drugstore upgrade pick from our guide to the best vitamin C serums. A hearty, 10% ascorbic acid gel that seemingly melts into skin to leave a sheer, touchable finish. Includes glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and salicylic acid.
Other things to know: Scent is not for everyone, described as a baby powder-meets-medicinal scent. Pricey 1.01-ounce bottle, even on sale. Dropper can get gummy, doesn’t always deliver a precise portion, and can start to look discolored and dingy over time.
Read more: The Best Vitamin C Serums
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask (3-Pack) — Staff Pick
Woot deal price: $43 (free shipping for Prime members); street price: $72
What we like: The prettiest, giftiest cult-fave lip balm staff pick from our Korean skin care guide. Had more fans among Wirecutter’s staff than any other item in that list. A yummy, luscious daytime gloss. Comes in a handful of irresistible, playful scents. Contains ingredients like soft, hydrating shea butter and antioxidant vitamin C.
Other things to know: Its smooth, satiny texture strikes us as too sheer to earn mask status. A little goes a long way. Deal for three pots of the berry flavored lip balm, which gives lips a pretty pinkish cast. Free shipping for Prime members.
Read more: The Best Korean Skin Care Products
Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment (Any Tint, Add Four) — Staff Pick
Fresh deal price: $78 with code WIRECUTTER4; street price: $104
What we like: A tinted lip balm staff pick that we also like as a gift for teens. Glides on smoothly with a sheer flush of color. Long-lasting wear (about five hours). Light, pleasant scent. Luscious and hydrating beeswax formula. Sturdy twist-up metal tube.
Other things to know: A former pick in our lip balm guide, and a variant of one of our current picks. Available in over a dozen tints. Pricey, even on sale. Add four to cart (any tint combination) to get the deal price and free shipping using promo code WIRECUTTER4.
Read more: Fresh Sugar Lip Balm Is Expensive. But It’s Great.
Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner (Two-Pack) — Staff Pick
Amazon deal price: $19; street price: $22
What we like: A duo of our refreshing exfoliant staff pick for acne-prone skin, from our guide to the best Korean skin care. With a fresh minty fragrance, this mildly exfoliating, water-based toner gently treats acne and whisks away dullness. Contains surface-buffing citric acid (AHA), pore-excavating salicylic acid (BHA), and brightening lactobionic acid (PHA).
Other things to know: Also contains gently soothing components like witch hazel and niacinamide. If you prefer acne-fighters with a strong smell and skin-firming aftereffects, this may be too gentle. Deal for two 5.07-ounce bottles.
Read more: The Best Korean Skin Care Products
Hero Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen SPF 30 — Top Pick
Amazon deal price: $12; street price: $20
What we like: Our top pick for an unobtrusive mineral formula face sunscreen. Easy to rub in. Doesn’t feel chalky or leave a white cast. Reef-safe. Well-designed bottle dispenses just the right amount.
Other things to know: Green tint is marketed to reduce skin redness, but doesn’t seem to do anything. Not great for those with facial hair. Matches lowest price we’ve seen.
Read more: The Best Sunscreens for Your Face
Supergoop Play Everyday Lotion SPF 50 (18 Ounces) — Top Pick
Supergoop deal price: $54 with code WCPLAY; street price: $68
What we like: One of our top chemical facial sunscreen picks, available in bulk. Good for face and body. Rubs in easily and is nearly transparent once applied. Light, pleasant scent. SPF 50 rating offers a high level of protection. User-friendly pump bottle.
Other things to know: Some testers noted it left them feeling greasy. The 18-ounce jug is the most affordable size on a per-ounce basis. Use promo code WCPLAY to get the deal price and free shipping.
Read more: The Best Sunscreens for Your Face
Supergoop Glow Stick SPF 50 (Two-Pack) — Gift Pick
Supergoop deal price: $50 with code WCGLOW; street price: $60
What we like: A stocking stuffer set we love for a sun-safe, dewy glow. It rolls on easily and doesn’t leave slimy residue behind, so even the most reluctant sunscreen wearer won’t mind it.
Other things to know: Two-pack of tubes that are small, but sized for travel or stuffing in a stocking. Use promo code WCGLOW to the get the deal price and free shipping.
Read more: 50 Wirecutter-Approved Stocking Stuffers for Adults
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant — Best For…
Amazon deal price: $28; street price: $35
What we like: The best upgrade facial exfoliant with a range of strengths. Fragrance-free and concise formula delivers a 2% dose of salicylic acid without a long list of potential irritants. More than any other BHA serum we tested, this made us feel like it was really getting in there to lift away oils and grime.
Other things to know: Some may find the price too high, even on sale. Testers were split on the tingling sensation, but all appreciated how smooth it left their skin and noted they could feel it working. One said it could be a bit irritating. 4-ounce bottle.
