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We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Because life is just better with a special olive oil bottle, lid organizer, and anti-chafe balm.
1.
A variety pack of ready-to-eat seasoned beans and rice from A Dozen Cousins so you always have an extremely tasty recipe staple in your pantry, pre-cooked to perfection, and ready to enjoy. Busy people with no time to cook: take note.
Amazon
A Dozen Cousins is Black-owned, and their recipes are based on the flavors of Creole, Caribbean, and Latin American cuisine that founder Ibraheem Basir grew up with.
Promising review: “These are the ultimate in convenience. You only have to put the bag in the microwave for 60 seconds, which’ll help you concentrate on the other parts of your meal. I love mixing the Trini Chickpea Curry with leftover rice for a super satisfying weekday lunch. The black beans are TO DIE FOR.” —Elizabeth Lilly, BuzzFeed Editor
Price: $24.99 for a variety pack of six (available in eight other single and multi-flavor packs)
2. A convenient cable management sleeve if you’ve finally had enough with the Rat King of cords under your TV unit. You’ll breathe easier with their chaos contained.
Promising review: “These were EXTREMELY useful to me; I like them a lot. I have a very busy workspace at home, with two monitors, a tablet, a big keyboard, speakers, a NAS drive, etc., and it was very cluttered. But with these, I managed to clean it up A TON. Now it looks much nicer, is much cleaner, and safer. Definitely would recommend getting these if you have a bunch of stray cables hanging around your desk area and such. After I zip-tied all of my big bundles of cables and adapters and such together and up and down the desk, I wrap these around the bundles for a nice, clean, less hazardous look.” —Aaron
Price: $9.49+ (available in five lengths, multipacks, and three colors)
3.
A mandolin so you can slice all your veggies nice and thin without having to get a doctorate in kitchen knife skills. These make ridiculously quick work of prep, and the julienne attachment will make you feel like a real pro!
The mandolin comes with two julienning blades and a finger guard. PLEASE be careful while using this! I highly recommend some cut-resistant gloves.
Promising reviews: “I have tried several mandolins. Some were large and required more kitchen cabinet real estate than their value warranted. Some were dull and hardly cut through tough root vegetables. Others were so complicated and difficult to clean, I generally elected to cut and slice by hand. Enter the Benriner BN95B Super Slicer. It is simple to understand and use, sturdy, effective, and produces lovely cut and sliced produce. Cleaning it is easy, and it stands on its side (protecting its blade and my fingers) in a utensil drawer, so I can pull it out and use it as simply as pulling out a knife. Made a lovely sliced cucumber salad last night on the fly. Cucumber prep took (literally) less than a minute. What’s not to love?” —S. A. Brew
“I’ve been using this brand for years. Restaurants tend to use this, too, no matter where I go. I have the larger one, and now I have this one to have with me all the time. Solid tool.” —Therese De La Fuente
Price: $32.99
4. La Pure Gold Collagen Eye Masks featuring hyaluronic acid and collagen for anyone who would consider cooling eye treatment a luxurious and enlivening start or end of their day. And at just over $1 per pair, I think we can count this as a practical purchase as well. It just makes good business sense to treat yourself to these, and you can quote me on that.
Former BuzzFeeder Jasmin Sandal: “I decided to put these golden gems to the test after coming off of a red-eye flight with practically no sleep. After cooling them off in the fridge (which is what was suggested on the packet), I applied them to my purpley, puffy eyes, and…w-o-w. Not only did I feel like I was receiving some kind of royal treatment (because, gold), but after 20 minutes, my under-eyes appeared brighter and any fine lines that were once lingering had vanished! After wearing these I didn’t feel compelled to apply concealer either, which is usually my go-to to disguise dark circles — and I even felt confident enough to go bare-faced for the rest of the day. Now, I find that I integrate these into my routine anytime I want to de-puff and refresh.”
Price: $17.47 for a set of 15 (also available in silver)
5.
A collapsible laundry basket so you’re not burdened by a huge, unmoving basket in the corner of your bedroom, even when it’s not full. A true albatross!
6.
A 32-ounce lightweight Nalgene because having an ultra-durable reusable bottle on hand that doesn’t weigh a million pounds or make tons of noise is always a good idea. Fancy metal bottles are great and all, but sometimes you just need to go back to basics. My Nalgene is next to my computer right now!
Amazon
Promising review: “Basic wide-mouth water bottle I take along on backpack hikes in the Sierras. Nothing fancy to it, so it will last longer than others. It can take a beating and does not leak. What more do you need in a water bottle?” —Teamleader100
Price: $12.28
7. A cleansing EcoTools makeup brush cleaner — buying is means you’re basically FORCED to clean your makeup brushes. If you can’t remember the last time you did so, it’s been wayyyyy too long.
