If You Want Help To Look More Put Together But On A Budget, Try Out These 30 Personal Care Items

1. A nonaerosol I Dew Care “Tap Secret” mattifying powder shampoo to swoop in and rescue your hair while in between washes. Just sprinkle a bit onto your roots, massage it in, and voilĂ ! Your hair will look *and* smell fresh, and the added volume will give you a confidence boost to tackle the day ahead. 

Promising review: “I was looking for a dry shampoo that would be easy to use on the go for a trip I was taking. I had no issues taking this through TSA and it was so easy to use on the go. You literally just pat the poof on your scalp and then rub the powder in. I do have black hair so dry shampoo is usually very visible in my hair, but I didn’t have any harder time than usual rubbing this powder in. It did a really good job of soaking up all the oil and giving my hair volume. I’m not a fan of the price for the amount that you get, but it is lasting longer than I thought it would. I would definitely recommend and will purchase again.” —Teresa

Get two from Amazon for $18. 

2. An oddly satisfying Dermora exfoliant foot peel for those times you look down at your little piggies and think, “Dang, I need a miracle.” You just slip on these booties and let the magic happen — but let me warn you, the peeling process can be a bit…interesting. It’s like watching a snake shed its skin for the next 5–7 days. But! Your feet will look SO much better with no more cracking, tough skin.

Promising review: “This foot peel is THE TRUTH and got my feet right and smooth as butter! I’ve never done a foot peel in my life and so I had a lot of hard skin under my foot to get rid of. The shipping was super fast, I think I received it in like three days! I followed the instructions on the box, and decided to put on the foot peel on right before bed. You can feel the peel tingling and working while you have it on your feet so I felt relief. It took about three days after I did the peel to see the results starting. Do not get discouraged if you see peeling only at the toes. That’s just the start of it…cause the next day I felt the mid of my foot arch bubble after my bath and a whole piece of skin was peeling. This peel did its job and some more! It has my feet feeling baby smooth! This peel gave me a feeling of being in a salon without the polish. It felt good to pamper myself. This is my go-to from now on, when I want a good smooth foot AFTER a pedicure (because a pumice stone can’t do what this peel can)!” —Shopinista

Get a pack of two from Amazon for $15.25 (available in eight scents).

3. A manual flossing toothbrush with special bristles to clean in between your teeth and get out all those popcorn kernels and sesame seeds from your everything bagel, leaving you feeling like you just left the dentist. And if you have sensitive teeth, no worries, because reviewers say these bristles are super soft.

Mouthwatchers is a small oral care business.

Promising review: “I absolutely love this toothbrush!! TikTok made me buy it and I will never own anything else again. My teeth feel clean all day long like I went to the dentist but better. I even have a sonic toothbrush and this blows it out of the water. Don’t hesitate
buy this for your teeth!” —Amy

Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.90.

4. And a set of teeth whitening pens because come on, who doesn’t want pearly white teeth? These easy-to-use pens brush the whitening gel onto your teeth so you won’t have to struggle with any whitening trays. If you use these pens consistently twice a day, you can get a noticeable difference in no time.

Promising review: “I have to say, I was skeptical about this product from all the TikTok craze about it but after trying it out, it really does work. I’ve used whitening strips before but those usually hurt my sensitive teeth and I hate the taste of some of the other gels on the market but this one was super easy and didn’t hurt my teeth at all and didn’t taste much different than my regular toothpaste, since I got the mint flavored one. I used it for a few weeks before my brother’s wedding and it worked like a charm. I noticed visible results in only a couple of days and was able to keep using it until I reached my desired shade of white. 10/10 would recommend for anyone with sensitive teeth and tastes!” —Victoria Bravo

Get it from Amazon for $18.95. 

5. An adorable hydrating eye stick, aka the perfect remedy for dehydrated skin. This eye treatment is made with Iceland glacier water, giving your skin the fresh hydration boost it desperately needs on days when you’ve hit snooze one too many times. 

