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I regret to inform you that you should’ve bought these items ages ago.

I've spent the last four years as a Shopping Writer at BuzzFeed covering a wide range of topics, including but not limited to must-have Amazon products, personal care, home and organization, and more.

Promising review: "I used this product years ago and had the most amazing skin, but I assumed it was mostly genetics. Now that my skin is showing signs of aging, I decided to give it another try — and I’m so glad I did. My skin is transforming daily. They say your skin can rebuild itself, and it really does — especially when you remove the buildup of dead skin cells. I’ve been using it morning and night, and I genuinely look younger. My skin feels polished, my pores are noticeably smaller, and I need much less makeup. Such a fantastic product — highly recommend!" —Sweet Caroline 

Londontown is a small business that specializes in nail care products. 

Promising review: "I like a one-and-done nail product that will protect my fragile nails, but also stay put. I don’t baby my nails at all, so I like something that doesn’t show wear quickly. I’m not sure what’s in this one specifically, but it stays on so well. It’s also a nice micro shimmer/glitter. I’ve used a few other polishes from this brand, and while they are all nice, this is my favorite so far." —H. Peeples 

Promising review: "These are my new favorite. They are comfortable and do not show under all my clothes. They are super soft too and hold up all day without gapping. I have been buying Victoria’s Secret underwear for many years spending unnecessary money. I’ll repurchase these over and over again." —Joshua

Psst — if you're looking for a thong option, reviewers are obsessed with these Skims-inspired thongs that are also on Amazon! 

Get a set of six from Amazon for $15.29+ (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and 16 sets). 

Promising review: "As a petite woman with a larger bust, I find that well-fitted and comfortable bras are hard to come by. This one is so comfortable and cute and I really like the way the clasps are sort of magnetic. It makes it easier to find the right hook while uncomfortably reaching your arms completely behind your back, lol." —Amber Way

Get it from Amazon for $14.98+ (available in women's sizes S–3XL and in 11 colors).

This is designed for curly hair types. Reviewers with everything from 3a to 4c hair types say it worked for them!

Promising review: "I have super frizzy, curly hair and live in New England, where we have super humid summers. I have been struggling to find a product that de-frizzes my hair without making it look oiled down, and this is it. I put it in my wet hair after washing, towel dried, and put my hair in a ponytail to go to work. My hair was frizz-free all night — even working outside in high humidity. People even asked if I did something to my hair! This is an amazing product for the price. Absolutely buying again and would recommend to anyone with a frizz issue." —Marissa 

Get it from Amazon for $4.22 (also available as a two-pack).

Promising review: "Between me (medium long hair) and my overly fluffy cat, a lot of hair and fluff was continually getting caught up on the roller brush of my vacuum. I dreaded vacuuming because it took so long to pull and snip the hairs wrapped up on the roller brush out with scissors. Not anymore! This silly, little, inexpensive thing works great! Super quick to remove all the hair/fur — in virtually a minute, then back to vacuuming with my lovely Miele vacuum." —MKS

Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (also available as a two-pack).

Check out a TikTok of the brightener in action. 

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Heather Braga had this to say: "The color-adaptive formula is designed so that one of four shades will work on any skin tone. I've personally tested this out, and it has become an essential part of my daily routine. As a mom of two, I gotta just say I am TIRED. So tired that I'm not sure what my face even looks like without bags under my eyes — that is, unless I've got the Catrice "Instant Awake" on. A little really goes a long way and has great coverage. I wore it throughout my sister's wedding weekend in Aruba, and despite the heat, it stayed perfectly in place. An incredible product for an even more incredible price...10/10 from me."

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." —Placeholder

Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in four shades).

You can read more about the skincare benefits of caffeine at the Cleveland Clinic.

Good Molecules is a small business that specializes in affordable skincare products. 

Promising review: "I love this product and have noticed a huge difference when using it consistently. I am on the younger side and don’t have the worst under-eye bags, but on those occasional mornings when my eyes are puffy with somewhat visible dark circles, this product definitely does the trick! Honestly, I love all the Good Molecules products." —Hayden Smith 

Get it from Amazon for $5.89 (also available in multipacks).

