55 Insanely Cheap, Clever Things That Instantly Make You Look Better

A slicked-back updo has long been a go-to style for everything from formal events to workouts, and even bad hair days. But if getting that sleek finish usually takes you a few tries (and a whole lot of hairspray), this hair-smoothing stick is exactly what you need. The size of a mascara wand, the precision brush disperses a clear serum as it glides through your hair and smooths baby hairs into place while simultaneously moisturizing with biotin, aloe vera, and vitamin E.

There are overachieving beauty products, and then there’s this K-beauty cushion foundation, which fuses full-coverage color and nourishing ingredients into a travel-friendly compact. Available in 40 shades for coverage that’s virtually undetectable, the foundation delivers a transfer-proof formula with a satin finish that never creases, thanks to lightweight moisturizers like red propolis and hibiscus flower extract.

• Available shades: 40

Forget everything you know about harsh toners of the past that created a slight stinging sensation as they exfoliated (and often dried out) your skin. These toner pads were designed to moisturize and soothe with a unique gel sheet applicator that floods skin with gentle ingredients like glacial water, panthenol, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. Though they were formulated especially for dry and sensitive skin types, the toner pads can be used by anyone looking for a little extra moisture in their skin care routine.

This colorful face mask quite literally swirls two benefits into a single, three-minute treatment. The cream colored mask blends volcanic ash and kaolin clay with exfoliating salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid to reduce excess oil and clear out clogged pores. Then, there’s the blue mask, which restores moisture and gently brightens with its combination of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and madecassoside (a compound of centella asiatica).

One swipe of this hybrid lip treatment leaves your lips with a pop of color and glossy shine. But as the gloss dries down, it shifts to a subtle stain with its blend of coconut water, magnesium, and vitamin E.

• Available shades: 12

This hair fiber powder applies similarly to a dry shampoo that can be sprinkled directly onto the hair. But the cotton fiber formula performs a greater feat than absorbing grease; it creates the illusion of fuller hair. Suitable for filling in part lines or sparse spots all over, the tinted fibers latch onto your real hair for an instant thickening effect that’s rain-resistant, but can be shampooed right out.

• Available shades: 9

If you’re dealing with brittle nails and breakage, take a step back from the salon (or at-home manicures) and use this nail strengthener for a few weeks instead. Designed to be used on bare nails, the restorative treatment still adds the slightest rosy tint and a dose of shine that instantly improves the look of your natural nails. As you continue to use the treatment, ingredients like celery seed extract, garlic bulb extract, and evening primrose flower extract work to strengthen and brighten nails.

Amp up your glow without a trip to the beach when you opt for this drugstore body moisturizer. Part lightweight gel, part nourishing oil, the hybrid formula smooths dry skin with ingredients like sunflower seed oil, cocoa seed butter, and mineral oil, as it imparts a glossy sheen that’s further enhanced with a peachy shimmer.

Perk up your ponytail with one of these jewelry-like hair ties. The cuff-adorned elastics don’t require any advanced styling tricks, but they instantly create a more polished finish. Each set of four gives you a mix of designs to choose from, and the cuffs also come in gold and silver metal options.

• Available styles: 13

The metal rollerball applicator for this eye serum cools the skin and depuffs tired eyes, but it’s really just a bonus feature. The true star of the show is the serum itself, which includes five different peptides and vegan collagen to plump up skin, as well as vitamin C-rich fruit extracts and niacinamide to brighten unwanted dark circles.

Your struggles with liquid eyeliner are over once you have this genius little tape dispenser on hand. The bedazzled dispenser holds a roll of thin makeup tape that can be used to serve as a stencil for even, razor-sharp winged liner on the very first try. The hypoallergenic tape can be used alongside eyeshadow, too, to help you to achieve a cleaner crease.

These mini mitts are exfoliating multitaskers that can be used to banish rough, dull skin on the face or on the body (the smaller size is especially convenient for elbows and heels). No matter how you use them, the mitts come pre-saturated in a creamy serum that pairs exfoliating AHAs with rice extract and panthenol.

For a way to make your under-eyes look less tired, but without having to slather on a cakey concealer, opt for this under-eye brightener instead. It’s like a less heavy-duty concealer with a much more natural finish, and can be worn on its own or underneath a thicker concealer or foundation. For a touch of hydration, it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid.

• Available shades: 6

Your moisturizer can also help to give you brighter, more radiant skin when you find the right formula. This pink gel-cream has tiny capsules suspended throughout, which are packed with brightening tranexamic acid and niacinamide. As the two active ingredients promote a more even skin tone, ingredients like panthenol, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides immediately leave skin feeling softer and smoother.

