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Every once in a while, you buy something that ends up being far more useful than you ever expected. These are those kinds of finds.

I am a Shopping & Products contributor and former BuzzFeed Shopping fellow who covers tech, fashion, cleaning, beauty, and budget-friendly alternatives to cult-fave products.

Promising review: "Used for the first time today on my 7-year-old. For the first time in his life, he actually enjoyed having sunscreen applied to his skin! Very easy to use and not messy at all. Extremely pleased with this purchase!" —amyj

Get it from Amazon for $15.98 (available in 13 colors). 

Plus, it comes with four foldable dermaplane razors, making it perfect for at-home grooming or on-the-go touch-ups

Promising review: "The power of the hair identifier's spray is unmatched. Once you spray in any direction that has hair, it automatically identifies the hair that needs to be removed. It is easily sprayed on and easily wiped off. No extra residue. Comes with four blades, and I say these blades are soft and gentle yet get the job done. Not sure why no one ever thought of coming up with a hair identifier spray. Great value and smells like baby powder. Great quality." —Karine

Get it from Amazon for $9.49+ (available in three scents).

Each planner comes with 50 tear-off sheets the size of a standard piece of paper.

Bliss Collections is a family-owned, Wisconsin-based business established in 2012 that specializes in stationery, planners, pads, and drinkware.

Promising review: "These daily planning sheets keep this mama on TRACK! I started out printing daily planning and schedule sheets from a free download on my computer. Then I realized why not just buy some already printed, so I save my ink at home. I found these and love how the day, schedule, tasks, and health habits are organized. I've already reordered once and will continue to use these." —Shannon Hoglund

Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in five styles and three sizes). 

Promising review: "I saw this product on TikTok and decided to try it out for myself. The name doesn’t lie — spray it on, shut the bathroom door, and in a few hours, the shower is 100 times cleaner. Usually, I’ll let it sit overnight, and by morning, the visible grime on the shower is gone, including soap scum. I’ll usually let the shower water rinse the residue out, and then take a bucket just to get everything off the shower walls. It is a bit slick if you try to get in the shower without rinsing the residue, but otherwise, it’s a worthy cleaning staple in my house." —Tara D. 

Promising review: "My new favorite travel bag for makeup products. Has plenty of compartments for makeup and skincare. The middle has a little Velcro clear pocket that I use for brushes; this way, I don’t get powder/foundation all over the bag. Folds easily, holds a lot, does not take a lot of space in a bag, so you can pack it in a carry-on or backpack." —Andra

Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in 61 styles and two sizes).

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. 

Here's what my colleague Emma Lord has to say: "I love it just after the first few days of use! I use an electric toothbrush usually, but I feel like I'm getting a much more satisfying clean from these?? Especially because I tend to get yellow stains between my teeth no matter *how* much I floss, and these bristles seem to actually target that a lot more effectively." 

Promising review: "I'm amazed at how well this toothbrush cleans my teeth — it definitely gets between the teeth and also more importantly for me, gets in the small, deep crevices in my molars where I always have food stuck and regular toothbrushes couldn't get stuff out. I brush more often (after meals/snacks) because of how effective it is. As stated, definitely go easy around the gums. The bristles feel soft, but will cause your gums to bleed if you use regular pressure. Nice and easy does the trick, SO WELL!" —Jason A.

Get a pair from Amazon for $9.99 (also available as a four-pack). 

Promising review: "These are great and pretty strong. I made the mistake of trying another scent after using these, and you have no idea how much I still regret it. The scent lasts long after the oil inside is done, and it hits you as soon as you open your door, without being overbearing." —camelia virgo-evans

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $11.99 (available in three scents and four pack sizes).

Promising review: "This refreshes my worn-out manicure very well. I apply this as a topcoat over my old manicure. It respreads and smooths out the polish and leaves it fresh and shiny. It's a bit pricey, but it does save me a lot of time and trouble not having to repolish my nails." —SoniaSophia

Here's why BuzzFeed Shopping writer AnaMaria Glavan loves this: "The glove is super comfortable and using it couldn’t be more foolproof: just put it on and run your hands through your pet’s fur. That’s it! The silicone grooves pick up so much fur with ease. Like, my dog looks close to hairless. HOW is he shedding so much!?!? After a few runs, I found that I would have to remove fur from the glove before continuing (you can pick up the fur with your other hand or run the glove under some water — either works), but it’s no biggie. The silicone actually makes it really easy to keep this clean. We got Rockie when he was five, and he’d been riddled with skin issues and allergies, so I was pretty nervous to use anything that could potentially aggravate his conditions. However! Not only does this *not* bother his skin, but he…loves this. A lot. He starts snoring after exactly two run-throughs on his back. Also, his coat looks SO shiny after each use! TL;DR: This is one of those inexpensive add-ons that any pet owner should have on hand."

Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in six colors).

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 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 could easily rinse and dry the screen cleaner for future use. A simple tool at an excellent price." —BonjourBeautyByAmy

Promising review: "For anyone who might be a skeptic, please allow me to put you at ease. If you have hyperhidrosis, meaning it can be 9 degrees outside and you're still sweating under your arms, this product has the potential to change your life. I would sweat THROUGH a sport coat before noon. Enter the Sweat Block product. I've had it for three weeks, and it is life-changing. I DO NOT sweat under my arms anymore. I'm still on the original box that I bought three weeks ago. I had to write a review after I was cleaning the garage today in 85-degree heat...I was sweating through my shirt on my back...BUT NOT MY UNDERARMS. It is amazing!" —Frosty McGee

Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $19.97+ (available in an unscented version and packs of two or three boxes).

BTW, powder sunscreens are *not* a replacement for regular sunscreen, so be sure to only use this for reapplying during the day!

Promising review: "This item has been a great addition to my skincare routine. I love that it combines the benefits of sun protection with the convenience of a concealer, and it smells sooo good. I need major sun protection when I am out and this purse/pocket size goody does the trick for me. If you're looking for a product that combines beauty and skincare effortlessly, this is a great choice." —Mrbillium

Promising review: "I purchased this candle warmer for myself a little over a year ago. Since then, I have purchased one for my mom and grandma. This candle warmer is gorgeous. Timeless. High Quality. And although I haven't had to change the bulb yet, I'm pleased it comes with a spare :) well worth it!!!" —Justine

Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in 10 various colors and styles).

The 4-in-1 model comes with two chopping blades (one with small cubes and one with larger cubes) and two spiralizer blades (a julienne cutter and a ribbon cutter). You'll also receive a finger guard, two cleaning brushes, and two cleaning scrapers. All pieces are dishwasher-safe!

Promising review: "Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. This requires very little effort to cut through the food, and it has a generous container." —Amazon Customer 

Get it from Amazon for $23.73+ (available in four colors and five sizes).

Promising reviews: "We retired to the Southwest US, which is just a huge dust bowl. I didn’t want to be breathing in the dust, and I absolutely hate to dust furniture. So I researched air purifiers and chose this model. To filter dust, it seems I needed a HEPA filter, which this purifier uses. While not washable, they are able to be vacuumed, which I do about once a week, so they last longer. Overall, the price of the purifier and filters was lower for this model than for others I researched. I bought the large model of this purifier for the main room of our 1200 sf Townhouse, and it works really well. I only have to dust every 3-4 weeks, which suits me just fine. I think the purifier is about as loud as a white noise machine, so not very loud. My husband, who wears hearing aids, finds it noisier than I do. I bought 2 of the smaller versions of this same purifier for the 2 bedrooms. While they are just a smaller version of this machine, they don’t work nearly as well. It gets dusty in those rooms within days. I wish I had purchased the larger version for those rooms, too. I’ve had all three purifiers going 24/7 for four months now, and the filters are nowhere near the point where they need changing, again noting that I vacuum them weekly. So all in all, these purifiers have been very economical to use." —SuesZoo

"I was skeptical any air purifier at this price could do much, but I tried it! I have a medium-sized music room for record collections and playing those records, etc. The room is about 18 x 18. I hate dealing with dust getting on the records and equipment. I first took note of some dark items with dust on them. Then I cleaned those items to see if they would stay clean, since it usually takes a few days to be covered again. I ran the Levoit at medium speed for two weeks solid, and those surfaces look just as clean as when I cleaned them. Does it work? Yes, it does! The lowest setting is pretty quiet, but the medium and high settings can be fairly loud. I turn it off during listening times." —Charles Tweedy

Get a purifier that can cover up to 1095 st. ft spaces from Amazon for $99+ (available in two colors, plus two pet-specific versions). You can also get a mini size for up to 240 sq ft. for $39.99.

It'll also nourish your skin thanks to its hyaluronic acid and shea butter formula. Plus, reviewers say they like this *more* than Smashbox's Becca under-eye cream because it's thinner, doesn't settle into fine lines, and is better at brightening.

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). 

Read more about how temperature therapy can help with migraine prevention at Mayo Clinic.

