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A Fun Mix Of 27 Practical And Fun Purchases That Won’t Hurt Your Wallet
Fun and practical things that are all less than $30… Yes, please.
by
by Lily Burrill
BuzzFeed Staff
by Melanie Aman
BuzzFeed Staff
1. A shea butter-infused cream-to-powder E.l.f. multistick so you can add the perfect pop of color to your eyelids, lips, and cheeks with a *single* product. Clearly, they take the Eyes, Lips, and Face acronym seriously over at E.l.f., and I love that kind of versatility!
Promising review: “Never liked blush until now. I’ve tried so hard to wear blush but it always looked wrong on me, no matter what color or brand. I got [Glistening Peach] a pink color that is so subtle it’s almost imperceptible but it does something. I can put it on in seconds with no mirror and it will still look good.” —Wednesday
Get it from Amazon for $5+ (available in seven shades).
2. A bottle of Elizavecca hair treatment with collagen and ceramide 3 to treat hair that’s been through intense heat or sun damage. Use this in between your shampoo and conditioner and leave it in for five minutes to reveal a suppppeerrrr soft mane after washing it out.
Promising review: “My hair used to be really soft, and then I discovered hot tools and hair dye. While my hair looks good I really missed the soft texture. This works so well. There are no instructions on the box but I washed my hair with my usual shampoo, towel dried it, worked about two quarter-sized dollops through my hair, let it sit for 20 minutes and then rinsed out. I went to bed with wet hair which usually results in my hair being kind of tangled and rough-looking but I woke up and my hair was as soft and silky as it was before I started coloring it. I’m totally in love with this product, I have long fine hair but this doesn’t leave it greasy or weigh it down. I’ll definitely buy again.” —Ellie
Get it from Amazon for $7.40.
Read our Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment review to learn more about why my colleague calls it, “the miracle product I’ve been searching for.”
3. An ingenious two-sided cup which get the best of both worlds! This allows you to enjoy your water and your coffee, tea, soda, or literally whatever your heart pleases all in one cup! Plus, it relieves you of always having to juggle several drink cups.
Check it out on TikTok here!
Promising review: “You NEED this. This product is AMAZING. When I run errands, I hate bringing both a water bottle and coffee tumbler. This product solves that issue. I ran it through my dishwasher to clean it, and the plastic didn’t morph at all. 10/10 recommend!” —Megan Huffman
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in two colors).
4. A set of AirPod-compatible hooks because no matter how hard you try, those little earbuds seem to never stay in place. These hook around the outside of your ear to keep your AirPods from falling out whether you’re listening to some head-banging tunes or on a rocky hike that requires lots of twisting and turning.
Promising review: “The hooks are comfortable and solve the problem of the earbuds falling out over and over again. An unexpected benefit is that the Pods can sit gently on the ear; no need to shove them inside to secure them. I can barely feel the Pods or the hooks. Glad I found these… They solve all problems. And I can wear my glasses while wearing them. Great price too.” —TutorMaven
Get them from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in four colors).
5. Wet & Forget weekly shower spray that does all the hard work for you so you’re free to binge-watch Netflix shows in peace. This bleach-free cleaner removes soap scum and hard water deposits, leaving your shower sparkling clean when all you did was apply, walk away, and rinse off the next day. It’s safe to use on tile, glass, and metal, saving you the expense of getting five different cleaners for your shower!
Amazon
Promising review: “We cannot BEGIN to tell you what a lifesaver this is! We have two old fiberglass tubs with vinyl shower enclosures that no matter what amount of scrubbing we have done with everything from bleach to cleanser to vinegar and baking soda would NOT come clean. After I took my shower last night, I sprayed down the tub and walls. Within minutes, all the built-up water deposits and dirt and grime began to melt away in front of my eyes. I left it on overnight, and when I got up this morning, it did not look like the same tub and shower. This product is a godsend, especially for old folks like us who have difficulty getting down on our hands and knees and scrubbing anything. More importantly, it performs as advertised. We plan on using it as part of our weekly cleanup routine. This is truly an overnight sensation!” —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $19.19 (available in two scents, two sizes, and a multipack).
6. A bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel if your feet have been through the wringer and the dead skin on your heels really shows it. You can leave this on for a few minutes and then scrub away to reveal soft, smooth skin.
Promising review: “If you are constantly wearing sandals and flip-flops, or just generally always barefoot (I’m a homemaker so, need I say more?), you definitely need to try this out! My feet have been dry and calloused for a few years now and despite my best efforts to file it down, it never seems to make much of a difference. This stuff is so much fun to use, and so easy. Way less effort than using a stone or file, and the results are far greater. Next time I purchase this – and I WILL be repurchasing – I’m buying the largest size. Blown away by this stuff! And a quick note, it is a gel consistency, not liquid – so not much of a mess will be made. It is slippery though, by nature of the chemical, so be careful if using in the tub.” —r3b0t1c4
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in two scents and a multipack).
