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Seriously, nothing in this post costs more than $17!

I'm a Shopping editor (and mom to two toddlers) who covers a variety of topics, including helpful parenting/kids products, exciting gadgets, cozy products (think: home goods and fashions that'll make you want to snuggle), and any magical Disney item that crosses my path.

Have you ever commented on someone's fabulous tan only to discover it's actually a Jergens self-tanning lotion that actually costs less than $11? Well, you're about to have that experience over and over as you scroll this post and unearth all kinds of exciting (affordable!) finds that'll genuinely leave your jaw on the floor! From an $8 tubing mascara and DEET-free mosquito-repelling bracelets (they fit both adults and kids!) to an eight-pack of tough-as-nails sponges for less than $1 each, you'll find all kinds of things you'll want to add to your cart right this very minute.

Promising reviews: "I have 4c hair and was looking for a protein treatment for my thin and fragile hair. I had recently used a product in my hair that had so much alcohol in it that it wreaked havoc on my hair, leaving it pretty damaged. I was very skeptical about this product because I have never seen anyone with my hair type use it. Boy, was I wrong to doubt this product; it left my hair looking and feeling beautiful. I highly recommend it to anyone with natural or curly hair." —Therese-Claire

And check out our full Elizavecca CER-100 collagen protein treatment review.

You can either use it as a scent inhaler or rub it directly on the tip of your nose for relief.

Promising review: "Took this on my first cruise. Anytime when I started to feel woozy I’d reach for it. I’m sure the required act of deep breathing helped a lot - and breathing in the fragrance of the essential oil is very calming and effective. Worked for me! Wonderful!" —Willy&Lilly

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 for a pack of two (also available in a pack of four). 

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 pony tail 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 

Check out a TikTok of the foaming pink drain cleaner in action. 

Promising review: "My kids clogged the sink drain with those small gel balls often used for flower arrangements. Nothing could clear it, and they were impossible to remove. However, this product worked wonders! The foam pushed the gel balls out through the sink’s overflow hole, and the drain was completely cleared. I ended up using it on all the sinks and even the bathtub drains, and it worked perfectly everywhere. Hair clogs, slow drainage—everything was cleared effortlessly. I’m beyond satisfied with this product!" —Tatiana

Get it from Amazon for $15.98 (also available in a two-pack).

You deal all the cards out to your two to four players, and everyone keeps their mini-deck facedown. Everyone takes a turn putting a card down in the middle of the table, saying one of the words "taco," "cat," "goat," "cheese," and "pizza," in that order. If the picture on your card matches the word that's said, everyone slaps their hand on the card in a pile as quickly as possible. The last person on the pile has to take the stack and add 'em to their cards, and whoever runs out of cards first wins!

Promising review: "We love Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza original game, so I am so happy that now I can bring this with us to the beach! My kids have already put these in our pool and have been 'diving' for them. It's not exactly how you play the game at all, but they think it is fun! Also, the little outfits for the characters are adorable. I was skeptical about the travel clip at first, but the circle shape makes it much easier to get the cards on/off." —Timothy M.

Get it from Amazon for $14.97 and check out these waterproof playing cards while you're at it!

Promising review: "I was amazed how real this looks, even side by side with the real thing. Of course, when you turn it over, you can see the compartment, and you will have to add weight if you want it to feel real, but just sitting in the pantry, it looks real!" —Brenda

Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in nine styles).

Promising review: "Cleaned three items in less than five minutes. Vacuum brush head and two hair brushes that have three girls' long hair. I can’t wait to get the whole vacuum and rug cleaner bristles cleaned. I had to write this review after testing it out. Design is strong, sturdy, and handles great. Highly recommended." —Rob

Promising review: "This product delivers exactly as promised and is incredibly easy to use. I have dry skin and often use 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

Promising review: "I’m really impressed with this product. It’s very easy to apply, the same way you would any lotion. It absorbs quickly into the skin. There is a very light, pleasant, fragrance. I had no issues with application or streaks. The tanning lotion gives a nice bronze appearance to the skin which is what I was looking for. The sunless tanner allows you to continue to build the color until you reach your desired look." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $10.47 (available in Fair to Medium, Medium to Deep, and several sizes) 