Promising review: "I heard about it on TikTok, and I was skeptical. I put it in the freezer as soon as I got it in the mail. Then, out of nowhere, I felt a headache coming on. I pulled it out of the freezer, slipped it on, and passed out. When I woke up, my migraine was gone. I now go to bed with it on almost every night. I love that it's a blackout mask. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!" —TheWalkFam

Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in six colors and two sizes). 

Meowy Janes is a small business based in New Egypt, New Jersey. It specializes in catnip and catnip alternatives.

BuzzFeed editor Chelsea Stuart loves these... or her cats do: I recently tried some of these with my cats, and they were a hit! TBH, they've never really been super into catnip — they'll play with it, but they don't go wild — so I was excited to see they were into these. They bat them around, rub their faces all over them, and ultimately, when they're done, hide them under a chair or in their cat condo so they can come back to them later."

Promising review: "The second I put a stick down, our kitty was obsessed! Our cat loves 'chewing' so these are a great fit for him. All natural, great packaging, and quick shipping! Thank you." —kr323

Get 7–9 chews from Amazon for $11.33 or from MeowyJanes on Etsy for $14.56.

This works with your existing luggage, unlike versions of this that come pre-built into more expensive suitcases! 

Promising review: "I was able to pack seven outfits and have way more space in this organizer. I just packed the clothes in the organizer, closed it up, and placed it in my carry-on. Once I got to the hotel, I just hung it in my closet. It would be perfect for cruises since there is never any drawer space and very little room to move around." —jess

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in 11 colors, two sizes, and several sets). 

This is a mildly abrasive cleaning paste, so use with care and go slowly when testing on new surfaces. Simply apply it to the surface with a damp sponge or cloth, give it a few scrubs, and then rinse away with hot water.

Promising review: "I never write reviews but after the pink stuff saved my new pan I ran to my phone! I have a new stainless steel baking pan that got burnt honey and oil on it from roasting sweet potatoes on it (even with aluminum foil). The burnt residue was stuck to the pan and nothing could get it off. Then I remembered I bought the pink stuff and decided to try it and it worked AMAZING!! Pan is good as new." —Rachel M

Barnakl is a small biz based out of Connecticut with the goal to make home air cleaner.

Promising reviews: "I wasn't sure what to expect when purchasing these, but now they are a staple in every room of our house. Within three days the air smelled more crisp and was easier to breathe in our home. So simple and effective!" —Haylee Marez

"We have these on every ceiling fan in our house and have noticed such a difference since installing them! There is less dust on our furniture, and the general air quality in our rooms has improved. There is no longer dust build-up on our fan blades. Super easy to install!" —Hannah McClam

Get a pack of three from Amazon for $22.99 (also available in a five-pack).

It's also easy to clean: Just twist and unlock the roller's ring, gently pull out the stone part, wash the stone with a gentle cleanser, rinse it, and let it air-dry before using it again!

Promising review: "I was shocked! This actually works. It removes the oil without redistributing the makeup. Game changer for me. I don’t know why I didn’t know about this sooner." —Lesa A.

ErgoDriven is a US-based small business specializing in workplace ergonomics. 

Promising review: "Really nice mat, helps with leg and back fatigue. I stand up at my desk 50 percent of the time, and I can feel the difference in the two weeks I've had this product. It seems to have the right balance of comfort and support. It is a little pricey compared to other brands, but it is very well-made and appears to last a long time. Worth the extra money, in my opinion." —Jeff

Get it from Amazon for $109+ (available in three colors). 

Psst — you can check out a mini version for more compact spaces for $79+ on Amazon! 

BTW, this is cruelty-free! It's suitable for all hair types, too.

Promising review: "I can finally skip a day or two between washes!! I’ve tried so many dry shampoos, from drug store to salon, and none of them really worked for me. I can apply this product very sparingly to my part and easily skip a shampoo without feeling self-conscious or getting an itchy scalp. Must have for oily hair." —Dino

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in 8 shades and multipacks). 

Make sure to first wash your face with your favorite cleanser and one of the *included* silicone heads, using the "Cleaning" and "Ion+" mode. Then, with your skin still being wet, switch to "Lifting" mode and glide the stainless steel spatula over your face at a 45-degree angle to lift up the gunk in your pores. Afterwards, use the "Ion-" mode after applying your favorite skincare products so you can maximize the benefits!

Btw, each mode automatically turns off after five minutes so you don't overuse it!

BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Negesti Kaudo uses this: "I got a facial a couple of years ago and I could tell something was different about my extractions, so I asked the aesthetician to write down the name of the product. I went home and immediately bought this! I LOVE IT. I love it more than any other skincare tool that I own. This thing gets gunk out like nothing I've ever tried before, and the first time I used it, I was absolutely disgusted. But I kept on using it. I don't have much acne, but I do have oily combination skin and visibly clogged pores, so this has been a lifesaver when I don't have time to visit an aesthetician. You have to use it while your face is still wet, so after washing your face or even using toner, and you just start scraping. Make sure you have a paper towel near (and maybe a camera) because you will be amazed and disgusted all at once, but you will literally never stop using. I use mine every other day to once a week if I'm having skincare issues, but it also does a great job with monthly use (it's just much grosser)! I follow mine up with Clinique's Clarifying Lotion 3 and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel!"

Promising review: "Don't doubt it, a staple in skincare. I got this little device from a TikTok and decided to give it a try. I never knew I needed it until the first time I tried it. The vibrations magically bring up all the stubborn blackheads you can’t reach with just your fingers, especially if you have acrylics like me." —Paige Chaney

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in four colors).

Just swish a capful for a minute, then gargle for 30 seconds after you're done brushing your teeth in the morning and at night.

Promising review: "I'm actually a dentist who often has bad breath, which is not a good combination. My oral hygiene is great (tongue scraping, brushing, flossing, etc.), but I have allergies and constantly have a bit of post-nasal drip, which contributes to the bad breath. While this stuff isn't perfect, and my breath doesn't stay fresh all day, it is definitely the longest-lasting product I have tried so far. It is the first thing I have tried that still gives me that minty feeling when I breathe deeply, 4–6 hours after use. Will definitely be buying again." —Alex

Get a two-pack from Amazon for $14.97 (also available in mild mint).

And if you need more convincing, check out our in-depth review of TheraBreath oral rinse!

Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says: "HELLO, I AM OBSESSED WITH THESE. Despite all the rave reviews, I was definitely skeptical of space-saving bags that didn't require a vacuum, and even as they were actively squishing my clothes into oblivion, I still couldn't quite believe it. I had easily two suitcases' worth of clothes I wanted to pack for a three-week trip to London, and I managed to fit my entire wardrobe into one roller carry-on bag. Truly, all I had to do was put my clothes in the bag, push them to the bottom, and sit on it to let the air out before sealing it. I had tons of extra bags and made a habit of taking them with me in case other people joining me on trips needed them to pack souvenirs on the way home. I'm never taking a long trip without these again — these are worth every damn penny."

Promising review: "I travel monthly for work, usually gone for 4–5 days. Before these, I would have to check a bag. Dress shirts and pants roll up nicely and stay wrinkle-free. It's tempting to overstuff these, but if you're packing golf shirts or clothes with 'slippery' fabric, they slide out of the top of the bag as you get close to the end. The clips take a minute to get used to, but after a couple of times zipping up the bags, it's pretty easy." —BigSkinny

Get a set of eight from Amazon for $17.28. 

Promising review: "Love love love this product. Simple design, works great. I time myself during writing sessions, so I'm not sitting in long stretches. This little timer is perfectly shaped and has several pre-programmed time options. Highly recommend." —Mimi Foster 

Get it from Amazon for $34.19+ (available in three colors). 

PSA: *ONLY* use ice packs (aka ice is a no-no) for up to eight hours and do not leave perishable food in it without ice packs for more than two hours in a vehicle over 85 degrees F. 

Promising review: "Have had this bag for about 5 years now and used it for numerous road trips. We fill the main compartment with snacks and the pockets with a few activities, like car-trip scavenger-hunt cards. It's still going strong, and I plan to use it for an upcoming summer vacation. We do whatever we can to keep our young son content on days-long road trips, and he likes to have access to his own snacks and an extra place to store his things. Part of the excitement of upcoming trips is filling this bin with road trip goodies that he normally wouldn't have access to." —lady.k

Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in gray and black). 

Promising review: "I didn't know if this was going to be worth the purchase, but it really does make a difference. It does a great job cleaning my glasses with very little liquid and a cleaning cloth. I can just throw this in my bag and easily clean the oily smudges from fingerprints in seconds." —DPS

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 16 colors and in multipacks). 

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 gunk out of your pores.

Promising reviews: "This product is incredible. After one use, I noticed a difference. I am so impressed with it. I don’t know what kind of sorcery this is, but I am happy it exists. If you’ve been buying products to get rid of blackheads and nothing is working, this will make you very happy." —A

"I can't live without this cleansing oil; it's magic in a bottle. This is the only thing that's cleared the sebaceous filaments on my nose after consistent daily use!! It also helps the milia/filaments under my eyes! LOVE ITTTTT WHO LET ME LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT DOUBLE CLEANSING AT NIGHT" —Sarah Coleman

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 for this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.