It also helps tighten eye wrinkles if you’d prefer for them not to be as noticeable. And here’s a tip! It reduces puffiness faster if used after refrigeration.

Promising review: “This is definitely a miracle product. I was impressed that it worked so well, so fast, and so instantly. The packaging is silly but whimsical; I enjoy it. This is the last thing I apply before walking out the door. First day I used it, I put it on and got in my car — I looked in the rear view mirror and my heart jumped. My eyes had de-puffed on my walk down the front path!!! So impressive. It’s not hydrating, it’s more tightening/brightening. If you have dry under eyes, use a creamy hydrating eye cream first, and apply this over it — problem solved. You don’t get much product, but you don’t need to use much either, and it’s not like it’s expensive. Definitely worth it if a product actually DOES what it claims it’ll do!!! Buy it!” —Joseph S.

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

6. Or, a facial ice roller if you’re ready to say goodbye to tired-looking eyes. This nifty tool is designed to reduce inflammation and swelling in the delicate under-eye area. Simply store the roller in your freezer overnight, and roll it gently over your eye area in the morning. The cool temperature helps to constrict blood vessels and reduce puffiness, leaving you with a more refreshed and awake appearance. 

Promising review: “I was in the habit of rolling a cold can of soda on my forehead to help with tension headaches and sinus pain but that was cumbersome and not always cold enough. This ice roller works so well to ease the pain from sinuses and tension. It froze very quickly and I felt instant relief. The rolling motion even cleared my sinuses and I could breathe better right away. I love this. Would highly recommend.” —DT

Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in 12 colors).

7. A makeup-correcting stick if you’re anything like me and you know the struggle of spending hours on your makeup only to mess it up with one wrong move. This little tool is like a Magic Eraser for your face. You know those annoying smudges or mistakes you make when applying eyeliner or lipstick? Well, this fixes them in a snap. No need to panic or start your makeup all over again! đŸ™ŒđŸœAmazon

Promising review: “Why didn’t someone think of this sooner? For years, I’ve been using cotton swabs dipped in makeup remover to remove little goofs or mistakes. This is so much better and portable! Erases waterproof mascara marks around my eyes easily. Must-buy product!!” —Katherine 

Get it from Amazon for $7.97. 

8. Mighty Patches to shrink your problems overnight. OK, I’m not talking student loans or awkward first date type of problems, but they do help with pimples! These patches not only cover up your zits, but they also suck out all the gross gunk, leaving your skin looking fresh and clear.

Promising review: “I heard all about these on TikTok so I decided to order. I switched my birth control and was having a ton of breakouts. These are amazing! They helped me stop picking at my face and my skin is so clear now. Will always have these in my house from now on!” —Kiara Galloway 

Get a pack of 36 from Amazon for $12.99.

9. A touch-up dermaplaning tool for a quick and easy way to shape your brows and get rid of peach fuzz. Not only will they leave your skin feeling silky smooth, but they’re also perfect for prepping your face for flawless makeup application.

It comes with a precision cover to help you shape your brows to the exact shape you want. Or leave them just how they are. Remember, removing facial hair (or any hair) is optional, not necessary!

Promising review: “Plucking the more egregious of my thick black hairs is at least a 2–3x/week effort. I opened these rather hesitantly — I mean, they are sharp blades going on your face — took a sip of Prosecco for courage, washed my face and started shaving. I could not believe how easy and quick it was. After a couple of swipes down my cheek, I noticed that it was done. I thought it was going to take a lot more skill and time. First complete face shave (full cheeks, upper lip, lower lip, jawline) over and done with in less than three minutes with outstanding results. So much easier than tweezers and depilatories!! Wow.” —Tara D.

Get them from Amazon for $5.94 (available in a pack of three).