Best invention ever? Possibly. Each bottle lasts for 12 weeks' worth of treatments. This is wonderful at keeping your shower clean, but if your shower isn't...spotless right now, you can use it a few times in a row to get it back to sparkling before using it once a week for maintenance! 

Promising review: "100% sure this is sorcery because it works so well. This product is magic! I just did my first use and it cleaned out so much gunk out of my shower, I didn’t even know it was there! (Photo of my grout half-sprayed for proof) It was quick, it was easy, and now my whole bathroom smells like a vanilla cupcake! I am VERY satisfied with this product." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $20.98 (available in two scents, two sizes, and as a two-pack).

My colleague Sally Elshorafa invested in this tool and LOVES it: "After moving to the East Coast, I quickly learned that the stone pathways around my home are basically a spa retreat for moss and weeds. The cracks collect moisture, trap organic debris, and offer *just* enough shelter to help unwanted greenery flourish, especially with all the shade and rain we get. I didn't want my outdoor space to turn into a jungle, so I grabbed this tool and got to work. It's weirdly satisfying — kind of like flossing, but for your stone paths. The bent tip slides right into the cracks and pulls weeds out from the root, which helps keep them from coming back anytime soon. I've used it on my pathways, driveway, and anywhere else something tries to sprout where it shouldn't. The handle is comfortable, and it doesn't take much effort to use. It's quickly becoming one of my favorites. If you've got hardscaping, you need this in your toolkit." 

Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (also available in multipacks).

Simply peel it off when it's time for a replacement! Each one lasts about 1–3 months after installation depending on your home's allergens. These filters are *sticky* and may leave some residue on your fan's blades. To avoid, just keep using 'em and you'll have filtered air at all times!

Promising review: "I wasn't sure what to expect when purchasing these, but now they are a staple in every room of our house. Within three days the air smelled more crisp and was easier to breathe in our home. So simple and effective!" —Haylee Marez

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $22.99 (also available as a five-pack).

Check out a TikTok of the Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar in action. 

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: "NO WHITE CAST! I've been looking for a stick sunscreen and this was just exactly what was needed!! I'm a medium-toned Black woman and looking for something without a white cast is always a challenge. I have applied it on my bare skin and there isn't a white cast at all! It's a 'soft matte' finish, for sure, and looks like natural skin. Like you're not wearing anything at all." —Martina

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Maitland Quitmeyer says: "I have a similar cooling blanket because the fabric of my couch is gorgeous, but...gets VERY hot in the summer — they can make all the difference!"

Promising reviews: "Sorcery! I don't know what makes this blanket work, and I don't care. The fact is that IT DOES!!! I overheat at night a lot because I live in Arizona. I got this blanket at the exact right time, and I'm THRILLED!!!" —Amanda Julia Hess

"I run really hot and I have tried so many various blankets. Well, I am here to tell you, this is the one you need. I live in the southwest where temps exceed 110 degrees regularly in the summer. I used to wake up sweaty every single morning, even with the AC on. Well, come to this blanket, and WOW, No more waking up sweating; you can ACTUALLY feel the cooling. Almost feels as if the blanket has a built-in AC. This is the blanket to get; stop searching and just order it. I promise you'll like it." —Brantley Rockwell

Get it from Amazon for $20.86+ (available in five sizes and 13 colors).

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

Get it from Amazon for $5.48 (also available as a two-pack).

Promising review: "This is such a great idea to have for hair during the summer or even living in a warmer climate. I put it in my three girls' and my hair today before the pool, and our hair felt great after washing. Highly recommend." —Alyssa Speaker

If the Salad Pod slipped past your radar in 2025, and you eat a ton of meal-prepped salads (great for saving money in this economy — whomst among us can afford to buy $16 salads every day!), it's also well worth the investment.

Promising review: "This harvest pod has been a game changer. I like to bring a big salad to lunch and this has plenty of room. The dressing cup also works really well. This is easy to clean, and hasn't leaked. I've gotten lots of compliments. This is honestly one of my best purchases lol." —Ziggy

Get it from Uncommon Goods or Amazon for $35. 

It comes with one Mr. Clean Shower & Tub Scrubber and two Mr. Clean Shower & Tub Lemon Foaming Magic Erasers.

