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You’ll be like, “time to pull out old reliable,” and it’s a bag filled with everything in this post.

As a BuzzFeed Shopping editor, my goal is to find all the products actually worth buying.

Make sure you're prepared! Summer go-tos — like a portable air pump, a watermelon slicer, and big bite patches — are the key to a successful summer. 

Promising review: "I have a pair of black leather flats that stank so badly my husband would yell at me if I took them off anywhere near him. But I love the shoes! So I had to find something to make the stench go away without leaving me with an allergic reaction. Mini Moso was the answer. I honestly couldn’t believe it. A few days after placing them in my prized off shoes, I took a whiff from about a foot away. Nothing. I got closer. Nothing. I stuck my nose practically in the shoe. OK, maybe that’s pushing things, but I’ve got to tell you that 95% of the broken-in leather grossness was gone. So happy!" —Erin

Promising review: This product is incredible — just WOW. In all my years of existence, I was never able to tame my naturally curly hair into a sleek, silky, frizz-free look, until now. I l don't know what kind of magical sorcery went into making this product, but this stuff is amazing. —Lillee45

Get it from Amazon for $14+ (available in two sizes).

Soak your hair in this elixir for 30ish minutes up to three times a week. It works for all hair types. 

Promising review: "I just can't believe the difference in my hair!!! I'm in my '60s, and my hair was dry and dull because of my medications. I just hated my hair. I bought this not expecting too much, but was I wrong!!!! I left it on for 30 minutes because I wanted the best result possible. Wow!! My hair feels wonderful, it's fuller and thicker looking, body galore, and I just can't quit looking at my hair. I will NEVER quit using this!!!" —lucymae

Quitch is a small business founded by moms.

Promising review: "I was honestly skeptical about buying these. My son (15 months) is too little for Benadryl or any anti-itch cream, so I bought them for our upcoming camping trip to try. Little did I know, they would come in handy sooner! My son got bitten by a mosquito near his eye. This caused major swelling and irritation. As mentioned, he’s too little for medicine. I put a patch on, and the results speak for themselves. I’m amazed, and they helped my son not scratch the area. They’re so little and super sticky, he doesn’t even notice it’s on. I added a photo of the patch about five hours after application, and you can see how full it is. I will definitely be purchasing again!" —Sierra

Get a 27-pack from Amazon for $9.95+ (also available in packs of 36 and 81).

Promising review: "Love these for so many reasons. Lightweight, elastic waistband for a comfortable fit, and don’t forget about the pockets. They are TTS (wearing M) and can be worn as a casual outfit or as sleepwear. Highly recommend and so many colors to choose from!" —Karyn's Kloset

Get them from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in women's sizes XS–XXL and 22 colors).

Promising reviews: "Wish I had found this sooner! Works great, and so far, the cheapest option I have found for powder sunscreen. Love that my face isn’t greasy anymore from normal sunscreen!" —Michelle

"I have fine hair, so anytime I’m in the sun, I get burnt on my scalp. Regular sunscreen makes my hair super oily and gross, and I cannot stand wearing hats. I'm so glad I found this. You do have to apply it more often, and also, it doesn’t work if it gets wet. Love this stuff, it's such a lifesaver." —james

Promising review: "Just used this product on a recent trip to Florida. I made sure to wash my skin before application, and it lasted about two days on my skin without coming off. When out of the sun or behind UV glass, like in a car, the spot turns clear. As soon as you step into the sun, it turns purple. If you use sunblock, it starts to become clear or semi-clear. After being on the beach and having gone into the water a few times, the spot started turning purple, and I applied sunblock again. In a minute, the spot was clear again. So this is very effective in alerting me when to reapply." —RGTorque

Get a pack of 16 from Amazon for $16.49.

Like a gecko's foot, these pads have thousands of fibers to create a dry adhesive that clings to your nose. 

Promising review: "These work great to keep my glasses from slipping down my nose. I had the earpieces adjusted several times, and even when they were uncomfortably tight, the glasses slipped. They have been on for two weeks so far, and no sign of the adhesive failing. I am careful not to get cosmetics on them." —Gayle

Get them from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in two pack sizes and two colors). 