Promising review: “I absolutely LOVE this brush shampoo! I purchased two bottles. I was a little skeptical of how well it would clean my brushes since I had never tried it before, but after using this I am very pleased with the outcome. It has a faint shampoo scent but nothing too overpowering, and suds like you wouldn’t believe. They got all the way down to the base of the brush and gave it a really good cleaning. One of my brushes is made from boar hair (Estée Lauder powder brush), and I was worried it was going to frizz out and ruin the shape, but it actually improved it after I had previously used baby shampoo. It’s very soft and not at all coarse feeling. I also used this shampoo on my Beauty Blender, and it did a great job of getting all the foundation out. All in all, I’d rate this product a 10/10!” —Katastrophe
Price: $7.99+ (available in two sizes)
8.
A game-changing power scrubber because it’s *so* much easier and more efficient than the old grimy toothbrush you usually use to scrub a minimum of one million times per inch of grout, just to make some headway. Voilà — “new” grout!
Natalie Brown / BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed shopping editor Natalie Brown put this baby to the test, and here’s what she had to say: “This thing works small miracles: I cleaned about half of my bathroom’s grout to its original sparkling-clean cream color in 40 minutes, and it took honestly no effort at all. I literally sat on the floor, dipped the bristles in a Castile soap dilution (2–3 drops of soap + 1/2 cup of water; but you could use almost any cleaner of your choice), then lazily ran the scrubber back and forth over a 6-inch section of grimy, dark-gray grout — and it only took about 30 seconds for that grout to go from dingy to bright. I started by using the specialty grout brush, but then I decided to try it with the default brush, and that seemed to work just as well, IMHO!”
Check out her full power scrubber review.
Price: $23.39
You can also get a special grout-cleaning brush head that can be swapped in for the regular one for $14.68.
9.
An anti-chafe balm to ensure your outdoor exercise, park walks, and life in general aren’t sullied by the red, painful enemy known around here as Big Chafe. *Shakes fist at sky* — curse you, Big Chafe!!!!!
Amazon
Promising reviews: “Perfect for a half marathon!!! You MUST use this product for long runs.” —Ja
“A true nipple saver for distance runners. Especially if it’s raining or humid. I had many long runs that became agony after five or six miles due to my shirt chafing the nips, so I did some research and found that Body Glide was frequently recommended for this issue. I tried it for myself and, to my great relief, no longer experienced any discomfort. Just apply right before a run. Every runner should keep a stick of this in their toolbox.” —C. Cook
Price: $8.99 (available in three sizes and multipacks)
10. A simple yet magnificent lid organizer so gone are the days of cursing out the avalanche of storage container lids as they tumble to the ground or elude you just when you need them the most.
Promising review: “This product does exactly what it’s supposed to and does it well. In under 15 minutes, I took my nightmare lid drawer and turned it into a functional, convenient storage space. The dividers were simple to install and provided flexibility. Slowly but surely, I am getting my tiny, chaotic kitchen under control, and this got me a huge leap closer.” —S. Hawthorn
Price: $16.99
11.
A basic but reliable can opener because even if you’re a person who thinks they won’t use one that much, when you need one, you REALLY need one. No worse feeling than when your tomatoes are in Can Jail and you can’t break them out.
The can opener also has a bottle opener, because why not!
Promising review: “The Oxo can opener is a workhorse. It is strong, well-made, and plows through whatever you give it with ease. I’ve had this one before and after years, it finally gave out and was hard to turn. But in buying an alternative from another company, I quickly realized the mistake and went right back to OXO to buy another. This one is so sturdy that it will last for a very long time and I’m really glad I bought it again.” —A.M. Miller
Price: $16.95
12. A straightforward yet remarkable felt purse insert that makes organizing your bag an actual possibility, at long last. You can’t blame yourself for having a messy purse when it doesn’t come with any pockets in the first place. Phew, your glasses are gonna be so much easier to find.
And this comes in so many shades you’ll easily find one to match the interior of any of your bags!
Promising review: “When you spend a LOT of money on a good bag, the last thing you need is a pen to leak or a dirty mark to ruin the lining. I couldn’t believe my luck when I discovered the EXACT product I was thinking of right here. I have the Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM with a light pink lining I wanted to protect, and right here, a pink liner fits perfectly. You can remove the middle section if you wish, to hold more books, folders, etc, or keep it in (it has hook and loop strips at each end to hold it in place). I love that everything has a place — including a zipped compartment and the key-strap lanyard, and of course, if you want to change bags, you can just lift it out and place all those essentials right into another. Highly recommend this item.” —BritGirlUSA
Price: $19.82+ (available in sizes S–XL, including slender models and multipacks, and 21 colors)
13. A pair of foot therapy wraps to treat your feet to some TLC at the end of any long day. They can be used iced or hot, so no matter what time of year your dogs are barking, you can get them calm again in no time.
14.
