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.
1. A bug bite suction tool to help reduce itching and swelling by aiding in removing the irritant from the bite. If you don't find yourself needing this, consider yourself lucky and buy it for one of your friends who is just so sweet, all the bugs swarm to them.
Promising review: "I am a magnet for bites of all kinds and carry topical and medicines with me at all times — so I figured this would be a good product to see if it really works. It arrived on Monday and on Tuesday morning I woke up with a bug bite on my arm. I used this little tool (3x per the instructions) and documented with photos. Immediately after using, it stopped itching! And less than 24 hours later the bump/bite was gone! There is a very faint red mark from using the thing but a small price to pay IMO. Bottom line: it’s awesome. I’m carrying it with me everywhere!" —Rebecca
Get it from Amazon for $9.95+ (available in four colors and multi-packs).
2. A Black Girl Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 designed with dark skin in mind, because why should you have to deal with a sunscreen that is drying and leaves a white cast on your skin? This sunscreen is made with natural ingredients to blend into your skin and leave you protected from the sun *and* moisturized.
Black Girl Sunscreen is a woman- and Black-owned small business hoping to combine sun protection and education while creating a sunscreen to solve one of the main reasons POC don't wear sunscreen — the white cast left behind. The sunscreen comes in three versions: original SPF 30, matte SPF 45, and a kid's SPF 50. They are all paraben-free, fragrance-free, vegan, and cruelty-free.
My colleague Marquaysa Battle also swears by the stuff (and she's so great about skincare!). Here's what she has to say: "Babyyy! This was the best beauty find of 2020 for me. The first body sunscreen I've found that does NOT leave me looking ashy. Wearing sunscreen regularly is one of my new self-care methods and I feel good putting this on knowing it a) doesn't look ghostly on me and b) was made by Black women just like me."
Promising review: "My daughter used the original formula and I used the kid's version. We wore it outdoors all day in direct sunlight at the beach and pool (without reapplying like we're supposed to). It worked well, and we didn't have that white hue from other sunscreens. Now, I feel more inclined to wear it more often. Even better, our sensitive skin didn't react to it, not even on our faces." —amsirahC
Get it from Target for $15.99.
3. And a handy as heck sunburn soother if you didn't apply sunscreen quite as often as you probably should've… Put this on and it'll help soothe you from the pain, itching, and heat. Warning, your partner might sing "burn baby burn 🎶" while applying it on your back.
4. A pair of popular cushioned "recovery" sandals perfect for the days when your feet can't even think about wearing another pair of wedges or cute-but-wildly-painful sandals. Reviewers love these as a super stylish shoe that also just so happens to feel like you're walking on clouds ☁️.
Promising review: "I have ordered several pairs trying to find the one that lives up to its hype, well this one is it. Super cushy, fits true to size — I ordered the mauvish pink colored one and love it. I will be ordering a black pair. I have a heel spur and plantar fasciitis so regular flip flops bother me after wearing several hours, these do not. Very pleased with this purchase and highly recommend." —leah
Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in women's sizes 5–12 and 29 colors).
5. A waterproof pouch designed to not only protect your phone but to also make sure you can still *actually* use it. Now you can prove you saw a giant turtle instead of just hoping people will believe you.
It fits any phone up to 100 mm x 170 mm (or about 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches). It also keeps out sand, dirt, and rain.
Promising review: "I purchased this case in July for an upcoming canoe trip with a friend, and as luck would have it, we flipped our canoe. Being the rebel that I am, I chose not to wear my phone around my neck, and so it, my ID, and my debit card ended up at the bottom of the river and I just assumed it would be discovered a thousand years from now and placed in a museum as an ancient artifact. Fast forward to this week. I was contacted via FB by an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office diver and guess what he found? Yup, my phone case with all of the contents intact and dry as a bone! He had to cut the case open, but there was not one single drop of water in it and he ended up purchasing a case for himself because he was just that impressed!" —Julie McDonald
Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in 14 colors).
6. Some *clear* sticky bug traps that apply directly to your windows (aka where the little BUGgers tend to spend most of their time) to put an end to the constant battle of trying to swat the fly out of the sky.
