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The salon may have your favorite stylist, but your place has snacks, PJs, no awkward small talk, and most importantly, your wallet still full of cash.

As a resident writer on the BuzzFeed Shopping team, I can't believe that I get to search the internet to help you find the best, most unique, life-changing products for my job.

MainBasics is a small biz that sells beauty essentials.

Promising review: "Love the size and handle on this brush! Great brush for dry brushing your skin before you shower. It’s a stiff bristle, so if you’re a beginner, I wouldn’t recommend this. You shouldn’t apply much pressure with this brush, or you can cause micro tears/scratches. I’ve been doing it for years, so I love this brush as my skin can get really dry, and it’s hard to exfoliate. I get ingrown hairs on my legs and little bumps on my arms, so doing this daily before I hop in the shower is a game changer!" —Allie_does_hair

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (also available with massage nodes).

Seraphic Skincare is a small business that specializes in brushes, razors, and other personal care products. 

Head's up that you should start very gently, and that you really only need to use it two to four times a month to get good results without over-exfoliating and compromising your skin barrier. 

Promising review: "Not to be gross, but when I lightly use this on my dry skin, I can see the dry skin cells flying off! Great for cellular turnover. I use it on dry skin before showering and finish after shower with good moisturizing oil. Makes my legs feel soft and smooth. Don’t run too hard! Gentle strokes." —Juliet

"Color me converted. It's so disgusting that you want to look away, but morbid curiosity keeps making you turn back. That's really a 'you' creature at the bottom of the tub. You really sloughed off a second skin like a Lizard Person and have now emerged as a new person. One that will no longer trust brand-name products because they are a lie. Seriously. Buy this. You don't even know you need it, but you do. You really, really do." —Mandi Konesni

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six colors and in a pack of two). 

They estimate that your skin should start shedding between 6 and 11 days after application.

Dermora is a small biz that offers skincare solutions for your face and feet in the form of lip, eye, and foot masks.

Promising review: "Let me start off by saying this mask is absolutely amazing! My friend and I decided to split the pack of booties and have a girls' night in. We are amazed at the results we got from the booties. On day five, the magic started to happen. Our feet started to peel, and by days 10 and 12, we were both done peeling, and our feet were super soft!" —Yaara E.

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $15.18+ (available in two scents and in a pack of four).

Promising review: "This is the best nail polish I’ve ever used! I’m a nurse, so I wash my hands A LOT. Normally, I have to paint my nails every two days because they chip so easily. This polish lasted six days! Including two 12-hour shifts! Not a single chip! Plus, it goes on so nicely. Definitely would recommend." —Jenn Paulek

Get it from Amazon for $12.50 (also available in five other shades).  

Londontown is a small business that primarily sells nail care.

Promising review: "This refreshes my worn-out manicure very well. I apply this as a topcoat over my old manicure. It respreads and smooths out the polish and leaves it fresh and shiny. It's a bit pricey, but it does save me a lot of time and trouble not having to repolish my nails." —SoniaSophia

Promising review: "When I first saw this, I actually laughed at myself for even considering it. I put it on a 'maybe' wish list, and hubby ordered. We put in two batteries and easily set it up. Wow! The little light on the magnifying glass made it much easier to see my little toenails. Wish the magnifying glass were a bit bigger, but it’s good enough. The little fan is a fast little sucker! If they upgrade this product in the future, I’d hope they would put a cage around the blades. It won’t cut you if you get a finger in the blades, but you’ll feel it a little. I’ve painted my toenails more than I ever did before since it’s so much easier now." —ASConner

Promising review: "I am on my feet a lot, and I had two nails that had thickened to the point where I couldn't use the regular nail clippers anymore because they didn't open far enough. I had nail scissors, but they weren't nearly strong enough. I'm not going to lie — I was getting really self-conscious about them in addition to the fact that my shoes were getting more and more uncomfortable. I found these clippers and tried them out, and I couldn't believe how smoothly they cut through my super-thick nails. I thought I was going to have to apply a lot of pressure, but the blades just slid right through. One of the best purchases I've made in a while!" —Katie D.

Get it from Amazon for $8.49 (also available within three other sets).

You can use it on your legs, arms, underarms, and the bikini line, and it comes with a spatula for removing the cream!