10. Essence’s Lash Princess mascara that will unleash your inner beauty influencer and have you wanting to tell all of your followers why you won’t be able to live without it. Not only does this mascara give you instant volume and length, but it’s also smudge-proof, so you don’t have to worry about looking like a hot mess by the end of the day. Kayla Boyd/BuzzFeed

BuzzFeed Shopping editor Kayla Boyd (whose beautiful face is pictured above) says it really does live up to the hype! Check out her full Essence Lash Princess mascara review.

I use this myself and let me tell you, as someone who is very picky with mascaras, this has become my all-time favorite. It’s also vegan and cruelty-free!

Promising review: “I love this mascara! My lashes are pretty straight naturally. Average length, but this mascara made them appear so much longer! I curled my lashes, used only the mascara, no eyeshadow or liner. This mascara freshened up my eyes without all the makeup. 30 seconds of application and out the door! I use a baby wipe to remove and it comes right off.” —BobbySweets

Get it from Amazon for $4.99.

11. A bottle of L’Oreal Paris’ Elvive 8 Second Wonder Water, a moisturizing lamellar treatment that’ll smooth and add volume to your hair in just eight seconds. No more annoying knots or tangles to deal with! Plus, when you dry your hair afterward, you’ll notice much less frizz than usual.

Reviewers with fine to coarse hair and everything in between adore this product.

Promising review: “This is the holy grail of hair products. Seriously I need gallons of this stuff! I put it on my hair for 10 seconds and could feel while still in the shower that my hair felt amazing! I usually have stringy ends and after using this, my hair was soft and silky!” —Sky T Block

Get it from Amazon for $9.59.

12. A pack of discreet bra strap holders, aka the ultimate life hack for every bra wearer out there! The handy clips on either side will keep your bra straps up and securely in place — no more having to readjust every five minutes.

Promising review: “Since I started using these clips, I haven’t had to pull up my straps a single time! I used to have to pull them back up a dozen times a day. No more. Now I can put on my bra and then just forget that it is there. I don’t notice any change in the fit of my bra. I wear a large cup size and the last thing I wanted was to add to that. However, with the straps fully extended on my bra, I find the fit to be essentially the same as before. The only difference is that the straps stay in place. If you’ve ever struggled to keep your straps up, you owe it to yourself to try this product.” —K. Howe

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $8.97 (available in nine color combos).

13. An illuminating moisturizer made for you the bask in the glow of fabulous skin. This moisturizer has light coverage so it feels amazing on your skin and it also helps to lightly color correct any little blemishes you might have. It’s quick and easy to add to your routine so no need to worry about spending hours in front of the mirror.

Promising review: “Didn’t need this but bought this due to watching a TikTok. Pleasantly surprised by the magical erasing powers. This product has magic dust. Gives you a great glow and erases imperfections with the thinnest layer.” —Kim Wilmot

Get it from Amazon for $12.97 (available in four shades).

14. A Nyx instant brow styler if Cara Delevingne has been on your Pinterest inspo board since high school. With just a few swipes, this magical potion will give your brows that extra *umph* and hold them in place for 16 hours with no flakiness or that icky white residue!

Nyx is a cruelty-free brand. If you want something that focuses a little more on pigment, this is one of my personal faves too!

Promising review: “I bought this on a whim to try to get my newly curling dark brown brows under control. Many other ‘clear’ products I’ve tried leave a white residue. I’d been using the brown Patrick Ta Major Brow which works and is fine, but it’s expensive and takes a little longer to prepare and apply. This Nyx product is so fast and easy — swipe and go, leaves virtually no residue, keeps the brows laying straight, and is a fraction of the cost of many Sephora products I’ve tried.” —E Morris

Get it from Amazon for $9.97 (available in five colors).

15. A pack of six seamless bikini-cut undies for a smooth, lightweight, and comfortable way to avoid panty lines that can throw off the whole vibe of your outfit.

Promising review: “I was SO impressed with these! I generally buy a high-end brand to wear to the gym and these are just as good at half the price! I will be buying more of these for SURE!” —JodieP

Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in women’s sizes XS–XL and 15 color combos).