This starts green and blends into a "universal shade," which may not be a perfect match for fair or dark skin. 

Promising review: "I swear by this. Been using it for about a year now, it goes on every day and gets all the redness off my face, when I’m in a hurry I just top it off with a little powder, and I’m done, but it’s a perfect base layer for any makeup routine if you have a lot of redness like I do." –Andrea

Get it from Amazon for $10.97+ (available in other shades and in packs of two).

Promising review: "Best value for the money. Easy to apply and enough coverage — not cakey, which I liked the most. And it lasts a long time without creasing." —Vish

Get it from Amazon for $5 (available in five shades).

Promising review: "SOOOOOOO soft, perfect length, affordable price, and you get a ton of them! I would buy these over Nike socks any day!" —Julia

Get a six-pack from Amazon for $15 (available in women's sizes 5–9 or 8–12 and in two colors).

Promising review: "Finally a sunscreen that doesn’t make my face itch all day! Sure wish they would bring the price down. Love how it blends in and is soft and moisturizing. I’m 59 and this goes on smooth and doesn’t ball up under my makeup." —Melony

Get it from Amazon for $48 (also available in rosy tinted).

This is my all-time favorite sunscreen! It's completely clear, super lightweight, and absorbs quickly. It starts off sticky enough to use as a primer, but quickly dries matte. After about five-ish minutes, it feels like I'm wearing nothing at all. I won't say it's completely non-greasy, but it's as close as it gets. 

Promising review: "Love how silky smooth it applies. Once you get over the cost for the size, you’ll absolutely love it. The fact that it doesn’t leave a white mask is a plus, and it doesn't feel like it will clog my pores." —Cher

It comes in different sizes (depending on your make and model) with a money-back guarantee.

Promising review: "This is super easy to use. Open and put it in the window; can't get any easier than that. My GMC Denali sits outside in the Southeastern North Carolina sun all day, and this really made a difference. When I get into my truck, I can actually sit on the leather seats without being burned. It also keeps the sun off my dash, which is important down here in the Southeast. I would definitely recommend it.' —Sharon

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in a variety of sizes and for specific makes and models).

Reviewers say this lasts for hours, even in super sweaty situations. You can put this stuff wherever needs protection, but they also sell Foot Glide as well.

Promising review: "I've been using this product for years, and it's definitely saved me from plenty of chafing and irritation. Especially during summer, I'll apply in sensitive areas (under arms, groin, etc.) to ensure that any rubbing and sweat don't result in chafing or worse. It does the trick perfectly. It's been very rare that I've had any irritation — and that's usually caused by missing a spot. It applies like a stick deodorant — not sticky or greasy at all and holds up for over three hours of exercise. Great product." —NJKT

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three sizes).

The tool-free installation is as simple as opening the unit and clamping it onto the umbrella pole. It requires four AA batteries to run, which are not included. 

Promising review: "This light is great!!! It has three settings to adjust the amount of brightness you need. The lowest level is great for just sitting around your patio table and having a couple of drinks with friends. The brightest setting is PERFECT for playing cards! We play cards a few times a month. There are two 70+-year-olds who did not complain that they couldn’t see. So, works great in my book! 😁" —Mandie Jordan

Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in two light styles).

One of these coils is as strong as ~20 standard hairpins. Some reviewers note that these are a little too short for super-thick hair. 

Promising review: "I'm a nursing student and have to wear my hair in a bun every day. I've tried all the bun makers, watched YouTube videos, and spent way too much time getting my hair into a bun. I was able to make a pretty bun that was secure in under 30 seconds. I thought it was a fluke, so I did it again, and then again. I have hair to my mid-back, and three of these worked perfectly for me. If I can get my hair in a bun in under 30 seconds, trust me...anyone can." —Tina

Get a pack of three mini pins from Amazon for $7 (also available in a pack of two full-size pins).

If you're using a small watermelon, you can just cut off the top instead of halving it. 

