2 days ago
Practical Purchases That Are Low-Key Super Exciting
A Bounce wrinkle release spray in a convenient travel size so you can take it with you on your next vacay. Seriously, who has time to iron while traveling?! There's also no telling if that dusty hotel iron is actually going to work. All you have to do is spray, tug the fabric a few times, then smooth the wrinkles away with your hand like some sort of magic wrinkle-fighting wizard. It's also perfect for refreshing any clothes you plan to wear a few times during your trip, thanks to the fresh scent.
Built's "Puff Protein Bars" — they may look like a typical protein bar to the unsuspecting eye, but they're actually hiding a gooey, marshmallow center that's basically a delicious mountain of flavor packed with up to 17 grams of protein. I'm personally a bit obsessed with these — the Cookie Dough Chunk flavor is always in my kitchen.
A set of limited edition wildflower Band-Aids so even your boo-boos will be super cute and match all the sundresses you bought for summer. Or! If you scrape your knee while gardening, these floral cuties will keep the happy vibes going.
A set of breathable, seamless thongs, which are so comfy they've won over certified thong haters. Let's run down all the positives — they're sweat-wicking, they have a compression waistband, are they're super stretchy with an soft cotton liner. The negative? They might make your pairs from Skims and Victoria's Secret extremely jealous.
An oscillating tower fan with six speed levels that cranks out some serious breeze without making serious noise. No really, you'll be so cool you'll stop day-dreaming about fall weather! There's even a timer function so it'll shut down when it starts to cool down late at night. Go ahead and pick out a name for it while you're waiting for the delivery, because this is basically about to become a member of the fam.
An eight-compartment pill organizer so you can ditch the bulky bottles for something that's way easier to slip in your pocket. You'll also be the hero of your travel group when anybody has a sudden headache. Yes, being in your 30s means finding excitement in a pill organizer.
A travel brush with a hidden compartment, which is one of those "seriously, where has this been my entire life?" kind of inventions. The surprisingly spacious compartment slides out so you can store your hair ties, lip balm, bobby pins, mini perfume, or even an extra pair of earrings. This is basically Mary Poppins' purse in hairbrush form. Also, your goal of traveling with just a carry-on is about to be SO much easier.
Monday Haircare Dry Shampoo — close your eyes and imagine a dry shampoo that absorbs oil, coats your hair in keratin to help protect it from damage, and costs less than $7? Open 'em — THIS is it! Oh, and it even has a lovely gardenia scent to freshen up your locks on sweaty summer days.
A tub of dual-textured toner pads from K-beauty brand Medicube — it uses the power of lactic and salicylic acid to wipe away dead skin cells and help reduce the appearance of pores and blackheads. After cleansing, use the textured side for a deep exfoliation, then flip to the smooth side to soothe and mop up any excess oil. Convenient and good for your skin?! That's the definition of exciting.
A set of Wonder Hangers — okay, I know hangers seem lame, but these are a miracle for anyone who A) has way too many shirts for their tiny closet or B) needs everything in their life to be organized. These let you stack your clothes so you can fit more (yay for utilizing vertical space!), and you can keep organized by color, occasion, season — whatever your type A heart desires!!
A super cheerful set of gel pens in a vibrant gradient design and with buttery-smooth ink that'll have you jumping to volunteer first to take notes in your next work meeting. They're also super fast-drying, so no worries about accidentally smearing your extremely thorough to-do list.
And a set of 10 retractable Crayola markers — wait, how long have these been a thing?! Do you know how many markers child-me had to toss because the cap went rolling under the stove, never to be seen again?! Well, today's kids (and kids at heart) can simply give these a satisfying click once they're done coloring, and today's parents can rest assured that these markers will last through dozens of arts and crafts sessions.
A portable air compressor that has "Super Adult" written all over it. You won't jump for joy once it arrives at your doorstep, but you'll be STOKED when you realize your tire pressure is low on your next road trip... and you have no idea where the next gas station is. It even has a flashlight so you can use it at night, and it's small enough to stow away in your trunk or glove compartment without taking up too much space. They thought of everything.
A smooth edge can opener — a helpful gadget and cool party trick in one! This can remove the entire top of most drink cans, meaning you can spruce up your bev with ice, syrups, or fresh fruit without having to dirty an extra glass. Imagine sipping a wild berry Poppi (the best flavor, FYI) with actual blueberries floating in your can. 😭
Gold Bond's firming neck and chest cream if you've reached the era of your life where finding new skincare is genuinely exciting. The tube may seem unassuming, but this magic formula contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, while glycerin and aloe add some extra hydration. Put that Groupon for a laser treatment down — try this first!
And a lightweight gel-cream from Nivea that uses the magic of an incredible called ~Q10~ to help firm and moisturize your skin — and it's racked up more than 17,000 rave ratings. Reviewers say it takes consistent use over a few weeks to see results, but those who stuck with it have seen improvements in the smoothness of their neck, thighs, and more.
A next-level toothbrush your dentist will be so ridiculously proud of you for using. It has the standard bristles you'd expect from any toothbrush (it also looks like any other toothbrush, let's be honest), but the game-changer is the extra-long bristles that are 10x thinner — meaning they can reach in between teeth and under the gum line to help sweep away food and residue. Dare I say you might actually look forward to brushing?!
