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A lil’ back-to-school energy, even if the only classes you’re taking are pilates ones.

As a Deputy Editorial Director for BuzzFeed’s shopping team, I love to get into the weeds of why a product’s worth the money by deep diving into customer reviews, and product-testing as much as possible.

Whether you live solo and are trying to really lock in for September, or have a house of kids who are back to school now, fall always feels like a bit of a new start. Perhaps your hair is fried from the community pool, you're covered in scars from mosquito bites, or your get-everyone-out-of-the-house morning routine is a mess. (The first two DEF describe me rn.) Well, I rounded up solutions for those and many more early-fall conundrums you might find yourself in this month!

Useful Products is a US-based small business established in 2007 by car wash owner, electrician, and former bodybuilder Anthony LaPolla that specializes in drill-cleaning brushes and attachments. 

Each of the different brush colors indicates which tasks the brushes are meant for based on their bristle type, so be sure to check which one is best suited for whatever you need to for! Yellow is the “all-purpose” medium bristle, but some are softer and harder depending on what types of surfaces you’re cleaning. (But none of them will scratch!)

Promising review: "Superb. Had spent hours trying to scrub away probably years of dirt from the bathtub in my new rented place. Also hurt my shoulder in the process of hand scrubbing. This thing finished the job in under 10 minutes. Simple but genius." —David

Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in six colors).

Promising review: "The water recently changed in our areas, and I noticed this awful blue staining. I had used this back in August and let it sit overnight, and it worked wonders! It worked so well, I purposely let my shower get gross again to take a picture to share with others. I work a demanding schedule and do not have time for deep cleaning ALL the time. This works wonders without scrubbing and no horrific fumes. I bought it for my almost 70-year-old Mom, too. She was so sick of scrubbing. Now she uses it bi-weekly! Highly recommend!" —Amelia

This is designed to work on all hair types, with reviewers with 2b to 4c curls mentioning it worked for them! 

Promising review: "Like many others, I tried this as a replacement for Olaplex. Honestly, Olaplex never had a great effect on my hair and certainly wasn’t worth the price. This did an unreal job on my hair!! I was skeptical (tried a little bit first because I was petrified it would burn off my hair and I would end up bald!) but, lo and behold, it was magic! My hair is so strong, silky, and healthy-looking after just one use. Plus, you can’t beat the price! Have already ordered another box. I should also add that I have curly/wavy hair that’s been colored to a light brown. Buy it!!" —BB

Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Elizavecca hair treatment for more deets!

Promising review: "I was not expecting this brush to be so amazing. I usually use a Wet Brush, and NO MORE of that. This one doesn't pull when the Wet Brush did. Feels amazing on my scalp. Just a very refreshing brush to find. I would definitely recommend this to everybody who has a hard time brushing their hair (even kids), very soft, and the price is excellent as well. Love love love this brush. Would definitely buy again and again." —Katy Shoemaker

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

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

Promising review: "I never write reviews, but this eye cream has made a difference on my under eyes! I’ve only been using it for a week and I would definitely recommend it. I’ve bought several eye creams (expensive brands) and never noticed a difference as fast as I’ve seen using this product." —Natalie

The color adaptive formula is designed so one of two shades will work on any skin tone. 

My former colleague Heather Braga swears by this stuff: "The color-adaptive formula is designed so one of two 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: "Girlies with dark under-eyes, probs like myself, need to have a brightener! I used to spend $40 on Becca. This one is better, in my opinion!! It’s very pigmented and covers a blue hue in the corners of my eyes. It can be worn alone, but I prefer it under my concealer. It blends incredibly well. Very creamy and easy to apply. It will probably last me six months. A little dab goes a long way. It’s extremely buildable, too. I am just so in love. I’m a sucker for saving money, and this purchase just saved me over $30. I will recommend it to all my friends and family. Just BUY it!" —Caitlin Newcomb

Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in five shades). 

Promising review: "Best shirt for everyday casual, pair with a blazer, or use for a workout. I love the soft feel and being form-fitting without feeling restricting. It also doesn’t wrinkle easily, which makes it great for travel!" —Mermaid Mamma

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in women's sizes 3XS–4XL and dozens of colors), 

You can use each pen ~20 times and should expect your teeth to lighten 4–8 shades. I'm currently working my way through one of these pens!