7. A pocket-size refillable travel perfume atomizer so you can take your signature fragrance on the go and not worry about a floral-scented mess leaking in your purse, suitcase, or gym bag! Rather than requiring a funnel, this atomizer simply connects to the nozzle of your perfume bottle for easy refilling.
Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed editor Elizabeth Lilly loves hers. In her own words: “I’ve been using for about a year. It’s great to just throw in your purse on the reg for a fragrance re-up throughout the day. As you can see, it’s about the size of my thumb and, therefore, takes up very little room. Plus! It’s smaller than most rollerball travel fragrances you can pick up. This first one is working so well, that I just have the other three in storage. But if this one bites the dust this summer during travels, I’ll be OK about digging into my stores to use one of the remaining three…especially at this price point.”
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $6.99.
8. A pair of rainbow drip candles that’ll make your guests “oooh” and “ahhh” when they come over for dinner. I don’t know which one they’ll like better, the home-cooked meal you made or these rainbow wax candles that are just so fun to watch melt!
Promising review: “Grab a wine bottle wrapped in a raffia basket and stick in this candle for a flash-back to the 70s and that little Italian restaurant that had the great food. This is total nostalgia. It drips various colors from red to blue and green and we light it every night for dinner and watch our candle drip different colors. This is so much fun and even the kids who were not around back in the day enjoy it.” —D. Salvagin, La Deetda Reads
Get a pair from Amazon for $6.99.
9. A cuticle oil to give your nails that much needed moisture after several gel manis or acrylics. With sweet almond oil, vitamin E, and jojoba, this strengthens the nails and cuticles so you can happily show off your natural nails.
Promising review: “This product is amazing. I’ve always had acrylic or dipped nails because my real nails have always been brittle and always break and peel. I decided to give my nails a break and wanted to try and grow them out. I can’t even believe the outcome! They are stronger than ever and growing! I really wish I had taken a before pic to show the difference!” —JOE D.
Get it from Amazon for $9.90+ (available in three sizes).
10. Some aesthetic highlighters that’ll literally be the ~highlight~ of your office items. These cuties are designed to not bleed through your papers. The soft pastel colors are easy on the eyes, too.
Promising review: “I am absolutely in love!! The shape of the highlighter itself makes it so easily glide over the paper. Super smooth. The colors are sooooo beautiful! It’s not often where what you see is truly what you get. I am very satisfied :)” —Sung Han
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $7.99 (available in two color combinations).
11. A roll-up straw hat, a perfect accessory for those sunny days and a perfect travel item since it doesn’t take up valuable space in your carry-on. Plus, it’s UPF 50+ which means it keeps you protected from sun rays all day long!
Promising review: “Extra satisfied with this purchase!! I ordered it for a trip to Florida. I wear hair extensions and was worried that it would be too small for my head but it fits perfectly. There is also a ribbon inside of the hat under the band that you can use to tighten/adjust if needed. Soft straw and flexible enough to mold to your head in the humidity and heat. I ordered the khaki color, which is perfect and neutral for any beach our outdoor vacation. I also purchased a few cute broaches to attach to the band to upgrade it a bit. It’s easy to flatten out the brim if it gets wrinkled although I haven’t had to adjust the top part of the hat yet. I was a little hesitant at first but so happy with this hat. Will def get good use out of it this summer.” —Tlikey
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in two sizes and 22 colors).
12. A pet hair roller that makes it easy to get all the little piles of hair that your pup or cat “graciously gifts you” on your couch and carpets. Roll this back and forth and press the release button to reveal all the hair that makes you ask your animal, “How are you not bald already?” This reusable tool is way more efficient than going through a whole lint roller with wasteful sticky sheets.
Promising review: “Where has this been all my cat-loving life? Sticky rollers work fine for clothes, but this is the only product that has ever COMPLETELY removed all the cat hair from my bed. I have a long-haired 20-pound tabby and if you run your hands up his back a few times and fling the hair everywhere, it looks like it’s snowing — he never stops shedding no matter what I do. After using the ChomChom, I can put on a black dress and roll around on my bed and not get a single hair on me. It’s absolutely amazing. Everyone is getting one for Christmas, even if they don’t have a pet. I don’t care, it’s THAT good.” —Stephanie
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in two colors).
13. A sand-removal bag, which is talc-free and reef-friendly. Wipe this on any body part, and it will easily remove sand so you can reapply sunscreen, eat a snack, or put your shoes back on without that pesky sand getting in the way.
Shakalo is a small business based in San Diego.