Promising review: "First time using these took maybe 10 minutes, and the results were honestly impressive. It cleaned up soap residue on the sliding glass door way better than I expected with very little effort. I also didn’t realize they have a bit of cleaner built into the eraser itself, which was a nice bonus and probably helps with how well they work. Super easy to use and effective. Definitely one of those “wish I found these sooner” products." —Joel

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (also available in larger sets).

Promising review: "The texture is thick! But it’s a good thick. These feel so smooth on the lips and are very glossy. Currently, my favorite E.l.f. lip product, over the Glow Reviver Oil. Smell is not overwhelming, and neither is taste. I came back to order them all." —Khloe3

Get it from Amazon for $7.97 (available in three colors).

LilyAna Naturals is a family-owned small business using natural ingredients to craft high-quality skincare products.

Promising review: "I've been using this for a couple of months now and I really like it! Previously I've used Clinique or Origins...this works just as well or better. I wish I had found this sooner as it is a lot less expensive than other alternatives. I've seen other reviewers say they keep it in the fridge and while I don't find that necessary I may have to try because it sounds very refreshing!" —Cat SV

Get it from Amazon for $12.77+ (available in three sizes and as a two-pack).

Reviewers with straight/fine and thick/wavy hair say it works for them!

Check out a TikTok of the scalp renewal brush in action. 

Kitsch is a woman-owned accessory brand that was founded in 2010. They also sell cute scrunchies, cloth face masks, satin pillowcases, and more.

Promising review: "I was not expecting this brush to be so amazing. I usually use a Wet Brush, and NO MORE of that. This one doesn't pull when the Wet Brush did. Feels amazing on my scalp. Just a very refreshing brush to find. I would definitely recommend this to everybody that has a hard time brushing their hair (even kids), very soft, and the price is excellent as well. Love love love this brush. Would definitely buy again and again." —Katy Shoemaker

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

It can be used as a handheld brush or you can use the detachable, long-reach handle that extends to 9 inches. The double-sided brush can be used wet or dry and is reusable! Just rinse it clean and hang dry between uses.

Promising review: "Our screens are on a second-floor balcony. There really isn't any good way to clean the outside of the screens. Luckily, the fibers on this screen cleaner are small enough that they seem to fit through the screen and clean both sides. I'm sure it doesn't clean the outside as well as it does the inside, but any help is always appreciated. I was actually shocked at how much dirt came off of the screens with this very simple tool. I used it wet with a small amount of dish soap, and it worked really well. I also appreciated that after I was finished, I was just easily able to rinse and dry the screen cleaner for future use. A simple tool at an excellent price." —BonjourBeautyByAmy

Promising review: "This seemed a little pricey at first, but after a few weeks, my skin is remarkably smoother. The texture is finer; fine lines have disappeared, and it is smooth. It absorbs into the skin well, so ideal for both at night and under makeup. There is no fragrance, which is a plus for me. It’s an excellent value for the money, and it’s a great product." —Emily

Promising review: "This is very high quality. I put this on my nails five days ago, and there is still no chipping. It feels nourishing on my nails and doesn’t have that nail polish smell. Plus, the nude color is beautiful (soft and natural). It looks like my nails were professionally done, and it did smooth out the ridges after application. Definitely recommend and worth the price." —AJ

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

It's sleek and narrow, so it won't take up a ton of space in your room, and it looks surprisingly cool! It comes with a remote control so you can turn it on from your bed, and the LED lights turn off in sleep mode, so you don't need to worry about being disturbed.

Promising reviews: "Cools like magic. Great fan. It’s super hot this summer, and I would not survive without it. Several speeds and functions. Quiet. Durable thus far, and it has run 18 hours a day every day since May. I didn’t think the remote was a big deal but now I wouldn’t want to be without it. Would recommend and buy again." —Javygirl

"I am elderly and live in Texas, where we have 100+-degree heat on a daily basis in the summer. This is, hands down, the best and most powerful fan I have experienced. I love it so much that I bought a second one for my sister, who is heat-sensitive. She got rid of the two tower fans she was using as this fan cooled her room." —TJ

Get it from Amazon for $89.93+ (available in two styles and two colors).

