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You can’t change the past, but future you will appreciate the wisdom in these purchases.

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: "So totally awesome. 😬 I needed new Band-Aids — I’m always doing something ridiculous, and with these, so pretty. I have one cat that likes to let me know when she’s done with pets, and I have claw marks from her — not to mention my general clumsiness with gardening and cooking. Love them!!" —Mom the Handyman 

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 $22.02+ (available in five sizes and 13 colors).

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 $19.99 (available in two scents, two sizes, and as a two-pack).

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). 

Prefer briefs? Check out this similar seamless design with rave reviews!

Promising review: "After trying these, the pursuit for the most seamless underwear ended with these, and I came to write that on my way to buy a second pack. I worked at VS for three years, what seems like forever ago, and tried every “seamless” thong under the sun- at the store and otherwise- all of which rolled, were still visible, or the liner was not cotton, which just feels gross by the end of a workout or the end of the day. These aren’t that. They DISAPPEAR under all the workout attire. Anti-camel toe… HELLO?!?! They don’t hold sweat. They don’t roll. They don’t move around.  I just had my fourth baby and first C-section a couple of months back, and these are wide enough in the front. What is this panty sorcery? I threw out everything else from anywhere else. Follow the size guide. I washed in warm water upon arrival, even with the red in the pack, and none of the colors bled. I’ve washed 2x, and they look the same as when I first opened the box. They’re wildly comfortable for a thong from someone who despises every thong and even other styles of underwear I’ve ever tried. Picky lady problems, the list went on. Always something wrong about them on my body. NOT THESE! What!?!! I work out in these, run errands, housework ahhhh — they’re my new go-to that I ditched everything else. Comfy, sexy, stretchy, actually so seamless that they don’t exist under clothing, and a fantastic deal… It’s sorcery, I’m convinced." —Ebony

Get a set of six from Amazon for $24.98+ (available in women's sizes XS–4X and 10 color combos).

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

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

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 $7.99+ (available in four colors).

Promising review: "Two weeks ago, I didn’t even know stone bath mats existed! But wow! What a game changer! I’m one of those people that avoids my cloth bath mat when it’s wet. Because eww! Now, I can take a shower right after my husband and not have to worry about stepping on a wet bath mat. The stone absorbs the water so fast! Can’t wait to upgrade my other bathroom mats." —Angela

It recharges via USB-C cable, which is included!

Promising review: "It’s super compact, lightweight, and easy to carry everywhere. The pink color is adorable, and the design feels modern and cute. I really like that it comes with a clip and wrist strap. The airflow is surprisingly strong for such a small fan, and it charges quickly with the included USB cable. The battery lasts a good amount of time, and it’s also very quiet." —Jaime

Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in six colors and 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 $5.97 (also available in multipacks).

Promising review: "I’ve tried so many nipple covers over the years, and these are just in a league of their own! They stick and don’t move (sweat, clothes, moisturizer, etc. — nothing budges them), but then they peel off so easily. It’s magic. They are completely seamless, and my husband (without prompting) said they looked like a second skin. I’ve got quite 'triangular' boobs, and they completely mold to the shape and look like I just have no nipples lol. Only when I’m suuuuuper cold does any level of nipple start to show through, and even then, it’s minimal. They’re more pricey than others I’ve bought before, but so worth it. The others were one-and-done — these have held up through multiple wears and are still in perfect condition. Will repurchase them as soon as they wear out, without a doubt! No more bras!" —Alison

BuzzFeed editor Natalie Brown swears by these pasties! Check out her Nippies review to learn more.

Get a set from Amazon for $26.50 (available in five shades and three sizes: one that fits cups A–C, one that fits cups D+, and one that fits cups DD+).

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: "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).

Caffeine can temporarily smooth and brighten skin, if that's something you're looking for in a product. Read more about the skincare benefits of caffeine at the Cleveland Clinic.

Promising review: "Believe the hype! Yes, it does work! I have been using this for two months. I use it on my neck and face twice a day. One jar has lasted me two months; I am almost due to buy another. A little bit goes a long way. VERY moisturizing! I just lost a lot of weight and was insecure about my neck. This product made a HUGE difference in just two months. Thanks to TikTok for introducing me to this line. I will never be without it!!! I would love a massive bottle to use all over my body. LOL!!" —Amanda Gikas

Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (also available as a two-pack).

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).