16. A Remington dry razor if you prefer to keep unruly body hair in check. This razor features a sleek three-blade shaver with a nifty angled head, designed to tackle those pesky underarm hairs that like to play hard to get and can handle those last-minute touch-ups for the days you want to show some leg.

Or just let that bodily hair see the light — up to you!

Promising review: “After burning through a couple of small shavers that used rechargeable lithium batteries that couldn’t be changed and quickly gave out, I decided the heck with it and searched for a shaver that used regular batteries. I live near the beach and have to shave my legs often. Of course a manual hand razor gives a smoother shave, but this little hand held shaver can be used in a pinch and for touch ups. I’m very happy with it. The price is right and it gives an acceptable shave with no pulling or nicking.” —Mary

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

17. A Revlon dual hair dryer and brush here to simplify your “getting ready” routine and start your day off on the right foot. This hair dryer basically cuts your dry time in half because you aren’t juggling between two hair tools at once. Plus, it’s easy to use and gives you a salon-quality blowout in no time.

Unlike other hair dryers, this one can be held closer to the roots and scalp for a higher volume and lift and helps you curl hair at the end while it dries. It comes with three heat settings and is designed to work on all hair textures — reviewers with 2a–4c hair mentioned it working for them. 

Promising review: “I absolutely love this product! I can get ready in half the time spent drying and styling. It works better if you allow your hair to air dry a bit first, but I’ve also used it on just towel dried hair. I section off my hair & brush through. It adds good volume without straight hair being flat.” —M. Hughes

Get it from Amazon for $38.98+ (available in five models and nine colors). 

18. A lightweight BB cream, aka a multitasking product that not only evens out your skin tone but also combats those breakouts. This oil-free formula swoops in to mattify and tone down redness, all while secretly battling acne with a touch of salicylic acid. 

Promising review: “Loved how it fully cover my blemishes without the caked on feeling. It always made my skin look moisturized and glowy.” —Melinda Phillippee

Get it from Amazon for $5.07+ (available in five shades). 

19. And CoverGirl’s TruBlend matte concealer reviewers say is similar to (if not better than) Tarte’s Shape Tape, AND it’s ONLY $5!! With 30 different shades to choose from, you’re basically guaranteed to find the perfect match for your skin tone — plus, it’s super easy to blend. No more awkward orange or ashy patches on your face!

Promising review: “My everyday holy grail concealer! I really love this concealer for my everyday makeup because it covers very well my blemishes without leaving my skin feeling heavy. It’s really matte, it blends out beautifully into the skin, and I love that this it’s exactly my skin tone!” —Marilegny G. (@marimuabeauty)

Get it from Amazon for $5+ (available in 28 shades).

20. The internet-famous Revlon oil-absorbing volcanic face roller if your skin creates more oil than a KFC. This roller removes excess shine from your face WITHOUT disturbing your makeup. It’s also super portable so you can just toss it in your bag, and you don’t have to be seen awkwardly patting your face with blotting papers in the middle of the day.Â đŸ™…đŸœâ€â™€ïž

Promising review: “First off, if you have extremely oily skin, this. is. it. I was so tired of getting blotting powder/wipes. It felt wasteful and always left residue on my face. I saw this on TikTok and NEEDED it. It was back ordered but then I got an email saying it was in stock and I was SO excited. Not only is it affordable, but it’s washable which helps you save money and be less wasteful. The packaging wasn’t over the top exciting, but it provided you all the info you needed (It felt like the holy grail had been delivered to my front doorstep.). After my first use, I was in love. Now, it doesn’t pickup everything but it does make it more matte and gives you a natural look. I am so excited this product exists and I already feel more confident.” —Kelsey B.

Get it from Amazon for $9.24. 

21. A hydrating tinted lip balm, or in other words, your new BFF for lips, cheeks, and lids! This little beauty gives you a buildable pop of color wherever you need it, making on-the-go makeup touch-ups a breeze. Just toss it in your bag and you’re ready to slay all day with a fresh, rosey glow.
Sustain Yourself

Sustain Yourself is a woman-owned small biz that started as a college side hustle. Since then, it’s grown to include a brick-and-mortar location in Minneapolis that provides low-waste beauty and self-care alternatives using simple, plant-based ingredients. 