Promising review: "I wasn’t expecting these to work that good honestly but they are great! They are easy to apply and they come off leaving no residue at all. I use them on my kitchen window and garage door into the house. Other sticky fly traps haven’t worked for me but these get the job done." —Audrey
Get a 12-pack from Amazon for $9.99 (available in two sizes and three quantities).
7. Or a set of Deet-free mosquito-repelling sticks you can light to scare away all those obnoxious bugs in your yard. And each stick can be used multiple times, so you'll definitely be getting the best bang for your buck.
8. A set of cooling towels perfect for the days when it's so hot not even the beach breeze can cool you down. Just soak it in cold water and you'll be ~chilling~ for hours.
9. A "sport-brella," which is an SPF 50+ maneuverable personal umbrella that can latch on to pretty much any chair. Too sunny? Whip this bad boy out and you'll have instant shade even if there isn't a tree in sight. This might just be your new superpower.
10. A battery-operated flexible rotating fan you can attach to basically anything (strollers, carseats, tents, treadmills, chairs, or just rest it on a hard surface) that needs an extra ~breeze.~
It even comes with a built-in light for extra visibility at night!
Promising review: "We live in Florida and realized how badly we needed a fan for our newborn. We use it pretty much on a daily basis. We put it on her car seat and on her stroller when we go on walks. I’ve even propped it up on our desk when I’m working and holding our daughter. The three speeds are great: low usually offers just enough of a cool down and high is very impressive because it’s fast and quiet. The lights we didn’t really need but has been a nice feature to have. Our daughter hates going in her car seat and this helps to distract her sometimes. Plus, since we live in Florida we have to wait to go on walks until later in the day and the light lets us be seen easier. Overall, it’s a great and I’d definitely recommend!" —EmLe
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in three colors).
11. A reviewer-beloved cooling mattress pad perfect for anyone who has been known to wake up drenched in their own sweat. This will provide an undeniably amazing cooling effect that will officially turn off the nighttime sauna that runs in your bed.
Promising review: "Unbeknownst to me, my wife decided to replace our mattress with the hardest slab of concrete on which I've ever had to sleep. I ordered this cover hoping for a tiny bit of relief. From the first night it exceeded all my hopes and dreams, I was able to sleep again, it doesn't slip off even with my tossing and turning, and it stays cool. This mattress cover probably saved my marriage. Thank you!" —michael ervin
Get it from Amazon for $28.82+ (available in sizes Twin–California King, two styles and two colors).
12. A jar of Aztec healing clay mask that is basically a vacuum for your pores (yes that includes helping clear out the massive amount of sweat coming off your body this summer) in just 5 to 20 minutes, leaving you with smooth and firm skin.
13. A bottle of Drop It to help alleviate the infamous post-wine headache by removing sulfates and tannins in just 20 seconds. Now "you get the best of both worlds…" 🎶 of drinking wine without the headache or spending too much on the expensive wine with fewer sulfates.
BuzzFeed editor Elizabeth Lilly has this and says, "I've tried these before on some weekend friend getaways where we drank a LOT of wine and I think they really work! Just don't get overeager squeezing the bottle because then you can put way too much in your glass and make your wine taste weird. Yep, I did that and learned my lesson. Drop It recommends 1–2 drops for each glass of white wine, 2–3 for a glass of red, and 7–9 if you're treating the whole bottle at once. Once it's in the glass, swirl lightly for 20 seconds, and you should be g2g!"
Promising review: "I can finally drink wine again after years of abstinence! I used to get the most awful headache on just one glass of wine, it was so bad I just stopped drinking wine altogether, then I discovered these magic drops! I've only had them a couple of weeks but I have drank red and white wine totally headache-free! I even drank half a bottle of heavy red. These drops really are magic! I love that you get two bottles as well, one can stay in your purse and one at home. Brilliant!" —shelleymab
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (also available in multi-packs).
