I’ve Tried Countless New Items This Season, but These 5 Majorly Leveled-Up My Life
Dotdash Meredith and Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
And they’re all on sale at Amazon right now.
Amazon / InStyle
I know that some people will tell you that a product can’t change your life, but I’m here to say I think otherwise. A good product truly has the power to change the way you look (like a good shampoo), feel (ahem, a showerhead with relaxation elements), and even enjoy your morning cup of coffee (yes, I have a trick for making the best espresso at home!). And the best part about all of this? All of the products that have majorly leveled up my life in the last few weeks are on sale during Amazon’s October Prime Day — but only until tonight.
I try a lot of things — in every category, though I certainly focus more on fashion and beauty. While the products I usually test skew slightly more in that direction, something inspired me to upgrade my home in the last month, too. I guess it was written in the stars — for real, my horoscope said that I’d do some home renovations — which I certainly did to a (rental-friendly) extent.
All that to say, the past month was a time of great change (I’ll get to that in another story), and elevating my beauty cabinet and house was among those changes. If you’re also feeling the upgrade bug and want to invest in quality things, check out the five products that I’ve been recommending to everyone (especially while they’re still on sale!).
Nutrafol Vegan Hair Growth Supplements
Amazon
$88
$73
I’ve been placing more emphasis on my hair health after a summer of serious stress, during which I felt like I’d been losing more hair than normal. So, I finally caved and tried the hair supplement that everyone I know raves about: Nutrafol. I needed to see what it was all about, and after taking them consistently for two months, I get it. Not only is there little to no hair in my drain after I shower (sorry, TMI), but I’ve seen new growth, and my hair looks shiner and stronger than ever. While the brand says that it takes about three months of regular use — which is four capsules a day — I can already see improvements after a few weeks, and that’s reason enough for me to keep going. I’m refreshing my supply because this $73 price (with an on-site coupon) is one you don’t see often. And if you, too, want to invest in your hair — because we all know how much better we feel when our hair looks amazing — I suggest getting on the Nutrafol train as well.
Hai Smart Shower Head
Amazon
$199
$140
I don’t know in which category to place myself based on what I’m about to say: old, tech savvy, or simply a smart showerer. But let’s for the sake of clarity, let’s say all of the above. Last month, I upgraded my shower game by switching out my old shower head for this Hai one that is, in fact, the smartest thing I’ve added to my bathroom — ever. The bluetooth-enabled shower head helps track water usage, which is helpful as I’m trying to be more conscious of that. Not to mention, I thought I had to live with poor water pressure for the rest of the time in my current apartment, but alas, the Hai shower head has proved me wrong. Now, I can comfortably shower and switch between two spray settings: a high-pressure stream or a fine mist. Yes, it’s a mood, and yes, I’m simply in love.
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion
Amazon
$17
$12
This is an oldie but a goodie; I know that I’m so late in the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion game, but hey, better late than never, right? I’m going to blame NYC’s humid summer again, but at one point, my skin was freaking out and I was getting pimples on my chin and forehead — and I simply didn’t want to deal. I remembered that I had a bottle of the drying lotion in my beauty closet — which is what I call the place where I store all of the products I have yet to test — so I decided it was time to put it to the test. I dipped in a Q-tip, padded the pink goo on my pimple, and the next morning, it was gone. I’ll never get over the fact how quickly the drying lotion nibs a pimple in the bud, but that’s okay. I like to be amazed.
Kitsch Hair Growth Rice Shampoo Bar
Amazon
$20
$11
Healthier hair is definitely a theme for me this season, and I’m going to be honest with you: I was actually inspired to try this shampoo bar because of an InStyle story. Yes, even we, the writers, buy things through our co-workers’ stories, and I had to try this hair-growth rice bar after reading the rave reviews. At one point, I felt like no shampoo I had was working for my hair — it either left it feeling too greasy, too dry, or it just fell flat. Enter the Kitsch bar. I was worried about the bar aspect at first, but the lather was actually pretty incredible — and the smell? Amazing. After the first use, I let my hair air dry and was amazed by the shine, volume, and body it had. Plus, it didn’t feel like every brush stroke was tearing my tresses, either. There was strength! I also love the plastic-free aspect, and it’s so easy to bring in my carry-on whenever I go on vacation.
EspressoWorks All In One Barista Bundle Set
Amazon
$225
$176
I like coffee, but I never considered myself a barista. That is until I tried this EspressoWorks set and basically turned my kitchen into a coffee shop. The set up is incredibly easy, so don’t let the complex design scare you. It took me less than five minutes to put it together, and even less time to make the perfect cappuccino. There’s the espresso feature, which pours out a *chef’s kiss* espresso shot, as well as a steam function that allows you to steam milk in seconds for the perfect froth. Let’s just say I look forward to waking up every morning and making my own cup of coffee — no waiting or ridiculous price tag required (ahem, every coffee shop in New York City). Right now, it’s on sale for $176 in the stainless steel and white color, and if you add up what you spend on a daily basis, I’m sure you’d be shocked how quickly it would reach $176. But this coffee buy? I guarantee t’ll last you a long time.
For more InStyle news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on InStyle.