Promising review: "Love this watermelon slicer! Makes it easy to cut the watermelon really fast and with less of a mess. Washed this several times already in the dishwasher with no problems. It is very satisfying to make such nice, even slices. Works well for large Costco watermelons and medium grocery store watermelons." —G mom

Promising review: "The Hanni Shave Pillow is truly life-changing. I can never go back now. It is so convenient. You can shave dry or wet with it. The stick applicator is so easy to use. It glides right on. It helps me get the closest and smoothest shave ever. It also doesn't need to be rinsed off. You just rub it in, and it doubles as a moisturizer — you don't even need moisturizer after! The stick, ability to use dry, and moisturizing properties all make it perfect for on-the-go travel use as well. Such a time saver and great quality, too. I can't decide if discovering this product was good because I love it so much, or bad because now I can never live without it!" —Amazon Customer

Polarized sunglasses help reduce glare and eye strain. They also have 99.99% UVA/UVB protection! 

Promising review: "I bought these for a vacation to San Diego in May. I didn’t want to spend too much because I generally break them or leave them on the beach somewhere. These were amazing. They have awesome eye protection, a great price, and they look trendy without trying too hard! I will definitely buy these again this summer if I lose them!!" —chanpdx

Get them from Amazon for $19.99 (available in six colors).

Promising review: "I had originally seen these pair of glasses on TikTok and was very eager to buy them, and let me tell you, they did NOT disappoint. They are very sturdy, fashionable, and look like a high-end pair of glasses." —Alejandra Larios

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in 14 color combinations).

Just twist the ring to pop out the stone, then wash it with a mild soap/cleanser and let it air dry after every use. This roller has nearly 38,000+ 5-star ratings! 

Promising review: "This little miracle worker is a game changer for oily skin like mine. I am amazed at how much oil it absorbs without smudging or removing any of my makeup. Every time I think this oil-eating monster has had its fill and surely I should get a new one, by the next morning, the oil has disappeared, and the roller looks brand new again!! MAGIC!!" —Jason Zapata

Get it from Amazon for $6.75 (also available in rose quartz style).

Promising review: "These playing cards are a HIT. I take them out with me for social events and when visiting people, even to the beach. We just play and play. So you can get them wet, and they won't get soggy and tear. It just becomes a little hard to shuffle. It is so cool that they look like you can see right straight through them, but you can't." —Tabs

Here's how to play: You deal all the cards out to your two to four players, and everyone keeps their mini-deck face-down. 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 it 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.

You can also use a blow-dryer to increase the effects of the heat-activated spray.

Promising review: "I LOVE this product! I usually buy it at the beginning of the summer to help lighten my already natural blonde hair. It really helps get rid of the growth and darkness of winter. The summer sun and saltwater at the beach already naturally help lighten my hair, but this product really accelerates the process and gives it that extra oomph. I spray it pretty liberally all over my hair and just use my fingers to distribute it. The key is making sure you spend a good amount of time out in the sun. It only takes a couple of sessions to really start seeing noticeable lightening. It still has hydrogen peroxide in it, but in small amounts, so it's not extremely damaging. Also, use a purple shampoo occasionally to help bring out the highlights and remove some of the brassiness." —Ninar

Promising review: "I looove this skirt! I bought it for a concert and was really impressed. I didn’t realize it came with built-in shorts AND A POCKET. 😍 I was super happy when I found that out! It’s comfy, stylish, and something I can wear with tons of other tops or bodysuits." —Bhreigha

Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in women's sizes S–24 Plus and eight colors).

Check out the full explainer on TikTok. Heads up: As far as bug sprays go, the CDC only recommends formulas with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, PMD, and 2-undecanone, so I don't recommend using this in super buggy areas. That said, based on the reviews, you should probably be covered for casual picnics and backyard hangs. 

