The 7 Best Beauty Products I'm Snagging During the Ulta Pre-Holiday Sale
For the wellness obsessive and the skincare lover alike.
To me, November is what I like to call the start of the Beauty Olympics. After Halloween, it’s basically the holidays, and as such, there are countless deals on hair, makeup, and skincare products. Even better, this is the time of year when gift sets start dropping like hotcakes, so not only do you get to try products that are already on your wishlist, but you also get additional products from your favorite brands, usually in travel sizes that are perfect for a road-test session. Ulta Beauty has gotten the memo and is offering up to 20 dollars off qualifying purchases until November 8, including prestige brands, when customers use the code GIFTS at checkout.
As such, not only am I about to try some new products that I’ve been eyeing, but I’m also about to stock up on some of my holy grail favorites from brands like Chanel, NuFace, Dyson, and more, alongside everyday staples and wellness products that I’ve added to my routine.
The sale is tiered: $10 off $50, $15 off $75, and $20 off $100, so the more you spend, the more you can save. Of course, I wouldn’t leave you high and dry without a curated list of products to shop (there are over 10,000 to choose from; parsing through all of them is… a task). So below, I’ve put together a list of the best products to pick up during this promotion, whether for yourself, a loved one, or that holiday shopping list that’s getting longer by the second.
Best Beauty and Wellness Products During Ulta’s Gifting Event
- Best Microcurrent Device: NuFace Trinity+ Microcurrent Kit With LED Red Light Attachment
- Best Lymphatic Drainage Tool: Lifepro Rumblex 4D Vibration Plate Machine
- Best Red Light Mask: HigerDose Red Light Mask
- Best Cleansing Oil: Sekkisei Brightening Cleansing Oil
- Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin: Chanel La Solution 10 De Chanel Sensitive Skin Cream
- Best Sheet Mask: Dr. Althea Cushion Veil Calming Mask
- Best Exfoliating Body Lotion: AmLactin Calm and Renew AHA Body Lotion
Best Microcurrent Device
NuFace is one of the beauty tool brands that I swear by, and with consistent use, you will see results. This kit includes the microcurrent device, the conductor gel, an application brush, a moisturizer, and an LED attachment that turns the machine into a red light device. You will absolutely get your money's worth out of everything in this set, so you might as well save some money in the process.
Review: “The microcurrent attachment gives my face a subtle lift that I can actually see right after using it, especially around my jawline and cheeks. It feels like a gentle massage and is super easy to use. My skin looks more toned and sculpted with each use. Def keeping this in my routine for that long-term snatched look! It's the one you always see on TikTok for that instant sculpted look, and believe me, I didn't believe it until I tried it and I was SHOCKED. Absolutely obsessed. It's my new fave addition to my skincare/me time routine. Make sure to download the NuFACE app too; it walks you through exactly how to use it, and the guided routines are super easy to follow.” — Ulta
Best Lymphatic Drainage Tool
Our Senior Beauty Editor, Sam Holender, swears by her vibration plate, but she specifically told me that I need to get a curved one to help with digestion, bloating, aches, and pains, and even sore muscles. This one from Lifepro seems to fit the bill, so it is absolutely on my list of wellness gadgets to snag for the holiday season.
Review: “I bought this to improve circulation. I researched all the brands to find what I wanted. This is the best one out there. I chose the Rumblex because of the options it has and thought if I like it I will want to do more with it.” — Lifepro
Best Red Light Mask
There are only a handful of LED masks that I swear by, and HigherDose’s is one of them. Not only is it flexible and fits perfectly on my face, but it combines red and near-infrared LED lights that deeply penetrate the skin to address fine lines, wrinkles, and skin elasticity.
Review: “I've owned a few different light therapy masks, and this one is by FAR the best one I've tried yet! This one is a higher-priced option, but it's absolutely worth it because I noticed results after a week of using it. I use the 20-minute mode 3 times a week, and you can tell that my skin is so much smoother, glowy, and has truly helped fade my blemishes. Also, the fit is super comfortable! It actually lays perfectly on my face and is adjustable and weightless! If you want to see real results on your skin, you won't regret investing in this mask.”
Best Cleansing Oil
This is one of the better cleansing oil formulas I’ve tried, and I’ve gone through quite a few. Even with my sensitive, acne-prone skin, I’ve never broken out from using this formula, and it doesn’t leave any filmy residue after application. If you want a skin-barrier-friendly cleansing oil, pick this up.
Review: “Emulsifies so well, takes off all my makeup, and I even will occasionally use it in the morning to cleanse my skin.” — Ulta
Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin
I’m a massive fan of Chanel’s makeup products, but I haven’t ventured as much into the brand’s skincare line. I came across the brand’s aptly named La Solution 10 Sensitive Skin Cream, which contains only 10 ingredients, including glycerin, squalane, and shea butter extract. In short, it’s a moisture bomb in a bottle, and I foresee it becoming my go-to morning moisturizer very soon.
Review: “I tried the La Solution 10 de Chanel after experiencing a severe reaction to another brand of moisturizer I had been using for years. The simplified formula with just 10 ingredients drew me in. Not only did it help my skin recover, but it's never looked better. Sometimes less is more. I have mature dry skin, and this product offers plenty of hydration. This has been my go-to moisturizer for almost two years. I wish Chanel would expand their sensitive skin offerings because this product is really good.” — Ulta
Best Sheet Mask
As I’m writing this story, I’m only just now realizing how many Dr. Althea products I own. One of my favorites, however, is this calming mask that literally drenches my skin in moisture (seriously, there’s so much serum in this packaging). Like a traditional sheet mask, you apply it to your skin, leave it on for 15-20 minutes, and the post-application glow is otherworldly.
Review: “I love this mask; it hydrates my skin and reduces redness.” — Ulta
Best Exfoliating Body Lotion
I love a deliciously scented body product as much as the next person, but I do consider winter to be my treatment months. As such, I always incorporate more active ingredients below the neck, and this AHA body lotion from AmLactin will be in the rotation this season. I typically do exfoliating days about twice a week, and if you pick this up, do make sure to patch test and build up your tolerance instead of jumping into using it every day. Your skin barrier will thank you.
Review: “It's soothing and quite gentle. I felt like I could feel a difference between my skin before and after the lotion. I also love how it's dermatologist-recommended, so it makes me feel like I can safely use the product. Moreover, I have recommended it to my sister, and she has gladly used it as well!” — Ulta
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Ariel Wilson is the Beauty Writer at Marie Claire. Previously the associate beauty editor at PS, she also has bylines in InStyle, Forbes Vetted, Women's Health, and more.
Shaped by her experience in research, social sciences, and the non-profit sector, Ariel enjoys looking at beauty from a sociocultural lens, looking to avenues like politics, culture, and the arts, to inform her views on the space. That being said, as a true beauty-product obsessive, testing the latest items to hit the market, keeping up with trends, and meeting industry icons, will always be her favorite part of working in the beauty space.
When she's not working, Ariel can be found hanging out with her husband and loving on their two cat daughters: Cow and Chicken.