55 Cheap, Clever Things That Make You Look Naturally Hot

You don’t have to worry about finding the right shade with this blush stick, as the smart formula does all the hard work for you. Once you swipe on the purple-looking blush, it immediately begins to create a custom rosy hue based on your skin’s pH level. The fuss-free application is made even more fuss-free, thanks to the jojoba oil- and shea butter-infused formula, which makes the blush creamy enough to blend in with your fingertips.

Ideal for traveling or a quick, post-gym skin cleanse, these salicylic acid pads give you an exfoliating toner in an on-the-go-friendly form. Each individually packaged pad comes pre-saturated in the brand’s cult-favorite formula, which blends salicylic acid with green tea leaf extract to break down the dead skin and oil that contribute to acne and blackheads without totally drying out your skin.

For the subtlest fake tan, skip the mousses and mists, and grab these bronzing drops instead. The concentrated drops get diluted when you mix them into your favorite moisturizer, where they then gradually develop into a golden glow. You can make your tan more intense by adding more drops into your moisturizer, but otherwise, all of the usual self-tanning rules apply (exfoliate before first, and either apply with a mitt or wash your hands right after to avoid stained palms).

This color-changing sunscreen starts out green to neutralize redness, but it blends into a beige shade that becomes undetectable on fair and medium skin tones. Soothing ingredients like cica, niacinamide, and adenosine further assist with reducing redness and irritation, while the broad-spectrum SPF 50 keeps your skin protected from the sun.

For a multitasker that can serve as the base of your eye makeup or the entire look, there’s this mascara. The three-in-one product features an ultra-thin wand that lets you coat lashes at the roots for a tightlining effect that can replace your eyeliner. At the same time, a pigmented black mascara lengthens lashes for subtle definition, or it can serve as a priming coat for your usual mascara. It even helps to condition tiny lash hairs with peptides, shea butter, and jojoba oil.

When you want to help rehab your nails without giving up your manicure entirely, paint on a coat or two of this nail treatment. The concealer-like formula hides discoloration and supports stronger nails with pearlescent light reflectors and ingredients like celery extract. It also gives you several sheer colors to choose from for a milky manicure that takes less than five minutes.

From keratosis pilaris bumps to ingrown hairs, this exfoliating stick has multiple skin concerns covered. Specifically created for the body, the exfoliating formula pairs a higher concentration of glycolic acid with salicylic acid and shea butter to dissolve dead skin cells and pore-clogging oil, while bringing some moisture to the skin at the same time. The roll-on stick makes it easy to glide right over the area you’re looking to treat, and it doesn’t require any rinsing after.

Speed up the healing time of your next breakout with a dab of this spot treatment. Salicylic acid is the hero ingredient in here, which reaches deeper in the pores to get rid of acne-causing gunk. But the travel-friendly treatment also contains azelaic acid and zinc PCA to calm inflammation from both run-of-the-mill zits and larger cystic breakouts.

In just 15 seconds, this cuticle remover gel softens rough, overgrown cuticles so that you can gently push them back without any struggle (or trimming, or picking). An Amazon favorite with more than 40,000 five-star ratings, the gel uses a precision tip applicator to concentrate the formula along your cuticles. Amazon reviewers also love that it’s fragrance-free and naturally hydrating, thanks to ingredients like chamomile and aloe vera.

This face mist pulls double duty, locking your makeup in place for all-day wear and adding a dewy finish that prevents creasing and caking. The secret is the mist’s bi-phase formula that combines a moisturizing cream with a skin-balancing essence. You’ll need to give the mist a good shake to mix the two formulas, and you can spritz it over your skin whenever you want a refresh.

Maybe you’ve never heard of prostaglandin analogs, but if you notice one of the compounds among the ingredients in your lash growth serum (typically listed as isopropyl cloprostenate in over-the-counter products, FYI), you may want to reconsider. That’s because prostaglandins can cause some pretty gnarly side effects like irritation, dryness, and discoloration of the iris and eyelid. Instead, this lash and brow treatment only uses USDA-certified organic, cold-pressed castor oil to support growth by conditioning the hair. Designed to be easy to use, the castor oil features double-sided applicators, with a mini brush for your lashes and a spoolie for targeting your brows.

All hair types can benefit from this sulfate-free mask, which was inspired by an in-salon glossing treatment. The rinse-out mask works in just five minutes to leave hair noticeably smoother and shinier without weighing it down. It can also help keep your color looking fresh between salon visits.

There’s no messy glue involved with this lash cluster kit that has the adhesive already set for you. The individual clusters come in a range of lengths that can be customized to better suit your eyes more easily than a full strip lash, creating an elevated effect that still looks natural. Each cluster sticks to the underside of your real lashes, and they were designed to stay in place all day long, even without a separate glue.

