I've tried hundreds of beauty products — my Presidents’ Day sale picks start at $6 - chof 360 news

Presidents' Day deals are already coming in hot before the long weekend. What this means for me, a vain, middle-aged beauty editor, is that now's the time to snap up all my favorite hair- and skin-care devices on super sale, along with trusted names I use daily. I test beauty products for a living, and while I can say that most brands' efficacy claims are bunk (or at least majorly overhyped), I also have dozens of items in my arsenal that have made a visible difference in my skin and hair.

Let me be clear: I don't necessarily expect any beauty product — discounted for Presidents' Day or not — to turn back the clock. That's a (bankrupt) fool's errand. But I do try hundreds of products each year and, over time, I've identified the worth-it hair tools, ultra-hydrating creams, wrinkle-minimizing serums and the de-puffing eye masks that soothe my tired, dried-out cold-weather skin.

The beauty sales below represent some of my all-time favorite products. Most are clinically proven or, at the very least, wildly well-reviewed.

The best Presidents' Day beauty deals

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Amazon

Crest Whitestrips rarely drop in price unless it's a big sales event, and as far as we can tell, they haven't been cheaper than this since Black Friday. Brighter smile, here you come.

"I did notice after 3-4 consecutive uses a difference in the color of my teeth," said this pleased user. "They weren't so white they looked fake, but white enough for others to notice a change. They did cause a bit or gum sensitivity on my top gums, but that didn't last long or was unbearable. I definitely recommend these if you're wanting to start slow in the whitening process or your teeth don't have much discoloration."

$28 at Amazon
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The Light Salon

This LED light collar uses clinically proven red light and near-infrared wavelengths to build collagen, reduce the appearance of lines and crepey-ness and help soothe neck pain and stiffness. 

You rarely see any significant sale on at-home LED devices. They're expensive in part because (when designed thoughtfully) they actually work. At $125, this collar is an unheard of 50% off, and we all know that sum is a drop in the bucket compared with going under the knife.

$125 at Blue Mercury
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Amazon

Differin's adapalene gel was the first prescription-strength retinoid to become available over the counter. It's also dermatologist-recommended and clinically proven to tighten and brighten skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines. 

"I've been a Differin user for over six years at this point, and I swear by it," wrote an in-the-know user. "Most things that work as well as Differin are prescription-only. It actually works in a similar manner that some of the prescription-strength treatments do: by increasing the rate at which your skin cells turn over. This helps decrease the pore blockages that cause acne to develop."

$9 at Amazon
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Amazon

This uber-popular, social-media famous multi-use hair tool rarely goes on sale, and while it's certainly not cheap, it's currently down to one of the lowest prices we've ever seen. 

With attachments for curling, smoothing, shaping and more, this luxurious device will make you feel like you have your own little handheld salon. Not sold? Check out our full Dyson Airwrap review

$499 at Amazon
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Crave Naturals

Fine or thin hair tends to tangle more than thicker 'dos, but many brushes can add to thinning or shedding by tearing and damaging the strands you have left. Enter this wildly smooth and effective brush, which is a breeze to use on wet or dry hair and gentle enough for even those of us who are balding a bit. At this Presidents' Day price — more than 60% off! — it's also a major value. 

"I have very thin hair that tangles easily. Other brushes hurt and pulled out my hair," wrote this reviewer. "This was certainly a pleasure to be able to brush my hair painlessly. I convinced my 6-year-old granddaughter to let me use it on her tangled baby-fine hair. Guess what? No tears! She hugged me and said that I was the only one she wanted to fix her hair."

$10 at Amazon
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Amazon

It's not just industry experts recommending you shop beauty appliances this month — I invested in this gold-standard at-home microcurrent device during Presidents' Day last year. It's a noninvasive way to tone and firm sagging skin on the face and neck — and, if used consistently, it's clinically proven to work. 

"I have been using it for only three days and the results are unmatched," said a fan. "Everybody asks me if I have done buccal fat removal because my face looks so snatched. If you have the money, buy it. It is totally worth it."

$175 at Amazon
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Amazon

Every once in a while, an internet-famous product comes along that I think will never in 100 years work, and then I'm pleasantly surprised (okay, more like shocked) when it does. Such was the case with this strange little tube of the TikTok-famous collagen and protein hair mask from Elizavecca.   

It's a repairing treatment that's meant to render even the driest, most straw-like hair into silky strands. You work it into your hair after shampooing and, after five to 15 minutes, the before-and-after is seriously profound: My thin, dry, longtime dyed-blonde mane was bouncy, soft and smooth as a satin sheet and, best of all, didn't feel weighed down. Though it does make your hair slightly greasier than normal, the conditioning impact is worth it — my results lasted for weeks. 

$8 at Amazon
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Amazon

The TikTok girlies may think they're the first to discover Bum Bum cream, but as with slip dresses, brown lipstick and crushes on wan men in tattered wool, us older ladies were there first. Bum Bum cream was one of the first products I fell in love with after moving to Los Angeles almost a decade ago, when my skin was super dry. I retested it recently and I'm happy to report that it still lives up to the hype.