The Pink Stuff, a tub of cleaning paste that against all odds has become one of the biggest celebs on TikTok (no really, it's racked up 156,000 positive ratings). It'll completely revitalize your sink, bathtub, and neglected oven with the help of a little elbow grease. You'll stare in awe as you realize that crayon stain on your staincase wasn't as permanent as you thought.
A delightfully affordable instant foot peeling spray that makes giving yourself at at-home pedi just as nice as going to the salon. If you're looking for a fast-acting, super convenient way to get rid of dead skin pronto, just spray a few spritzes on clean feet, rub off dead skin (the formula will start to roll up into tiny balls to help you exfoliate!) then wash it off!
The ChomChom pet hair remover roller — it'll pick up each and every stray hair your fur baby leaves in their wake. It's perfect for restoring your couch back to its former glory or making your car's seats look presentable again. Reviewers especially love this one (it's a constant best-seller on Amazon) since it only takes a few rolls back and forth to pick up the toughest pet hair, and the quick-release button makes it a breeze to remove the gross-but-satisfying ball of fur from the roller brush.
A satin bonnet so silky smooth it's inspired more than 10,000 reviewers to leave a 5-star rating for upgrading the bonnet experience. Those satisfied reviewers love that it's super soft (yes, the inside is also lined with satin!) and roomy enough for long hair. And all my fellow hot sleepers will be relieved to know it's breathable enough to wear all night long!
Suction cup knobs that are about to completely change your bathroom storage game. The twist-and-lock design can easily adhere to glass, plastic, mirror, or porcelain surfaces — and it holds up to 15 pounds! You can also easily remove them and place them in a new area as many times as you want, so your loofah knobs can become your hand towel knobs with ease.
A 3D-printed battery organizer and dispenser, which is honestly so genius and helpful, it weirdly makes me a bit emotional? 🤔 Where has this been all my life?! You simply pop the batteries in at the top, grab one from the bottom when needed, and the rest will roll down so you can quickly and easily grab another. All you parents out there, this is about to become the MVP of your household.
A 3-in-1 wireless charger so you can power up your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods at the same time — no more wishing you had way more USB ports near your bed! The standout feature might just be the foldable design, meaning you can take it to the office with you so your noise-canceling AirPods never run out of juice. Imagine having to listen to your co-workers instead?!
An absolutely genius device called a "Supoon" — this perfectly sized spoon not only helps you scrape every last bit of food from the container (think: peanut butter, yogurt, cream cheese, etc.) but also has a unique design that keeps it away from the countertop when you set it down! This is about to prevent SO many "babe, stop leaving your peanut butter spoon on the counter" arguments.
The beloved Hard as Hoof nourishing cream made with beeswax and jojoba oil to condition brittle nails and cuticles (on your fingers AND toes!) and have them looking as shiny and fresh as they did before that gel manicure did its damage. It's designed to sink in quickly (a rare feat in the world of cuticle oils) and it also smells like coconuts. I probably should have led with the coconut part. 🥥 🤤
A jar-opening tool that will be an absolute lifesaver when that jar of Ragu is holding on to the lid like its life depends on it (to be fair, it kind of does). It has four different slots to help open a variety of jar sizes, and there's even a helpful hook at the top to help with pull-tab cans when it's a Chef Boyardee kind of night.
An exfoliating glove with immediate results you can actually see — seriously, the dead skin just clumps up and rolls right off of your body. It's somehow satisfying and gross at the same time. Plus, removing all that excess dead skin can help with everything from preventing razor bumps and ingrown hairs before shaving, smoothing away bumps caused by Keratosis pilaris, and prepping your skin for the perfect streak-free self-tan.
A reusable gel lint roller that looks like it's from the future and is a major upgrade from the traditional sticky rolls that require approximately 10 sheets just to clean one shirt. Just pop open the cover and roll it over any garments that need a good sprucing up, then give it a quick rinse, and it'll be ready to use again!
A pair of rechargeable motion sensor lights so you can finally see exactly which Little Debbie you're reaching for in the pantry when that late-night snack craving hits. You'll feel like you did a full cabinet overhaul when really all you did was pull off some adhesive backing. They're also great for closets, under cabinets, or even illuminating the shelves holding your exquisite Lego Flower collection.
A pack of antibacterial paper soap sheets that will seriously come in handy when the public restroom you're using is out of that mysterious pink sludge they call soap. Just pull out a sheet, wet it, get to lathering, and thank yourself for being such a smart shopper.
A glasses lens cleaner so you finally say goodbye to those microfiber cloths and disposable wipes that just seem to smear the dirt and oil all over your lenses. This little tool has a small brush on one side to wipe away dirt and dust, while the microfiber pads on the other side will wipe away oils for a streak-free finish without scratching your lenses. It even comes with a case so you can keep it clean when not in use. You'll be seeing in 4K in no time!
An Anua pore-clearing cleansing oil that'll do the impossible — make you excited about washing your face at night. It's specifically designed to help regulate your sebum production and break down blackheads, making it a great option for all my fellow oily-skinned peeps. It also helps break down makeup, so you can finally stop wasting money on makeup-removing wipes!
A super grippy suction attachment so you can stick your phone to basically any smooth surface (think mirrors, walls, windows, basically anything without any texture). I recently saw someone use one of these to stick their phone to the back of a plane seat and my jaw dropped as I was filled with pure jealousy.