A set of All-Clad nonstick pans so you don’t have to wrestle with burnt-on egg for hours after breakfast. Let those puppies slip out, give the pan a rinse, and you’re good to go.
Amazon, amazon.com
The pans are dishwasher-safe, but hand washing is recommended.
Promising review: “These are the best non-stick pans I’ve ever used. Heavy pans with high sides so you can flip veggies while sautéing. Easy to clean. For years I’ve been buying throw away non stick skillets and replacing them yearly. Won’t have to do that anymore.” —calicoterri
Price: $99.99+ for a set of two (available in two size pairs as well as in a five-piece set or 13-piece set)
15.
And a cute little saucepan and lid, because sauce is the most important part of almost any meal and deserves a pan of its own. It’s also great for single servings of rice, pasta, and soup, of course!
Promising review: “This saucepan was just the perfect size for my small kitchen. The pan has performed nicely as I’ve cooked sauces, boiled water, and warmed soup. There has been no sticking, and it’s an easy clean up as I just wash it in the dishwasher. The pan feels sturdy and feels like it will hold up to many years of use. The lid is also solid and fits perfectly on the pan.” —AMG de Wet
Price: $24.95 (also available in five other sizes)
16. A set of clear, stackable drawers whose applications are virtually limitless. From the pantry to the office to the bathroom, your loose goods will be neat, accessible, and still visible — the triple crown of organization.
Promising review: “These drawers are just what I needed to organize loose items under my bathroom counter! They fit all of my nail polish perfectly. I wasn’t expecting them to look so nice, and had planned to put them under the sink. I was very surprised by the quality and have kept them on my counter for easier access. I’m very happy with these drawers, and I’m going to buy a couple more to stack under my sink. Since they can be customized by stacking, they’re a great way to organize around those annoying pipes under the sink.” —Katie
Price: $22.99+ for a set of two (available in two sizes and a multipack)
17. A shirt folder that, if you work in retail, may be your enemy. But if you’re in the comfort of your own home and treating yourself to a neat, organized closet, it’s the key to outfit-picking bliss (and some saved space).
Promising review: “My first reaction was ‘Why did I buy this?’ because when I opened the box, I wasn’t too convinced by the way it looked. Then I gave it a try with a couple of shirts I had just washed, and next thing you know, I simply had to do my entire drawer! Everything folds so pretty, neat, and easy. I still couldn’t believe it, so I ended up organizing our bedsheets and towels. I am amazed at how much of a game-changer this is. It’s a must-try! I am in love with how beautiful it leaves my clothes.” —Jesus Antonio Vedia
Price: $14.44+ (available in five colors)
18. A bottle of Bio-Oil to help you say bye-bye to uneven skin, stretch marks, and acne scars. It helps your body retain moisture (see ya later, dry skin!) and absorbs into the skin fast so you won’t feel greasy.
Psst! Bio-Oil contains retinol, which accelerates skin turnover but can make you more sensitive to the sun — so don’t forget your sunscreen!
Promising review: “I swear by this product. Very effective on discolored skin due to scarring. I had shingles on my face brought about by stress because we were moving. It ravaged the lower right side of my face, and I was pretty sure it was going to leave hideous scarring. I bought this and started applying it when I started scabbing and still haven’t stopped using it until now. I had my shingles in April, and it’s August now. It works. Check the before and after pics. Scars are now gone.” —twitch
Price: $11.12+ (available in three sizes)
19.
An Oxo pop-top pantry-organizing container set for anyone who’s been longing for a way to keep their massive amount of dry goods tidy, instead of messily stashed in cabinets in twist-tied bags.
Promising reviews: “I stumbled across these and have now ordered two other sets. They have really tidied up my pantry, and it’s great to store my flours (I bake for a hobby). I like the lid design, it’s both easy to use and clean.” —K in MC
“Really sturdy quality. I’m obsessed. However, remember the specific ones for flour are best for flour. Otherwise, perfect for everything else! Take the rubber out when you wash and dry, so you don’t get mold.” —Carin
Price: $46 for a set of five
Check out this BuzzFeed editor’s glowing review on the containers for more info!
20.
A bottle of nail and cuticle repair oil to get those claws conditioned, strong, and ready to get painted if you so choose.
Promising review: “It’s a miracle! I had peeling, weak nails for years. Tried everything. A friend recommended a nail strengthener they saw on QVC. It was quite pricey and I wanted to make sure it was worth it so I read the reviews. One of the comments said just buy Solar Oil. Since it was much more affordable than the QVC stuff, I tried it. I bought it in February. This bottle size lasted a bit more than a month religiously applying it two to three times a day. I was really seeing great improvement so I bought another bottle in late March. By May, all the peeling had grown out and my nails were getting stronger every day. I then bought the big 4-ounce refill bottle because I never want to run out of it again! Cannot recommend this stuff enough!” —Diana
Price: $10.75
21.