Keep this tinted spray on hand for stretching out your salon appointments more inconspicuously. Rather than put your overgrown roots on full display, this temporary color spray camouflages unwanted grays and stays in place until your next shampoo. Plus, it gets bonus points for making your hair look fuller when sprayed along your part line or over thinner spots of a slicked-back updo.

• Available shades: 11

This double-sided eyebrow pen takes its inspiration from microblading, a semi-permanent technique that gives you fuller-looking brows by tattooing hair-like strokes of pigment. To give you a similar look that doesn’t hurt (and washes right off at the end of the day), the pen includes a traditional brush tip on one side and a three-pronged brush on the opposite side that helps to quickly fill in sparse spots along the brows.

• Available shades: 7

Not into washing your hair every day? This dry shampoo will make sure no one can tell. In addition to absorbing excess oil at the scalp to keep hair looking clean, the dry shampoo features a unique fragrance technology to leave hair smelling fresh, too. Every time you touch your hair, the dry shampoo releases a hint of its vanilla, bergamot, and berry fragrance.

The mint green color and sherbet-like consistency of this DIY face mask will automatically have you thinking cooler thoughts. But once you slather it over your face, the algae extract-rich mask immediately cools down skin, soothing redness and irritation as it boosts hydration and even supports collagen production.

Just one spray of this micro-fine mist, and your makeup will hold up to anything the day brings — from sweltering heat to unexpected showers. The makeup setting spray dries instantly, locking makeup in place for 36 hours of transfer- and crease-proof wear.

A press of a button, and this curling wand does all of the work for you. The automatic hot styling tool uses the brand’s GlossPro™ ceramic coating technology to reduce frizz and amp up shine as it curls, and it gives you three temperature settings to choose from to help cut back on heat damage.

Whether you’re exploring a new city or taking your usual weekend stroll, this crossbody case lets you securely keep your essentials hands-free. The wallet-size storage includes a leather phone case and a zippered card holder with four slots that are all attached to the metal crossbody strap. There’s even a smaller, detachable wrist strap if you really want to keep your personal items close while you’re out and about.

• Available colors: 3
• Available sizes: 3

If you want your brow makeup to last longer, but you’re not quite ready to commit to more permanent methods like microblading, this brow stain is the perfect compromise. The tinted formula was designed to be brushed through brows like a gel, but once you wipe it off after 60 seconds, it leaves behind a temporary dye that’s water-resistant and transfer-proof for two full days.

• Available shades: 3

Good lighting is key for a seamless makeup application, and this portable mirror ensures you always have a clear view with its built-in LED lighting. With the press of a button, you can choose from three light color modes, which can each be further adjusted to give you dimmer or brighter lighting. The mirror is fitted with a stand, and it’s rechargeable to keep it completely hands-free.

• Available colors: 4
• Available sizes: 3

There’s no messy application or dry time with this drugstore lip stain, which uses a marker-like tip to more precisely disperse long-lasting color. The stain is more lightweight than lipstick, but its buildable in intensity when you want more color payoff. No matter how you apply it, the lip stain won’t leave behind any sticky residue, and it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid to help prevent dryness.

• Available shades: 18

To master that lit-from-within glow without the help of a filter, this liquid illuminator can be used multiple ways. Wear it on its own or under makeup for a skin-perfecting base that moisturizes with squalane and rosehip seed oil, or mix it in with your foundation for a subtle shimmer. You can even use the tinted illuminator as a spot highlighter along your cheek bones, cupid’s bow, collarbone, or anywhere else you want to add a glow.

• Available shades: 4

This hybrid hair accessory is the perfect solution for anyone who feels like their elastics are always slipping out or their claw clip won’t quite hold all of their hair. The adjustable clip looks like an oversized scrunchie, but it’s made with velvet-coated teeth that lock your hairstyle in place without digging into your scalp. Because of their expandable design, the clips work on all hair types and lengths.

• Available options: 4

Glass-like shine isn’t just for your skin. To give your hair a glossy sheen worthy of a red carpet walk, work in a few spritzes of this $7 shine spray. The lightweight spray can be used on damp hair prior to styling or as the final touch to a blowout or slicked back bun, instantly creating a polished finish that moisturizes with macadamia seed oil and coconut oil.

While a strapless bra is convenient in theory, it hardly ever works out in real life (unless you don’t mind having to constantly pull it up, that is). For tops and dresses that have sheer or lacy paneling, skip the strapless struggle and bring in these clear bra straps instead. Compatible with any convertible bra, the transparent straps are designed with a wider size and matte texture to offer maximum support with minimal visibility.

