These 12 Items Just Replaced All My Beauty Services and Saved Me Hundreds
Confession: I might be just a little high-maintenance in the beauty department. As a beauty editor, I exist in a strange silo where meeting with celebrity facialists and getting a lash-lift at the office are all in a day's work. (Tough life, I know!) It wasn't until 2020 forced us all to slow down and stay home that I realized just how many beauty services I was partaking in on a regular basis. From eyebrow lamination to haircuts with celebrity stylists, I never really took stock of just how many beauty appointments were constantly on my calendar.
Then, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale hit, and as I shopped through the pages, I started calculating just how many of the items had come in handy for me in place of my beloved salon services. Now, there's no comparing an at-home job to the real thing, but I've been holding it all together quite well if I do say so myself! All these deals are finally open to everyone, so it's the perfect time to browse for yourself and see about the face, hair, and body treatments you might be able to do yourself—and on the cheap. Now through August 30 is your chance to save up to 40% on the most beloved beauty buys.
Ahead, check out all the on-sale items that have come in super handy and saved me hundreds compared to paying the professionals. Keep scrolling for everything you need to know.
For the custom facial:
Every good facial starts with a thorough cleanse, and this classic face wash from Fresh is a go-to when I'm left to my own devices. It doesn't have any crazy actives that might irritate my skin before going in with even more targeted treatments, so it's the perfect one to use when re-creating a professional facial at home.
If you've ever wondered what beauty editors talk about when no one else is around, it's products like this iconic exfoliator by Kate Sommerville. In all seriousness, I could screenshot at least 10 different exchanges between myself and my beauty cohort Erin Jahns about how much we love this stuff. When I'm carrying out an at-home facial, this is one of the exfoliators I'm always reaching for.
I've yet to make it to NYC for a facial with the esteemed skin guru herself, but this set by Dr. Barbara Sturm contains minis of all the most beloved anti-aging serums from her skincare line. For now, I'll be patting these elixirs into my face and pretending like I'm getting blessed by the expert.
Dermaplaning is another custom facial add-on I like to indulge in from time to time to remove dead skin cells and unwanted peach fuzz from my face. This handy device lets me do it at home! Afterward, my skin always looks so fresh and radiant.
This mascara is among my favorites for lifting and separating my lashes, which are some of the effects I like best about getting lash-lifts. To fake it, I simply layer on this primer and mascara and gently take it off with the accompanying eye makeup remover.
For the eyebrow lamination:
I don't know about you, but this duo of brow products is all I need to keep my arches looking fluffy and snatched whether they're laminated or not.
Total face service savings: $766
More Worth-It Skincare Picks:
If you've been toying with the idea of indulging in some La Mer, now is the time. This set comes with a selection of the brand's most beloved glowy skin products, including the iconic Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Cream. Have yourself a La Mer spa day.
Even if you can't see your favorite professional for targeted vitamin facial treatments, a serum like this one can help you maintain your results between office visits by providing multi-faceted protection from free radicals and from the sun.
Whether you're spending some time outside as summer winds down or sitting near large windows to catch the best light for your Zoom calls, it's extra important to protect yourself and prevent skin damage. This multi-tasking SPF also functions as a mattifying primer you can wear alone or underneath makeup. It's infused with antioxidant botanicals that visibly calm the skin.
Summer travels got put on hold this year, but thankfully you can still fake a post-vacation glow without leaving the house—or calling in your spray tan specialist. Sweep this lightweight body oil across your collarbone, on your legs, and anywhere else that needs a touch of bronze and cap off the look with a perfectly bitten lip. Et Voilà.
Sultry eyes are majorly trending right now and these Charlotte Tilbury favorites are perfect for getting the look. You might need to scan a few makeup artists' Instagram feeds for inspiration, but you won't need to book an appointment.
This limited edition set comes with all the fixings to carry out facials for everyone in your house. Alongside the classic Ultra Facial Cream and Facial Cleanser, it also comes with the Deluxe Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask, which is the next best thing to smearing an actual avocado on your face. Trust me—this is one of those sets that always mysteriously ends up on my partner's vanity.
