This year, Amazon Prime Day is four days long for the first time ever. Courtesy Zoe Malin
When Amazon Prime Day rolls around, we comb through thousands of deals to recommend the best ones that are actually worth buying. That also means we've been eyeing a few items ourselves -- as shopping editors, we can't resist buying buzzy new products or restocking our favorites at a fraction of the price. Throughout our deal hunting, we've spent close to $1,090 (so far) in personal purchases.
Below, I rounded up everything we bought during Prime Day so far, including restocks of our personal favorites, products we've tested and reviewed in the past, and deals that are too good to pass up on.
Wipes are the ultimate travel beauty essential, in my opinion: they're not messy, take up little room and are easy to dispose of. I'm keeping a pack of these in my bag to stay fresh on the train in case the showers are icky. These wipes are infused with aloe vera, a godsend for my skin during heat waves. They're also synthetic fragrance-free, so the chances of it irritating my skin are low.
Protein powder isn't cheap, so I typically jump at any chance to stock up on my favorite one while it's on sale. Since summertime is smoothie season for me, I like to blend this powder with my go-to fruit mix for breakfast or lunch and I'll stay full for hours -- much longer than I would have without it. The vanilla flavor is rather subtle so I mostly can't even taste it. It blends in completely (I never find weird clumps or unmixed bits) and importantly, it doesn't upset my stomach. From a health point of view, it doesn't have a lot of junk that other protein powders have (it's free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners and preservatives), and I like that it's made from organic plant-based protein.
I can't quit these single-use face towels from Clean Skin Club. I first bought a few boxes when they were on sale during Prime Day and I've been a fan ever since. I'll either use one in lieu of a cotton round and apply micellar water to it to clean my face before cleansing, or I'll just use it in place of a standard reusable microfiber face towel to dab up any excess water after washing. I’m strategic with them, too—I’ll sometimes cut them in half to make the box last longer since they’re not always on sale.
Every once in a while, you hear about a product that truly changes your routine. This L'Occitane hand cream is one of those products. This winter was especially cold and dry, and my hands felt like sandpaper. So, when I asked the NBC Select team to recommend some hand creams, they all pointed me in the direction of L'Occitane. It's been a complete game changer; it has a smooth viscosity that isn't too light, and you only need a small amount to hydrate your skin.
These hybrid flip-flops are a bit wonky looking, but they are incredibly comfortable and I love the toe protection rubber tip. It's a great flip-flop if you want to keep your toes out in a busy city like New York. The footbed is gentle and the sole has added grip for when it rains, according to the brand. Keen water sandals are also machine-washable; just make sure you air dry them after -- the dryer will probably cause some damage.
I drink a lot of sparkling water, so I like to buy a ton at once. This lemon-flavored Spindrift is one of my all-time favorite sparkling waters, and the flavor tastes fresh and not artificial at all. With Amazon, I can order up to 24 cans at once instead of trying to shop for some myself at the store. Plus, they come in a cardboard case that holds them all in place in my fridge.
I'm a huge fan of Olipop's prebiotic sodas, particularly their fruit flavors (my favorite is the Strawberry Vanilla flavor). I've been trying to avoid having a can of sugary soda with every meal, and Olipop has helped me a ton -- it tastes great and fulfills that craving with half the sugar. I feel so much healthier and more satisfied when I drink it.
This is my absolute favorite makeup remover and double cleanser -- I stock up on it every Prime Day. It immediately melts off my makeup and wipes off any other dirt or oil on my face almost entirely, plus it doesn't irritate my sensitive eyes and skin. Since I have very dry skin, I love that the oil-based balm actually hydrates my face and doesn't strip it of its natural oils. Best of all, it helps me avoid using makeup wipes, which tend to irritate my skin and make me look red and puffy.
SD cards are essential for almost any digital camera. I've got a few, but not enough, and they are a little slow for some of the newer cameras I've been testing like the Nikon Z5 II. These SD cards from Lexar aren't the fastest you can buy, but they are close, and cost a fraction of the price (especially at 40% off at the time of writing).They are V60 UHS-II -- basically, fast, especially for fast shooting and high-resolution video.
I've been taking Vital Proteins' Collagen Peptides Capsules every morning for about five years, and they've completely overhauled my hair and nails. Both grow faster, feel stronger, break less and finally look like what I'd define as "healthy." One bottle comes with 360 capsules, and since I take two a day, it lasts me about six months. I just ran out, so Prime Day is the perfect time to restock -- the brand’s products are always on sale.
Now that I've been using this spray for about two years, I can't imagine doing my hair without it. I use it every day, so I always buy two bottles at a time. I spritz it onto my curls after applying Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Sculpting Gel, and then I scrunch everything together with my hands. Dream Coat helps define my curls, prevent frizz and add shine while keeping my hair feeling soft. It essentially works with the gel to lock my curls’ shape into place whether I air dry or use a diffuser.