Shopping editor Danielle Healy *loves* this: “I wear this tinted lip balm almost daily. It’s the perfect “no makeup” makeup tool to apply before a video call or when heading out on some casual errands. On my lips, it’s delightfully hydrating yet doesn’t feel too oily or heavy when I use it as a blush or subtle eyeshadow. Honestly, the zero-waste packaging is just a happy bonus. Highly recommend, especially for those like me who don’t wear a ton of makeup, but don’t want to look like a ghost when they talk to their boss, either.

FYI — I originally got this from Plastic Free Pursuit, so go check them out for other low-waste beauty finds like this one!”

Get it from Sustain Yourself for $12. 

22. A hydrating rosemary mint strengthening edge gel enriched with biotin to encourage hair growth and protect your edges from breakage. And don’t worry it won’t flake on you, ensuring your hairstyle stays on point and fabulous.

Apply the gel to edges and smooth with fingertips or with a brush for a specific hold. Or! Just rock your edges’ natural texture. Check out this article on why laying your edges is never mandatory.

Mielle Organics is a Black-founded small business that got acquired by P&G Beauty but is operating as an independent subsidiary and continues to be led by its founding members Monique Rodriguez (CEO) and Melvin Rodriguez (COO).

Promising review: “I like the light consistency of this edge control. It doesn’t take much and did the job I was looking for it to do. I didn’t have any issues with flaking or dryness. My hair texture is different since it’s been growing back since chemotherapy so honestly it doesn’t take much for it.” —FitSisterP

Get it from Amazon for $6.97.

23. Or a hair finishing stick perfect for effortlessly tucking away those pesky flyaways that dare to defy your styling efforts. Reviewers even say that it keeps their hair in check ALL DAY.

Its mascara-like design lets you simply brush the applicator along your hairs to help slick them back. If you want to try a wax stick, this is a great option too!

Promising review: “Absolutely love this product. I have to have my hair up often for work and this stuff makes it SO easy to clean it up and keep my baby hairs and frizz at bay in seconds. Literally just keep it in my bag and might need like one touch up in an 8-hour day. Just be careful about using too much! It will harden up if you apply tooo much but otherwise it felt very soft and comfortable for me.” —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $6.99.

24. An organic rosewater toner, aka the perfect way to wake up your skin in the morning or refresh your face throughout the day. Rose water has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce redness and irritation leaving you with a radiant glow.

I’ve personally bought two bottles of this rosewater and the third is on its way from Amazon now. I not only use it in my morning skincare routine, but I also use it throughout the day when my face needs a quick refresh in this hot Georgia weather.

Promising review: “It is all you can ask and more from a great moisturizer, skin refresher, and all-around go-to product for just a slight pick-me-up. I use it for my skin, face mainly, and my hair for the light smell. My whole family loves it, I have to buy them two at a time so that I can at least use them when I need or want to use them. I recommend using this as a natural moisturizer for both your skin and hair.” — Charlie W. Gorham

Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in two sizes).

25. A bottle of dandruff shampoo reviewers say actually worked after trying everything else. This magical shampoo contains 1% ketoconazole, the key antifungal ingredient that makes all the difference — after just one use you can start seeing results. Say goodbye to those pesky flakes and hello to a clean scalp!

Promising review: “MIRACLE PRODUCT! If you have a flaky scalp from dandruff, BUY THIS. I was about to go to the dermatologist if this stuff didn’t work. Thank goodness I saved myself hundreds of dollars by giving this product a shot. I used it four of five times (over a month) and it cleared my scalp almost completely. One more use and my scalp will be 120% healed! This stuff blew my mind. Totally worth it.” —chris

Get it from Amazon for $15.88.