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

Promising review: "Alright… let me give you the lowdown on what an amazing product this is. I’m not lying when I say it does EXACTLY what it says it’s supposed to do. I bought the tube eight months ago, and I use it daily. A pea-sized amount is perfect for my neck area. The tube lasts a long time. I still have some left and bought it again. It’s scentless and rubs in quickly and smoothly, leaving no greasy feeling behind whatsoever. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but figured I’d give it a try. I always hated my hangy double chin. After eight months, I have the tightest, most beautiful neck. Dude, I have a new neck! I am delighted!! I think I paid like $12 for it at the time. Worth it!!! I will use this stuff every day for the rest of my life. Goldbond makes amazing products." —Gloria Betters

Get it from Amazon for $11.97 (also available in a two-pack).

Check out a TikTok of the Buf-Puf in action.

Promising review: "I really love how easy it is to use this sponge. It’s not too hard and scruffy on the face wanna applied with the correct pressure, it’s very soothing and relaxing. Definitely a good purchase." —Ms B

Promising review: "These are my new favorite. They are comfortable and do not show under all my clothes. They are super soft too and hold up all day without gapping. I have been buying Victoria’s Secret underwear for many years, spending unnecessary money. I’ll repurchase these over and over again." —Joshua

If you prefer thongs, check out these Skims-inspired thongs that are also on Amazon! 

Get a set of six from Amazon for $17.99 (available in women's sizes XS–XL and 12 sets). 

Promising review: "I use these on our dishwashers when needed. They really clean them sparkling. Perfect. I highly recommend them. They took years of mineral buildup out of our dishwasher. And smell great." —Liz Germaine

Promising review: "Moved into a new rental with a washer and dryer, and the washer door had some mildew on the seals. This worked like magic. Will def add to cleaning routine. Strong and easy to use. Gel stays where you add it." —Amanda Rodriguez

Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action. 

My colleague Emma Lord is a fan: "I'm a long-ish distance runner, and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and, after a few minutes, feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days!" 

Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $11.97. 

Psst, I think these are at-home socks instead of wear-under-your-shoes socks. 

Promising review: "Like wearing a cloud. I LOVE these socks! They are the only socks I can wear to bed. They are soft and warm and fit great after a wash. They last a long time but do get 'pilly' after a while. This doesn’t bother me, so they last a lot longer for me! I have bought them for years and will continue to do so! I just bought a second set because I love the color and design, and will be getting another pair soon too!" —Stephen

Get two packs from Amazon for $15 (available in six color/design combos).

Promising review: "So easy to set up! All you do is peel tape and adhere to a CLEAN and DRY door. Also looks great, I don't even notice it. I had a huge gap under my door. I could smell and hear everything from the hallway. Smells, drafts, and sound all are less of an issue now." —Brit B.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four colors).

PLUS: This also makes sure that your air-conditioning and heat don't escape under your doors, thus saving you energy and money!

Promising review: "Very strong adhesive holds in place. Very good draft/leak stopping. My door faces the breezeway and it tends to seep into the cracks and blows hot or cold air along the floor making it awful in the winter. This stopped that as soon as I put it on." —AYonko

Get it from Amazon for $8.97+ (available in four colors).

It works on everything from acne to surgical scars, and also has SPF 30 to protect that beautiful skin of yours even further.

Promising review: "I have been using this product for a few weeks on an old burn on my arm (and fairly recent burn), and it really works. I like to cook and use wood-fired pizza ovens. I use it once in the morning and once before bed. Noticed a big difference. New scar is almost gone. Old scar has faded quite a bit." —Michelle

Promising review: "I started to make lunch boxes recently and was looking for reliable containers. Didn't want to have plastic ones, so after searching decided to choose this five-pack glass set and have no regrets so far. The size is just ideal for lunch — not too big or too small, it'll fit just the right amount of food to eat but not overeat. They are microwave safe and it's very convenient if you have a microwave in the office." —AlmaMater

Get a set of five from Amazon for $29.99 (also available in various sizes, compartments, and sets).

Quick & Clean is a small biz specializing in descaling products. 

Promising review: "Perfect for in-between cleanings, keeps your coffee tasting great, and keeps your machine maintained. Highly recommended." —James P.

Get a pack of six from Amazon for $9.95 (also available in larger pack sizes).

Click & Carry is a Shark Tank and QVC-featured small business that specializes in easy carry accessories. 

Promising review: "TikTok made me buy it. This is great when you have a few bags and a box — for example, if you balance the bags, you can throw it over your shoulder and walk inside and have two free hands to carry the box, which is great. Product seems well built, and is comfortable on your shoulder or hand because of the padding." —Hung

Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in seven colors). 