Promising review: "I love this so I ordered a second for backup! Depending on my day I will add no more than one or two drops to my moisturizer or my primer. Takes away the winter pallor of my face which definitely has not had enough sun lately. The bottle is small, but you don’t need to use much. Reasonably priced for the amount. I would say buy it." —Incognito

Promising review: "I use this when I’m making hollandaise sauce. It makes a tedious task more fun — who wouldn’t get a smile when looking at a cute little daisy? It’s much more interesting than a boring, normal egg separator! I love this company’s products — they bring fun into mundane tasks like cooking, cleaning, and more!" —Shelly Smithson

You can use each pen about 20 times and should expect your teeth to lighten 4–8 shades.

Promising review: "I have only used the two original pens that I purchased and can already see an improvement. I am older than 60 and drink coffee daily and red wine weekly." —vicki houska

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

Get it from Amazon for $16.33 (also available in a two-pack).

It doesn't contain any parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, or SLS.

Promising review: "I bought this before I went on a cruise. We stayed in a hotel for a few days prior, and I got a little too toasty in the sun. Used this, and it helped dull down the burn feeling and helped heal my skin within days. By the time of the cruise, I was fine with no pain from the burn. Continued to use it daily while on vacation. Works like a charm. Love it! Smells great too! It's not a loud smell or anything. Would totally recommend and buy again!" —Victoria Ramsey

BuzzFeed writer Mallory Mower is a big fan! She said, "This mascara was one of my first BuzzFeed shopping list impulse purchases! All the wild customer images sold me (it feels like this stuff makes lashes illegally long!) and positive reviews. I was *so* excited to get my hands on their brown version! I have naturally light lashes and red hair, so black lashes look really unnatural on me. I've loved using the brown and having a color that better complements my skin/hair. You can see my before and after photos above. This stuff is magic."

Promising review: "I have to be honest, for a 'cheap' three-pack mascara, I did NOT have high expectations. These, however, exceeded my expectations and went MUCH MUCH farther. I had been buying a certain $25/tube brand (rhymes with truepique) and I like these just as much!! I’m saving a TON of money and like my lashes just as much." —Liz

Get it from Amazon for $4.97 (also available in a three-pack).

Check out a TikTok of the E.l.f. tubing mascara in action. 

BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord is a fan with a capital F, "I am not a new human to the tubing mascara game, and in fact readily spent $26 on the famous OG blend from Blinc every time it needed replacing. I didn't even love it for the length half as much as the fact that tubing mascara like this genuinely never smudges, but can I just say — regardless of price, the E.l.f. tubing mascara formula blows all the others I've tried out of the water. It gives me way more length and volume than other brands, slides on so much more easily, stays put ALL day, and never, ever smudges. My favorite part, though, is how gently and easily it comes off with soap and water. In the past, other mascara removals have felt rough on my lashes, but this comes off so fast that I'm like ??? was I even wearing mascara a minute ago?? Anyway, I hesitate even writing this review because I want to gatekeep the hell out of this before it sells out, but the world needed to know. I'm a big fan of the brown shade (which is what I'm wearing above!), but it also comes in black and soft black."

Get it from Amazon for $8 (available in three shades). 

Promising review: "The 'abrasive sponge when cold' or 'squishy when hot' is an awesome feature for the type of scrubbing you want to do. The Pink Stuff with the sponge does wonders! We have a hideous 30-year-old shower and although it doesn’t look brand-new like I was hoping, it’s 10 times better!! This product really does work!" —GreenGoddess

"I’ve been using this stuff for a while for a glass stove top, but today I put it to the real test. It took me about 45 minutes to clean the inside of the oven. This is three years of buildup. This stuff makes cleaning so much easier! It was not easy because cleaning inside the stove was always so awkward and uncomfortable, but this stuff helped so much! I didn’t have to scrub really hard, just a regular scrub." —Tia

Get the set (one Pink Stuff jar and a "Sqeezy") from Amazon for $9.78. 