14. A spray bottle of SoCozy Curl Spray Leave-In Conditioner that will finally detangle your kid's hair without damaging their luscious curls, even after a full day of rambunctious play in the pool. We know it can be a battle just to have your kid let you brush their hair, so this will help you make the experience less miserable for them (and let's be honest, for you, too).
This is designed to work on all hair types, with reviewers with 2a–4c curls swearing by it!
Promising review: "Amazing!! I had NO idea that my frizzy-haired little girl had beautiful curls. I went down a Instagram rabbit hole and saw a similar girl show how her frizz was curls. I ordered this!! My mind has been blown!! This has changed our lives. It smells so good! It is easy to use and air dry. Before my daughter woke up with terrible bed head that looked like this! Now it is gorgeous soft curls. We will definitely buy again and tell everyone about this product!!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $9.29+ (also available in a two-pack).
15. A Bissell multipurpose carpet and upholstery cleaner with a cult following of parents, pet owners, and clumsy people. This compact device gets alllll the stains (grass! pet accidents! food! mud!) from almost any surface. Now you can finally feel comfortable inviting your accident-prone friend over again.
Each cleaner comes with a trial size of Bissell's Spot & Stain Formula, which is also available on Amazon for $16.99!
Promising review: "Yep! TikTok made me buy it and I loved it. Looked for it online, and on Walmart they were about $150 for some reason?? Got it here, and I am LOVING IT. Things definitely look cleaner. Spots on my carpet are gone, and my car seats look brand new for the first time since I bought it! Directions are easy. Just a heads up, MAKE SURE TO USE WARM WATER. if you leave water in it and it gets cold, it's not as effective, so just follow instructions and it should be wonderful!" —Carlos
Get it from Amazon for $123.59.
16. An enzyme-based laundry stain remover that may as well be magic with how easily it can remove dried-on stains from sweat, oil, deodorant, or whatever meal you may have spilled on your go-to outfit of the summer.
17. An insulated, self-adhesive weatherproofing strip designed to stick to the outer rims of your door so you don't have to worry about your precious AC escaping.
18. Or a self-adhesive door bottom that is also here to help you prevent drafts, smells, or light from seeping in to your room.
19. A 100% waterproof, satin-lined Hairbrella to keep your hair looking just as good as when you left the house, no matter what the weather is outside. Once you're safely back indoors, it conveniently folds into a pouch so you can store it in your bag.
Hairbrella is a Black-owned small business established in 2016 that specializes in hats that both look cool and protect hair from the elements.
Promising review: "Awesome hat, a must-have for hairdos. I get my hair done often and don’t want to destroy a great hairdo. I have been out in a rainstorm and taken it on the log ride into the splash down, hair stayed nice and dry. Love it so much I fold it up and keep it in my purse! It even has a ponytail pouch hidden in it." —applekoolaid
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in nine colors).
20. A HyperChiller that will take your warm drinks (even hot coffee!) and turn them into a ~cooler~ version of itself so you can enjoy them on the hottest days.
21. A breathable cooling pillow with two sides — one that's silky and ultra cooling, and another that's comfy cotton, so it'll basically be your dream pillow not only in the summer but throughout the whole year.
22. Plus a set of satin pillowcases designed with your delicate skin and hair in mind. These will have you waking up refreshed and ~almost~ as put together as any movie character during those *I woke up like this* scenes. The cooling effect when you first lay down is just the icing on the cake 😌.
Promising review: "I was originally looking for silk pillowcases, but decided to give these a try because they were a better price. I am not disappointed! I have seen a noticeable difference in my hair in the mornings and overall they are so smooth and comfortable to sleep on. I’ve washed them several times and haven’t seen a difference in the quality. I would buy again." —Kate
Get two from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in five sizes and 42 colors).
23. A stick of Body Glide anti-chafing balm you can apply between your thighs, under your arms, or anywhere that one piece of clothing always seems to rub you the wrong way. There's nothing worse than pulling out that cute dress you've been dying to wear just to end up having to change because you started chafing 😩.
24. An allergy relief rollerball made with a blend of grapeseed, tea tree oil, and lemon oil to help you ease your allergy symptoms when pollen is absolutely winning the battle and your regular allergy-fighting medicine just isn't cutting it on its own.
