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If you’re planning on being outside this summer (it me), make sure you check out this post.

I am a "Judy" of all trades who writes about pretty much everything, but specializes in sexual wellness, personal care, plus-size fashion, maximalist home goods, and gnarly before and after pics!

Plus, Amazon Prime Day is coming! From July 23rd through July 26th, we'll be wading through the mountains of bargains for you to find some of the best deals in every category. For *now*, we're finding the best pre-Prime Day deals and reminding you to sign up for a Prime membership so you can take advantage of the sale!

Promising reviews: "I get so many compliments on this shade! ILNP is easily on par with luxury brands at double the price, and ILNP has any color imaginable!! I used a bonding base coat, two coats of this color, and a shiny topcoat. If I were easier with my hands, I would definitely get 10+ days without a chip! Also, the brush is one of the best I have used, and the formula is quite forgiving if you need to pull the brush a couple of times over when too much paint has been applied. Dries quickly for a nonquick drying formula, even with the base, two coats, and the topcoat! I love ILNP's sparkle formulas, and this is my first creme from them, and I'm a fan for life!!" —LD

"As a chronic fidgeter, I typically can get up to three days out of painting my fingernails before I scratch or crack some off. I didn’t even use a base coat, and on day three, I’m still not ready for a touch-up. I rarely leave reviews, but I’ve never had a “favorite nail polish brand” until now." —Emily D

Price: $10+ (available in hundreds of shades and packs of two and four)

Promising review: "I always have my Kindle Paperwhite with me when traveling or just sitting at the beach to read. Recently, we traveled to a tropical wedding destination. I was sitting by the pool reading when my daughter's boyfriend sat down with his book and said he was almost finished. He was complaining that he wanted to bring more, but they would be too heavy. I showed him my Kindle and said that I loaded five books into it for the trip. He was very interested and amazed after I let him play with it. So now, he's getting one for Christmas." —Steve M.

Price: $159.99+ (available in three colors, with or without lock screen ads, and with or without three months of Kindle Unlimited; also available in a kid's version)

Promising review: "They arrive ready to go. I didn't realize they came with side trays, so that was a very happy surprise for me. We spend the evening outside with friends, very comfortably in our new chairs. They're good quality, seem sturdy, and I'm excited to sit outside a little more often because I have a comfy chair to do it in." —Elly

Price: $84.99+ (available in 48 colors/prints)

Home Grown is a small business that sells heirloom seeds.

Promising review: "I planted them a few months ago, thinking that I could fit the entire bag in one little flower bed. I definitely fit the whole bag in, and these flowers grew to about three feet tall. Next year, I'm definitely going to space it out a little bit more, but it was amazing to see a dense, lush field of zinnias, and the bumblebees absolutely loved them. I frequently would find them taking a nap on top of the flower heads. Great addition to a pollination bed. Water at least every other day to keep them happy if it's not raining there. You will be amazed by how well they do." —Victoria

Price: $7.99 (also available in dozens of other flower varieties)

Just FYI, reviewers report it leaves a white cast, so if you have darker skin (or care about your sunscreen's finish), this may not be the best option for you. Also, several reviewers say it works great as a makeup primer!

Promising reviews: "I’ve been using the Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen, and it’s become a staple in my routine. As someone with sensitive skin, I really appreciate that it’s fragrance free and uses zinc oxide, providing great protection without causing any irritation or breakouts. It goes on smoothly, isn't overly greasy, and the water-resistance holds up well for outdoor activities. The smart cap technology is a nice touch, too. Highly recommended if you’re looking for effective, non-irritating sun protection." —Jeff S.