Promising review: "These have been great to use. Cooking for just one person isn't the easiest thing for me, but these portions have been great when I want mac 'n' cheese, nachos, or a small smothered burrito for one. I'm sure when it's camping time these will make it into my camping stash." —M. Cheatham

Promising review: "Brushing became a fun challenge instead of a daily battle. Suction cup is sturdy and sticks nicely to the bathroom mirror." —Hannah

Dae is a small business that specializes in haircare and styling products. 

(Obviously, you don't need to lay your edges if you don't want to, but some reviewers like to use it for that!) 

Promising review: "I’ve tried numerous products for taming baby hairs, especially post-partum, and this is hands down the best thing I’ve tried. It also smells incredible! Love the size of the styling wand!" —Completely happy customer! 

Promising review: "I wish I had bought this sooner! Fit great, easy to use for all ages, and very convenient if you have little people wanting to wash their hands. 👍🏼 Would buy again, every time." —Choca

Promising review: "But my son has really thick and curly hair, no brush would be of much help with it. They would pull out his hair no matter how I brushed it. He would scream from the time he seen me coming with the brush until I was done. This brush has helped soooooo much. He will sit and watch TV every night while I brush through his hair and not mind it at all. The way the brush is designed and separates it don’t pull out his hair I love it and he loves it he even brushed his own hair with it. I definitely recommend this brush for anyone with thick curly hair!" —Danielle Beller

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in five colors).

Bounce Curl is a small business that specializes in curl brushes. 

Promising review: "Best brush hands down, I am a mixed girl with thick curly hair, and when I run this brush through my hair wet, it does magic. My curls after using this in the shower to detangle are amazing, then I use my choice of product to style it row by row, and it gives me bouncy curls that help cover more scalp but separate effectively. It's extremely sturdy. I break brushes all the time, and this one lasts!!!" —Janay K 

Get it from Amazon for $30 (available in four colors). 

Promising review: "For those not fully familiar with how it works, what it's accomplishing is trying to surround your liquid with as much ice-behind-metal as possible. So, it has a center chamber of ice behind the metal, then an outer chamber of ice. The inner chamber fits inside the outer with about a cup's worth of space that's between the inner and outer chamber. This exposes your liquid to the greatest surface area of super-cold metal that they can, and since your liquid is only touching metal, and not the ice itself, it doesn't matter the temperature of the liquid poured in. You can pour in boiling water and while it may end up melting a bunch of the ice behind the metal, none of that water will mix with your drink. So, whether you're chilling a wine, dropping hot coffee to cool it off, or just wanting to rapidly drop the temp of that fresh lemonade you made without making it watery, this will get that done." —P. Ericksen

Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in four colors).

Promising review: "I bought this because I have the outlandish idea that my refrigerator will look just like those on TikTok, but I am pleasantly surprised to find that it keeps my cold cuts fresher for much longer than expected. It's large enough to hold a pound or more of cold cuts or cheese, which is a bonus. The sealing technology is superb and strong. At one point, I almost could not open the container due to the seal being so airtight. Not only does this product look good in my fridge, but it is saving me money, so definitely a win-win for me." —IrishEyes

Check out a TikTok of the Ninja Crispi Air Fryer System in action. 

Each air fryer comes with the "PowerPod," two containers (a 4-quart and a 6-quart), and lids. The PowerPod has auto-shutoff and four modes: Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Recrisp. The "feet" are heat safe, so you can prop it on any surface without worrying! 

Promising review: "I got my Ninja Crisper today and reheated some stuffed bread with feta cheese and spinach, and it did a wonderful job. It was like it just came out of the oven the first time. Nice and crispy outside, but the inside heated just right. I love that the bottom glass can be covered with the lid it comes with. They come with a metal plate you can put in the glass bottom part, and it actually fits into the lid, so it doesn't get lost. The glass makes a difference in the taste, too. It is a great product and well worth it." —Jennifer 

Get it from Amazon for $159.95+ (available in three colors). 

Promising reviews: "Like a cloud ☁️ These are the most comfortable shoes I have worn; it feels like a pillow hugging your foot. The same day they were delivered, I ordered another pair in a different color. I’m a healthcare worker and these are perfect for standing and being on your feet a lot. Walking feels very smooth and low impact. I never leave reviews on anything, but these are amazing." —Ian Durham

Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (available in sizes 6–11 and seven colors).

