Throughout my childhood, my mother was a fan of overusing cliché phrases. Her favorite? “The early bird gets the worm.” And while I, a chronically tardy person, hated hearing this one the most, I’ve come to realize that, in most cases, she’s right—the faster you get ahead on something, the better. As a shopping writer, I’ve found this to be especially true when it comes to scoring the best deals. So, before Amazon Prime Day officially begins, I’ve already started digging for the best early deals.
While Prime Day doesn’t officially kick off until July 16, you can score thousands of discounted fashion, beauty, and home items now. I’ll certainly be taking advantage of the early deals by saving on brands like Olaplex, Steve Madden, and Shea Moisture. And although “life is a marathon, not a sprint,” is another one of my mom’s go-to’s, in cases like Prime Day, making haste can do you some good. Shop my top 10 early Prime Day picks starting at just $9, below.
After wearing them to the bone, my trusty pair of white sneakers are finally in need of a replacement. Luckily, I spotted this platform pair from Steve Madden, one of my go-to footwear brands, on sale for just $60. The elevated kicks are made of vegan leather, can easily be dressed up with a flowy sundress or dressed down with a pair of denim shorts, and are “super comfortable,” according to a reviewer.
While I know biker shorts have been all the rage lately, nothing comforts me like a pair of classic running shorts. This $17 pair is made from a sweat-wicking material and includes a stretchy waistband and brief-style lining that can double as underwear. Plus, the shorts come in eight colors and have pockets big enough to hold a phone or wallet.
I first discovered La Roche-Posay during a trip to Paris earlier this summer. While I’m sadly not returning to a French pharmacy any time soon, I was delighted to find that the brand’s premium products, including this foaming cleanser, are available on Amazon. One shopper who tried out the face wash called it a “gentle, effective, and refreshing addition” to their skin care routine.
Not many of the makeup products I used at 15 hold up, but eyeshadow sticks are the exception. Perfect for those that, like me, want to be done with their makeup in minutes, the L’Oréal Paris Paradise Le Shadow Stick is creamy, easy to use, and comes in eight lush colors, with both matte and shimmery finishes. For the best results, the brand recommends applying the stick directly onto your eyelid and then blending the product in with your finger.
After I witnessed how well the Mielle Organics hair oil worked on my scalp, I knew I had to get my hands on other products from the brand. Just in time for wash day, I’m adding this $9 strengthening conditioner to my cart. With biotin and coconut oil as two of the main ingredients, the conditioner makes hair “softer than ever,” according to a reviewer. The brand recommends applying the conditioner to damp hair, genty detangling with a wide-toothed comb, then leaving it on for five to 10 minutes before rinsing the product out thoroughly.
The common thread between all my friends with great hair? Many of them swear by Olaplex. The hair care brand’s No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, currently available for just $23, cleanses, detangles, and hydrates the hair, along with reducing breakage, split ends, and frizz. Over 40,000 Amazon shoppers have bought the shampoo in the past month, with one shopper noting they “could not believe” how soft their hair felt after use.
Trends come and go, but at this point, I don’t think I’ll ever ditch my baggy jeans. This on-sale pair from Levi’s that one customer called “timeless” and “very flattering” has a mid-rise waistband, roomy and relaxed fit, and wide-leg silhouette. For an effortless streetwear look, I plan on pairing them with a plain white T-shirt and ballet flats.
As a longtime user of SheaMoisture products, I’m surprised that this hair oil isn’t already in my beauty cabinet. With ingredients like manuka honey and shea butter, the lightweight product helps your locs retain moisture, fight frizz, and reduce breakage when used before heat styling.
After seeing this amazing deal on Apple AirPods AirPods, I’m kicking myself for not waiting until the early Prime Day sale to buy mine. With more than 24 hours of total listening time, easy pairing with different Apple devices, and hands-free Siri assistance, these mega-discounted earbuds are a can’t-miss deal.
Is it just me, or does everything taste better out of a cute cup? This $17 glass set comes with four durable cups with bamboo lids and clear straws, and two straw cleaners. The best-selling set is completely lead- and BPA-free, made from premium glass, and is dishwasher safe. And because the glasses can withstand a range of temperatures, they’re perfect for sipping iced coffees, hot teas, or even a cocktail.