"You really have to rub it in for a long time to remove all the white streaks, but it works great. I was at a five-hour event in the sun. I lathered on a fairly thick layer at the beginning of the day, and completely forgot to reapply. As a person who burns easily, I can say I was impressed that I barely even got a tan after so many hours." —Joe

Price: $9.99+ (available in two sizes, also available in a stick formula and multi-packs)

Promising review: "I recently purchased this, and I'm impressed with the quality and comfort. The sheets are soft, breathable, and feel luxurious against the skin. The deep pockets ensure a snug fit on my mattress, and the set includes everything needed for a well-dressed bed. Plus, they held up well after washing. Overall, a fantastic value for the price, providing a cozy and stylish addition to my bedroom." —Harry

Price: $22.99+ (available in 10 sizes/styles and 45 colors/prints)

Promising reviews: "These are my absolute favorite pants. They are soft, stretchy, and feel great. They look high-quality and fit so well with my work shirts. And did I mention how comfortable they are? I’ll be purchasing these same pants in other colors." —Irma Ramirez

"I love these pants! They are so soft and comfortable and very versatile. I originally bought them for vacation and wore them all day, every day, for both a casual look (with tennis shoes) and a more dressed-up look (with sandals). Since returning from vacation, I continue to wear them for all occasions. They are now my go-to pants. The wide leg is perfect without appearing frumpy, and they come in many lengths and colors. They wash well and dry quickly when hanging. I will definitely be buying more!" —Jill Jones

Price: $34.99+ (available in women's sizes XXS–3XL, five inseam lengths, and 40 colors/prints)

Promising review: "I’m on my second bottle of this stuff. The Vanilla Skin is all I wear now. I have gotten SO many compliments on this stuff. One girl at a store I go to every morning says she’s got hers in her Amazon cart, waiting to get paid. Another three girls at work also purchased it because they LOVE how it smells. My co-workers are ALWAYS commenting on how great it smells when I show up to work. It’s my go-to body spray!!" —Jana

Price: $26+ (available in two sizes and 18 scents)

FYI, this works product is recommended for use on pre-lightened hair, but this reviewer with dark hair says it's worked for them, too!

Promising review: "Love it! The product smells fantastic and is easy to apply. I have fairly long hair, and one bottle was more than enough. I had previously balayaged my hair about six months ago, and the color took very well to the highlights I had put in. It came out darker where my natural brown is and much brighter (pinkish burgundy) where it was previously bleached." —Rebecca

Price: $11.98+ (available in three sizes, 27 colors, and multi-packs)

Promising reviews: "BEST SHOES! Walked 86 miles in these shoes! No blisters! Super cute and fashionable, but also comfortable!" —JP

"These New Balances are lightweight and comfortable. The toe bed has ample enough room so that it does not feel like your toes are being squished. I got a neutral color because I wanted them to go with anything, but they have many other colors to choose from. They are very stylish... I feel you can wear these with leggings, shorts, or a sporty casual skirt. They appear durable enough to work out in." —LEE CEE DEE

Price: $64.99+ (available in women's sizes 5–16, including select wide sizes, and a variety of colors).

Promising reviews: "A household staple that I'm never without! Been using these for years. Not only do they work great on household messes, but they have a fresh/clean scent that I love. There are so many uses for these — just think outside of the box, and you'll start using them on everything; indoors and out!" —G

"Absolutely love these wipes! I care for my disabled granddaughter and try so hard to keep her from getting sick... I use them all the time on everything. Great to keep outside to use on my patio table too!!" —Elizabeth Sherman

Price: $11.11+ (available in two scent varieties)

Promising reviews: "Set up is foolproof. Charges quickly. Zaps lots of bugs! It has survived several rainstorms already." —Jacqueline L Graves

"Shockingly enough, this bug zapper is incredible. It is very effective. It is good-looking. Can we put it anywhere? Great size, good enough to kill lots of bugs, and the noise levels are pretty fantastic. Love it. Absolutely, just love this. I don’t need a plug; I can just put it anywhere. I need it. It’s great. I’ll buy more. I have had no problems with it. It’s been super durable. The cat thinks it’s awesome." —Amazon Customer

Price: $79.99+ (available in six colors)

Promising reviews: "Decided to give this a try based on other reviews, and this product ACTUALLY works. I have struggled with acne for years. My face (specifically my cheeks) has noticeably smaller pores. The instructions say it can be applied to a dry face for a mask or to a wet face. I do both, and my skin truly feels soft afterward. A product worth trying and a cleanser I will keep ordering." —A