Promising review: "We live in an area heavily populated by mosquitoes, and this keeps them from biting better than actual bug spray. I purchased several cans of Off spray bug repellent for myself and my husband this summer, and bought this to use for my young kiddos because I figured it would be safer. My mom used this on me in the '90s, and I remember it working like a charm. After a few hours spent outside on the 4th of July, I had 32 mosquito bites on my legs. I sprayed myself with Off four times throughout those hours because I kept feeling them bite me. My kids were unscathed. I believe my oldest walked away with only one bite on his back, which would've been under his shirt, where I did not spray. A week later, my husband and I spent some time outside in the evening on our hammock. He used Off, and I used this. He had several bites while I had one or two new ones. I think that says it all. Yes, the scent hasn't changed, and it still smells like the '90s; it also still has an oily feel to it. But it's worth it!" —Amazon Customer

Promising review: "I love this brand of mascara. The waterproof formula does not budge. It stays on 'til you take it off. Best waterproof mascara I've ever used by far. The price is also incredible!" —Cindy P

Experts call this gardening must-have "indispensable." Learn more about it from HuffPost's review. 

Promising review: "I use a lot of hand tools in the yard and garden. This is officially my favorite. It has so many functions, and use is simple and easy! Perfect blade size to remove whole plants. It's got a great handle, and you get a firm grip! The blade cuts, saws, allows you to gauge depth, and pushes easily into the soil! You will love this tool!" —WM

Promising review: "I've been searching for something to remove the weeds for a while and came across this amazing tool. Since I refuse to use chemicals in my yard, I've been left with scraped knuckles every time I attempt to remove weeds. The weeds have grown so tightly in the concrete cracks that I pretty much gave up; even weed-whacking it didn't help much. Yes, you do have to use a little bit of effort but the end result was so worth it!" —Shelley Arakaki

Promising review: "Perfect hat for Disney World! I wore it every day for two weeks, and it held up beautifully! It also helped drastically in the Florida heat! Kept me shaded and was very lightweight, so my head didn’t feel all sweaty like normal hats. Highly recommend!!" —D. S. Hensen

Get it from Amazon for $22.09+ (available in sizes M–XL and eight styles).

This works best for wavy and curly hair. Check out its result on TikTok. 

Promising reviews: "I have tried many different types of foam and mousse, but this is my holy grail. I plop my hair in a microfiber wrap for about 10 min, scrunch out any excess water, section my hair into two sections, and apply four pumps of this mousse to each section, scrunching each time. Once it’s applied, I squeeze my hair once more with my microfiber and diffuse on low heat until it’s 80% dry, and I’m left with lovely curls. I apply no other products, just my shampoo, conditioner, and this mousse. :)" —Ashes

Promising review: "Bought this after seeing it on TikTok, and wow. Where has this been all my life? A portable charger (extra, because I already have one), a fan with two settings (this kept me cool during my brother’s outdoor college graduation), and a flashlight (perfect for finding my phone when I drop it in my car). It’s a great little thing that adds that extra EXTRA-ness to your life." —aae

Get it from Amazon for $16.18+ (available in eight colors).

This lip oil is vegan, cruelty-free, and has no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. See the formula in action on TikTok. 

Promising review: "This is the first lip oil I've ever used. Usually, I avoid anything with oil because I have very sensitive and generally oilier skin, but I wanted to give this a try because I wanted something sheer and pretty for a natural makeup look. Probably the best purchase I've ever made!!! It's super sheer and looks fine on its own without any other makeup. The smell is delicious, and while the gloss dries and fades after about an hour or two without eating, the color stays all day! I did have to reapply after eating, but not after drinking water! I just wish it were bigger; it's a teeny bottle. Would definitely buy again!!" —Rachel

Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in 12 shades, a jumbo size, and multipacks).

Because it's so portable, you'll likely find yourself bringing pool floats everywhere. The 2600 mAh battery is perfect for smaller items that don't need a ton of pressure, so no tires, balloons, or sports balls. 

Promising review: "I am very happy with this purchase. I took this on a backpacking trip, and it made inflating my sleeping mat a breeze because it is so light to carry. It offers great versatility with its attachments and a solid build, making it a reliable tool for field use. It does get loud during operation, but it was easy and doesn't get that hot. Fantastic addition to my kit." —Sean

Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in three 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.

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.