The Dates for Amazon Prime Day 2020 Have Been Announced

If you consider yourself an especially savvy shopper who loves a good sale, you know just how big of a deal Amazon Prime Day 2020 is. In fact, before the epic blowout even begins, you probably have a plan of attack ready to go so you don't miss out on any major deals. You're also the person all of your family members and friends ask for the best Amazon Prime Day deals and what's actually worth picking up (i.e. fewer impulse purchases, more practical items). We get it: We fall into that category, too.

Buzz is building all over the internet about Amazon Prime Day, the megaretailer's biggest day of the year (which very well may be the all-around busiest day of 2020 for online shopping, too). To make sure you don't miss a single deal, steal, or discount, we've got you covered with a head-to-toe, A-to-Z guide to Prime Day, including the date it starts, how to shop it, and what offers you can expect.

What is Amazon Prime Day?

In simple terms, Amazon Prime Day is a marathon of deals that lasts 48 hours. The sales span all categories, including beauty, apparel, kitchen/dining, electronics, and more — and the discounts are deep. There's truly no better time to shop for your essentials and wishlist items than during Prime Day because chances are, they'll be on sale at one time or another (more on "lightning deals" later). Consider this your guide to all things Amazon Prime Day, so read on to find out how to best prepare yourself to shop quickly and strategically.

Even though you can sign up for Amazon Prime at any time leading up to when the biggest deals are live, now is probably the best time to do so, because only Prime members have access to all these money-saving steals. All you have to do is head over to Amazon to sign up.

If you're hesitant about committing to a membership, you're in luck: Amazon also offers 30-day free trials, as well as six-month free trials for students. 

When is Amazon Prime Day 2020?

Amazon has officially announced that Prime Day 2020 will start on Tuesday, October 13 at 12 a.m. ET and goes through Wednesday, October 14 — so mark your calendars right now for the 48-hour shopping marathon. If you're not inclined to start shopping in the early hours of October 13, be sure to set an early morning alarm so you don't miss out on too much of the action.

Even though the sale lasts two full days, some of the best deals are bound to sell out quickly on the first day, so don't wait too long to buy. We'll be sure to keep you all updated with details so you can snag all your favorite beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and baby products at discounted prices.

What are lightning deals, and how can I shop them?

Lightning deals are limited-time offers that usually last a few hours and have a limited supply available. In fact, there's a live countdown timer that shows how much time you have left and what percentage of each deal has already been claimed by fellow shoppers. Lightning deals are actually available 30 minutes before they officially go live for Prime members, so there's yet another reason to sign up for an account.

You can view upcoming deals on your desktop or in the Amazon app (iOS, Android) 24 hours before they go live, and you can also click "Watch this Deal" and receive push notifications on your phone when a deal is starting. In any case, there's no such thing as being overly prepared.

How can I prepare for Prime Day shopping?

To recap, here are some simple steps to ensure that your Amazon Prime Day experience is the best it can be.

Step 1: Make sure you sign up for Amazon Prime. It's very easy. And remember: You can still shop Prime Day on a free trial.

Step 2: Download the Amazon App to track the deals, and even view them before they're live. 

Step 3: Read through the Prime Day Insider Guide in order to make sure you're fully prepared. The guide will let you know the ins and outs of what kind of deals you can expect (including brand-new product launches) and how to make the most of your time.

Step 4: Stretch and hydrate. (I mean, it's always a good idea to do both, but that's especially true since this year's sale runs for 48 hours.)

Step 5: Shop your heart out. And don't forget to make a list and stock up on bulk items. Remember that it's only a good deal if you were already planning on buying it. Otherwise, you're just spending unnecessary money.

In the meantime, keep an eye on Amazon's Prime Day landing page for more details on the epic sale, and be sure to sign up for an Amazon Prime account to get yourself ready to shop an endless stream of deals. And of course, bookmark this page to refer back to throughout the sale. We have a feeling that, despite the oddity of a year we've been through, all signs point to 2020 being the best Amazon Prime Day yet.

Anticipated early deals for Amazon Prime Day 2020

In the days leading up to the sale, Amazon typically teases some of the Prime Day deals with some sneak peek sales, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to pick out your must-have products ahead of time. And there's likely going to be quite a variety if the previous Amazon Prime Day's early deals were any indication. 

Right now, Prime members can snag discounts on Amazon devices like two Echo Dots for $40 (down from $50 each) or save up to 40 percent on daily essentials. We'll keep you posted on more early deals as they are announced.

Our favorite early deals in the past include beauty and self-care products from Proactiv, Undone Beauty, Freeman, No B.S., 3INA, and Art of Sport. Obviously, we'll update you the moment we get more specific information about this year's deals — especially in the beauty category. But for now, bookmark Allure's Amazon Prime Day coverage and our Amazon storefront to stay up to date on all the best deals during those precious hours.

Some of the standout deals from 2019 included 59 percent off a set of the Best of Beauty-winning Crest Whitestrips, 30 percent off Olaplex No. 3 to revive damaged hair, and 25 percent off a John Frieda Hot Air Brush for the ultimate at-home blowout. Expect similar steals, but whatever the deals for this year may be, you're going to want to shop them early. Many of the most deeply discounted deals sell out within hours.

Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 Repairing Treatment

Crest 3D White Whitestrips Kit

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

John Frieda Hot Air Brush

Supergoop City Serum Sunscreen

Colorescience Even Up Clinical Pigment Perfector

Check out our coverage from previous years to get a head-start on planning, and then check back here on October 13 for updated sale roundups when Prime Day starts:

  • 16 Beauty Essentials You Should Shop During Amazon Prime Day

  • The Best Hair Dryers to Shop During Amazon Prime Day

  • Electric Toothbrushes Are One of the Best Amazon Prime Day Deals This Year

  • The Best Luxury Beauty Product Deals for Amazon Prime Day

One of our favorite deals from Prime Days past: electric toothbrushes.

How does COVID-19 impact Amazon Prime Day?

For one, it's not taking place in the summer this year (since 2015, the year of its inception, Prime Day has been in July). The pandemic has strained many businesses, to say the least, and even Amazon hasn't been immune to its effects. The giant e-retailer temporarily limited their warehouses to essential items at the start of the U.S. outbreak, so it makes sense that they postponed Prime Day. 

On a positive note, a press release states that Amazon is increasing its commitment to the platform's small businesses with a big promotion: Starting today through October 12, Amazon will offer Prime members a $10 credit to use on Prime Day when members spend $10 on items sold by select small businesses in Amazon’s store. During Prime Day and throughout the holiday season, Amazon will also spend more than $100 million on "new promotional activities" to increase visibility, reach new customers, and boost sales for small businesses around the world.

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