These disposable wipes are a lot easier to pack in your bag than a full toothbrush, but they still help to prevent staining after your midday coffee. The individually packaged teeth wipes were designed to slip over your finger and impart a minty flavor as the textured cloth brushes away any film that has built up on your teeth and tongue.

This rinse-off treatment isn’t for exfoliating newbies, but it has more than 20,000 five-star ratings on Amazon for its ability to seriously tackle clogged pores. There’s a whopping 32% concentration of AHAs and BHAs like glycolic acid, tartaric acid, and salicylic acid, which break down dead skin cells at the surface level and deeper in the pores for all-around clearer skin.

Sometimes, you’re self-tanning days don’t match up with your big plans. When you’re in a pinch and you don’t want to look pasty, this body and face tanner applies like a lotion and works like makeup to instantly give your skin a tan that washes off at the end of the day. Pro tip: apply the tanner with your usual mitt to keep your palms clean and get a streak-free finish at the same time.

You can use this face mist to help set makeup, but it really stands out as a quick fix to hydrate skin throughout the day. The rose-scented mist cools skin upon contact and offers a hefty dose of skin-plumping hydration with just a few spritzes thanks to ingredients like algae extract, hyaluronic acid, and hydrolyzed collagen. There’s also niacinamide and turmeric root extract in the mist, which can have a brightening effect on the skin.

If you’re obsessive about your eyebrows, this comprehensive palette comes with everything you need to achieve your signature arches or switch up your look entirely. You’ll find tweezers and five eyebrow stencils to clean up your brows and create any shape you want, while six different shades of powder let you fill in any sparse spots with the help of the dual-ended brush and spoolie. There’s also a setting wax, concealer, and highlighter.

When your favorite clothes start to show signs of wear, reach for this fabric shaver. The six-leaf blades can remove pilling from an entire sweater in three minutes, but the cord-free device gives you a full hour of use with every charge. Whether you’re using the fabric shaver to get fuzzies off of a wool coat or refresh the upholstery on your sofa, the lint catching tray makes clean up a breeze.

• Available colors: 5

Orange, brassy tones are a platinum blonde’s worst enemy. And if you feel like your go-to purple mask isn’t totally getting the toning job done, consider switching to this black pigmented conditioner. In just a few minutes, the more intense pigment replaces yellow tones with the icier hue your colorist intended, and simultaneously works to restore moisture to fragile, color-treated hair with its blend of argan oil, hydrolyzed milk protein, and avocado oil.

This may look like your ordinary translucent setting powder, but the powerhouse formula uses light-diffusing pigments to blur pores for a filter-like finish. At the same time, the pressed powder absorbs excess oil for shine-free makeup that doesn’t look or feel cakey.

This set of disposable face razors has more than 140,000 five-star ratings on Amazon for expertly removing the dead skin cells and peach fuzz that get in the way of a smooth makeup application without causing irritation. For less than $10, you’ll get three dermaplaning tools, so you always have one on hand. Each set also comes with a precision cover that creates an even smaller razor for shaping your eyebrows – no waxing or plucking needed.

This versatile tinted powder can be used to quickly camouflage a wider part line, fill in sparse spots that mess with your updo, or cover gray roots in between salon appointments. Though it includes squalane to give hair a smooth finish, the powder never looks greasy, and it’s tough enough to stay put through wind and rain. The mirrored compact comes complete with a powder puff applicator, but it’s still small enough to fit in your handbag for good hair days even when you’re on the go.

• Available options: 20

Compact enough to fit in your purse, this twist-up cheek and lip tint delivers a burst of candy-colored pigment with a single swipe. The makeup stick can be blended in with your fingertips or a brush, and those with drier skin will also love the moisturizing boost that ingredients like aloe vera, niacinamide, and vegan collagen contribute to the tint’s dewy finish.

• Available shades: 6

Instead of using a silicone or fiber-based wand, this mascara counts a metal wand as the secret behind its superior curling capabilities. The formula itself is lightweight to minimize clumping and droopy lashes, and while the mascara is water-resistant, the brand notes that it’s still easy to wash off without leaving any residue behind.

If you feel like your Apple Watch is interfering with more formal looks, this stainless steel band quickly gives you a more polished finish for less than $20. Each band comes with instructions for customizing the fit to your wrist, and you can choose from multiple gold, silver, and rose gold mixes.