Promising review: “We recently moved to a beach area, and we are constantly there. This item has changed our entire lives! It lasts decently long (depending on how much you use it), it smells super good (not at all like baby powder), and it’s super effective. It has saved me from vacuuming my car at least 1–2 times a week. And I even use it on my dogs paws and bellies to make sure they’re taken care of too. I will definitely be buying the refill & another baggie to have exclusively in the car.” —Gabbs Uresti
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (also available in a three-pack).
14. An extreme hold eyebrow gel that, dare I say, might leave your eyebrows looking “on fleek.” Seriously, this stuff gives you that laminated look without leaving white crusty flakes. It can last up to 16 hours and it’s less than $10!
Promising review: “I would use hair spray to hold my eyebrows and throughout the day I would sweat through it and it wouldn’t last. I tried this because the price was great and I’m glad i did. This product is awesome. I’ve had it on my brows for a nine-hour shift and they are still in place! It doesn’t dry and get flakey, nor does it feel uncomfortable on the skin. Lastly, I use brow powder and this does NOT affect the look of the powder nor does it smudge it. I will FOREVER buy this product.” —Shelby
Get it from Amazon for $9.11+ (available in five shades and multipacks).
15. A beeswax wood polisher which targets all those worn down, scratched, and dinged up cabinets and tables that are starting to become a real eyesore. No need to spend boatloads of money on new furniture or replacing wood — simply rub this on to not only refresh furniture but to help prevent it from further drying out and cracking.
16. An air fryer basket for those of you who don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on a big, bulky air fryer… but still want crispy, crunchy food. You can put this in the oven and the mesh basket allows for even cooking all around and without the extra oil buildup.
Promising review: “I wanted to simulate air-frying in a countertop or conventional oven. This product does the trick, more so in my conventional oven; it has a ‘speed-bake’ feature that simulates a confection oven. It’s small enough to fit in my countertop oven. Love that the tray catches drips, and it doubles up nicely as a cookie sheet for small batches of chocolate chips! Cleanup is a dream. I cook-spray it prior to use, then treat it as cast iron while cleaning it (i.e., very hot water and a scrubby sponge — no soap on the baking surface). I use a little soapy water on the rim and ‘feet,’ so there is no oily buildup there. (I also foil- or parchment paper-line the drip sheet, to make cleanup that much easier, but that’s just me. I’m pretty sure it’s not necessary as the nonstick finish seems pretty danged good so far.)” —Joanna Aislinn
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three sizes).
17. A special jewelry clasp, a must-have if you love layering your necklaces but hate spending time untangling them. And if you’re lazy like me, you can even use this with one necklace. The easy-to-use tube clasp simplifies your morning routine so you don’t struggle accessorizing when you’re half awake.
Theresa Rose is a San Diego-based small business.
Former BuzzFeeder Kayla Suazo says: “I recently bought a couple of these and had one of those very real WHY DIDN’T I BUY ONE OF THESE SOONER moments. They do an amazing job at keeping your necklaces from tangling as you wear them, and I love that I can layer several of my favorites at once. I am forever sold on these.”
Get it from Theresa Rose on Etsy for $13.49+ (available in two colors and for two, three, or four strands).
18. A headboard light if you’re a little tight on space and don’t want to deal with wall sconces and the wiring that comes with them. This hangs over your headboard and allows you to enjoy some cozy lighting before bedtime.
Amazon
This is designed to slide over headboards up to 1.5 inches thick but reviewers say it will stretch for larger headboards.
Promising review: “Great little headboard lamps. Make reading before going to sleep a joy. No more trying to find the right light angle. Love them, so I decided to get a couple for my husband.” —Gurpreet
Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in two styles and in a multipack).
19. A pack of foaming garbage disposal cleaners capable of turning your food graveyard into a lemon-scented haven. I think we all can collectively agree that shoving our hand down the disposal to deep clean is not in our job description. Just place the packet in the disposal, let it soak, and turn on your disposal! Easy peasy lemon squeezy!
Promising review: “We’ve had a stinky disposal for some time. I’d try running ice through it and cleaning the plastic flap at the top with little success. I ran it this morning with a packet of this cleaner and so much dark grey stuff came up on the disposal side and even more gray stuff from the second sink! I was really surprised with how much gunk came up. I ran a second packet and it all came up as blue foam so I think it got it all. Will run monthly to keep up the maintenance but could not be happier.” —Amazon Customer
Get a pack (good for four uses) from Amazon for $3.67 (also available in multipacks).
20. A tear-proof screen because even though it might be a fun sight to watch your cat do some Spiderman-like moves, a torn screen door is *not* fun to deal with. Thankfully, this is made from ultra durable polyester yarn that is designed to withstand tears and scratches.