This intoxicating lotion is whipped, which makes it feel like pillowy heaven on your skin. The scent is a light coconut vanilla that somehow smells like an expensive tropical vacation and not the dollar store sunscreen aisle. It's pricey, sure, but also a wildly indulgent treat for your skin. Best of all, a little of this stuff goes a long way. 

$43 at Amazon
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Amazon

This skin-soothing, color-correcting cream is made specifically for disguising angry, red post-blemish skin (essentially the period between when you pop a pimple and it heals), but I find it works well for any redness or dark spots on my face — especially broken capillaries around my nose, my weird red chin and brown-ish sun damage too. 

It has the texture of a lightweight, silky serum, absorbs fast and leaves areas where you want a "color correction" primed for your normal foundation or concealer. I can't guarantee it will work for your skin as well as it does mine, but at $6 (half off!) it's certainly worth a try.

$6 at Amazon
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Amazon

My beloved snail mucin from CosRx is excellent for evening skin tone and making your face look softer and brighter overall. It's won multiple awards, has over 55,000 five-star Amazon reviews and impresses most beauty editors I know.

After using it the first time (here is my full review), my face was noticeably dewier, and other users have boasted about its ability to hydrate, repair and improve dullness in the skin — all of which helps wrinkles look less deep and crepey. When I tried it again after a medi-spa laser treatment, I found it soothed and calmed my skin as it healed, lending a healthy sheen. 

Save $11 with coupon

$14 at Amazon
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Amazon

I fell in love with this tinted balm the moment I held it to my lips. It's made with hyaluronic acid, a natural moisturizer and skin plumper, and it left my mouth not only an ideal burnt berry shade, but smoother, more supple and younger-looking.

While this hue is not an exact 1:1 replacement for Clinique's iconic Black Honey lipstick, it's super close. And the addition of sun protection and natural emollients like castor oil make it a worthy foil.  

$6 at Amazon
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Amazon

The folks behind this sleek flat iron say it delivers two times less damage and five times longer color than other brands. I don't know about this very precise math, but the device does have a lot going for it, including easy-glide ceramic plates, a heat-monitoring sensor that automatically adjusts if the temperature becomes too hot and an infusion of keratin oil to help condition your hair while you straighten it. 

If you're looking for waves, Remington makes an equally well-reviewed Color Care Multi-Styler for twists and curls.

$31 at Amazon
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Amazon

While we're talking retinol, this Sarah Jessica Parker-favorite brand is a drugstore skin-care legend for a reason: It's proven. In a clinical study, 97% of those who tried RoC's Retinol Correxion night serum reported smoother skin after just a single night. Users said their skin was 63% more hydrated after a week and visibly firmer after a month. 

RoC's retinol serum is also recommended and tested by dermatologists. And, it's among Amazon’s highest-rated skin care products with more than 13,000 five-star reviews. 

$25 at Amazon
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Amazon

This velvety-smooth overnight cream is more effective at smoothing and hydrating skin than brands five times its cost. It contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to restore the skin's protective barrier while giving it a brighter and plumper appearance overall. 

$16 at Amazon
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Amazon

There are loads of pricey treatments and potions meant to decrease facial puffiness, promote collagen growth and improve the texture of aging skin, but the ancient art of face rolling is the easiest, least expensive and arguably the most relaxing. 

This high-quality jade roller and face massager tool set has over 27,000 five-star reviews and, right now, it's more than half off.

Save $9 with coupon

$7 at Amazon
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Amazon

While it's not exactly meant as a face cream, this ultra-rich moisturizer is used for that purpose by most every seasoned beauty expert I know. It's extremely hydrating, packed with nourishing plant-derived ingredients and is especially good as a nighttime treatment for faces, hands, feet, necks and even the décolleté.

$19 at Amazon
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Amazon

Incredible deal alert! These gilded, Jessica Alba-approved, No. 1 best-selling eye masks incorporate hyaluronic acid, amino acids and sea moss to hydrate the delicate under-eye area, reducing dark circles and puffy bags and blurring fine lines as they go — and right now, they're nearly half off.

They're also paraben- and sulfate-free, vegan and gentle enough for most skin types. The luxe packaging makes them an excellent gift. 

$15 at Amazon
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Amazon

This is the cream you want if you're, like, "I think tightening creams are BS but I also want to believe they are true because I currently hate my neck." The Gold Bond firming cream is no frills but gets the job done (the job being tighter jowls and a less reptilian neck). The formula is lightweight and on the thin side, but the product absorbs well and is gentle enough not to irritate sensitive skin. 

Note: You'll need to use it consistently for about a month to see results, and it won't, of course, magically make you appear 25, but being able to snag this ample size for less makes this product worth a go.

Save $6 with coupon

$10 at Amazon
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Amazon

Sunday Riley's Good Genes is one of the most effective beauty products I've ever tried, and this six-month supply will last you. Honestly, I like this skin rejuvenating serum so much, if I had to pick one desert-island beauty product (outside of sunscreen), it would be this. The lactic-acid treatment gently yet effectively exfoliates dull surface skin, promoting cell turnover and giving even the dullest, dreariest complexion a healthy, vibrant glow.

It also smooths and plumps rough texture and clarifies an uneven tone. My skin never looks better than when I use this every night and, while this sale price still isn't cheap, a little goes a long way.

Save $7 with Prime

$43 at Amazon

If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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