"I am on week two and so far so good. I have noticed the smoothness in my skin and could see a little difference in my pores. Still, those are good results for just two weeks. I enjoy using it as a cleanser, but it did leave a slight white cast on my face. Skin felt clean, but it just left that on my skin after. Once I apply a moisturizer, my skin looks great. When I use it as a mask, I notice the most results. Also to add: it didn’t leave my skin tight and dry afterward and has no fragrance." —Chateonna Boyd

Price: $17.99 (also available in another formula and two-packs)

OH, and they are water resistant, so you don't have to worry about your sweat messing them up when you're outside using them this summer!

Promising review: "Let me tell you… I recommended these to everyone I know. I was put onto these by my doctor since I have considerable hearing loss in my right ear and mild hearing loss on the left. Hearing aids are very, very expensive, and she told me about these having hearing aid abilities and can perform hearing tests, etc. These are fantastic. I heard my 14-year-old back-talking his mother under his breath for the first time ever, from the other room… I could hear my youngest son sneaking snacks in the kitchen from the bathroom, and I could hear birds chirping outside, the wind chimes chiming in the spring breeze. I am dumbfounded at how much I can actually hear now...

Besides the hearing aid capabilities, the sound dampening is top-notch. When my kids won’t stop calling my name, I just tap the button, and off into peace and quiet I go. I can connect them to my TV and watch for hours, listen to music all day long, and I recommended my neighbor buy a pair, and with the translation capabilities, he and I can now argue about our property line and then drink an ice cold brewski together and understand each other since he speaks Spanish... I LOVE these headphones." —Amazon Customer

Promising review: "I'm very happy with this purchase. I wasn't sure if I wanted a camera or to save a few bucks and just get an old school mirror. Now that I've been using this camera for about a week, I'm definitely happy I spent a little extra on it. It's much easier and safer to just look at the camera in front of me rather than turning around to see a mirror or trying to look in the rear-view mirror to see the baby in his own mirror. The resolution is great, I can see my baby clearly in the day or at night. Setup was super easy, with plenty of cord length to reach where you need them and enough to hide the wires however you want under floor mats or behind panels. The components are very sturdy when mounted, so I haven't noticed any camera bouncing or instability. Also, there is a menu to fine-tune picture quality, brightness, tint, saturation, etc., although it isn't really necessary since the picture quality is perfectly fine straight out of the box. Once again, I'm very happy I chose to spend just a few extra dollars to go with the camera instead of a baby mirror." —J. Newhouse

Promising reviews: "This dress exceeded every expectation. It’s beautiful and could fit a wide variety of figures thanks to its bust and adjustable straps. The length is generous. The fabric is rich and luxe, and honestly, this is way better than the price." —D Middleton

"This dress is absolutely gorgeous and perfect for summer! The lace floral embroidery gives it a delicate, bohemian touch, while the flowy A-line design makes it super comfortable and nice looking on the body. The fabric feels light and breathable — ideal for beach days, vacations, or casual outings. It moves beautifully when you walk and gives that effortless, elegant look. Overall, a lovely maxi dress that combines comfort and style perfectly. Definitely a great addition to any summer wardrobe!" —Jesary

Price: $59.99 (available in women's sizes S–XL and seven colors)

Promising reviews: "I’ve had these for a few weeks and love them for my mini soda cans. Makes a sweet treat more fun! The design is as shown. Washing them is easy, and they have been durable so far. Would order again if needed, but it feels like these will last!" —Amber

"Love these! The color and quality are phenomenal! I enjoy using these in the office or during business meetings to add a touch of class to my everyday drink cups! Hopefully, this company will add plain colors or additional sophisticated patterns in the future!" —Tia

Promising review: "I have had these since May 2021, and I absolutely love them! I have a solid wall of floor-to-ceiling windows in my bedroom, and they block out 100% of the light. Not only do they block the light, but living in northern Wisconsin, they block the cold too." —Erin

Price: $27.16+ (available in a variety of sizes and dozens of colors)

BTW, the brand recommends purchasing the $10 Aura sizing kit to make sure you get the ring that fits! And then, after purchasing, you'll receive a $10 credit on the actual ring.