For a long time, I was strictly into exfoliating cleansers because of the benefits for my acne-prone skin. However, I started using this cleanser in the winter and loved how moisturized my skin felt, even right after washing. It has a silky, gel texture that doesn't leave any residue (which is a huge no-no for me), and I love how it doesn't leave my skin feeling stripped and dry, which I've experienced with a lot of other cleansers.
I hate spending money on essentials, so picking up my household necessities during big sales like Prime Day is a no-brainer for me. I came across these dryer balls almost two years ago after hearing multiple editors on the NBC Select team talk about them. I’m constantly doing laundry, so I love that these can just hang out in my dryer until I put in a load, rather than me having to add them in every time. They also last for a really long time — each ball can go for up to 1,000 loads, according to the brand.
I restock these face masks whenever there's a sale because I need to have at least one in my house at all times. I use this overnight mask at least twice a month, whenever I feel like my skin needs a reset. It feels so soothing and hydrating when I apply it, and leaves my skin taut and dewy the next morning. Everytime I put one on it feels like I'm treating myself to a spa day without breaking the bank.
As someone with sensitive, rosacea-prone skin, I need a gentle cleanser. This one from La Roche-Posay has been my go-to for over two years and my face feels fresh after every use. It has ceramide-3 which helps retain moisture and maintain a healthy skin barrier according to the brand. I never feel like this cleanser strips my skin (which is helpful since I tend to lean on the drier side). It's great for removing light make-up but if I have a full face on I need to use a cleansing balm first.
As someone who is so keen on skin care, I naturally cycle through many products; however on the other side of the pendulum my body considers itself lucky if I even slap a handful of lotion on at night. That being said this summer I will be working on creating a body care routine that involves addressing the scarring on my legs and arms. I've done some research and this brand has come up multiple times. Reviewers describe seeing progress after just one use and the before-and-after photos from happy customers have convinced me to give this a try. It works well within my budget even when it's not on sale so I'm very excited to purchase it come Prime Day.
As someone who's always in a rush and can't go one morning without coffee, the AeroPress has been a lifesaver. This simple yet effective reimagining of the traditional French press allows you to use any ground espresso or coffee of your choice. I've made lattes, cold brews and recipes both hot and iced in the original AeroPress, and the results never disappoint. The AeroPress XL differs from the version I have because it makes two to four cups of coffee at a time (rather than one), plus this model guarantees a two-minute brew and clean time according to the brand. Since I'm always hosting and my friends and family love coffee, investing in the XL version is a much needed upgrade.
Pilot's G2 premium gel roller pen has been my writing utensil of choice since middle school. To this day, I still hand write everything from a simple to-do list to a long journal entry. This gel pen writes extremely smooth on all types of paper which helps to control my messy handwriting when I'm taking notes quickly. I typically buy them in bulk and write with them till the ink is all gone and every pen is used so it's time for a restock. The 12-pack is at its lowest price ever this Prime Day.
Home allergens and dust feel overwhelming in my tiny apartment so I need an air purifier that removes pollutants and minimizes odor without taking up too much space. Levoit's mini air purifier is on my to-buy list because of its compact size,powerful filtration system and affordable price.I also love the option to add my favorite essential oils for a fresh and customizable scent.The NBC Select team reviewed the larger version and liked the strong filtration and quiet sleep mode.
My hair is constantly frizzy and feels even more damaged than normal during the summer months.I purchased Olaplex's No.7 bonding oil about a year ago,and now it's a critical part of my everyday hair routine.Just two drops of the oil controls flyaways,protects against heated hair tools and reduces breakage.I use the oil when my hair is wet before styling it with heat,and I also add a drop afterward to tone down frizz and add shine.One 30-milliliter container lasts me around six months,but I love stocking up when it's on sale.
I've been on the hunt for an under-desk treadmill for a while, so I figured Prime Day would be the perfect time to buy one. This one has a 4.1 star-average rating on Amazon and over 5,000 reviews, so I figured it would be a good option to try out. It's less than 5 inches tall, so I can easily store it under my bed or another piece of furniture while I'm not using it. It also comes with a remote to conveniently turn on and off. One thing I'm worried about is the noise since I don't want to disturb anyone in my building.But I'm definitely excited to try this out when it gets delivered.
I've moved three times over the last four years, and these vacuum storage bags have been a lifesaver every single time. I'm moving again at the end of the month, so I'll definitely be using them again. These bags are great for storing clothing, jackets, blankets and even pillows. All you have to do is seal the bag and use a vacuum to suck out the air. Compared to boxes or bins, compression bags take up a fraction of space and store so much more.
I am an editorial and production intern for NBC Select covering deals and sales for Amazon Prime Day. For this article, I asked NBC Select editors to highlight their favorite purchases during Prime Day.