Read more: The Best Exfoliants
Real Techniques Ultra Plush Blush Cheek Makeup Brush — Best For…
Amazon deal price: $6 with clipped on-page coupon; street price: $9
What we like: One of the best cheap makeup brushes that punches above its weight. The brand’s distinctive bristles are matte and grippy. Its full-size weighted metallic handles feel high-quality and durable. The dome shapes are unique and sculptural. For the quality, the price per brush is impressive.
Other things to know: The brand’s bundles include some oddly shaped and redundant tools, and we recommend buying individual brushes for your specific needs. We especially like this brush designed for applying powder products to the cheeks. Recurring deal. Clip on-page coupon.
Read more: The Best Makeup Brushes
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brush 12 — Best For…
Amazon deal price: $13; street price: $19
What we like: The best do-it-all eyebrow makeup brush. Dual-ended. Deftly serves all brow types, adding precise, hairlike strokes with the sharp angled tip or combing through thick, tangly hairs with its long, grippy spoolie. More versatile and high-quality than cheaper options we tested.
Other things to know: Our testers found themselves using this brush beyond their brows, such as laying down thin bands of eyeliner and shadow or using the spoolie to declump mascara.
Read more: The Best Makeup Brushes
Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil — Staff Pick
Amazon deal price: $7; street price: $10
What we like: A hair oil we recommend in our drugstore beauty guide. Lightweight. Smoothes split ends and flyaways. Leaves your scalp more hydrated and hair shinier. Creates optimal environment for healthy hair growth.
Other things to know: Regular evening application on a dry scalp makes hair feel thick and glossy. Two-ounce bottle.
Read more: The Best Drugstore Makeup, Skin Care, and Other Beauty Products
Kitsch Rice Water Shampoo Bar for Hair Growth — Best For…
Amazon deal price: $11; street price: $14
What we like: The best solid shampoo bar for most hair types. Lathers and rinses easily. Citrusy-scented, with only eight ingredients. Leaves hair clean, soft, and moisturized, but not weighed down. Fragrance is pleasant but not overbearing. Grooved S shape makes bar less slippy.
Other things to know: None of our testers experienced extra hair growth, nor did we expect any to. Not moisturizing enough for everyday use on curly strands. Contains added fragrance, which some people avoid because of the link to certain health concerns, such as migraines.
Read more: Our Favorite Solid Shampoo Bars
HiBar Soothe Solid Shampoo — Best For…
Amazon deal price: $11; street price: $14
What we like: The best shampoo bar for itchy, sensitive scalps. Made our testers’ hair look and feel clean for days. Contains salicylic acid for mild exfoliation of flaky scalps. Unique teardrop shape (with a flat bottom and an angled point) helps the bar sit upright and dry faster in the shower. Lightly honey- and citrus–scented.
Other things to know: Those with serious skin conditions may prefer an even more neutral formula. A couple testers found this bar easily slipped out of their hands due to its shape and size. Not tested on animals. Contains a honey derivative, so it’s our only pick that isn’t vegan.
Read more: Our Favorite Solid Shampoo Bars
I Dew Care Tap Secret Mattifying Dry Shampoo Powder — Best For…
Amazon deal price: $13; street price: $18
What we like: The best dry shampoo for on-the-go touch-ups. Supremely silky and fine powder. A little goes a long way. Relatively easy to apply, even when you’re on the go. Comes in a range of colors. Tinted powders don’t stain, and the pigment brushes away readily.
Other things to know: Be careful how you open it, or it’ll spill everywhere. Pigment can transfer to the hairline and fingertips. Refillable, but only in the original translucent, not the colored versions. Precise applicator isn’t great for covering large areas, at least not quickly.
Read more: The Best Dry Shampoo
Rusk W8less Professional 2000 Watt Dryer — Top Pick
Amazon deal price: $67; street price: $85
What we like: Our top hair dryer pick. Tied for blowing the hottest and fastest air among the models we tested. Dries hair efficiently at a fraction of the price of a luxury dryer. Lightweight, good quality construction with nicely placed buttons and a long 8-foot cord. Comes with a concentrator.
Other things to know: Doesn’t come with a diffuser; you’ll have to buy one separately if you have curly hair and prefer to dry with a diffuser (though it’s best to buy a dryer that comes with one). Two-year warranty. We’ve seen much better deals in the past, but street price has skyrocketed over the past few years.
Read more: The Lightweight Rusk W8less Beats All the Pricey Hair Dryers I’ve Tried. And It’s Under $100.
Panasonic Nanoe Compact Quick-Dry Hair Dryer — Staff Pick
Amazon deal price: $70 in black; street price: $85
What we like: A folding hair dryer staff pick. This little dryer runs on a cooler temperature and has an oscillating head to distribute heat more evenly for quick rough drying. Lightweight and quiet. Folds down into a tiny rectangle.
Other things to know: Doesn’t come with any attachments such as a diffuser or concentrator, limiting style options. Not dual-voltage, so you’ll need a converter to use it abroad. The cooler tech probably won’t work for every hair type.
Read more: Hotel Hair Dryers Are Notoriously Bad. This Travel Dryer Is Better.
Amazon Big Spring Sale 2025 is Here. These Are the Best Deals (So Far).
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