Exclusive Access and Early Sales

“Early Access” is the best and worst thing. I get these emails at midnight, all-caps, like, “MEMBERS ONLY SALE!” The sale technically starts tomorrow, but now it’s tonight, and I’m not even sure why. Brands like Levi’s, Samsung, and random skincare duos from 2021 suddenly have “limited-time” prices.

Most of these deals vanish in 24 hours or, honestly, whenever I forget my phone in the kitchen. On big sale days (Prime Day, Sephora Savings), “exclusive” becomes “blink and you missed it.” I’ve bought Kiehl’s at 1 a.m. because a push alert practically dared me. FOMO is a scam, but it works.

Is it just me, or does the app love to tell me how much I could’ve saved if I’d just stopped making dinner and shopped? That “your early access is ending soon!” ping—ugh, nothing like it for instant regret. Not everyone cares, but honestly, early access means more of those weird limited edition kits and “bonus” samples that will absolutely end up under the sink for months. One time, I got a shampoo sample and spilled it on a library book. No idea why I’m telling you that. Just, sometimes sales lead to chaos.

Best Buys for Skincare Essentials

I keep trying to put together a skincare routine, but then I’m reading ingredient lists and—wait, did I put moisturizer in my cart? Feels like vitamin C serum and face wash are now school supplies. I bounce around from store to store, comparing Clinique to the generic stuff, but then my cat sits on my keyboard and I forget what I’m even doing.

Building Your Skincare Routine

Step one, I guess, is basics—cleanser, moisturizer, probably SPF unless I’m cool with shriveling up. I never follow my own advice. They always say to layer: cleanse, treat, then cream or gel or whatever. Clinique’s 3-step system still haunts me with that yellow moisturizer.

My “routine” (I forget something every single time):

• Gentle cleanser (if it doesn’t foam, is it even doing anything?)
• Toner (optional, and, honestly, I still don’t get toner)
• Serum (pick a problem: dryness, dullness, existential dread)
• SPF (I forget until I’m already outside)
• Moisturizer (whatever’s on sale, honestly)

Best Buy now sells a ton of skincare—no, really. Facial brushes, sheet masks, body lotion, shower gels, foot care. My friend swears by Duke Cannon soap, but all I remember is the giant bar that almost broke my toe.

Top Skincare Brands to Shop

Everyone’s always yelling “Clinique for sensitive skin!” but then there’s Neutrogena, The Ordinary, Olay, La Roche-Posay, and some K-beauty stuff sneaking in. I bought a Clinique moisturizer last fall for the free sample. Did it change my life? Nah. Was it fine? Sure.

Best Buy has these brands mixed in with everything else—kind of wild, honestly. Their “shelves” (I mean, it’s a website) are packed: Olay, La Roche-Posay, sometimes random K-beauty. I can’t even remember which serum I like anymore, so I just look for “bestseller” tags.

Half the time, I just buy whatever has a coupon or comes with a free mirror. Travel-size bottles? I hoard them, never finish them, and they rattle around in every bag I own.