Promising reviews: "Prepare to know everything. I ordered the kit first to make sure I sized it correctly and have zero regrets. It fits nicely, and the insights it gives have helped me to make small adjustments in my daily life. Improved sleep patterns from the insights it has provided, stress and heart rate monitoring, and I was even able to connect it to my constant glucose meter for even more insights into how my activity and food are affecting my glucose levels. I scan my meals in the app for nutrition feedback, and the get up and start moving messages have been effective in getting me more active as well. I have raved so much about it that two coworkers have bought one and love it too." —Nisha

"Even though it’s a bit bulky, I honestly don’t notice it once it’s on. The data is very impressive. What stood out to me most was the early warning aspect. For about two days before I had any obvious symptoms, the ring kept showing messages about something straining my body. At the time, I felt mostly fine, but the data clearly showed my body wasn’t recovering the way it normally does. A couple of days later, symptoms surfaced, and I ended up in the ER. Looking back, it was surprisingly accurate and eye-opening. It’s also compatible with the glucose tracker Stelo, which you can order directly through the Oura app. The integration is straightforward. I definitely recommend sizing before you buy, as comfort really matters with a ring you wear 24/7." —Elena B

Price: $349+ (available in sizes 4-15 and a variety of colors)

While installation is a snap, make sure to purchase the necessary hardware for set-up here!

Promising review: "This shade sail has been a great addition to our backyard. The fabric feels strong and well-made, and it blocks the sun effectively without making the space feel dark or stuffy. The butter cream color looks clean and bright, and it blends in nicely with the patio area. Installation was straightforward as long as you have secure anchor points, but you do need to make sure it’s pulled very tight so it doesn’t droop when it rains. Once it’s set up, it provides a lot of shade and stays in place even on breezy days. It’s held up well so far and has made our outdoor space much more comfortable during hot afternoons. Definitely worth it if you want an affordable, sturdy shade solution." —Eli

Price: $29.99+ (available in dozens of sizes, 13 colors, and in a waterproof style)

Promising review: "Dermoplast has become one of those products I always keep in my medicine cabinet. The spray format is incredibly convenient — no rubbing, no mess, and no stinging when it goes on. It gives fast relief for minor cuts, burns, scrapes, and even bug bites, which makes it a great all‑around first‑aid essential. The cooling, numbing effect kicks in quickly and really helps take the edge off pain and irritation. I especially appreciate it for kitchen burns and summer bug bites. It dries fast, doesn’t leave a sticky residue, and the bottle is small enough to toss into a bag or keep in the car." —Mark O'Connell

Price: $7.74 (also available in a two-pack)

Promising reviews: "Wonderful summer skirt. Really a nice three-season skirt. The material is wonderful. It is kind of sheer (but well-lined) and lightweight. Looks good with a number of tops." —LHE

"This skirt is so pretty and flowy, and it actually fits me as long as I wear it high-waisted. The material is not see-through due to an extra slip underneath that comes sewn in. The material is breathable. But it does wrinkle rather easily. But that’s okay. It’s one of those things where it looks like it’s supposed to be that way! I think the skirt will be super versatile this summer!" —Meghan

Price: $34.99+ (available in women's sizes S–3XL and 54 colors/prints)

And yes, the planter box even has drainage holes!

Promising reviews: "I love my solar lantern flower/plant stand. It’s very pretty and sturdy. I like that the solar lamp is glass and not plastic. It gives off a lot of light at night. Just wish the planter part was either a little bigger or made round instead of square, so an already potted flower basket would have fit nicely in there, other than that I am very happy with my purchase." —Cathy

"These solar lamp posts are great quality: absolutely gorgeous, very bright, worth the price, the size is great, easy to assemble, and so far the solar part of it has been great as well! I bought four of them, and I’m very happy with them!" —VC

Price: $55.99 (available in three styles)

The integrated hood protects the griddle when not in use, but one reviewer reports it also makes the griddle more versatile for cooking, such as smoking, roasting, and baking.

