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31 Sneakily Affordable Things Your Friends Will Think You Spent Big Money On
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. Our secret stays between me, you, and your wallet. Buzzfeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says: "I am not responsible enough to own an expensive scarf but I LOVE love love colorful things, so I had to own this. It is delightfully soft on the skin and just as vibrant in person as it is online! I've really enjoyed wearing it on blustery days when I want to be bundled up, but don't want to be in my usual boring black-on-black New York winter gear." Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in 10 styles). Promising review: "Where do I start? I absolutely LOVE this product. I wanted to replace our bathroom mirror, but due to the size, it would have cost a lot! I came across this on Amazon and decided to give it a try. The application process was super easy and applied without bubbles as long as you go slow and rub it down as you go. I kid you not. It looks like wood and feels like it, too! You can feel and see the 'wood grain.' It’s absolutely stunning and looks like I bought a whole new mirror." —Taylor Promising review: "I was so excited to turn this lamp on that I placed it on my couch instead of making room on my shelves. The lightweight lamp is funky, and the fun pop of orange adds character to my living room. It’s always a cozy night in with this lamp. A great find to start your lamp collection or add to your existing one." —dana Get it from Amazon for $48.99 (available in four colors). Check out a TikTok of the Slipsticks in action. Promising review: "Love these. Sheer, pigmented, but buildable, and don't feel heavy or thick or sticky like Wet 'N Wild lip oils do. I love that it's available in a stick option." —catina m. claytor Get it from Amazon for $10 (available in 11 shades). Promising reviews: "Saw someone buy this on TikTok and decided to grab it for myself! It's the perfect size and has lots of compartments to organize! Plus it has a pocket that you can slide over a handle of a suitcase for easy transportation!" —Amazon Customer "This bag is amazing!! It’s the perfect size for all my gym stuff. Clothes, shoes, water bottle, pre-workout, headphones, toiletries, etc., and it can be made smaller or bigger height-wise with these little buttons they have on the side that you can snap down. Very cute. It also has some inside mesh pockets to help separate things better. If you thinking about it, just buy it! You won’t regret it." —Sarah Brackenrich Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in dozens of colors). Promising review: "Excellent for sensitive skin. Instantly helped with redness and hydration. Feels light putting it on and absorbs quickly, no feeling of residue. It has a scent, but it is pleasant and light, and it disappears quickly. I got Pyunkang Yul Calming Moisture Barrier Cream first, which is also excellent for sensitive skin, but now I will use it at night as it's not as light in comparison. Reminds me of Clinique's Moisture Surge line, which might feel similar, but theirs is not good for truly sensitive skin. I recommend it for overly sensitive oily skin with redness due to past sun damage and or acne." —Anastasia Grinberg Promising review: "When I initially bought it, I was nervous that the brass color wasn’t going to match my Coach bag, but once it arrived, it was perfect. It looks almost like the real one and doesn’t feel cheap at all. I’m very happy with my purchase, and I'd 100% recommend this to someone looking for an alternative to the Coach cherry charm!" —Veronica G. Buzzfeed Shopping writer, Elizabeth Lilly says: "I've used this in my own rental bathroom several times. I find that it stays put for about a year on my tile floor! It's easy but a bit tedious, depending on your tiled floor design. Just put on a podcast episode and get to work." Promising review: "We moved into our new home, and the shower had really yellow grout. Cleaning didn’t do anything, and I saw this grout pen online. What a saver! Otherwise, I would have just hired someone to replace my shower. I used this grout pen, and my husband was so impressed :D. The tip loses its shape fast, but just pull out the TIP AND FLIPPED IT OVER, and you’ll have a new tip." —jennifer Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in two sizes). Promising review: "I’m obsessed with this hoodie. I’ve been looking for a warm, soft hoodie with a big hood for a long time. This quality is excellent and feels more expensive. It is an oversized fit. I usually wear an XL top and sometimes L. The large fit perfectly! I want one in every color now." —LindsayW Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in women's sizes 3XS–5X and 43 colors). Check out a TikTok of Gold Bond in action. Promising reviews: "This is my holy grail go to product. I actually use this on my neck and entire face. I'm 54 years old and it really tightens and firms. Works better than expensive products. You see and feel results right away." — Christina Pomeroy "This cream has tightened the skin around my neck beyond my expectations. I’ve been using it daily (morning and evening) for over two months and still have product left. I’ve even tried it on my face, and it gives me a bit of a 'facelift.' I’m officially a Bond girl. A bit sticky to the touch after a few hours of wear, but that doesn’t bother me. Will order again." —AP Wang Promising review: "My parents went to Europe and sat outside on furs like these, and now they do the same at home. They live in the mountains in Utah. They put these on their metal patio chairs and then cover themselves with a blanket outside in the winter. The faux furs keep your backside insulated, and then, topped with the blanket, they are able to have a cocktail hour(s) on the deck all year long! It’s honestly pretty sweet, and the dog gets her own to lie on when she’s outside, too." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in six sizes and eight colors). Promising review: "Le Creuset? Don't know her. I have always wanted one of these enamel covered cast iron beauties, but even from the outlet stores they were expensive. I saw this guy after finding a stew recipe that went from stove to oven, and I got it. I am DELIGHTED with this purchase! I've cooked in it several times, including a chili recipe tonight that had to reduce by half. It left a ridiculous ring on the inside, and that sucker wiped right out. I haven't burned or scorched any of my foods and it's pretty, too!" —HerRoyalHighness Get a 6-quart Dutch oven from Amazon for $47.99+ (available in two other sizes and 10 total colors). It's designed to fit laptops up to 15.6 inches. Promising review: "I purchased this tote to opt for a more classy look. I love it!!! Would definitely recommend. Great for college students’ textbooks and laptop. It comes with over six compartments and has plenty of storage!" —Talia Arielle Get it from Amazon for $27.88+ (available in 10 styles). The kit comes with a silicone funnel so you can easily transfer your favorite toiletries. Note that these are plastic, not glass. You can see how one TikTok user styled these in this TikTok. Promising review: "We have a narrow bathtub/shower with little space. I love this product; it’s so easy to install. I used a level to keep them aligned. Wait 24 hours before you use them. Great price, great quality, I highly recommend." —Karen Kopecki Get it from Amazon for $39.70 (available in six different styles and quantities of one, two, or three). Just in case you do have a spill, this suede cleaning kit should help you out. Promising review: "Great slipper. Easily compares to my Uggs for so much less. Run long and narrow. I can comfortably wear them with socks or without." —Laurie Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in women's sizes 6–11, wide sizes, and five colors). Reviewers agree that if you want it fitted, size down. Promising reviews: "I saw this girl wearing this exact style of dress with a Skims tag on the back, and honestly, it made me so grateful that I purchased this dress instead. It looks exactly like the Skims version, and I could be biased, but the material of this dress looked better than the Skims one. If you want it to be a little snug, I would definitely recommend sizing down one size from your normal size. So freaking comfortable and made out of thick material." —Kaitlyn "I have the Skims dress in black and wanted to look for a cheaper version, but I read reviews, and some said that it is a bit looser than expected. I would agree that the small is a bit loose. If you want a snatched look, definitely get a size smaller, as it is very stretchy. I'm 5' tall so this is a bit long on me, even when I wear heels. In comparison to the Skims, the material is smoother, while Skims has a ribbed texture. You honestly can't tell the difference. Good bang for your buck if you ask me!" —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in women's sizes XXS–XL and 10 colors). Promising reviews: "Clearly time I got a new eyeshadow palette. Sargent Freddie Mercury (my not-even 4-pound bunny) made it his mission to destroy my James Charles overpriced palette. This palette is the same quality, maybe even nicer. This eyeshadow was put on at around 3 p.m., and it's almost 1 a.m., the 'highlight' stayed on my nose even with my mask on through a whole day of work. That blew my mind." —Daniel T Adams Promising review: "Adorable makeup bag! Great quality, and I love that you can customize the color and letter. It fits a ton of makeup in it, and I’ve been using it for a year with no complaints. Makes a great gift as well." —Maddie Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in 26 letters and seven colors). Promising review: "At first, I was a little skeptical — I have been wanting to find a Skims-like material shirt for a while but didn't want to pay the price of one, lol, and this shirt feels amazing. I will be getting one in every color now." —Julianne Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in women's sizes XXS–3XL and 29 colors). Promising review: "I’ve been buying these for years. They replaced my Ray-Bans that look identical! Fit great and with the price point, I don’t have to worry too much with my kids and being on the go!" —Jessica M Get a pack of three pairs from Amazon for $15.19+ (available in packs of 2, 14 colors; and 17 variety packs) After brushing and flossing, you paint your teeth with the pen (each pen contains about 20 uses), wait for 30 minutes, then rinse! Promising reviews: "I have to say, I was skeptical about this product from all the TikTok hype about it but after trying it out, it really does work. This was super easy, didn’t hurt my teeth at all, and didn’t taste much different than my regular toothpaste, since I got the mint-flavored one. I used it for a few weeks before my brother’s wedding and it worked like a charm. I noticed visible results in only a couple of days and was able to keep using it until I reached my desired shade of white. 