For the deep conditioning treatment:
I've spent the last few months getting to know my hair super well, and this kit comes with everything I need for a successful scalp detox and deep conditioning session. Key ingredients include rosehip oil, algae extract, and almond oil to hydrate, protect, and lock in moisture. I like to cover my hair with a plastic shower cap while marinating in the Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask for added penetration.
For the blowout:
I'm taking a break from heat styling, but I still use this T3 dryer to infuse added heat while my hair is deep conditioning. Once I do go back to blow drying, though, I'll use this dryer to try the tension method, which is supposed to gently lengthen curly hair types without any rigorous brushing or combing.
For the silk press:
Again, heat styling is not on the menu for me at the moment, but a GHD iron was always one of my go-to's when I'd spend my Sunday evenings straightening my hair. The last one I owned moved all over LA with me and lasted for more than a decade.
Total hair service savings: $9
More Worth-It Haircare Picks:
This full Moroccanoil system is perfect for creating salon-worthy blowouts at home. You'll find nourishing argan oil in each of these formulas to deeply hydrate the hair, leaving it soft, manageable, and frizz-free. The included ceramic round brush will help you achieve maximum volume.
This deal is almost too good to be true. Imagine having salon-sized versions of Living Proof's signature Perfect Hair Day offerings available in your shower. Actually, you don't have to imagine it because that's exactly what you're getting here! And just in case you need to touch up between washes, the set also includes a bottle of the brand's beloved dry shampoo.
If you're not sleeping on a silk pillowcase by now, what are you even doing, sis? It's time to make the switch. Your hair and your skin will thank you!
For the full-body exfoliation and laser hair removal:
If you thought microdermabrasion was just for your face, then I'm happy to report that you can do this skin-smoothing treatment all over your body! This at-home tool comes with all the attachments for targeting your whole face and body, so you can tackle any area that needs a good buffing. This one actually knocks out two services in one because when used before shaving, it really primes the area for long-lasting results. I'll be able to go much longer without laser hair removal now.
For the lymphatic massage:
Does anyone else continue the microcurrent action below the neck? I sure do because without services like lymphatic massages that help to de-bloat and flush toxins, I could use a little extra help making sure my skin is firm and taut. This at-home device is perfect for stubborn areas like the thighs to reduce the appearance of dimples.
No bodycare regimen is complete without a great moisturizer, and this one is just fantastic. The bottle is huge and lasts a long time, so you're free to slather the oil-rich salve all over with reckless abandon.
Total body service savings: $294
More Worth-It Bodycare Picks:
If you've been busy mastering at-home manicures, then you might need to add this gentle polish remover to your setup. It's infused with lavender so your house won't smell like a nail shop and aloe to keep your nails from becoming overly dry as you wipe your polish away.
While you're at it, take this time to get your hand-lotion game on point, too. This rich moisturizer smells bomb.
If you're spending more time in the sun, then a hand treatment with SPF is a smart move. I personally never remember to cover the backs of my hands in sunscreen, so having a product specifically for that purpose makes a huge difference.
Take your home spa experience to the next level with a set of luxe candles. Go ahead. You deserve it!
Am I the only one who feels infinitely more capable of handling life when my fragrance is on point? Both of these warm Tom Ford fragrances are simply to die for.
Who's that girl with plump, exfoliated skin who smells like a million bucks? Oh yeah, it's you! A spritz of this floral scent will turn your whole mood around.
Up next, I've tried thousands of beauty products—here are 32 I'd buy without hesitation.
Courtney Higgs is a Cancer sun, Libra rising beauty enthusiast with about six years of experience in the editorial space. She was previously Who What Wear's associate beauty editor after spending many years working on the West Coast edit team at InStyle Magazine. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a BA in communication studies and pivoted to editorial after spending her college years working in the legal field. Her beauty philosophy is simple: She believes there are no wrong answers and that discovering our favorite beauty products and rituals is a journey, not a sprint. When she's not geeking out over products, she can be found adventuring around L.A. with her fiancé; watching reality TV with their French bulldog, Bernie Mac; or relating way too hard to astrology memes.
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