Promising review: "I have been looking for a good hair removal for my sensitive skin, and this one is perfect. It has a great odor and leaves my skin feeling smooth and silky. It does not burn my skin at all, even when I leave it on for 15 minutes or more. This is definitely my new hair removal cream. I will recommend this one to everyone." —Crystal

The hype around this brush is something fierce, with more than 336,000 (!!!) 5-star ratings. 

Promising reviews: "I am a licensed cosmetologist of 30+ years, and I couldn’t be more pleased! Salon-perfect, shiny, bouncy blowouts! Dries and styles in one or two easy passes ( on damp hair) and provides maximum lift if I style it that way. Easily dries and styles large sections of hair, making this THE BEST hairstyling tool! Highly recommend! I use the low setting and cool blast. Surprised and very happy that I don't need med/high settings. Only caveat I have come across so far: the temp/speed setting is in an awkward place to be able to change it while using. Learning curve, I suppose. Otherwise, another GREAT styling tool from Revlon! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️" —ERJ

"This review is for all the Black women looking for a good blow dryer for their hair. I have 4C (mainly) natural hair and got tired of using the regular dryers because they made my arms tired. I have thick, long hair, so blow-drying takes forever for me. This blow-dryer was wonderful. I didn't even have to detangle before using it, and it dried my hair very nicely. I love it so much. My only complaint is it is bigger than I expected it to be. A little bulky, but I will get used to it. Overall, I am loving this hair dryer so far and am glad I made the investment." —Johniece Elbert

Get it from Amazon for $42.93+ (available in three styles).

Promising review: "I found this product through a BuzzFeed article for those with frizzy hair, and THIS PRODUCT DID NOT DISAPPOINT, PEOPLE! I put this serum through the wringer; I got this to stand up to Bay Area fog AND the nasty, humid heat wave we got a couple of weeks ago. No frizz, no extra curls. Nothing! On top of that, it made my hair super glossy. I'm very impressed. Heads-up, though, a little goes a long way. One pump is enough to cover my hair, and I have medium-length hair. Also, it can make your hair look oily if you use too much. I do have oily hair, so working on my ends first, then working to my roots, works for me." —Jazmine Carbajal

To learn more, check out our full write-up of this serum.

I own this and ***cannot stress enough*** how important it is to start with the ultra sensitive disc first and then work your way up to the more coarse discs. It is truly imperative that you heed this advice in order for this tool to give you the best results, as well as for you not to end up with some nasty burn scars. I love this and have definitely seen improvement in my skin's texture with consistent use. But just for context, I still use the ultra-sensitive discs, and I've been using this for months. The more coarse discs are recommended for other parts of your body, like hands and feet, where your skin is a little tougher. And then your face will def feel a lil' raw after doing it, so I also pair it with a face mask afterward to calm everything down.

Promising review: "This is an awesome upgrade in my skincare routine. I recently started paying more attention to my skin and finding ways to care for it. I decided to give this a try, and I am so glad that I did! I have very large pores, and that [has] been my main issue to overcome. Even within the first use with the softest head, I could already tell a visible difference. I can’t wait to see how much better my pores look [in] 12 weeks! I love that the system comes with very thorough instructions, and there is a video you can watch with all the info that you need. I would recommend doing this at night and hydrating well in case you experience any mild redness. I can tell that with consistent use, this is going to make a huge difference to my skin! I am so glad that the system comes with different Brush strengths for different types of skin. If you are looking to step up your skin care game, this is a very worthy investment, and I highly recommend it!" —Sab Ral

Get it from Amazon for $102 (available in seven colors).

This highly concentrated formula contains 96.3% snail secretion filtrate, which helps repair damage while moisturizing your skin.

Promising review: "Skincare game changer. I started using this two years ago, and this product has transformed my skin completely! I have dull, dry skin, and this helps hydrate and makes my complexion look healthy and hydrated. I use this under my moisturizer day and night." —Nhi Luu

Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (also available as a two-pack).  

Promising review: "Best home mani ever! Great quality, well-designed, love the colors. They are easy to apply and stay on better than any others I have tried. Great value!! Will buy more and highly recommend Chillhouse products! Obsessed!" —Joy McDonnell

Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (also available in 30 other styles).