Promising review: "Easy to assemble. So easy to maintain and keep clean. Food smells great when cooking. While the griddle temperature can get up there, it is not hot enough to sear thin steaks without overcooking them. Great for cooking many dishes at once. I recommend buying the Blackstone griddle set, as it comes with everything you need to cook on it. Adiós to my old conventional barbecue grill." —derek mccandless

Price: $285.69+ (available with or without hood)

Promising review: "I bought the medium and loved my tan. It looks very natural, not fake, not orange. I especially like how smooth and easy it goes on; best of all, it leaves no streaks. I love the nourished tan glow. Best tanning lotion I’ve tried. I’m a medium skin-toned blonde, and the medium to dark worked well on me." —vivian starbuck

Promising reviews: "This patriotic glitter gel was the perfect finishing touch for our Fourth of July looks! It has just the right amount of sparkle with vibrant red, white, and blue glitter that really pops in the sunlight. We used it on cheeks, shoulders, and even in our hair—so fun and festive! The gel goes on smoothly, dries quickly, and stays put without feeling sticky or heavy. It didn’t flake off or make a mess, which was a huge plus. Also, it washed off easily with just soap and water. Perfect for parades, parties, and fireworks — this stuff brought the sparkle and the spirit! Highly recommend for anyone wanting a bold and glittery patriotic vibe." —Mike Torgerson

"Yo. This stuff is amazing. It glides on so well, sticks to you all day and night. It’s very pretty and worked well for an American-themed party. The glitter stick was good for covering almost two whole bodies. The BEST part is that it comes off the skin pretty easily when you soap up and use a loofa. Still finding it throughout my house though, it’s the gift that keeps giving." —Beth Skelly

Price: $9.98 (also available in 11 other colors/styles)

It is also compatible with an app for customized lighting, scheduling, timers, and more.

Promising reviews: "I love these. I bought three of them, and they work with my Alexa. I like that I can change the colors and set a timer. Gives my living room a great ambiance and blends in so they're not noticeable during the daytime. Love these lamps." —Nikki Jackson

"I ordered this back in December, and honestly, it's been a fantastic addition to my space. I actually ordered three more! The best part is how minimalist it is. It tucks perfectly into the corner without taking up any real floor space, and the sleek design looks clean even when the light is off... The lighting itself is super impressive. It gets surprisingly bright at 1,000 lumens, and the colors are incredibly rich and vibrant. The app gives you a ton of different dynamic scenes and customization options to play around with, but my favorite thing is just being able to use voice commands to easily turn it on and off from the couch. The music sync feature is also a really fun touch for when you have company over or want to change up the energy in the room. If you're on the fence about getting one or looking for an easy way to change a room's vibe, just do it. It works flawlessly, the app is great, and it looks amazing. Highly recommend!" —Jared Perkins

Price: $69.99+ (available in four colors)

Promising reviews: "This curling iron is the best I’ve ever had. It is so easy to use. My tweens love it because it is so easy to use, and you don’t risk getting burnt like with a regular curling iron. It heats up fast once you plug it in, and it’s ready to use very quickly. There are three different heat functions. You just put your hair in the slot and press the button. Then it beeps to let you know it's time to take your hair out. Then voila, perfect curls! Doesn’t take as long as a typical curling iron. Also has a nice safety feature (along with the burn protection) that it stops if your hair starts to get tangled... This is just the perfect curling iron for kids and adults." —Lilo

"Great tool for styling wigs! Gives the units a fresh new look, keeps the hair soft, and the curls last. Heats up super-fast, auto shutoff after 10 minutes for safety, lightweight, easy to use, durable, and the perfect size! Fits your hand and is easy to use. Highly recommend!!" —Nicole

Price: $56.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors)

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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 in this post have been edited for length and clarity.