Payday just landed at the same time as every summer sale: here's what's worth it
Payday hitting at the same time as half the internet's summer sales going off? That's not a coincidence, that's the universe telling you something.
You've survived the last two weeks on vibes and your overdraft, and now it's time for the age-old ritual: opening way too many tabs, adding things to basket, and telling yourself the discount codes make it basically free.
As we hit peak summer we're keeping it simple, a beauty refresh on empties and jewellery pieces worth the treat-yourself tag, because you don't need to overhaul your whole life to feel like you've won payday. Here's what's actually worth spending on before the good stuff sells out.
SHOP: Ultra Violette Disco Queen SPF 50 Luminous Body Oil, WAS £38, NOW £34.20
If SPF isn’t on the top of your shopping list to re-up on then you’re not wearing it enough. So here’s a fun spin on SPF that will protect you and also give you a golden glisten. The Ultra Violette Disco Queen Body Oil doubles as a high-factor 50 sunscreen and is infused with almond oil, coconut oil and vitamin E to hydrate skin, perfect for wedding season and beach holidays available at Boots.
SHOP: Sol de Janeiro Jet Set Travel Shower Kit, WAS £30, NOW £24
Sol de Janeiro Jet Set
This travel kit from Sol de Janeiro is so handy, that I now use the case as the perfect handbag size for emergency bits like painkillers, period products, electrolyte sachets, my Loop earplugs, and plasters. The scents are so recognisable now that they scream summer in a bottle, the Delicia Drench body butter however is on another level so make sure you get this while it’s on offer.
SHOP: Estée Lauder Futurist SkinTint Serum Foundation, WAS £49, NOW £36.75
This summer weather is really putting our make-up to the test, and with another heatwave on its way a lighter base is certainly on the cards. Not to mention that with the sun, despite wearing SPF, will turn your skin a slightly different shade so we’re going to take advantage of Debenhams summer sale and switch to a lighter foundation. Celebrity make-up artist told Tyla, to swap heavy bases for a skin tint. We’ve heard good things about Estée Lauder Futurist SkinTint Serum Foundation which also has SPF 20.
SHOP: Fenty Beauty Eau de Parfum, WAS £65, NOW £37.95
There’s never a better time to test out a new fragrance than in summer, you’re more social and let’s face it you need to mask any sign of sweaty pits with a spritz of something that will make people walk by and want to know who smells that damn good. Allbeauty has a fragrance sale at the moment, and we’ve got our hearts set on smelling like Rihanna. The Fenty Beauty signature fragrance is spicy and sweet with a soft amber warmth that will take you from day to night.
SHOP: The K-beauty edit, £40, worth £115
Advert
We’ve all become a little obsessed with Biodance collage sheet masks and PDRN serums, so what if we told you about Look Fantastic’s K-beauty edit that features the viral faves along with some really other impressive korean brands like Anua, Beauty of Josen and Haruharu. If you’re unsure of what will work for you the beauty edits can save you a lot of money and then you can restock on your fave.
SHOP: Vichy Deodorant 96H Clinical Control Anti-Perspirant Roll-On, WAS £10.50, NOW £6.75
Maybe not so much a treat but a necessity. I haven’t scrolled more than three posts on my feed recently without someone popping up to declare how good this Vichy anti-perspirant is. Yes I was influenced, yes I bought it, and yes it is that good. I tend to use it for my face under extreme heat it really helps my make up stay put and reduces that melted appearance.
SHOP: Huda Beauty Baby Bake Mini Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder, WAS £20, NOW £17
In keeping with the theme of heatwave protection and sweat prevention, it’s never been a better time to stock up on setting powder, with payday here I’m adding mini versions to my travel kit just so I’m never without. We’re fans of Huda Beauty’s Easy Bake as well as Laura Mercier’s translucent loose powder, which lasts for ages.
Abbott Lyon Mini Tennis Chain Bracelet, WAS £49, NOW £39.20 (with 20% discount code)
Who doesn’t love a little gold jewellery moment for the summer, we simply can’t say no to this chic ultra slim tennis bracelet by Abbott Lyon. They’ve got two discount codes for shoppers at the moment, either two for one, or 20 percent off both sitewide for a limited time. I’ve got my eye on a necklace from the Birthstone Kinetic Pavé necklace which you can personalise with your birthstone and any other that takes your fancy.
Where are the best summer sales to shop?
Honestly, they're everywhere right now, which is either great news or very bad news for your bank balance, depending on how you look at it.
Beauty retailers tend to have some of the strongest reductions this time of year, especially on skincare and haircare bundles, so it's worth checking your usual go-tos before you buy anything at full price. Jewellery brands also tend to run summer promotions alongside seasonal collections, so keep an eye out if there's a piece you've been eyeing for a while.
Allbeauty: Up to 55% off payday savings
Lookfantastic: Up to 30% off payday sale on selected beauty
Abbott Lyon: 2 for 1 or 20% off sitewide
John Lewis: Up to 20% off selected beauty
Debenhams: Up to 80% off summer sale
Our advice: don't just buy the first discount you see, a bit of tab-hopping goes a long way in finding the version that's actually worth it.
And that's your payday sorted, a little glow-up, a couple of pieces you'll actually reach for, and zero regrets (well, minimal).
Whether you're going all in on the beauty bits or just eyeing up one piece of jewellery to make the month feel like something, you've earned it. Same time next month?
Natalie Corner