25. A waterproof and portable inflatable lounger to upgrade sunbathing into a luxurious experience fit for royalty. Lay down flat and grab some shut eye, or sit on it like a couch with your friends while you debrief from the day.
26. A hands-free fan you can wear around your neck so you have constant cold air blowing on you AND you still have two free hands ready for any activities. It's like a modern day version of a king being fanned with a big leaf, and trust me, you deserve that kind of luxury.
27. A foot file to help remove built-up calluses and cracked skin on your feet so you can get them ready for sandal weather. Basically, you can give yourself a pedicure at home whenever you want (and it'll be significantly less expensive).
28. A microfiber towel for anyone who couldn't be paid enough to use heated tools when it starts getting hot as HECK outside. This towel will help prevent frizz and breakage so you can feel good about throwing your hair up in it.
29. A chic, statement-making visor to shade your face from the hot sun while keeping your style reputation in check.
30. A Pet House candle perfect for those hot summer days when you have to debate between two evils: opening your windows and all the AC getting out or letting all of your air smell like miscellaneous pet odors, i.e. litter boxes, accidents, or even wet dog. Just light up one of these and you'll be relaxing (in the AC) surrounded by the delightful smells of fresh citrus.
31. An appropriately named "Butt Be Dry," which is essentially a lightweight fanny pack that unfolds into a small water- and mud-proof tarp so you can pop a squat after you hike even if all the benches are soaked or covered in dirt.
32. A set of popular wickaway sweatbands to help keep your sweat at bay and not dripping in to your eyes.
33. A set of body cleansing wipes that'll help remove sweat, dirt, and all the smells your body produces in the heat no matter where you go (or how long it's been since your last shower 🤢).
34. Crave Naturals Detangling brush to get through any of those extra stubborn tangles *without* pulling out all your hair in the process. Especially after a long day of swimming.
Promising reviews: "This is the BEST detangler EVER!!! Do not use on dry hair though, if you have curly or wavy hair. It will straighten your hair and leave it frizzy. But, use this in the shower with your conditioner and you can finger comb your hair, air dry if possible, and your waves and curls will be the best ever!" —TDHokey
"I love this brush. I have 4c hair and it detangles my hair without a lot of hair loss. I do make sure my hair is wet when using it to detangle. The brush is pretty easy to clean, as well by just pullungbthe hair out and using running water. The only thing that could be better is the handle could be longer." —Nikki Jenks
Get it from Amazon for $12.49+ (available in eights colors and two-packs).
35. A set of natural bamboo charcoal oil-blotting strips if you catch yourself looking greasier than fresh bacon before 10 a.m. These can quickly and easily remove excess oils and sweat without messing up your makeup.
36. A portable paw cleaner made with soft silicone bristles inside to help gently remove mud and dirt from your pup's paws from all their running around in the yard. Just add a little water to it, insert your dog's paw, twist, then pat the paw dry.
37. A pair of hooks for your AirPods to stop them from popping out of your ears when they get even the slightest bit sweaty. Now you won't have to stop on your morning commute to search all around the sidewalk, or worse, resign to the idea that your pair is forever broken up and you will only have one headphone from this day forth.
38. A silicone watermelon cutter that will revolutionize your fruit eating. Efficiently and effectively cutting up a watermelon may be one of those things that has never been fully figured out…until now! Reviewers rave about how easy this is to use, and they say it can cut a whole watermelon in five minutes. Now how many minutes until you've eaten it all?!
39. A blister-preventing balm because there is nothing worse than going out for your hot girl walk just to end up getting another blister on your heel. JK there is — all that PLUS realizing you have to walk all the way back home. This balm will glide on to prevent friction, stopping a blister from even thinking about making an appearance.
40. A Geekey multitool with sooo many functions, bear with me… a coring tip, serrated edge, can opener, wire stripper, smoking pipe, file, imperial and metric ruler, protractor, bottle opener, multi-head fit driver, lanyard hole, bike spoke key, screwdriver tip, wrench, *and* bit driver. So yeah, get this and you're covered.
The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.