Promising reviews: "I have several pairs of Rothy’s in a very similar style to these, and they are actually just as comfortable right out of the box as Rothy’s…maybe more so. I also purchased in black. LOVE THEM!!" —Amazon Customer

"I couldn’t be happier with these flats! As a result of them dropping in price, I purchased four pairs in varying colors to wear with jeans and sweaters. Not only do they look cute, but they are also decently padded and comfortable. I have been buying Vivaia flats for over $100 and these look just as good and are more comfortable to wear." —PSK

Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in women's sizes 6–10 and 14 colors and patterns).

Reviewers love this because it doesn't require you to "smart enable" other parts of your home. It's also a great way to turn on your kettle or coffee brewer from the other room so it's ready for you when you get out of bed! 

Promising review: "This is exactly what I was looking for and had no idea it existed until I saw someone mention it on TikTok! Our front walkway gets pretty dark at night, and I was frustrated with trying to remember to turn on the light every evening and off every morning. I looked into those light sensors you can plug in, but our front porch light is under an awning with enough shade that it would have kept the light on 24/7. This little Switchbot solved the problem. I applied it to the indoor light switch and set the time on my phone. It has worked perfectly ever since." —Alecia McLochlin

Get it from Amazon for $29 (available in white and black). 

Promising review: "I live in Florida and in the summer the sun coming through the picture window was like an oven. These curtains blocked the heat and the light 100%." —Jessica Duvall

Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in 30 sizes and 31 colors).

Each hanger holds 10 pairs of leggings. I FINALLY caved and bought a pair of these after putting them in so many stories, and they've truly transformed my clothing organization and take up the space of about two dresses on my closet rod. And for where my leggings used to reside? It freed up nearly a third of a drawer!

Promising review: "Yes...I have too many clothes. I LOVE my leggings. These saved me soooo much room! Now I have much more space, AND I can see them all easier." —Larry Seymour

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $13.99 (available in three colors and pack sizes). 

Check out a TikTok of the rectangular lazy Susan in action. 

Promising review: "This is perfect for short people with big refrigerators! I could never reach anything on the top shelf and had to grab a step stool, now everything fits perfectly on this, and I can reach them all! It glides great and is very sturdy." —Tara Mann

The set comes with the following spice blends: Chicken Allrounder; BBQ Allrounder; Vegetable Allrounder; Italian Allrounder; Avocado Topping; Casserole Allrounder; Stir Fry; Mexican Allrounder.

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

Promising review: "Wow! I don't think I've ever been more excited to use a cleaning product before. Who knew you could get so much satisfaction from a drain cleaner. I could probably make an ASMR video and post it, as it is that satisfying! Even though I had to angle this over my sink drain, to avoid the low faucet, it worked perfectly. The foam went down the drain and up through the overflow, bringing lots of black, yucky gunk with it. I have used lots of drain cleaners before, but not one that actually came up through the overflow. I'd never even considered what stuff was in there. It did a great job of cleaning everything out and it left the sink smelling fresh and clean as well." —Amazon Customer 

Check out a TikTok of the drink dispenser in action. 

Promising review: "Super happy with this purchase. Our two little ones (5- and 3-years-old) can now easily fill their own drinks. We also purchased a dual cereal dispenser from Amazon, so now the kids can get their own breakfast cereal with milk!" —April M. Ramos

Get it from Amazon for $17.49 (available in four colors and in multipacks). 

Promising review: "Best foot callus remover I have ever used! I read a lot of the reviews before purchasing this product. Most callus removers I have purchased in the past were not very effective. So, I was encouraged by the reviews. I saw that a lot of reviewers mentioned being very careful not to leave it on longer than three or four minutes. My feet were the softest they had ever been. Love love love." —Cheri whisker

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three scents and also available in an extra-strength formula).

It's disgusting but it WORKS. (I have one and know.) Just make sure that you do it over the tub to catch all the icky flakes. 

Promising review: "This thing is pretty amazing. I was skeptical for sure, since I've tried all kinds of lotions, balms, and stone-based products, none of which helped my heels whatsoever. I've worn socks to bed for years because if I don't, the sheets hardly last a week before they have holes rubbed through them. My wife ordered this thing that looks like a mini cheese grater, lol, and after two minutes — two minutes!! — of rubbing it on my heel, it's a complete 180. I never would've believed it until I tried it myself. This is well worth double what it costs." —LBK

Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in five colors and two-packs).

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 have been edited for length and/or clarity.