The transition between seasons is as good a time as any to take stock of your beauty drawers, throw out anything old or expired, and prepare for the months ahead. And if you find you’re in need of a vanity refresh, Ulta’s Fall Haul sale is conveniently ready to “assist” — through October 4, the retailer is taking up to 40 percent off a wide variety of beauty products from Strategist-approved brands like Naturium and La Roche-Posay. I’ve done the legwork of sorting through thousands of discounts to find the best ones; below, you’ll find everything I think is worth buying, categorized under makeup, skin care, hair care, and wellness. And if you want to ensure that you never miss a sale, sign up for the new Strategist Sales Alert newsletter to receive the best deals we find everyday, straight to your inbox.
Makeup
Strategist writer Rachael Griffiths declared that “the best blue mascara is $13” — but it’s down to just $9 during the sale.
Available in a cornucopia of different shades, Revlon’s Super Lustrous lipstick works great “even for those who say they hate red lipstick,” says makeup artist Emma Elizabeth.
Urban Decay’s budge-proof eyeliner is “soft and pigmented upon application, but sets after a couple seconds,” says makeup artist Lisa Pelayo.
This Juvia’s Place eye-shadow palette is makeup-artist–approved thanks to its array of warm chocolate shades and rich pigmentation.
Cream blushes are very much in the Zeitgeist right now, and this one from Honest Beauty is blendable, buildable, and lasts all day.
Strategist beauty columnist Rio Viera-Newton says this Wet n Wild blush is a near-perfect dupe for Charlotte Tilbury’s Pinkgasm.
Emmy Award–winning makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor is a fan of CoverGirl’s concealer and its matte finish for smoothing out the under eye.
This richly pigmented foundation stick from BLK/OPL fully covers dark marks and hyperpigmentation and has a great shade range for those with deeper or olive-toned skin.
Lana Condor can’t get enough of these Ardell demi lashes and suggests applying them with tweezers and “the thinnest layer of glue.”
I will never cease to be delighted by TonyMoly’s fruit-shaped lip balms.
Rio suggests these creamy, water-resistant Shockwave liners from L.A. Girl to create graphic eye looks in vibrant colors.
Our best less-expensive makeup-brush set is now even less expensive. Strategist contributor Deanna Pai has owned these brushes for years and says she won’t ever toss them.
Another highly recommended brush set, this one from Real Techniques also includes a sponge that Rio likes even better than the Beauty Blender.
Skin care
Our pick for the very best face wash, Cetaphil’s gentle skin cleanser is a simple, soap-free, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free cleanser that efficiently and effectively does the job it’s meant to do.
Strategist readers can’t get enough of CeraVe’s moisturizing cream — it’s been a consistent best seller for years now.
Another fan-favorite moisturizer, this one is especially good for dry or sensitive skin.
Aveeno’s oat-infused moisturizer is especially well-suited for teens because it soothes inflammation from acne.
Strategist writer Brenley Goertzen says Naturium’s body oil has reduced dullness and improved the texture of her skin, leaving behind a lasting softness and glow.
I use this cult-favorite K-beauty cleansing balm to remove my makeup every night — it’s very silky and hydrating and melts my foundation and mascara right off.
Vichy’s Mineral 89 serum has been described by dermatologist Corey Hartman as a “cool drink of water for the skin.”
I’ve recently been using Origins’ peppermint-scented “sensory treatment” for a quick pick-me-up during the day. Because it comes in a lotion rather than an oil format, I don’t have to worry about it spilling inside my bag.
Skin pickers should stock up on Hero’s Rescue Balm — it’s formulated with a blend of vitamin E, panthenol, and beta-glucan, which work together to lock in moisture while soothing redness and inflammation.
Of course, it’s better to not pick in the first place — instead, try this Mario Badescu drying lotion to zap blemishes.
If you try this Japanese foot peel, get ready to see your feet “slough pieces of sliver-thin, leathery dead skin,” warns Strategist contributor Molly Young.
Hair care
Monday Haircare has made appearances in our best shampoo and conditioner roundups because its products boast “simply outstanding value,” writes Griffiths. It’s fast become one of her favorite hair-care brands thanks to its reasonable price point and noticeable results.
Rio “can’t even count” how many bottles of Not Your Mother’s dry shampoo she’s gone through. “Yes, it helps remove excess oil from your hair, but it also texturizes and gives that nice, elusive ‘beachy waves’ effect,” she writes.
No brush could tame Strategist contributor Alice Gregory’s long, thick, scraggly hair until she discovered the Wet Brush. “Its bristles are extra-bendy and extra-miraculous,” she declares.
This hairdresser-recommended mask works well for all hair textures (from “bone straight to super-coily curly”).
Wellness
Multiple celebrities, including Matt Rogers and Alyson Stoner, have sung the praises of these energy-boosting hydration packets.
I never leave the house without one of Touchland’s hand-sanitizer mists in my bag.
Infused with magnesium and L-Theanine, this relaxation-enhancing powder from Moon Juice can help add calm and comfort to your bedtime routine.
The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