• Available colors: 6
• Available sizes: 2

In just a few minutes, this gua sha and serum duo can give you more lifted, glowing skin — no pricey facial required. In addition to providing some glide while you use the gua sha to relieve muscle tension and promote a sculpted effect, the included serum further enhances your complexion with collagen-stimulating peptides and brightening vitamin C.

We are usually of the belief that the back of our hair is none of our business. But if you’re someone who can’t rest without knowing that your ponytail is perfectly even or your blowout is sitting smoothly, this 360-degree mirror is a must-have. Chargeable and fitted with built-in, adjustable LED lighting, the three-panel mirror can also be folded up to save space when not in use.

• Available options: 4

This seamless underwear was designed to remain invisible even under your most form-fitting leggings or biker shorts, while the built-in liner helps to prevent the dreaded camel toe from showing up. But the thong still remains comfortable through your toughest workout, thanks to its stretchy, ultra-soft fabric that stays in place while you move.

• Available options: 19
• Available sizes: S – XXL

If you have straight lashes that won’t hold a curl, a heated eyelash curler may just be the solution for maintaining lifted lashes all day long. This chargeable tool features a curved design that works on all eye shapes, giving you two different heat settings to set your lashes before going in with your favorite mascara.

• Available colors: 4

While they look like simple metal pins, these ring-shaped clips give you a quick and easy styling hack. Clip one around an oversized T-shirt to temporarily turn it into a crop top, or use it as a scarf ring to secure your favorite patterned accessory in place. You’ll get five metal clips in each set, all packaged together in a convenient drawstring storage bag.

The shimmery pink color and silver star print of these under-eye masks certainly makes them more fun to use. But they’re a practical treatment, too, thanks to the niacinamide, caffeine, and hydrolyzed collagen in the formula, which help with everything from puffiness and dark circles to dry skin. Pro tip: store the container in the refrigerator to add a cooling effect that boosts the masks’ depuffing benefits.

Hypochlorous acid is the active ingredient in this skin-cleansing mist, which is great for soothing irritation and redness. Because of its ability to kill bacteria that contributes to acne, the hypochlorous acid spray is especially helpful post-workout or any time you’ve been sweating and aren’t able to wash your face right away. The bigger size of this bottle means you can spray it on your body, too, which is even more convenient given that hypochlorous acid also neutralizes odor-causing bacteria.

This solid cleansing balm melts into skin to break down sunscreen and makeup (yes, even stubborn waterproof formulas), but it won’t leave your face feeling dry or stripped. While a triple acid complex provides some gentle exfoliation, it’s the cleanser’s rice extract, panthenol, and hyaluronic acid combo that restores moisture and leaves skin feeling baby-soft.

Save yourself a step in the morning by reaching for this skin care/sunscreen hybrid. The non-greasy serum moisturizes skin with ingredients like prickly pear extract, green tea leaf extract, and ceramides, while zinc oxide provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. There’s vitamin C in the serum to give your skin a glow and your sunscreen an antioxidant boost, plus, it has a slight beige tint.

If you want a shower gel that helps to wake you up first thing in the morning or reenergize you after a tough workout, consider this body wash. Peppermint oil adds a refreshing, clean scent, as tea tree oil is thought to benefit skin conditions like acne and even athlete’s foot thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties. Then, to moisturize skin, there’s a mix of coconut, olive, and jojoba seed oils.

Keep your cotton hand towels for your hands only, and invest in one of these microfiber towels for your hair. The turban-style towel makes it easy to wrap around wet hair and secure in place, but more importantly, the microfiber material absorbs more water to cut down on dry time and reduce frizz.

• Available options: 13

You’ll need an LED lamp to cure this gel polish, but in the long run, it will save you some serious cash. The salon-quality polish delivers full-coverage color with a single coat, but you can always add a second layer for a more opaque finish. This jelly red shade is particularly alluring, but it also comes in over 20 other colors.

• Available shades: 23

Your manicure is only as good as your cuticles. Not only do dry cuticles and hangnails interfere with the finished look, but they can also cause your polish to peel or lift faster. This mini cuticle duo gives you two ways to moisturize: a solid balm you can swipe right on and a serum with a pen-like applicator. Both include nourishing ingredients like apricot kernel oil, jojoba seed oil, and cocoa butter, so it really comes down to your preference.

These contour sticks are the easiest way to get in on the sculpting technique, regardless of your makeup skills. A rounded tip and cream formula mean you can swipe the bronze color directly where you want it (try the hollows of your cheeks and along the jawline) and easily blend it in with your fingers or a brush.

• Available shades: 4