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

Promising review: "Nice and thin. You'll find so many more uses for these around the house than just getting stuff off the underside of cookware! I had hard, scaly water deposits on the glass surrounding our powder room faucet (one of those fancy, highfalutin modern-looking things). I've tried everything for four years to get this stuff off. One day, I thought, maybe I'll try my sponges. Took it all off super easily!!!! The faucet looks like new. My only rec is to spot-test your item first before using it because it will scratch certain surfaces if you scrub too aggressively (for example, it gets the burned-on, weird stuff off of the bottom of my fave pan, but I rubbed too hard in one spot and it took the color right off lol)." —Hoarder

Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $7.69+ (available in black or brown and in two sponge thicknesses).

The brand recommends applying twice a day for best results!

Read more about how Q10 benefits the skin from the National Library of Medicine.

Promising review: "I’ve been using this for a few years and love it! I had loose skin after losing weight, and this gel has been a game-changer, with noticeable improvement in my skin’s texture and firmness in just a few weeks. I use this gel on my thighs, stomach, and underarms. I pair it with Nivea’s body lotion for the rest of my body. A little bit goes a long way, so the bottle lasts a while. I switched over to another gel for a month a bit ago, and I noticed my skin returning to uneven firmness and texture. Once I went back to using this product, I noticed improvements within a few weeks again. So, this isn’t a cure, but with continuous use, results are maintained to keep my skin firm, moisturized, and even textured." —Morgan

Grampa's Gardenware Co. is a family-owned small business based in Oregon that makes gardening tools.

Promising review: "Oh my god, I friggin' love this tool. I bought this on a whim, given we bought our first house and know nothing about caring for a yard. Boy, has it come in handy. Our new house had a ton of weeds in the front yard, and this tool helped me get most of them out in no time. In fact, the process of yanking out the weed was strangely satisfying! I don't think anyone can say that weeding is fun, but this tool made it as close to fun as you can get, especially when you see a long root along with the weed you pulled." —JG

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).

BTW, a lot of reviewers say they use this as part of their double cleansing routine. As the name implies, double cleansing is a method of cleansing your face twice: first with an oil-based cleanser, and again with a water-based cleanser to help get all the yucky stuff out of your pores.

Promising reviews: "BEST OIL CLEANSER I SWEAR. I’ve gone through 3–4 bottles now and it continues to cleanse my skin AMAZING. It melts makeup, clears pores. Honestly a heaven-send. The first time I used it, it cleared a lot of my sebum and even now when I use it, it clears any dead skin and dirt I have, even when I don’t wear makeup. BUY IT, it's amazing." —rexichor

"Got it because it was all over my TikTok and I wanted to try the double cleansing. And wow, I don't regret it, it's amazing!!!! Leaves my skin so soft and so hydrated. I use it before my water base cleanser and it has helped me reduce my breakouts. I love the texture, the smell is very subtle (you can barely smell it) and I just love it." —Linette González

For tough stains, it's recommended to spray, then massage the affected area with a soft brush. Wait at least eight hours, then launder with the warmest water the fabric care instructions allow. 

Check out a TikTok of the laundry spray in action. 

Puracy is a Texas-based, family-owned business specializing in plant-based, chemical-free, hypoallergenic home products, with a donation made to local families in need with a portion of every purchase. 

BuzzFeeder Emma Lord says: "Psst — this spray also does a number on all those other miscellaneous stains in your life, like wine, coffee, soy sauce, makeup, and period blood! I recently bought this to test it for myself, and can attest to how well it works to get period blood out even after you've tried something else. I stained a pair of beloved bright-blue bike shorts in my sleep and tried to get it out with soap and water, but the stain was still there when it came out of the wash. I treated it with this, stuck it back in the wash, and BOOM, it's like it never happened (I panicked before I could get a before and after, please forgive me, laundry gods)."

Get it from Amazon for $6.98 (also available in larger sizes and as a two-pack).

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).

Check out a TikTok of the icon juice glasses in action.

Promising review: "You can’t go wrong with the Icon glassware. Perfect sized, beautiful, and having some weight to it, I love to gift these as housewarming gifts to friends and family." —EmPars

Get it from Anthropologie for $16 (available in eight styles and even more here).

Fomin is a small business that specializes in travel soaps and wipes. 

Promising review: "Best thing ever. I work outdoors and I use this for my job. Doesn’t require lots of water either, but gets the job done. I actually bought it for my fishing trip and can’t wait to see how well it does." —Amazon Customer

Get a set of three (300 sheets) from Amazon for $11.99 (available in single-scent packs, unscented, and larger packs). 

It uses to Brazilian açaí butter and African Mongongo butter to moisturize and hibiscus enzymes, lactic acid, and pyruvic acid to exfoliate!

BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Rachelle Yang says: "I recently received this lip balm and I refuse to be without it, I'm not even exaggerating. Whenever I realize I've left my apartment without it, I go back and get it — it's that good. My favorite thing about this lip balm is the metal applicator. I've never seen anything like it! It's cooling to the touch and goes on so smooth without leaving any residue behind. As a lip product connoisseur, this is by far my favorite because not only does it leave my lips hydrated as heck, but it also adds a tint of color so I don't need to go over it with lipstick or a colored gloss!"

Promising review: "Magical. I love the feel of this lip balm on my lips; it feels thick, smooth, and luxurious. It also exfoliates my lips well because just after an hour, I could feel my dead skin being removed, and it left my lips so soft." —cawleann

Get it from Amazon or Sephora for $24 (available in seven shades).

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. 

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 $6.89 (also available as a two-pack).

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

Peach Slices is a part of the skincare company Peach & Lily, which was founded by celebrity esthetician Alicia Yoon. It prioritizes vegan beauty products and recyclable packaging. They plant a tree for each order and have sent some proceeds to Restore NYC since 2016. 

Promising review: "I absolutely love this product. I'd been going back and forth whether I should buy it for between waxes, as my skin is sensitive and I'm prone to ingrown hairs and overall skin irritation. I have to say I wish I'd purchased it sooner. I use it daily and I've noticed a big difference! I've found that exfoliating is key before applying it for best results. I still get irritation from time to time, but I've been using this solution daily for the past three weeks and have noticed really positive changes in my skin where it usually gets irritated! Due to the roller ball, it doesn't release too much product on application so a little can go a long way! My first body care product from Peach and Lily and I will definitely be reordering once this bottle runs out!" —Claire H.

Get it from Amazon for $17.88, or from Ulta or Peach & Lily for $17.99.

Promising review: "We were inundated with fruit flies last spring when I discovered these. In a couple of days, the fruit flies were pretty well gone. I expect to be buying these again before long as fruit fly season is not far off." —Dave

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $10.98 (also available as a six-pack).

It can hold up to 1.2 pounds of beans or 1.5 pounds of ground coffee.

Styled Settings is a small biz that offers a variety of kitchen essentials.

Promising review: "I love it! The white and gold looks so classy and elegant on my counter space in my kitchen. It gives aesthetics. It feels sturdy, well made, and easy to use. Whether you’re storing beans or grounds, this one is a must have. I’m using it for grounds. ☺️" —Felicia Watkins

Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in three colors and as a two-pack).

Hanni is a small business that specializes in personal care products. 

Promising review: "Love love love! Holy grail shower product. This saves me money on soap because the lather it produces takes just a couple of pumps for my whole body. The exfoliation is epic, and I can finally reach my entire back. Also dries very quickly and is such a cute pattern! I will definitely be purchasing them as gifts." —Tirza Sosah

Get it from Amazon for $18 (also available as a two-pack). 

Insert your preferred blade and lock it into place, add your veggie, close the lid, and chop your heart out!

Check out a TikTok of the veggie chopper in action. 

Promising review: "This is one of my absolute favorite kitchen tools! This is right up there with my stand mixer. I save hours a week using this for dinner prep. I HATE cutting up veggies for dinner and this makes it fast and fun! I can’t believe I didn’t buy one years ago. This is worth every penny. Easy to use and I can just throw it in my dishwasher for clean up. I’m obsessed. I will be buying these as gifts. This is an absolute must-have for everyone." —Reviewer

Get it from Amazon for $24.22+ (available in four colors and five sizes).

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).

Promising reviews: "Saved a ton of money for vet bills. This stuff works fantastic and my cat actually doesn't mind getting the drops. I followed the instructions and they did exactly as they said. After reading the reviews, I was sort of convinced but now I won't get anything else. Totally worth the money." —Debbie M

"I took my Golden Retriever to the veterinarian with a bad ear infection that I could not seem to stop. It cost me $286.42 for them to clean her ears, give me two medications, which have some side effects I didn't like, some drops to put in her ears daily, and a cleaning solution. It seemed to fix the problem, but within a week of ending the program, she was shaking her head again, and there was a foul smell from her ears. That's when I went searching, and found Zymox on Amazon. I liked the reviews I read, so I bought it. After using it for two days, the head shaking stopped, and the smell was almost gone, and within a week there was no more problem. I am sold on this stuff, and will never use anything else on her ears. It is like a miracle formula." —Glenn

Get it from Amazon for $28.49+ (available in two sizes).

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.