10/10 would recommend for anyone with sensitive teeth and tastes!" —Victoria Bravo "Saw this on BuzzFeed — they were right! It's easy to use and actually works. I was so surprised at how well this pen bleached out some coffee stains on my teeth after just one application. I've tried Crest Whitestrips and this is better because you can get in between the teeth." —CS Promising review: "Easy to use, pretty long wearing, very smooth, and comfortable. More of a slight satin finish, not too matte and not too shiny. The product does not flake and lasts all day into night without a touch-up, as long as you don't have an extremely oily meal. I actually now reach for this over my Chanel lip ink. Highly recommended." —Andy D Get it from Amazon for $9.80+ (available in 44 shades and in a kit option). Read our full review of the Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick. Promising review: "These glasses not only look great, but are easy and fun to hold because of the colorful bubbles. Love them and will likely get more of them." —anonymous Get it from World Market for $11.99 (available as a coupe or old fashioned). Promising review: "I love the way these layering necklaces look! I haven’t taken them off since I received them and they look brand new still. I’ve worn them in the shower, pools, and beach, and they are still perfect." —Allison Kwong Get it from Amazon for $12.59+ (available in three finishes and 14 other styles). Promising review: "Used a little more than one roll for a quick makeover for an ugly fireplace in a rental apartment. It was easy to cover the tiles with the film, and I could stretch the film out about 1 mm if I had cut the strip too short. It makes a huge difference for minimal effort/price. I don't think anyone would be squinting down at the floor to notice the slightly pixelated pattern." —zhen Get a single roll from Amazon for $19.28 (available in two sizes and three designs). Promising review: "The straps stay in place, don't look weird with the bra cups, and it is form-fitting in the back. I hate tank tops that have a big gap in the back. This one does not. It goes down to about my belly button. I wanted something similar to the Lululemon Align, but this is well worth it instead! It is not tight at all, does not dig in, and is super breathable. I am thrilled with this purchase!" —olivia schilling Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in sizes XS–3XL and 29 colors). Promising review: "They are the best leggings I've ever owned! I've been weight training for roughly 17 years now, and I've worn a lot of different leggings. I've even spent $180 on a pair of Lululemon leggings, which don't compare to these at all. These leggings are soft, stretchy, form-fitting, and they make you look incredible! This is the fourth pair I've bought, and I probably will buy all colors. Also very important: They don't leave sweat marks. 100% squat-proof and the softest material ever. I can't say it enough!" —Emily Souther Get them from Amazon for $25 (available in women's sizes XS–XL and 27 colors). If you're wondering what oud is, think of the smell of fallen trees in the woods after a hard rain. Lulu Candles is a US-based small business that specializes in scented candles and perfumes. Promising review: "I was staying over at a friend's house and sitting next to her coffee table. She had this candle on the table and even though it wasn't lit I could smell it, and it was so delicious that I instantly went online to find it and bought it for myself! If this came in a perfume I would buy enough to last the rest of my life. I don't know how to even explain the scent but if you are an amber/patchouli/vanilla fan, this is absolutely for you. The jasmine adds an unbelievable freshness without a flowery scent. I even bought the shampoo and conditioner which I will probably use as more of a body wash and shaving cream but that is how desperate I am to get this scent on me!" —Melissa I. Get it from Amazon for $18+ (available in seven sizes, in gift box options, in packs of two, and in a variety of scents). Promising reviews: "I LOVE this skirt! I have the original Nike one and they are identical. The only difference is that it doesn’t have a logo on it, but tbh, I prefer the no-logo look. It’s such a good buy and SO comfortable!" —Tayler "I was skeptical at first, but once it arrived! WOW! I love this skirt! I need one in every color now. Very comfortable, breathable fabric and the skirts have secret pockets on the inside of the shorts! I really like it, and the length is perfect! Oh, and there’s a super cool thick band