A roll of moleskin tape, so if your brand-new fall boots are giving you blisters, you’re able to combat and protect your feet until they’re perfectly broken in. There’s nothing worse than messing up your feet without the right fix on-hand.
22.
An olive oil bottle with a speed pourer, because it genuinely is super helpful to have your most-used ingredients right at your fingertips. Glug away right into your pan, pot, salad, mouth…
23.
A FlipBelt so all you runners out there don’t have to carry anything while you do your thing. It has four pockets, which are perfect for your phone, gel packs, cards, keys — anything small you need to store. It pulls on so you won’t get chafing from snaps or zippers, and — most importantly — it’s machine-washable.
Amazon, amazon.com
The FlipBelt is machine-washable and dryable and is also reflective for safe use at night.
Promising review: “Love love love my FlipBelt. I cannot stand arm bands, so for the past year, I have been running while holding my phone (I know, awful). I was running with my coworker, and she suggested I get a running belt. Having run a couple of half marathons in the past, I have used running belts, but they tend to bounce around and just be an annoyance. I happened to stumble on the FlipBelt on Amazon and had to give it a try. It fits my iPhone, which has an OtterBox on it, and did not budge once during my six-mile run. At the four-mile mark, I even tried adjusting it because I thought there’s no way this thing is staying in place so well, and it was still in the exact same spot as when I started my run. I also noticed I was able to run faster than usual, and I think it’s because I was concentrating on holding my phone with its massive case on it. If you’re in between sizes, I suggest going a size down. Can’t wait to wear this for my upcoming half-marathons in the fall!” —kel07
Price: $39 (available in XXS–XXL and 13 colors)
24.
A set of three Pyrex mixing bowls that will make baking all the more delicious of a task. Having *just* the right bowls to separately combine your dry and wet ingredients is a small pleasure worth seeking. They also stack to store. Score.
The bowls are microwave-, freezer-, and dishwasher-safe.
Promising review: “Love some good Pyrex. The bowls are a good size. I’ve been using them for over five years, and have transported them long distances many times moving back and forth between college and home, and they’ve never broken or been damaged. I mean I wouldn’t recommend throwing them on the floor, but they’re definitely sturdy.” —Amazon Customer
Price: $17.99 for a set of three
25. Some compression socks to keep swelling at bay during flights, road trips, long runs, pregnancy…anything!
Read more about compression socks and swelling at Cleveland Clinic.
Promising reviews: “With three weeks of international travel coming up, I purchased these to combat swelling in my feet during the flights. I had noticed swelling after three-hour domestic flights, so I was worried about what almost 30k miles would do! I wore these on every leg of the trip and never noticed any swelling — even after the 10- to 15-hour flights. They are very comfortable, too!” —J. Beaty
“Highly recommended. I am currently 8 months pregnant and wear these beauties every single day. I come home from work, take them off, wash them, and hang them to dry for the next day. I never knew how painful the swelling in my legs and feet could be until recently, and these socks were a complete game-changer. I stand for over 9 hours a day at work, so I can’t begin to explain how badly my legs and feet ached. I have a picture of what my feet looked like with (right) and without using the socks (left). The difference is tremendous!!” —OStocky
Price: $9.19+ (available in sizes S–XXL and in 12 colors).
Check out our full review of these compression socks here.
26. A set of two inconspicuous slide-out drawers that magically turn your drawer-less desk into a piece of furniture with actual storage space. Pens and desk accessories finally have a home! You could also use these under a dining room table for cloth napkins and utensils. Endless possibilities!
Amazon
Promising review: “This product works exactly as I’d hoped and is now neatly under my desk without taking up so much room that I bump it or knock it off when I sit down. The adhesive sticks on easily and feels very sturdy. Remember to be realistic in terms of the weight of objects you put in these drawers (i.e., don’t fill them with heavy items and then get upset when the adhesive wears down quickly). Pens, paperclips, Post-Its, earbuds, and scissors all fit in mine, and I will definitely buy these again for our other desks.” —Shopping Mama
Price: $12.99+ for a set of two (available in four colors)
And here are some other options for under-desk storage that’ll whip your WFH space into shape!
27.
A set of Swedish dishcloths so you can begin to phase out paper towels in favor of a more sustainable alternative. These are super absorbent, work on tons of surfaces, and are easily washable and reusable.
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: “I absolutely love these. For quite a while, I have been frustrated with kitchen/dish towels. I find most to be not nearly absorbent enough, too large and awkward, and needing frequent disinfecting to avoid smelling funky. These towel sponges are exactly what I needed in a dishcloth. They are absorbent, just the right size, antimicrobial, and easy to clean! Add in that they are sourced from a small family business, and I’m thrilled.” —NATHANIEL RIDER
Price: $19.99+ for a 10-pack (available in eight color packs)
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