26. A set of reusable Glamnetic press-on nails for anyone who dreads sitting in the salon for hours and spending an arm and a leg just for nails. These nail sets are not only pretty and stylish, but also durable and easy to apply. Your nails will look like they took two hours to do, when in reality they only took under 30 minutes to apply. 

Promising review: “I saw these all over my TikTok FYP and was so curious to try them. The Mariposa nails are the first ones that I have tried and they are absolutely beautiful, and just after two days I have gotten so many compliments. The glue holds super well and the application process was super simple. I don’t think that I will ever get acrylic nails again, as a set like this would likely be three times the price.” —Leslie and Paige

Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in 42 styles). 

27. Or if falsies aren’t your thing, a set of quick-dry nail polishes that glide on like a dream. No more clumpy, streaky messes that leave you feeling like a 5-year-old playing with paint. These polishes also have GREAT coverage, two coats and you’re done! No need to keep laying on coat after coat until your nails feel like they’re suffocating.

Promising reviews: “I have been painting my nails for 45 years and this is the best nail polish that I have ever used. I painted my nails a week ago and they still look like they were just done. There has been no chipping or color fade at all. Considering the abuse that my hands take every day, that’s kind of a big deal. I think that I have finally found the perfect polish. I can’t wait to see what other color choices they have.

“I didn’t realize that my initial review failed to submit when I wrote it 2 weeks ago. But I’m glad that it didn’t because now it has been 3 weeks of my wearing this polish with no chips, fading or touch ups!! This polish is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! Buy it!!!!” —Kindle Customer

Get 10 bottles from Amazon for $5.88 (available in various colors).

28. Plus a bottle of nail and cuticle repair oil if you ever wanted to get that salon finish without having to go to the salon. It not only helps keep your delicate skin moisturized, but you can also apply it while relaxing and watching TV — that’s how simple it is. It’s like having a personal manicurist in the comfort of your home.Promising review: “Found it on TikTok and I’m so pleased with the results. My nails are getting stronger and growing. And the best of all, not chipping. Love it.” —sidna saavedra

Get it from Amazon for $9.90+ (available in three sizes).

29. The fan-fave Nyx makeup setting spray that every makeup enthusiast should have in their arsenal. A few spritzes of this miracle elixir will lock your makeup in place, preventing it from smudging, melting, or fading away. Perfect for those days when your foundation seems to have a mind of its own.

This personal makeup assistant comes in three different finishes — matte, dewy, and plump. Fun fact: The reviewer in the second photo said they worked a 12-hour shift bartending and thanks to this setting spray, their makeup still looked fabulous.

Promising review: “Love this spray. Like that it’s small and portable. It does set your makeup matte, which I love. Keeps my makeup in place all day. I use it pretty much daily when it’s summer. It is great for when you travel to anywhere hot and humid and don’t want your makeup to slide off.” —Tina J.

Get it from Amazon for $8+ (available in six styles and a set of two).

30. A set of hair spin pins, perfect for when you want to be able to throw up an effortless and flawless hairdo in no time. This little corkscrew winder does the job of not one, not two, but 20 (!) bobby pins to keep your bun in place all day long.

To use, just gather your hair and twist it into a tight bun (no hair tie needed!), tuck in the ends, and spin the pins into the edges of your bun.

Promising review: “When even a ponytail won’t do and a hat isn’t socially acceptable, pull out the spin pins. These are easy to carry in your purse for emergency hair days. They twist together/around each other so they stay kind of bundled together, and I keep them with several regular bobby pins to keep stray hairs tucked together. I find the minis are far more comfortable to wear as well as easier to get in the hair. You will still need a few pins to secure some random loose hairs if a PERFECT bun is your goal. But if you are like me and most days you just need your hair out of your face and off your neck-these are excellent since the bun stays put. Works beautifully under scrub caps as well.” —Blondiechick

Get them on Amazon for $6.89+ (available in a pack of three mini spins pins and in a pack of two regular spin pins).

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

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