around the skirt top. It looks very nice I received a lot of compliments on skirt! Definitely recommend! ❤️" —VM Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in nine colors and XS–XXL). New England Stories is a small business that specializes in home and kitchen products. In case you don't have time to make your own syrups, this variety pack will do the trick. Promising review: "These are worth the money! There are labels for almost every basic syrup as well as blanks so you can label them yourself. If you get a regular size Torani syrup bottle it will hold the whole bottle, so you don't need to worry about story a quarter of the bottle of syrup. SO AESTHETICALLY PLEASING, TOO." —Naomi Get a set of four from Amazon for $22.99 (available in three colors and in two- and six-packs). Promising review: "I have a real diamond tennis bracelet that I don’t always like to travel with or wear in the water. This is the perfect swap! The quality for the price is amazing, and it shines like it’s real. I’ve worn it all summer in the pool, and it hasn’t tarnished at all." —Sarah Reeves Buzzfeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says: "For what it's worth, Pavoi — the company behind this piece — has gone TikTok viral time and time again for its classic, modern, and expensive-looking pieces. I personally own almost all my "daily wear" jewelry from Pavoi and swear by it (particularly this gold-plated ring and these chunky gold-plated earrings!). Everything is so easy to accessorize and makes my outfits look and feel so much more put together, and the pieces are so durable that they're easily worth twice what I paid. Check out the rest of Pavoi's line of jewelry for more options, including earrings, bracelets, and anklets!" Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in three colors, two styles, and three sizes). Promising review: "These are absolutely BEAUTIFUL! If I didn't know any better, I would have said these are the Bottega Drop Earrings. I personally love the smaller ones. I have not ordered the larger ones yet. Smaller ones are truthfully the perfect size. We love a good alternative because who has $800+ to spend on the Bottegas." —Brittany Get them from Amazon for $7.59+ (available in 11 colors, two-packs, and an extra large size). You also won't need a shoehorn to put them on, thanks to a handy zipper on the side. Promising review: "I absolutely loved these shoes. They were perfect for the festival I went to. I wanted shoes I didn’t care that would get dirt and I didn’t want to wear my Docs for that reason. Honestly I like these better than my Dr. Martens. I walked in these for three days straight, eight hours a day and they honestly didn’t feel like normal boots they were pretty comfortable. They also did well when it rained or walking into puddles. And when people stepped on my feet they held up very well lol. 10/10 recommend." —Kindle Customer Get it from Amazon for $36.75+ (available in sizes 5.5–10 and three colors). BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly says, "I wear a size L/XL in clothing and sometimes waist bags just don't work out so well for me. With this one, I can confirm that it fit around my waist comfortably without outerwear, across my chest without outerwear, *and* over a thick coat and several layers. The pockets inside are so handy and I even had room to spare throughout my Iceland trip. Just make sure that you zip the zipper ALL the way because the zipper goes down pretty far on the sides for easier access to contents." Promising review:"I’m SOO impressed with the quality of this bag! I’ve worn the Lululemon belt bag and I gotta say, this is pretty similar. Almost identical, except the Lululemon is a tiny bit smaller size. The Lululemon one also has a plastic zipper but this Amazon one is metal. I prefer the plastic but this one is OK. It might be better than Lululemon JUST for the fact that they have so many color options!" —Em Get it from Amazon for $12.98+ (available in 39 styles). Promising reviews: "I’ve been wanting the Versace ones but obviously can’t afford them. I saw a TikToker share these so I snatched them up immediately. I’m in love!!! I’m a 5.5 in heels so I got the 5 and they fit perfectly. They are pretty comfy too, which is nice. I’m thinking about getting them in different colors now." —Courtney Van Court "Baby goooorl... March yourself into the checkout browser because these are so so so good!! They're really comfortable, which I wasn't expecting all except for the ankle strap, but I think that's because I'm sensitive??? The height was something I was a little scared of, but they're so easy to walk in, I suppose the platform cancels out a portion of the heel. Obviously they're not perfect, but if you want that, you should probably go talk Versace with $1,800 in your pocket." —Anika Get them from Amazon for $48.99+ (available in women's sizes 4–10.5 and seven colors). 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. Mariel Guzman is a resident writer on the Buzzfeed Shopping team whose love for shopping (and doomscrolling on TikTok) helps them curate lists of the most trending lifestyle, home, beauty, and fashion products. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.