Promising review: "This is so easy to use. It’s so quick and easy and removes really tough stains, and it smells great. I have already used it to clean the inside glass of the oven and to remove stubborn stains on my bathroom tiles that my regular bathroom cleaner couldn't remove. Really good product." —Amazon Customer

Promising review: "This product is the real deal. The first time I used it, I noticed a definite softening of the lines on my neck. I have been using it for about a week and it has made a noticeable difference. No, the wrinkles are not completely gone but there is a real difference. I will also point out that I am almost 70, so I wasn't expecting a miracle, but this product has come pretty darn close. I recommend it." —rose b.

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

Promising reviews: "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 

"This right here is the real deal! You can see immediate results! It firms and moisturizes my eye lids! A must-have!" —Nancy A. Borkowski

I needed to discover what all the hype was about and tried this out on my own bathtub and, ya know what? It really does work well! It scrubbed a ton of dirt particles off my tub walls (yuck, but what do you expect when you bathe two kid-sized gremlins who play in sandboxes all afternoon in there?). I didn't use any additional cleaning products with it, just the formula that was built into the sponge! I did scrub kind of aggressively, and my hand hurt a bit from gripping so hard onto the handle, but my tub was shiny and clean when I was done!

Promising review: "I love this thing! The handle makes it so much easier to wash the walls in my shower. No more grinding my knuckles against the shower wall as I'm cleaning it. Just a handle and an easy glide. They are thick and sturdy, and the normal size of a Magic Eraser. I was hoping they would be thicker, but I'm okay with it. I'm definitely a fan and will buy it again!" —Dawne

Get a tool and two refills from Amazon for $12.94.

Check out a TikTok of the mosquito-repelling bracelets in action. Cliganic is a small business!

Promising review: "I moved last year from Southern California to North Carolina. Bugs of all types have always been attracted to me but the amount of bites I got last summer was WILD. Someone gave me one of these types of bracelets to use one day and it seemed to work SOOOOOO I decided to buy myself an arsenal to prepare for this summer. I read the reviews and about 99% of them had great results. I've only used this bracelet twice but both times I was outside and untouched. I'm not fond of the smell, I'm hyper sensitive to smells, but I'd rather have the odor than being chewed alive." —Tracey Agopian

Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $9.49 (available in more multipacks). 

Check out a TikTok of the Nyx Pore Filler in action.  

Promising review: "Love this. It truly covers my pores, and I noticed it covers some of my wrinkles. I apply it right before I apply my foundation. There is no drying time needed. And it makes my skin silky smooth. I'm buying it again as I write this review. Thanks for this product." —Greeneyez 

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 

My 2-year-old is a big ice pop fan, so I've got a long life ahead of me to be filled with stain removal. In the above photo, I held her while she sucked down a red ice pop on a 90-degree day. Naturally, it dripped all over my white tank top (note to self: stop wearing white around these kids). I was actually kind of excited because it meant I got to put my newly purchased bottle of Miss Mouth's Messy Eater Stain Treater Spray to the test! I followed the directions on the bottle that said to dampen the stained area, spray it with the stain remover, then pop it into the washing machine as usual. What do ya know — it really worked! Completely cleared away all the red stains! Not sure what witchcraft has been used to make this product, but I'm here for it.

Promising review: "My 1-year-old has taco meat stains ALL over the sleeves of his shirt. The stains were 2–3 days old, too. I sprayed the shirt, let it sit for about 15 minutes, and then washed the shirt with regular laundry soap. Almost every bit of the stains came out. Definitely buying bulk in this product!" —Sloan Avery

Get it from Amazon for $7.97+ (available in a variety of quantities)

Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans that even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines. I personally use this toothbrush and have been telling everyone in my life to get it — it's a game changer. I've always been prone to plaque build-up, and it's been very hard to keep my teeth feeling fresh after the dentist's, but this toothbrush has done the trick! The first time I used it, my mouth actually hurt a little, like when you get a full cleaning done. It was kind of incredible. The bristles are super soft and not irritating, but somehow, magically, they deep-clean my teeth better than any toothbrush I've had before.

