We’ve all been there. Walking around Target, hating your life, wanting to feel productive and turn your day around. Here is my list of the best products to buy at Target when you just need to spark some joy! These are all my opinions from my ~professional~ experience, so enjoy!
- Makeup
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Makeup makes me happy! What about you? There are a couple of different directions we could go with this one. The key things to look for are cheap, fun, and — like everything else on this list —unessential. Let’s go through the routes I personally take.
Blush: I LOVE blush! It makes me really happy and is like the one makeup category I can justify having 583,737 of. I recommend Milani Luminoso; it makes you GLOW.
Mascara: Now is the perfect time to try out that TikTok mascara you’ve been hearing about! Maybelline Sky High was my last bad-day makeup purchase, but a lash primer is a fun way to go on this kind of day.
Setting Spray: Completely non-essential, but completely crucial to the bad-day shopping experience. The last time I bought a setting spray from NYX, it was meh. I love the ones from Pixi and Milani, though! So go ham; you won’t regret it.
Self-Tanner: Nothing helps a bad mood like a good tan! I’m not an avid self-tanner, but sometimes a girl just needs some Jergens! Lmk if anyone has any other drugstore self-tanner recommendations, I’m all ears!
- Supplements
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Why do I buy supplements when I’m sad? I couldn’t tell you. It’s something about feeling healthier, as opposed to putting in any hard work to be healthier. Here are my recommendations.
Vitamin D: It’s the only supplement that my doctor claims works, and in New England we need it! Also, this vitamin should help to improve your mood.
Probiotics: All the podcasts I listen to claim probiotics are important! They also allegedly clear your skin.
Ashwagandha: My sister’s therapist recommended it! This should help reduce stress and anxiety.
Hair & nails: Glow-ups for everyone! I don’t know if I’ve ever seen results, but I mean…why not?
Immune support and/or energy blends: I truly doubt these work at all. But they can’t hurt!
Also!!! The best bad-day brand to buy these is Olly’s. I don’t know if they are any better than anyone else, but they have happy packaging.
- Drinks
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Just a little pick me up! Skip the Starbucks line and try these.
Yerba Mate: They don’t always have these, but a tasty can of green tea that has a ton of caffeine? Sign me up! For some reason these have a lot of sugar in them, but shhh it’s fine.
Kombucha: These don’t even taste that good! But they’re allegedly good for your gut so again, it’s the illusion of being healthy that helps with my bad days. Health-Ade is my favorite brand.
Coffee: Cheaper than your Starbucks drink! I usually try to look for dairy-free options (again, to feel healthy).
Seltzer: I personally don’t like seltzer, but if you do, now is the time!
- This random glass cup
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This cup solved a problem in my life I didn’t know I had. And it’s on sale! Run, don’t walk.
- Hippeas
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The only snack worth buying. If you haven’t tried them, you’re missing out.
- Nail polish
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I usually go for Essie, but anything works. Colors definitely help spark joy.
- Candles
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No specific recommendations here, but you can cultivate a vibe with any of these when you get home that will definitely get you out of your funk.
- Clorox wipes
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The COVID mindset in me will always check to see if they have these in stock.
- Natural deoderant
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Do good, feel good; am I right? I recommend Native. It actually works!
- Jewelry
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Cheap, trendy jewelry. Pop off!!
- Fashion
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It wouldn’t be a random Target trip without walking past the fashion and wondering if you should buy any of it. I would recommend this PJ set, it’s so cute and pretty affordable! They also have a lot of cute sets, so definitely take a peek.
- Pens
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As a professional journaler, I know a good pen when I see one. Go with a classic ballpoint or some new Sharpies if you’re really in the mood to splurge!
While retail therapy, in my experience, never works, sometimes we all need a quick Target trip to get out of the house and get out of a bad mindset. Here are just a couple of my favorites to pick and chose from whenever you’re in that situation!