I Test Beauty Products for a Living, and These Are the Best Amazon Beauty Buys for October Prime Day

After testing hundreds of beauty products with PEOPLE for more than two years, I know what’s worth it and what just has fancy packaging.  I’ve gone through several product-induced breakouts to bring you all the best beauty on sale at Amazon Prime Day in October.

Dozens of products land on my desk throughout the week, but they rarely land recurring roles in my beauty regimen. However, Amazon seems to have gotten the passcodes to my beauty files for Prime Big Deal Days and has delivered discounts on a few of my go-tos, like my favorite tinted moisturizer that’s been used on Martha Stewart and an $8 concealer that defies wrinkles.

Best October Prime Day Beauty Buys

• L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion, $14 (orig. $17)
• Popular deal: Crest 3D Whitestrips, $30 with Prime (orig. $46)
• Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, $17 with Prime (orig. $24)
• Vegamour Gro Revitalizing Shampoo, $36 with Prime (orig. $48)
  
• Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, $27 with Prime (orig. $39)
• Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Multi-Use Concealer, $8 (orig. $11)
• Best-seller: Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara, $4 with Prime (orig. $5)
• GoPure Neck Firming Cream, $40 (orig. $60)
• Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Face Moisturizer, $23 (orig. $27) 
• 41% off: Solawave 4-in-1 Red Light Therapy Facial Wand, $99 with Prime (orig. $169)

L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion

This bronzy tinted moisturizer from L’Oréal has been the secret behind Helen Mirren and Eva Longoria’s red carpet glows this year. Its celeb status precedes it, but I was still shocked at how well my sensitive skin took to this moisturizer. My complexion was glowing — it kept my skin hydrated, and it served as a great makeup base for long days.

Crest 3D Whitestrips, $30 with Prime

A bright, white smile offers an instant confidence boost, which is why I love teeth whitening strips, and this pack from Crest tops the list. As someone with sensitive teeth, I love that this standard pack is gentle enough on my gums and teeth.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, $17 with Prime

Lip masks and balms are a dime a dozen, but this ultra-hydrating Laneige lip mask is the only product I rely on for soft and smooth lips. The formula is packed with shea butter and vitamin C, which lock moisture onto the thin skin of your lips while you sleep.

Vegamour Gro Revitalizing Shampoo, $36 with Prime

After experiencing stress-induced hair fallout, I wanted to start using a hair growth shampoo, and this strengthening formula made all the difference. Not only does my hair feel cleaner with every wash, but it looks shinier, feels healthier, and grew noticeably longer within just a few months. 

GoPure Neck Firming Cream 

This skin-tightening cream had more of a firming effect on my grandmother’s neck than mine, but it gave us both a great dose of hydration thanks to its hyaluronic acid-packed formula. “I still have 74-year-old skin… but my neck has a totally different look now,” my grandma said.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Multi-Use Concealer

Several testers and I agree that this Maybelline stick is one of the best drugstore concealers available. Its pigmented formula effectively covers my dark circles and rosacea-induced redness, plus it’s packed with anti-aging ingredients that help target fine lines, making it a great option for mature skin.

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes, $9 with coupon

Makeup removers come in many shapes and sizes. I reach for these wipes in a pinch, even though experts have mixed reviews on the efficacy of wipes. These soft towelettes take off every bit of visible makeup, even after full glam — I just follow up with cleanser afterward. 

Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect Mascara, $4 with Prime

I gravitated toward this mascara because of its low price. But what I didn’t expect was how well it would coat and lengthen my lashes with minimal flaking or fallout on long days. I’ve even become a brown mascara wearer because of this tube.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

If you’re a skincare fanatic, there’s a high chance that you’ve owned this nourishing moisturizer at some point. This has become my go-to face cream for morning and night. Its rich yet lightweight formula is infused with squalane to soften and soothe all skin types, even sensitive skin like mine.

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Face Moisturizer

While I don’t yet have wrinkles, I use this face cream preventatively. I prefer to use this vitamin B3-boosted moisturizer as a night cream, so it can preserve my skin’s firmness undisturbed. After testing, we decided it was the best wrinkle cream for all skin types.

Solawave 4-in-1 Facial Wand, $99 with Prime

PEOPLE editors (and our moms) love this red light therapy wand, following the gaggle of celebrities like Reese Witherspoon and Charles Melton who have achieved red carpet-ready complexions with this device. This wand gradually faded our dark spots and dullness, leaving us with radiant skin and brighter under-eyes in under two weeks.

Grande Cosmetics Lamination Gel, $15 with Prime

I’ve tried a handful of eyebrow gels, but nothing keeps my unruly brows in check like this stuff does. The thick gel applies easily and effectively lays each hair for foolproof, all-day wear. Plus, it’s the only product that doesn’t leave me with crusty buildup within a few hours.

Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch Invisible+, $14 with Prime

Testing hundreds of products comes with inevitable breakouts, and these hydrocolloid patches from Hero Cosmetics are always here to save the day (no pun intended). The transparent patches are nearly undetectable, so I can wear them during the day as they discreetly zap whiteheads. I never travel anywhere without these stickers now.

Laneige Bouncy and Firm Sleeping Mask, $25 with Prime

Another staple in my skincare vanity is this sleeping mask from Laneige, a barrier-strengthening moisturizer that saves my skin from looking dull and dehydrated. The formula is the most refreshing in my collection and works well in all seasons, nourishing sun-kissed skin in the summer and revitalizing dry skin in the winter.

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream, $33 with Prime

When my spin instructor told me that this was her sweat-defying foundation, I couldn’t believe it — but then the multihyphenate became a go-to in my makeup routine. Part full-coverage foundation, part daily moisturizer, part sunscreen, it's a skin perfecter for natural and full-glam days alike.