Reviewers with both fine/straight and thick/curly hair types say it works for them.

Promising review: "Love these! Very comfortable to wear all day long. They don't keep their head away from the headrest when driving, which is incredibly important. I even wore one underneath a hat to a dress-up function and was still comfortable. The clip spring is strong and holds even my very long, thin, fine, and straight hair — no pulling, a few hairs, and very little slipping down even after hours of wear. They don't hang up in your hair like some metal ones do. These are the best hair holders I've ever bought, bar none." —Paint Mare

Get a set of six from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 14 color sets).

Promising review: "Changed the oil on my girlfriend's car and some oil spilled on my NEW driveway...which I didn't notice 'til four days later. Four spots all about the size of a dollar bill baking in the Arizona sun for four days. Put the stuff on (sits on the stain like pancake batter — don't be afraid to pour liberally) and let it sit from 6 p.m. 'til about 9 a.m. the next day. It dried and the instructions said to just sweep the stuff up. It broke apart with the broom and the stains were gone, just swept up the powder pieces — took about a minute. I WAS SHOCKED! Something that actually works on oil and it's easy. Absolutely NO sign of anything that was there. My driveway is smooth concrete so I can't vouch for what would happen with a rougher surface but whoever makes this stuff is a genius. If they tried to take on World Peace, Earth would be a better place." —AmazonBob

Get it from Amazon for $17.97 (also available in a larger size).

Thigh Society is a woman-founded, size-inclusive small biz from Marnie Consky.

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Chelsea Stuart loves these: "I recently bought two pairs of these — in black and nude — and I am simply in love. Chub rub has always been a part of my life and until now, I didn't have a great way of preventing it. I've tried various sport shorts and slathering my thighs in deodorant but those methods just weren't cutting it. These shorts are unbelievably lightweight and breathable, superrrrrr stretchy (but not in a way that bags out after extended wear), and they do. not. roll. or. fall. down. I wear them under all of my skirts and dresses (because I also have an irrational fear that everything I wear is see-through when the sun hits it) and I will definitely be buying more!"

Promising review: "I bought these to wear under dresses for a trip to Europe because it was supposed to be really hot, and they worked great. They were light, stretchy, and there was no chafing. Maybe not the most moisture wicking, but they were very comfortable, and I wore them several times." —Meghan O'Leary

Get it from Thigh Society for $39+ (available in women's sizes XS–6XL, 11 colors, and in six lengths — not all colors/lengths available in all sizes). 

These also come in a pocket style, which offers a bit more coverage than the sheer cooling style!

The liners come with trimming guidelines so that you can cut the insert to your desired size.

Promising review: "I love love love these! I’ve repurchased this exact pattern multiple times but the product itself is great for shoes that you can’t wear socks with but want to make last longer. I work in environment where I am constantly walking around, both inside and outside, so these are really great. They also add an extra grip for some of my mule type shoes. Super easy to clean as well, you just take them out throw them in with your wash and any smells or dirt come right out." —Quinn Holdridge

Get it from Amazon for $9.32+ (available in two sizes [fits women's sizes 6–13] and four styles).

Promising review: "I flipping love this kitchen gadget! I was always buying soap stands at Target and Marshalls, and they would always sit weird, get really, really dirty or slimy, or they wouldn’t hold things properly. But then I found this, and I hate to sound like an infomercial, but it’s really great. I like this so much and when it gets dirty, you just sand it down a little bit with the sanding circle they give you. Also, it takes up way less room and everything looks really neat." —HonestAmazon

Get it from Amazon for $16.88+ (available in seven sizes and four colors).

Hustle & Sew is a Saint Helens, Oregon-based Etsy shop with lots of fun and functional handmade goods like face masks, bags, and stasher scrunchies!

Promising review: "This is so great. It works perfectly. No more soggy sink. It is so much easier to dishes now with this around my faucet." —Megan McCartney

Get it from Hustle & Sew on Etsy for $13.50+ (available in four sizes and four colors).

