Dermstore's Anniversary Sale Is Happening—Here's What I'm Purchasing to Replenish My "High-Maintenance" Essentials...

      You may think I’m vain, but I’m committed to doing everything I can to maintain how I look and feel now, in my early 30s, for as long as possible. What does that entail? A series of daily and weekly routines that not only enhance my well-being but also act as enjoyable, more affordable alternatives to the expensive treatments I can’t afford to do regularly. For instance, I choose self-tanning over spray tans and use an in-shower hair gloss instead of a costly salon treatment. I could elaborate further. Someone once advised me that one of the best ways to look and feel your greatest is to devote one day a week to self-care and DIY beauty rituals that boost your confidence and help sustain the effects of pricier treatments. For example, on Sundays, I apply a hair and face mask, indulge in a thorough shower, self-tan, and tint my eyebrows. It might sound trivial, but transforming this into a deliberate, weekly ritual has significantly improved how I feel as I head into a new week, and it has also optimized the outcomes of more expensive treatments, like hair coloring and facials.

      Naturally, I have a go-to collection of essential products that support my "high-maintenance to be low-maintenance" beauty approach, and there’s no better place to replenish my supplies than Dermstore's Anniversary Sale, which is happening until August 14 and offers up to 25% off on numerous popular brands and products. Simply enter code CHEERS at checkout to enjoy these strategic savings. Below, explore the twelve products I trust to help me look and feel my best, all without needing salon or office appointments. Keep scrolling!

      Every six weeks when I visit the salon for my hair color, I feel ecstatic. However, it’s common knowledge that colored hair, especially red, fades and dulls annoyingly quickly. DPHue's well-known Glossy Glaze, available in various shades, aids me in preserving salon-quality richness and shine between color appointments. It’s also a fantastic refresher for naturally colored hair!

      Most of the time, I like to go without makeup, which means skipping mascara. This lash serum really works wonders and is my favorite quick fix for achieving long, Bambi-like lashes. Additionally, I’ve found it much less irritating to my skin and eyes compared to other formulas I’ve tried.

      I won’t go into too much detail about this, but I rely on Fur's Stubble Cream and Ingrown Concentrate to keep everything smooth and soft, free from ingrown hairs between my waxing sessions. It’s genuinely one of my best-kept beauty maintenance secrets, and I believe no shower routine is complete without it.

      The easiest way to keep your skin looking its best is to shield it from the sun’s harmful rays. I’ve spoken with countless facialists and dermatologists who all say that wearing sunscreen daily is the top way to slow down signs of aging (aside from costly treatments like lasers and injectables). EltaMD's popular formula is one of the few facial sunscreens that has never caused any irritation for me.

      I enjoy a nice spray tan, but to be budget-conscious, I reserve them for special events. I’ve been self-tanning since middle school, so I’ve tested nearly every at-home bronzing product available. St. Tropez's Express Bronzing Mousse has been a standout choice for me since my college days about a decade ago. Just remember to use a mitt for a mess-free application and to keep your hands stain-free.

      With the surge of new bond-building products hitting the market, I strayed from my Olaplex obsession for about a year, and I truly regret it. No damage-repairing product I’ve tried can compare to this original leave-in treatment in preventing breakage. I’m known for my Olaplex slicked-back buns, and now that I’ve reinstated them weekly, my hair has regained its resilient, shiny state.

      I used Agent Nateur's marine collagen, infused with pearl powder, for nearly two months, and the results for my hair and nails were remarkable. I genuinely believe this product enhances my overall health appearance, making it easier for me to gradually give up costly beauty habits like nail and hair extensions.

      Due to genetics, my naturally dark circles seem to get worse with age. While light filler is the only effective solution I’ve found, the Cosmedix Opti Crystal Liquid Crystal Eye Serum is the one eye product that noticeably helps tighten, brighten, and lift my eye area daily. I apply a small amount before bed and wake up feeling much less haggard.

      Once you try dermaplaning, you won’t look back. I love getting professionally done dermaplaning as an add-on during my bi-monthly facials, but I rely on this original tool to remove peach fuzz between visits. Just wait until you apply your makeup and skincare on a perfectly smooth face—it’s a