It may seem counterintuitive to swipe a mint-green or lavender concealer all over your face, but these bolder options are behind a makeup artist-recommended technique known as color-correcting. The idea is that certain shades neutralize conflicting tones in your skin, which helps to create a more even base. This liquid concealer comes in a range of shades with color-correcting in mind, so you can target discoloration exactly where you want to.

This glow-enhancing primer can be worn on its own, as a base that grips onto makeup, or mixed in with your foundation for a dewy finish. No matter how you apply it, micro pearls and a sheer bronze tint leave skin looking luminous. The hybrid primer also includes ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and niacinamide to moisturize your skin and brighten with continued use.

If you’re not a fan of richer body creams that never quite seem to fully absorb, consider this body lotion spray. The vegan and cruelty-free lotion features a non-aerosol spray that delivers a more liquid-like formula that soaks right into skin and leaves behind a soft floral scent. It also delivers lightweight moisture with a blend of vegan collagen, aloe vera, and avocado oil.

These blush sticks come in a range of candy-colored shades that would almost have you mistaking them for a sweet treat. Instead, they impart a sheer wash of color and smoothing skin care benefits with each swipe. The jelly texture makes the blush easy to tap onto cheekbones or over your lips, and it also hits skin with a slight cooling sensation.

To seriously upgrade your body care routine, treat the rest of your skin like you do the skin on your face. Luckily, that doesn’t mean you need multiple products. All you need to do is replace your usual moisturizer with this retinol body lotion, which uses an encapsulated form of the active ingredient to give you a more even skin tone and smoother texture over time.

This serum doubles up on the benefits with a combination of two heavy hitters: vitamin C and peptides. Suitable for both morning and evening use, the serum works to fade hyperpigmentation and stimulate collagen production with continued use. But it also works right away to boost the efficacy of your sunscreen (thanks to vitamin C) and plump up skin with its peptide complex and moisturizing ingredients, like squalane and hyaluronic acid.

You can run this gel through your brows with the included spoolie and be out the door. But the purse-friendly tool also holds a double-sided shaping brush at the opposite end for when you want to spend more time perfecting your brows. Either way, the gel-wax hybrid goes on clear and won’t sweat or flake off for a solid 24 hours.

There’s still mixed opinion among the pros on how effective collagen supplements are when it comes to improving your skin, but the thought is that they can boost skin elasticity and hydration. These peach-flavored gummies are an easy way to give the dietary supplement a try, as two chewable gummies give you your hydrolyzed collagen serving (no need to mix a chalky powder into your coffee). The candy-like supplements also include biotin, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc, which may further support healthy skin, hair, and nails.

You don’t have to be an expert at overlining to fake fuller lips with this drugstore lip liner. Slightly larger than your average lip liner, this one features a domed tip that does the overlining for you, creating a blurred effect to further enhance your pout in a way that looks natural, not obviously drawn on. It also comes in a range of neutral tones that you can wear alone or pair with a gloss.

This yellow bar of soap will perk up your routine in multiple ways. While its sunny hue adds a pop of color to your skin care lineup, the soap is packed with brightening ingredients like kojic acid and turmeric to fade unwanted sun spots on the face and body, as well as nourishing ceramides and shea butter. Plus, because it doesn’t involve any plastic packaging, it’s better for the environment than your usual face cleansers and body washes.

Anyone with straight lashes knows all too well the struggle of getting them to hold a curl. While a waterproof mascara will help to lock in your curl, if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of scrubbing it off at the end of the day, consider this lash primer. After going in with your lash curler, swipe on a coat of this clear formula for lashes that look naturally curled. The mascara fixer can be worn by itself for makeup-free days, or as a base for your favorite mascara when you want a more dramatic look that’s still easy to wash off.

This shower filter works in two ways to help improve the look and feel of your skin and hair. First, it filters out chlorine and sediments that can cause irritation, dryness, frizzy hair, and scalp issues. But the filter, which works with your existing shower head, takes things a step further by infusing your water with minerals and vitamin C to promote softer skin and shinier hair.

In 20 minutes, this light pink gel transforms into a transparent film that you can peel right off your face. During those 20 minutes, the mask works to soothe any redness or irritation with a combination of cica and astaxanthin, as it simultaneously plumps up fine lines with collagen for a “glass skin” effect.

There are more than 80,000 five-star ratings on Amazon for this hair oil, which can be used by all hair types. The smallest amount is all it takes to tame frizz and smooth split ends as the finishing touch to any hairstyle, but you can also massage a few drops into your scalp to potentially help with hair growth. Regardless of how you apply the oil, ingredients like jojoba oil, coconut oil, and horsetail extract strengthen hair over time, while the rosemary oil in the formula may even help with hair growth.

