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36 Cheap Problem-Solving Items So Historically Good At Their Jobs, They’ll Never Let You Down
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BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More People will come and go, but this anti-chafing balm and instant-dry nail polish have your back for life. As a Senior Shopping Writer at BuzzFeed, I specialize in a broad range of topics, including beauty, cleaning, fashion, personal care, home, fitness, and my beloved “TikTok made me buy it.” My work has been featured across lifestyle and writing publications during my ten years in the digital media space, including Bustle, HuffPost, HelloGiggles, and The Washington Post. Cliganic is a small business that specializes in all-natural personal care products. Check out a TikTok of the mosquito-repelling bracelets in action. Promising review: "I moved last year from Southern California to North Carolina. Bugs of all types have always been attracted to me, but the number of bites I got last summer was WILD. Someone gave me one of these types of bracelets to use one day and it seemed to work SOOOOOO I decided to buy myself an arsenal to prepare for this summer. I read the reviews, and about 99% of them had great results. I've only used this bracelet twice, but both times I was outside and untouched. Delivery was very quick, so that was a plus. I'm not fond of the smell, I'm hyper sensitive to smells, but I'd rather have the odor than being chewed alive." —Tracey Agopian Promising review: "My favorite dry shampoo! It smells great and truly is sweat-activated. I wear it during some heavy workouts, and I can smell it, and it helps keep my hair from being greasy if I have plans after." —Marianna Stutts Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in two sizes). Check out a TikTok of the banana hanger in action. Promising review: "I recently purchased this folding banana hook hanger, and it has been a great addition to my kitchen! The design is clever and space-saving, allowing me to easily fold it away when not in use. It keeps my bananas fresh and prevents them from bruising, which is a big plus. The hanger is sturdy and well-made, ensuring it can hold a bunch of bananas without any issues. Highly recommend for anyone looking to organize their kitchen and keep their fruit in great condition!" —Challas Gordman Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in four colors and in packs of two). Note that the AAD recommends using at least SPF 30 and reapplying as needed for skin protection. You can read about sunscreen myths and facts from dermatologists for more information! Promising review: "I’m Black, and I layered a couple of products under this E.l.f. sunscreen, and it performed really well — no peeling at all, which is a huge plus. It blended seamlessly without leaving any white cast, even over my darker skin tone. Lightweight, non-greasy, and perfect for daily use. Definitely keeping this in my routine!" —Milan Amor Promising review: "This product delivers exactly as promised and is incredibly easy to use. I suffer from dry skin and often apply various products to soften my feet. With this, I simply spray it on and immediately massage it in with my hands. The dead skin comes off effortlessly. There's no waiting time, and it's gentle on the skin. It leaves my feet feeling exceptionally soft. This has quickly become my new favorite thing." —KimT "Wow, does this work amazingly! I discovered this from a TikTok video, and I am so pleased with how this works. It is literally like magic; my feet have never been this soft." —Brian Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans that even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines. I've had one of these for a while, and I love it! I usually use an electric toothbrush, but I feel like I'm getting a much more satisfying clean from these?? Especially because I tend to get yellow stains between my teeth no matter *how* much I floss, and these bristles seem to actually target that a lot more effectively. I've switched to using this in the morning and the electric one at night, and I definitely see a difference in that area in particular. Promising review: "This was another one of my TikTok purchases! I was skeptical, but my kids hate flossing their teeth, so I thought this might help in between making them floss. They work amazingly! My kids said they could see and feel a difference on the first use, and I agree! They are definitely worth a try! I would suggest not pushing too hard. Those tiny bristles really get in there, and if you push too hard, you might be sore like I was. It felt like after going to a dental cleaning." —Amy N. The color-adaptive formula is designed so one of four shades will work on any skin tone. Promising review: "Took years off my eyes! This product is so reasonably priced. I came across a TikTok promoting this and decided to take a chance since the price was super reasonable. My eyes looked brighter in a good way, and the concealer worked so well that I felt I looked younger. I got compliments from friends asking what I did differently with my makeup. I recommend it." —Monica T. Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in four shades). Megababe is a small business that specializes in body care. Promising review: "Megababe Thigh Rescue has been a total game changer for me. It goes on clear and never feels greasy or sticky. If anything, it is moisturizing. The chafe protection lasts up to 12 hours, which is a huge win. I use it on my thighs, my waistband, and anywhere my skin tends to rub together. The quality is great, and it smells wonderful without being overwhelming. As a bigger girl, this is essential for me, especially in the summer. It works perfectly with dresses, shorter shorts, and anything that might cause rubbing. This is 100 percent a necessity in my routine." —Stephanie Psst — BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly has tried the newer Megababe anti-chafing gel, and is already a fan! It fits any phone up to 100 mm x 170 mm (or about 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches). It's also a great fix for keeping out sand and dirt (and a great option for runners, if you're caught in the rain but still want to be able to toggle through your music options). Promising review: "I purchased this case in July for an upcoming canoe trip with a friend, and as luck would have it, we flipped our canoe. I just assumed my phone would be discovered a thousand years from now and placed in a museum as an ancient artifact. Fast forward to this week. I was contacted via FB by an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office diver, and guess what he found? Yup, my phone case with all of the contents intact and dry as a bone! He had to cut the case open, but there was not one single drop of water in it, and he ended up purchasing a case for himself because he was just that impressed!" —Julie McDonald Here's what BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly has to say about this case: "With these, I find that they're good for about a day due to condensation. So, for a trip, I'll buy two to three. I've used this case to take underwater pics, on boat rides, and have worn it with the lanyard, jumping off a boat into water. So, I really trust these!" Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in 14 colors). Promising review: "Miracle! I have really suffered from grinding my teeth all day. It was so bad I could chew through leather! I got these night guards and, after two days, they fixed the position of my jaw, and I no longer grind. I'm so relieved, can't believe it! I am so happy now! I wore them on my bottom teeth, and there's no digging into my gums, so comfortable! Plus, you can easily talk with it in your mouth. Anyone who suffers from anxiety grinding should wear these!" —Coffee Freak Get a pack of 16 from Amazon for $14 (available in larger packs and with included dental floss). Promising review: "Great little pouches to help organize your purse or backpack. I use it for my makeup and a separate one for essentials while I am out and about. I love that I can see what’s in them instead of having to rummage around. Haven’t had to clean them yet, but that seems like it will also be very easy to do." —KR Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 12 styles). Promising review: "First off, if you have extremely oily skin, this. is. it. I was so tired of getting blotting powder/wipes. It felt wasteful and always left residue on my face. I saw this on TikTok and NEEDED it. It was backordered but then I got an email saying it was in stock and I was SO excited. Not only is it affordable, but it's washable, which helps you save money and be less wasteful." —Kelsey B. Check out a TikTok of the nausea relief inhaler in action. Promising review: "Took this on my first cruise. Anytime that I started to feel woozy, I’d reach for it. I’m sure the required act of deep breathing helped a lot — and breathing in the fragrance of the essential oil is very calming and effective. Worked for me! Wonderful!" —Willy&Lilly Get a pack of two from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in a pack of four). Basic Vigor is a US-based small business specializing in all-natural migraine relief products. Read more about aromatherapy and stress and tension at Johns Hopkins. Promising review: "I’ve had migraines all my life — I’m 31 now. I’ve been on all kinds of prescriptions that work, but make me so sleepy... I’ve been using this stick for one week now, and it’s amazing! I rubbed it on at the first hint of a headache/migraine, and it takes care of it fast. I haven’t taken a prescription migraine since I started using it." —Amanda Braswell Read BuzzFeed's review of the migraine stick for more deets! Check out a TikTok of the multi-flashlight in action. Promising review: "This tiny, affordable flashlight is the most versatile light I've ever seen. It's small enough to disappear in a pocket. The dial-a-lumen brightness wheel saves battery by allowing you to pick exactly how much light you need fast, and the selectable multicolor LED mode is so handy! Use it as a travel light, swivel the clip for attaching to a shirt pocket or the brim of a cap, use the color wheel secretion to perfectly light your face during video calls, use the red and amber safety flasher mode while riding rental bikes or scooters, or place the magnetic base on the hood of your car for hands-free light for auto work." —Chris M. Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in three colors). Y'all, this stuff is no joke — you can check out the earwax removal kit customer reviews to see the GOBS it is taking outta people's canals. Promising review: "My right ear has been plugged up for months. I squirted warm water in there, peroxide, tried various ear scraper tools, then just gave up. A month or so later, I saw this product at a local CVS and gave it a try. Laid on the couch with several drops in my ear for half an hour. I could hear weird fizzing noises. Then I flushed warm water in my ear with the included soft bulb syringe, and out came the culprit. Had to have been deep in there." —fixitforgood Get it from Amazon for $9.53 (also available in a two-pack). Promising review: "Absolutely love this beach bag! It’s lightweight, stylish, and surprisingly spacious. The mesh design is perfect for the beach because sand falls right through instead of getting trapped inside. I was able to fit towels, sunscreen, water bottles, and even a change of clothes with no problem. The inner pocket is super convenient for keeping my phone and keys safe. The material feels durable, and the color looks exactly like the pictures. Perfect for vacations, pool days, or even casual summer outings." —Raidel Gonzalez Cabrera Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six styles). Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action. I'm a long-ish distance runner, and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and, after a few minutes, feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that, my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days! Promising review: "Very soothing. My husband and l used these on our European vacation, and they definitely felt good on our feet!" —KS2018 Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $11.97. Promising review: "This product actually works! Very affordable, too. There are a lot of expensive teeth whitening products out there, but why spend extra money when you don't have to? Definitely worth trying!" —Mona L Cureton Promising review: "I absolutely love this product. I saw it on TikTok and figured I would give it a try. My grandmother passed away almost eight years ago, and she left me her first engagement ring in her will. I have tried so many jewelry cleaners, toothpaste and toothbrush, you name it, tried everything except for sending it away to get cleaned. I ordered the Diamond Dazzle Stik on Thursday, and it arrived the following Saturday, fast shipping! Today is Sunday, and I cleaned my ring with the Diamond Dazzle Stik. My ring is just as shiny as it was when my grandfather bought it for my grandmother many many years ago. I will definitely use this Diamond Dazzle Stik on all my jewelry. Highly recommended!" —Heather Get it from Amazon for $9.48+ (available in two sizes and multipacks). Promising review: "They work great, look cute, and make me feel pretty. I’ve been buying these for over a year now, and I’m always happy to recommend the brand whenever people ask about the little stars on my face. I like the different colors. I get to match them to my outfits. Other brands usually charge an absurd amount for a few puny stickers that barely do anything, but these patches actually pull gunk out and leave the blemish looking much better afterward. It’s kinda gross, but super satisfying. Totally worth the money, and it’s more than earned my praise." —Fredric M. Get a pack of 240 from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 11 styles). Promising review: "Love these! They smell great but aren’t overpowering. Help with my deviated septum and work just as great as the extra strength tan ones. The lavender is usually my go-to, but this is a new favorite when I want a scented option." —Sara Mastapasco Get a pack of 26 from Amazon for $8.24. Promising review: "Job well done! If you struggle with frequent drain clogs like I do, I highly recommend this product. It’s easy to use, effective, and a great value for the price. The hook design to let me reach deep into the drain and pull out a surprising amount of hair and debris." —Rose Get a set of three from Amazon for $5.69+ (available in two lengths). Check out a TikTok of the Sqeezy in action. Promising review: "The 'abrasive sponge when cold' or 'squishy when hot' is an awesome feature for the type of scrubbing you want to do. The Pink Stuff with the sponge does wonders! We have a hideous 30-year-old shower and although it doesn’t look brand-new like I was hoping, it’s 10 times better!! This product really does work!" —GreenGoddess Get the set (one Pink Stuff jar and a "Sqeezy") from Amazon for $9.79. Promising review: "My older model Whirlpool washing machine had been smelling very bad for about two months. We tried everything, white vinegar, bleach, etc., it would stay fresh smelling for two days then back to the bad moldy smell. I read this product works so I ordered it. Used one tablet and the smell is gone!!! It has been three weeks now and it just smells fresh, no strong perfume odor either! Buy this product you will not regret it!!!" —A.C. Get a set of six tablets from Amazon for $11.98. Promising review: "Saved me from buying a new dishwasher! I have to admit that I was skeptical that this product was actually going to do anything. I’ve noticed my dishwasher wasn’t cleaning dishes very well lately, and I did everything I could to get it working properly again, but was ready to finally give up and buy a new dishwasher. I bought these tablets thinking they were designed to eliminate odors, but I was willing to give them a shot before buying a whole new dishwasher. I put one in the bottom of the dishwasher last night per the instructions and woke up to completely clean dishes for the first time in weeks. They look perfect. I don’t know why these tablets work, but they absolutely did, and I am a happy customer!" —B. Turner First Aid Beauty is a US-based small business that specializes in fragrance-free, cruelty-free personal care products. Promising review: "I saw a dermatologist recommend this on TikTok, and I figured I’d give it a try. I have had red bumps on the back of my arms for as long as I can remember and have tried multiple things, so I didn’t have very high expectations. After one use, I could already see a difference! It says to use it 1–2 times a week, but I usually use it every other day, and I use Cerave rough and bumpy lotion after, and now my red bumps are almost nonexistent. This product has truly been life-changing, and I would recommend it to anyone struggling with red bumps! 