Promising review: “If you use St. Tropez tan products or any fake tanner, do yourself a favor and try this. This stuff is AWESOME. Dries quickly, lasts longer, does NOT make your skin stinky, applies evenly, and you get a fair amount of product!! Other tanners I’ve used become VERY noticeable when they start fading. Gross hand lines, patchy white spots, etc., but not this stuff. The best one-hour tan I have ever used!” —Amazon Customer 

Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in six full size variations).

Check out a TikTok of the glow oil in action. And if you'd prefer to apply with a tanning mitt like the creator in the video, you can get one from Amazon for $5.99. 

Promising review: "I love this stuff. It’s super moisturizing and smells so good. The scent is vanilla cocoa and mixes well with other vanilla scents. It doesn’t leave a sticky feeling, and I love that it leaves skin glowy and shimmery. BUY!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $8.97. You can also check out Vaseline's radiant body oils and lotions for more options! 

Promising review: "I decided to try a lash lift kit to do it at home, since I wanted to save the cost of doing it in a salon. And the truth is that it was an excellent decision! The kit works 100 percent, achieving spectacular results. I loved the ease of use and how I could get raised and defined eyelashes without leaving home. I would definitely recommend it to those looking for an economical and effective alternative to enhance their look." —Roxana 

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three styles of sets). 

And then don't forget the mascara to really make them POP!

Promising review: "Amazing. It takes some time to get used to it, but I swear it works better than the traditional curler. Even better is how compact it is. Perfect for travel." —Lauren B. 

Promising review: "This little device has completely upgraded my skincare routine. It’s easy to use, feels very gentle on my skin, and helps my products absorb so much better. I love the different modes and how I can customize them depending on whether I want a soothing, relaxing treatment or something more lifting and firming. The design is sleek, lightweight, and comfortable to hold, and the battery life has been great so far. I’ve noticed that my skin looks smoother and more 'glowy' when I use it consistently. If you’re serious about skincare and want a tool that actually feels high-quality and effective, this is a fantastic buy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐" —Ana Julia

Most reviewers recommend doing this treatment once per week. 

Promising review: "Caught wind of this on TikTok and decided to give it a whirl. Honestly, it’s pretty solid! It really makes my skin look tight and shiny, like I just came out of a professional facial. It’s an overnight mask, so yeah, it does have to stay on for a while, which is a bit of a hassle, but the payoff? Totally worth it. My skin feels more elastic, and the pores look minimized, too. If you don’t mind the long wear time, this mask could be a game changer for your skincare routine!" —Nala

Get a set of four from Amazon for $19 (also available in a 16-pack and in three other variations).

Check out a TikTok of the plumping lip filler in action. 

Promising review: "I got this as an add-on last-minute because of the price. It's small, but wow, it's impactful. A little goes a long way, and you can feel it working instantly. There is a tingle, not quite a burn. I'd def use a bit at a time when starting, but it works great right away." —Bt2turntup

Promising review: "This stuff is magic. I am not kidding you; this is my first Amazon review ever. Just a few weeks ago, my nails were brittle and peeling, I always had my nails done, and they were pretty much destroyed… then I saw this on TikTok and decided to give it a try, and I legitimately have never had healthier nails in my life! If you’re thinking about buying this… buy it!" —Jocelyn Nackley

Promising review (wearing Smooth Neutral): "I AM OBSESSED with this nail system. My nails look better than they have in a long time. Lasts perfectly for about a week with heavy use of hands, which is the longest I’ve had a nail polish last. Looks like you have a subtle milky polish. The pictures are with two coats, look even better in person!" —Jennifer

Get it from Amazon for $19 (available in four shades).

This is designed to work on all hair types, with reviewers with 2b–4c curls mentioning it worked for them! 

Promising review: "I have tried everything on the market to fix my damaged, bleached hair that keeps breaking off. I stumbled across this hair treatment on TikTok. I had never heard of it before, but I decided to give it a try. I used it for the first time yesterday, and I couldn't believe how amazing it made my hair feel and look. It's sooo soft, shiny, bouncy, and nourished. My bleached rat's nest now looks and feels like hair again." —Eline

Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Elizavecca hair treatment for more deets!

Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says about it: "I started using one of these a few months ago and WOWZA, it really helps you get extra mileage out of your shampoo. I have a whole lot of hair on my head so sometimes it's a struggle to feel like I've soaped up my whole scalp thorough, but this was a very effective way to spread out the suds and really get them to the roots. I was worried it might tangle in my hair, but it was totally fine on that front, too. I've noticed that my hair has been a little less greasy at the roots since I started using it. And I'm echoing a ton of reviewers here when I say it just feels reeeeeally, really nice."

Promising review: "I saw this little thing all over TikTok and everyone swore by it. To be honest, they’re right and I now swear by it. It’s perfectly soft and sturdy to massage the scalp. Works shampoo into roots, helps with dry skin and such. I absolutely love it and I use it every time I wash my hair. I most definitely would recommend to anyone. Don’t hesitate." —Z

Get it from Amazon for $6.49+ (available in three colors).

Promising reviews: "I bought the hair oil from Gisou after reading numerous rave reviews and decided to give it a try. The oil turned out to be really good and definitely worth the money. It does an excellent job moisturizing my curly hair, leaving it soft, shiny, and manageable. I also use it for styling, and it helps define my curls beautifully without weighing them down. This oil has become a staple in our hair care routine, and I highly recommend it to anyone with curly or dry hair." —Alena Gold 

"I LOVE this. I have naturally straight hair, and this oil makes my hair look like I styled it in a salon. I put it on after shampooing my wet hair and continue to use it on dry hair throughout the week (I shampoo twice a week). My hair looks smooth and shiny. It's medium weight, so my hair doesn't end up looking oily, but ends up with zero frizz. I tried the Kerastase hair oil, and that one is more expensive but not as good as this one. Smells great. If anyone is curious, I also use Redken volume injection shampoo; it pairs well with this oil." —SG

Get it from Amazon for $25+ (available in two sizes).

The razor has two edges, a fine-toothed one for thin hair textures and a wider one for thicker hair textures. (FWIW, people also use this on their pets as a quick grooming solution!)

Promising review: "I recently got a pixie haircut. I was hesitant to get one based on the fact that I'd have to get frequent haircuts, the cost of which would add up quickly. I did some research on YouTube and found some videos using the tinkle hair cutter to trim hair in between salon visits. I LOVE this thing! It is easy to give a little trim or a drastic cut, both of which I have done since getting the tinkle cutter. I was very nervous to try it, fearing that I might mess up my hair so I just did a little bit first, but it was easy and only takes off small amounts of hair at a time, remember, I have a pixie cut — if you have long hair it will cut that off! Basically, all you have to do is comb your hair in the direction it grows until you're satisfied with the cut. Seven months post-pixie haircut, and I have only been to the salon once to have a re-shaping done of my hair. I will say that when the cutter feels like it's 'pulling' your hair, it's time to get new razors. I still prefer my pixie cut to be pretty short, and assuming I would have to go to the salon once a month for upkeep, I have saved $210 since having my hair cut. TOTALLY WORTH IT!" —brandi in louisiana

You can grab a pumice stone or foot file on Amazon! 

Promising review: "Best product I've ever got from Amazon. This thing is really what everyone said it is: MAGIC. I cannot believe that after one use, the results of my callouses, just years and years of pain, were shaved down without any surgical treatment! WOW! I seriously have no words. If I could give this product 1 million stars, I would. If you’re someone who’s had horrible calloused feet for years, PLEASE BUY THIS!" —Jess

Get it from Amazon for $7.98+ (available in three scents, in a pack of two, and a combo pack with a foot file).

Promising review: "Worked so well I took off too much dead skin! My feet look brand new! I’ve tried so many different files or pumice stones for feet and none work like this. A better callus remover than the most expensive pedicure one can buy." —Judy Ann Farris

Promising review: "I love to come home after a long day on my feet and just put my feet into this foot bath. Love the vibration. It feels so good. Highly recommended." —ziggy

You could even take it to the beach with you so you can wash off all that sand on your feet before you get into the car!

Promising review: "This is almost too cute to be a foot bath. I gave it to my mom as a gift, and she loves it! It's a good size and sturdy, and easily folds back up into a cute bag. I love the sunflower pattern, and the inside is a nice gray material. This is easy to use. It's a great stocking stuffer or start to creating a spa gift." —Olive

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two colors).

BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Negesti Kaudo uses this: "I got a facial a couple of years ago, and I could tell something was different about my extractions, so I asked the aesthetician to write down the name of the product. I went home and immediately bought this! I LOVE IT. I love it more than any other skincare tool that I own. This thing gets gunk out like nothing I've ever tried before, and the first time I used it, I was absolutely disgusted. But I kept on using it. I don't have much acne, but I do have oily combination skin and visibly clogged pores, so this has been a lifesaver when I don't have time to visit an aesthetician. You have to use it while your face is still wet, so after washing your face or even using toner, and you just start scraping. Make sure you have a paper towel near (and maybe a camera) because you will be amazed and disgusted all at once, but you will literally never stop using. I use mine every other day to once a week if I'm having skincare issues, but it also does a great job with monthly use (it's just much grosser)! I follow mine up with Clinique's Clarifying Lotion 3 and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel!"

Promising review: "Don't doubt it, a staple in skincare. I got this little device from a TikTok and decided to give it a try. I never knew I needed it until the first time I tried it. The vibrations magically bring up all the stubborn blackheads you can’t reach with just your fingers, especially if you have acrylics like me." —Paige Chaney

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three colors and in a waterproof version).

Promising review: "I bought another supposedly 'upgraded' name-brand tweezer from the drugstore that cost $18 retail but was absolute garbage; it would take 3–4 attempts to pull out a single hair, which was extremely frustrating. THIS tweezer is a GAME CHANGER of tweezers compared to all the other ones I've used! Never buying any other brand again, this is the one! It pulls out the tiniest fine hair on a single attempt and is very pleasant to hold and manipulate. It actually makes tweezing hair less painful because it does such a good job. Great price point for a tweezer and comes with a little protective cap to go over the blades, which is a nice touch." —Gummy-Worm

The kit comes with up to 30 applications! They do recommend doing a patch test 48 hours before use to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction.

If you don't already have an angled eyebrow brush for applying this, you can get a cheap dual-sided one here. 

Promising review: "This is the best eyebrow tint I’ve come across in my 33 years of life. There’s a learning curve to it, but once you get it, it’s fantastic! It lasts for a couple of weeks to a month, and there are so many uses in one package. I would say the first time to keep it on for 20–30 minutes, and then every time after do less. Since it’s henna, it stays in the hair forever, so it’ll just keep getting darker and darker until new eyebrow hairs grow in. PSA: The first time I did it, I thought it was turning my hair green, but I trusted the process, and no green! Definitely worth the purchase!" —Nikki

Get it from Amazon for $13.95+ (available in six shades: black, burgundy, dark brown, golden brown, medium brown, and light brown). 

The set includes seven colors and seven roller sizes, ranging from 0.31-inch to 0.78-inch widths. All are 7 inches long. The reviewer on the right (above) recommended using different sizes for a full look!

Reviewers with everything from stick-straight to type 4c curls swear by these! Use with wet hair and a blow-dryer for instant results. 

Promising review: "OMG I'm in love. I have used every type of hair curling device there is, from heat curling to old-school rollers. THIS is the easiest, most comfortable, most effective thing I’ve ever used. It couldn’t be easier to twist your hair around these rods, bend them in place, and come out of it with gorgeous curls. I don’t sleep on them. I put them in just slightly damp hair or use a bit of mousse. I keep them in for maybe an hour or less. I get the most beautiful curls. They relax a bit but last a couple of days. Throw out that damaging curling iron. Get these!" —Amazon Customer

Get a 47-pack from Amazon for $9.99+ (also available with a blow dryer attachment in three colors).

* Products That’ll Have Your Makeup Looking So Good, You’ll Have Everyone Begging You To Share Your Tips

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* Just 28 Beauty Products That Work So Well Reviewers Call Them “Remarkable”

* TikTok-Approved K-Beauty Products So Good, You’ll Repurchase Once You Run Out

* Warm Weather Has Arrived, So Here Are 27 Beauty Products That Reviewers Say Are Lightweight

Plus, new releases, mini-sized items, and finds from Amazon, Sephora, Tarte, and Ulta.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.