My former colleague Ciera Velarde is a huge fan: "I've used it for about 12 years now and it's the only thing that I can trust to prevent that dreaded chafing after a sweaty day of walking around. It glides on perfectly, it's unscented, and it doesn't melt away when you start to sweat. If it's a particularly hot day out, it can start to fade after a few hours, so just make sure to bring it with you to reapply. In addition to preventing chafing between my thighs, I've also applied it on my arms where my sports bra rubs against them when I run and it works like a charm!"

Promising review: "This is a thick-thighed person's dream! If you suffer from the dreaded 'chub rub' as I do, you need this stick in your life! I have always struggled with chafing between my thighs during warmer months when wearing dresses or shorts. This stick is a game changer. I was able to apply a bit on my inner thighs and wear a dress to DISNEYLAND ALL DAY! I didn't even reapply it throughout the day. One application and I walked like 25K steps in a dress with NO chafing at all! Magic. A true miracle. Also, the stick seems to last quite a while. I wear dresses a lot and it took me several months to run out. I will be buying this for the rest of my life!" —LilDevil1828 

Get it from Amazon for $6.29 (also available as a two-pack).

Promising review: "This product, my drill, and the flat sponge type cleaning pad were the only things that worked, transforming this very dirty tub into cleaner than clean. Very little muscle power necessary. A little goes a long way. It takes off the worst of things and leaves a kind of ceramic coat behind. It’s amazing." —Glinda

Sagely is a family-owned small business founded by husband-and-wife team Ellie Glazer and Ivor Miskulin, who spent three years designing the ideal, stress-free pill storage solution. The silicone lids are super secure but also designed for gentle and easy opening and closing to account for users with dexterity issues.

Promising review: "Love this thing!!! The little slots to push in pills are fantastic, and the containers are very large. It keeps my huge vitamin pills on either side and could fit over 10 large ones if needed. Love this thing. Worth the price, and it looks like it'll last forever. I do wish the magnets were stronger. They just keep them in place but will slide off if bumped. I assume this is helpful for people with arthritis. It's an easy fix. I take down one day's worth of pills, set it on my counter, and now I'm not too lazy to take my pills!" —Chicken McNugget

Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in four colors).

Humble Suds is a small business based in Evergreen, Colorado, and run by moms Holli and Jennifer.

BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Danielle Healy swears by this stuff. In her own words: "I recently moved into a new apartment, so lately I've been cleaning A LOT. Shortly after moving in, my partner and I went to store something on the top of the kitchen cabinets only to find them caked in a thick layer of grime!! 🤢 After going at it with regular multipurpose cleaner (with little success), we broke out the scour paste as a last-ditch effort and OH BOY did this miracle product deliver (pics above). If it can handle that grossness, it's going to have no problem with day-to-day messes like soap scum and burnt-on food. Plus, it smells delightful and comes in minimal, low-waste packaging!"

Promising review: "Buyer beware: don’t buy just one!! Learn from my mistake, and buy at least two jars because this stuff is INCREDIBLE. I used it on my textured shower floor. It was EASIER to clean and required less scrubbing than any other product I’ve used, including CLR. If you have black matte bathroom fixtures, this is the stuff you need. My shower and sink drains look brand-new. My other favorite part about this scour paste, is the fact that I don’t need to use any paper towels. Just a wet rag to wipe it all down at the end. I will be buying more jars for myself and to give to my friends because this stuff is absolutely amazing. You won’t regret it!" —littleashleyshortcak

Get it from Humble Suds on Etsy for $15.95+ (available in two sizes).

It can fit detergent spouts that are 1.7 inches in diameter.

BuzzFeed editor Heather Braga has been using this hand helper for years now. She said, "These detergent cup holders have been a godsend for me! I have two little kids and a husband who loves to garden (so he's always covered in dirt), so I'm constantly doing laundry. My Costco-sized detergent bottles are in the closet behind my washing machine, and these babies clip onto them perfectly. I love that they prevent the extra soap from dripping onto my closet floor! When the soap builds up on the bottom of the tray, I just give it a quick rinse in hot water and twist it back in place. Easy-peasy!"

Promising review: "I love these. I wish I knew about them sooner! I was always keeping towels under my laundry soap for when the soap would drip. But now I don’t need to. Must buy." —Amanda A.

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/or clarity.