Promising review: "It’s so much easier to get around all sides of the very back teeth than with the bulky electric. I love the way it makes my teeth feel afterward. It really does feel like you’ve just left your dentist." —Vicki Perkins

I use this stuff constantly and can confirm it's fantastic. I use it on my frying pans and the grill pans from my griddler (which is ALWAYS a pain to clean). It loosens all the gunk and makes cleaning burnt bits and pieces much easier. It also smells incredible — very fresh and delightful! I recently swapped from the "fresh" scent to the "apple" one, and wow, it smells delicious. It also works great for removing stains on clothes (I've seen it remove coffee from a white tee with my very own eyes).

Promising review: "This makes it so easy to keep my sink clear of dishes. I use it constantly throughout the day. Every time I use a dish, I give it a quick spray, wash it, rinse it, and put it in a dish drainer. It is wonderful. I wish it was a little cheaper as I’m constantly using it; other than that, I love it." —Linda W.

Get a pack of four Amazon for $8.44 (available in three scents).

Promising review: "I have tried every single thing, including a professional window cleaner, to get my shower door clean. Nothing worked; I tried it all. This worked like there was magic fairy dust in it or something! I used a small, round scrub brush and used circular motions. Let it sit for five minutes and rinse it off. I wish I had taken pictures before! Trust me, it was awful!!! 20 years of water stains, etc., are completely gone. My shower looks brand new! Buy this stuff, you will not be disappointed!!!" —Tracy F.

Get it from Amazon for $16.29+ (available in three sizes).

Promising review: "This is the perfect easy breakfast sandwich maker. It cooks the egg perfectly (I used jumbo eggs, and it worked perfectly, just like regular eggs). It’s honestly one of my personal favorite appliances. I just had a baby, and having something I can crack an egg into and let it sit to cook without having to flip, and it’s done within five minutes is honestly a lifesaver, and it cleans super easy! 10/10 I love this thing; it's just like my George Foreman!" —Emily

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in six colors). 

Promising review: I only needed one coat for coverage over the OPI primer. The nail polish quickly dried and stayed on my nails for two weeks before starting to chip. The polish is a great value for money, color, and shine." —lois

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in 31 shades) 

Promising review: "Travel with ease!! Before this product, I would take all my supplement bottles with me in my purse, which took up an unnecessary amount of room. Now, with this product, I can travel easily with all my daily supplements. Takes up minimal space in my purse and actually encourages me to take my daily supplements. Not to mention that I love the color and style. Can fit up to nine of my largest capsules." —Kaci Allen

Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in seven styles). 

My coworker Emma Lord has and loves this: "I bought this because I crave that Black Honey and will buy it until the day I die, but I am always paranoid of losing it, so I almost never let it leave my bag. I have tried probably five or six "almost" versions of Black Honey that came close, but this one genuinely spooked me. It has the same easy glide, same buildability, and the same refreshingly hydrating effect. It was a two-pack so I gave one to my BFF, another Black Honey fan, who also could not detect the difference!"

Promising review: "Love this! Adds just a touch of color, which is what I wanted, and is nicely moisturizing, too." —Joan Modisette

Get a set of two from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in five shades).

BuzzFeed deputy editorial director Melanie Aman is a huge fan of this item. She said, "I've been bleaching my dark-brown Asian hair blonde for almost 10 years, and while I'm fortunate that my hair is pretty strong, it definitely needs some moisture and softness added back after a root touch-up. I'm very loyal to my current routine, so I was skeptical that this product would work as well as it does, given the price — less than $10! — and the fact that you only need to leave it in your hair for a minute. Well, I could not have been more wrong! I truly see and feel the difference when I use this mask: My hair is softer, it's easier to blow-dry and style it, it's smoother (frizz is a big concern for me, especially when it's humid), and it just *looks* healthy. The delicious scent is a bonus! I test a lot of products, so it's not often that I love something enough to buy it when I run out. This, though? This I will definitely be buying when the tub is empty!"