Promising review: “Our delightful kitty, Skittles, will not be contained by ordinary window screens. She’s shredded four of them that blocked her favorite escape routes. In about a minute, she can make a cat-sized hole and she’s outta here. It’s been a nightmare here in South Florida. We can’t open our windows on hot nights because every flying and crawling critter comes right in through the giant holes in the screens. In desperation, I bought this to see if it would help. I installed the Pet D-Fence screening about a month ago. Little Skittles has made a couple of runs at it, but so far, it’s completely unscathed. I have a good feeling about this. The Pet D-Fence screening is slightly more opaque than regular screening, but that means nothing to me because regular screening won’t survive one night. So far, I’m very happy!” —verygooddog
Get it from Amazon for $16.78+ (available in four sizes).
21. A set of rattle socks and armbands so your little one can entertain themselves! Singing “Wheels on the Bus” can only go so far (and only so many verses 😭).
22. An anti-soggy cereal bowl for anyone who despises the feeling of mushy cereal. This is also great for other meals like chips and guac, tomato soup and grilled cheese, or milk and cookies. Truly, the possibilities are endless. Say sayonara to soggy food!
Promising review: “This product is something I didn’t know I needed. It’s like the creator crawled into my soul and found the deepest desire of my heart and then invented it. If you think I’m being dramatic, you should try soggy cereal and then eat cereal from THIS bowl. I’ll take 30 more, please, and hand them out as gifts.” —Sarah F.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three colors and in packs of two or three).
23. A fun tote bag that folds up into a little kitty plush. When it’s not used for your groceries, it’s a decorative item for your room! AND when the clerk asks, “Paper or plastic?” you can proudly show ’em this super duper cute bag.
Promising review: “This bag is very cute and lightweight. Side note: Yes, the plush is attached to the bag and cannot be removed. The tote itself is not huge but it can hold just enough for whatever you need. The material is thin but nicely made.” —Mikayla
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in 26 styles).
24. A medication tracker to help you remember that you did, in fact, take your daily pills, and you don’t need to retrace your steps in order to remember what you did six hours ago. This sticks onto the side of the bottle and is reusable!
Promising review: “I love this! I have made it a habit before I take my medicine; I slide the lever over. At the end of the week, I line all of the levers back up on the left. This has worked well for me. I also attached the Take And Slide with a slightly stretchy hair band, so that it can be used over and over from bottle to bottle. Thank you!” —Martha Forness
Get a pack of five from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in a two-pack and in two colors).
25. A Flip It! bottle emptying kit because every ounce counts — especially if you spent a pretty penny on a particular body wash or hand lotion. Now you can squeeze out the last bits instead of patiently waiting for seven minutes just to get a couple of drops’ worth of product.
It comes with two stands/caps and six adapters to fit any size bottle. Just make sure it’s a bottle that can actually be squeezed, since it won’t work with totally solid bottles.
Promising review: “Life altering. I will never fight with a pump bottle again. As soon as it gets difficult to pump anything out of any bottle, I will waste no time in ‘flipping it.’ I’m so glad someone created this. Upside-down bottles are such a small annoyance in life, but this simple solution really means a lot. 100% worth the price.” —Amazon Customer
Get a pack of two stands and six adapters from Amazon for $15.49 (available in two colors and available individually or in a six-pack).
26. An Orly Bonder base coat — if the nail salons use it, you should probably be using it too for your at-home mani/pedi. This helps your polish last longer and with less chipping!
BuzzFeed contributor Katy Herman swears by this stuff:
“I personally am an Orly devotee as well — I love pretty much all their products that I’ve tried, and their polish bottles have an excellent grippy handle. After seeing the amazing reviews for the base coat, I tried it too, and I’m blown away. The product calls itself “rubberized,” which is a great way to describe the not unpleasantly sticky way it leaves your nails ready to better stick to polish. The major bonus is that with this, my clumsy self is able to do a better job of painting my nails to begin with. Because of said rubbery stickiness, my polish brush doesn’t slip all over the place or over the edges of my super-short nails. I’m able to do a way cleaner, more precise job, which then lasts longer too. With this and the brand’s top coat, I’m now able to take it for granted that my nails will stay looking pretty good for close to a week. That’s way longer than usual for me, so TL;DR: This is an all-around win-win and a *must* buy.”
Get it from Amazon for $9.
27. A set of suction cup bath toys so your little one can focus on stacking these instead of finding every way to splash dirty bathwater outside of the tub. (😣)
Promising review: “I bought these for my daughter when she was about a year old. She is now almost three and still uses them during bath time. So does my 9-month-old. No mold, still suctions well, easy to clean and dry. I just suction them on the border of the tub so the water can drip into the tub. No mold or mildew!” —Nikki
Get a set of nine from Amazon for $10.99+ (available in two color combinations).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