For those who take their self-care seriously, this wooden tool gives you a DIY take on lymphatic drainage massage for the body. According to Amazon reviewers, the curved paddle can help with relieving muscle tension, but it was really designed to improve circulation and assist with sculpting in just a few minutes. Each purchase comes with an instruction manual to get the technique right, but you’ll also want to invest in a body oil to pair with the massager.

Filling in your brows with a pencil or powder isn’t the only way to fake bolder arches. For a longer-lasting approach, tint your brows a shade or two darker with this at-home coloring kit. The easy-to-use dye comes with four applications of color, each one pre-measured and with your mixing tools included. The permanent color lasts up to six weeks, and it will even cover up grays.

Longer nails tend to be the default for press-ons, but this set gives you a shorter, more natural style. A great money-saving alternative to a salon manicure, the press-on kit still gives you high-shine color that can last several weeks. In addition to 32 nails (in 16 sizes for the best fit), the kit also includes two types of adhesives and all of the other tools you need to apply your press-ons.

A 10-minute session with this mini facial steamer is all you need to help loosen blackheads and other pore-clogging debris for more gentle removal (with the help of the included stainless steel tool kit). But the spa-inspired steamer can also help to relieve dry eyes, dry skin, and puffiness, as well as other common allergy symptoms like sinus pressure.

If you’re noticing that your under-eye circles are still visible after applying your concealer, it’s time to bring in a color-corrector. This color correcting putty has a creamy texture that Amazon reviewers report is easy to blend in without creasing under the eyes. But its most praiseworthy feature is its combination of peach tones and illuminating pearls that work together to balance and brighten dark circles before you even reach for your concealer.

For those who experience sensitivity with traditional at-home whitening treatments, this whitening pen lets you apply the hydrogen peroxide formula directly onto your teeth, avoiding the gums entirely. But its paint-and-go method is also a convenient way to prevent stains from settling in during the day. Keep the pen in your purse, then after your midday coffee, brush the gel over your teeth and be on your way.

The sugar crystals in this lip scrub gently polish away dry skin from your lips, as ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and vitamin E soften and smooth. That flake-free base doesn’t just look better — it also creates an even canvas for your lipstick, allowing it to glide on more easily and stay in place longer.

Damaged nails and nails that are naturally fragile can both benefit from this strengthening treatment that’s virtually undetectable (aside from its glossy shine, that is). Follow the brand’s how-to to totally revive weak and splitting nails in just four weeks, or use it as a base coat under your regular polish to help repair your nails without giving up your manicure.

You always want to apply an oil or serum to your skin before a gua sha massage, and this set gives you both tools. To help the gua sha glide across your skin without pulling or dragging, apply a few drops of the serum first. As the serum moisturizes and plumps up skin with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, and peptides, the swiping motions with your gua sha tool help to relieve facial tension and temporarily give your face a more sculpted appearance.

For the DIY beauty pros out there, this lash lift kit comes with everything you need to give your lashes a semi-permanent curl. While Amazon reviewers agree that there’s a bit of a learning curve involved, they confirm that the kit comes with detailed instructions to get you started. Plus, the perm-like results mean you can put away your lash curler for about eight weeks.

These transparent patches are thought to help smooth wrinkles and prevent new lines from forming by limiting muscle movement while you wear them. Each disposable patch is self-sticking, and they come in a variety of shapes to target different types of lines (the forehead, between the brows, and laugh lines). Though they were designed to be worn overnight, the patches are also convenient to use when working from home or embarking on a longhaul flight.

For a gentle exfoliant that still feels satisfying to use, try this gommage ampoule, which looks more dramatic than it actually is. As you massage the gel over your skin, it starts to clump up, gathering dead skin cells with it for skin that feels noticeably smoother. At the same time, the rinse-off ampoule moisturizes and brightens with ingredients like rice water, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.

This tinted spray is a lifesaver when it comes to covering up gray roots in between salon appointments. But it’s also a clever way to fake fuller hair when spritzed along a widening part line or used to fill in sparse spots that show up when you slick your hair back. The temporary spray takes just seconds to use, and it can be shampooed out at the end of the day.

You can spritz on this hydrating essence to prep skin ahead of your morning makeup routine, replacing your serum in the process. That’s because the lightweight formula blends hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed collagen with emerald-colored oil capsules that melt into the skin upon contact, adding extra skin-plumping moisture with PDRN (aka salmon sperm, aka the beauty industry’s hottest ingredient right now). The mist-on serum also makes for a convenient way to refresh your skin during the day without disturbing your makeup.