The color-adaptive formula is designed so 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). 

Promising review: "I’d yet to find anything (even foundation) that could cover up my red areas. Cheeks, chin, nose, and forehead. It comes out green, but has a gorgeous lightweight finish of a tint that indeed covers my redness beautifully. There’s no greasiness to it at all. It dries down to a beautiful matte finish. It’s super easy to use. I use my fingers. The texture is like silk. It leaves my face baby-soft, not sticky at all. It doesn’t settle into my fine lines or wrinkles, and I don’t need powder to 'bake' it under my eyes. It also covers the black circles under my eyes." —Julie F. 

Get it from Amazon for $10.97 (available in six styles). 

From the first time I tried this dry shampoo, I've been a fan. The scent is light, not overpowering at all, and it really does a great job absorbing the grease from my hair. I'm a mom-of-two and, honestly, am spread pretty thin, so I don't always have time to give my hair the deep cleansing it deserves (and needs, oops). After spraying this throughout my hair, brushing it out, and styling it, my hair looks totally revived! I can't wait to try out the brunette version next.

Promising review: "I was thoroughly impressed with this dry shampoo. It's affordable, effective, and everyone compliments how great I smell when I use it. Two bottles lasted me a few months. It does have a white cast, but that can easily be worked into the hair to become undetectable." —Meg B. 

It also has a spout so you can control how much liquid you pour out, and its compact design won't take up much storage space!

Promising review: "Typically, I am not a fan of one-trick kitchen utensils. But this thing is a game changer!! Regular strainers are clunky and take up too much space, and pouring scalding hot liquid into them while heavy food splashes around is dangerous and messy. This eliminates that. Seriously, how have I lived my life without this? I remember making a very large and heavy batch of soup stock, and it was difficult enough to just lift the pot and pour, let alone safely into a strainer that could easily move or tip over if I poured too quickly…but this baby made the transfer so easy it’s almost laughable that anyone would use a normal strainer these days! It’s sturdy, stays in place, is small and lightweight, won’t rust, is easy to clean, and doesn’t burn your hands after being submerged in liquid fire. What else could you ask for in a strainer? Enough already, just buy it!" —Kellu

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in six colors).

Promising review: "I highly recommend this pine gel! I use it every day and love its versatility. For a deeper clean, I apply the gel directly, while for everyday use, I simply mix it with water as a multipurpose cleaner. I truly use it for everything in my home — it's become my go-to cleaning product. I use it as a laundry sanitizer to eliminate odors, in my floor mopping bucket, and for cleaning bathrooms, sinks, and my stove. I can't imagine my cleaning routine without it." —Lior mealem 

Ronan is a small business that specializes in multipurpose tools for home use.

Promising review: "This is a kitchen must-have. We use it all the time — it's so easy to use that even our kids use it. Very durable blade that continues to perform and get value for your money." —Dawn R. 

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 Our Place 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 $7.79+ (available in three sponge thicknesses).

I'm obsessed with candles, so it was a no-brainer for my husband to gift me this surprisingly super fun gadget for Christmas. It's really simple to use and charge, and it really works! I'll never have to buy another lighter again.

Promising review: "This is seriously the coolest device of my winter holiday. It makes lighting candles a breeze. Yes, there is a weird crackling noise, but that's a super minor annoyance. It's a super intuitive device. Plus, the lighter with the USB (included), charge for a bit, then pop it open and light ALL THE THINGS; well, candles. I don't know how well it lights cigarettes or whatever. However, for my personal intended use, it's awesome!" —Jee W

Get it from Amazon for $7.98+ (available in 12 colors).

Promising review: "I recently purchased this folding banana hook hanger, and it has been a great addition to my kitchen! The design is clever and space-saving, allowing me to easily fold it away when not in use. It keeps my bananas fresh and prevents them from bruising, which is a big plus. The hanger is sturdy and well-made, ensuring it can hold a bunch of bananas without any issues. Highly recommend for anyone looking to organize their kitchen and keep their fruit in great condition!" —Challas Gordman

Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in four colors and in packs of two). 

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.

Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.