10/10!" —Sydney Get it from Amazon for $12+ (available in two sizes and three scents). Promising review: "Saw on TikTok (don’t judge) and automatically added to cart. So easy to use, takes probably a minute to fully bubble up and clean, and you’re left with a clean sink! I use with other drain cleaning products, but would 100% recommend for weekly maintenance." —Jessica Hamilton Promising review: "AMAZING product!!!!! My daughter ate a hot bowl of soup on my wooden table and left numerous white ring marks. I tried everything to get them off and failed every time. As soon as I put the product on, it was practically brand-new again. Highly recommend this product!" —Diana V Get a bottle from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in nine finishes). This is designed to work on all hair types, with reviewers with 2b to 4c curls mentioning it worked for them! Promising review: "Like many others, I tried this as a replacement for Olaplex. Honestly, Olaplex never had a great effect on my hair and certainly wasn’t worth the price. This did an unreal job on my hair!! I was skeptical (tried a little bit first because I was petrified it would burn off my hair and I would end up bald!) but, lo and behold, it was magic! My hair is so strong, silky, and healthy-looking after just one use. Plus, you can’t beat the price! Have already ordered another box. I should also add that I have curly/wavy hair that’s been colored to a light brown. Buy it!!" —BB Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Elizavecca hair treatment for more deets! Promising review: "I always kill my plants, but I decided to try again. I just bought five houseplants, and three of them were marked down because they were looking pretty puny. Since I tend to kill them anyway, I figured I would give them a try and save some money. I put one of these spikes in each plant, and they all looked so much healthier and happier after just a couple of days. I also added one spike to the only houseplant that I've had for years without killing (I was beginning to think it was artificial); the leaves looked healthier almost immediately. I'm very happy with this product, and it was a great price." —victoria Get a two-pack of 48 spikes from Amazon for $7.29. Promising review: "I used to use these Downy Balls and loved them when they first came out, but then I wasn't able to find any replacements for well over a decade. I bought these because we've had laundry stained and ruined by fabric softener not being rinsed well enough in our washer. They seem to work pretty well as long as the directions are followed and the washer is not overfilled. The ball emptied better when set on top of the clothes before starting the washer." —Amazon Customer Get a set of three from Amazon for $14.89. I've sworn by these for years — I can't shape my nails to save my life, so I get a manicure once a month and then trade out these colors every week or so in between. The colors are so vibrant and fun, the quick dry is NO joke, and what I love most is these tend to last a solid five to seven days without chipping (and are easily fixed with a touch-up). I am a very busy bean and incapable of sitting still for more than a minute, so these have been a GODSEND. Promising review: "This is the best nail polish I've ever used. I have bought it several times and will continue to buy it in the future. I have had my nails done for years at the salon, as well as using the gel polish with the light dry in the past — and now the past year have only used Sally Hansen instant dry nail polishes and am more pleased than I ever was with either of the other options." —J.L. Senn Get it from Amazon for $5.98+ (available in dozens of colors). Promising review: "It does the job it's supposed to do. I was cutting my hand trying to open cans. This allows me to get a better grip on the little loopy thing, and gives me leverage to open the can." —P. Alscher Promising review: "I saw this on TikTok a bunch of times and finally decided to get it. I hate the paper lint rollers; they never seem to work that well, and I hate that I have to throw them away. This is awesome because it fits right in my bag, and I’m able to reuse it over and over. It’s super sticky and works great!" —Ella Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in four colors). It requires four AA batteries to run (not included). Promising review: "This light is great!!! It has three settings to adjust the amount of brightness you need. The lowest level is great for just sitting around your patio table and having a couple of drinks with friends. The brightest setting is PERFECT for playing cards! We play cards a few times a month. There are two 70+-year-olds who did not complain that they couldn’t see. So, works great in my book! 😁" —Mandie Jordan 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 have been edited for length and/or clarity.