Most hair masks take a good 10 to 15 minutes to work their magic. And while that’s fine if you have time to kill in the shower, when you’re looking for something quicker, try this eight-second hair mask. Designed to leave hair noticeably shinier and softer after just one use, the liquid formula works so fast, it’s ready to be rinsed out by the time you’ve massaged it through your strands.

Self-tanners can be hard to get right, but this body lotion is a longtime crowd-pleaser (just check out the 25,000-plus five-star ratings on Amazon for proof). The daily lotion supports more moisturized and firmer skin with glycerin, hydrolyzed collagen, and hydrolyzed elastin, but it also gradually adds a sun-kissed glow after several days of continued use. Just be sure to wash your hands after each application to avoid the dreaded orange palms!

Hydrogen peroxide-infused whitening strips tend to have a bitter taste that can make them difficult to tolerate for the full 30- to 60-minute treatment. This fun alternative gives you the whitening power of hydrogen peroxide with flavored strips that come in a range of fruity options (Amazon reviewers especially like the watermelon flavor).

This face mask starts out familiar enough with a gel-like texture that you’re meant to brush over the skin in an even, generous layer. But after 15 minutes, it starts to set, sealing in ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid while you sleep. After a full night’s sleep, you can peel the mask off in a single piece to reveal your brighter, bouncier complexion.

There are multiple causes behind an itchy scalp and hair that looks dull. But one of the most common culprits is a buildup of styling products and dry shampoo. To make sure your hair (and scalp) is actually getting clean, massage this apple cider vinegar rinse through your roots after you’ve washed out your regular shampoo. Apple cider vinegar breaks down oil and residue while balancing the scalp’s pH, as rice water formula assists with making hair softer and shinier.

If you’re relying on setting powder alone to fight midday shine, you’re missing out. This makeup primer contains silica to absorb excess oil, but it also blurs pores and imperfections to a create a smoother, longer-lasting base for your makeup. Even though it’s mattifying, the primer contains olive oil to prevent skin from feeling dry and tight, and it’s a fragrance-free option, to boot.

Whether you want to help your salon color last longer or you just want to freshen up your natural color, this at-home gloss has you covered. The temporary treatment deposits pigment to your hair to subtly enhance your color while boosting shine at the same time. Each 20-minute treatment will last about four weeks, and the gloss won’t damage your hair since there’s no peroxide or ammonia involved.

Use this nude eyeliner along your waterline for eyes that more awake. The gel pencil has a creamy texture that’s easy to blend, but it dries down to a waterproof finish. And if applying a liner inside your eye freaks you out, you can still fake a brighter look by swiping the liner at the inner corner of your eye only.

You can wear this balm on its own or give it a few minutes to sink into your lips as a smoothing base for your favorite lip color or gloss. Either way, the formula helps to plump up lips to their full potential with a blend of peptides and moisturizers like castor oil and raspberry seed oil. The multipurpose balm can also be used to soften dry cuticles without leaving behind a greasy finish.

When you need a manicure in a pinch, this beauty award-winning polish delivers glossy, gel-like color in a single step. The chip-resistant color doesn’t require a base or top coat, but I’ve found that by just adding a top coat, I can consistently get a manicure that lasts for a week and a half. Sabrina, the creamy pink shade featured here, is my personal go-to, but the one-step formulation comes in more than a dozen colors.

If you follow Dr. Shereene Idriss on social media (and if you don’t, you really should), you’ve probably already seen her genius hack for soothing an inflamed skin barrier overnight. In a technique that she calls “face basting,” the board-certified dermatologist recommends applying a generous layer of diaper rash cream to your face. Zinc oxide is the hero ingredient in here, which works to calm redness and irritation as it forms a protective barrier over the skin.

You’re doing yourself a beauty disservice if you’re still using a “colorless” dry shampoo on your dark hair. Not only does it rarely blend into your hair, but even if you do find a truly residue-free formula, it won’t give your hair the same boost as a tinted formula. This dry shampoo for brunettes contains darker pigments that help to fill in thin areas as the rice starch absorbs oil and adds lift to roots.

The ultimate complement to a holiday tan is this shimmer-infused dry oil that can be used on skin and hair. The French pharmacy staple blends seven botanical oils that deeply moisturize, but it also contains golden pearlescent particles that add a grease-free glow. Now available in a roll-on formula for a mess-free application, the cult-favorite oil also comes in two scented options without the shimmer if that’s more your speed.

If you thought redness-relieving eye drops were just for allergies, think again. Makeup artists swear by these drops on photoshoots and film sets to make eyes pop by brightening the whites of the eyes. One drop for each eye is all it takes to get rid of redness for up to eight hours.