27 Fun Summer Impulse Buys I Think You'll Be Totally Justified In Purchasing

Delightful stuff you'll actually use around the house, in the pool, in your wardrobe, and more.

1. A tie-dye lounge set, because it seems like everyone on your IG feed has one. This one is under 30 bucks and features shorts, not sweats, so it's perf for staying cool for the summer.

amazon.com

Promising review: "Cute and good quality! All the stitching is intact and the fit is true to size. I’m funny about how material feels next to my skin, especially when I sleep. This material is soft and breathable (I sleep hot and get uncomfortable if something isn’t breathable). I’ve had this for a few weeks and worn it a ton. I have washed them four times and they held up perfectly after each wash. I love all things tie-dye, so these were a great find to wear in the summer. I recently got a dog, and since I have to take him out late at night and first thing in the morning I needed to get some PJs that were decent and not showing too much skin. These are cute and trendy. Definitely a product I recommend. 👍🏻" —Gina Knight

Get it from Amazon for $23.59+ (available in women's sizes S-XXL and in 11 styles, including short-sleeve, long-sleeve, and sleeveless options).

2. Fine-tip flamingo gel pens that have the ~write~ stuff to bring a tropical touch to your work-from-home setup, even though you're stuck typing at your kitchen table instead of on an island getaway.

Amazon

Get a set of 12 from Amazon for $9.99.

3. Neutrogena MoistureShine SPF 20 lip gloss for a long-lasting natural look that'll actually help protect your pout from the summer sun.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "This is my favorite favorite favorite SPF lip gloss. I spoil myself with lipgloss. I trend toward super chapped lips, and lip gloss is as easy to put on as Chapstick. Some lip glosses, like this one, outlast ChapStick by a LOT. Ok, here's the rundown. The color is sheer, shiny, and subtle. I like that! Some people don't, and prefer more pigment. SPF 20 and it works. My lips burn, so I feel like a good judge of these things. It feels wet and smooth. I really like the feel, and would compare it to Buxom, though fortunately it isn't nearly as sticky. In fact, I'd call it slippery. My S.O. still dubs me 'Princess Sticky Lips' when it's on though, so apparently it doesn't feel as nice to smooch. The durability is magic. :) I really like that part! It easily lasts as long as Buxom, if not longer, and it outlasts my other two go-to SPF lip products by leaps and bounds. The flavor and smell is pleasant and fruity. Slightly more sophisticated than fruit punch, but that's the closest smell I can think of." —IrishFire

Get it from Amazon for $5.84+ (available in three shades).

4. A ginormous and hilarious cat face pool float ready to ~whisker~ you away to a tropical paradise.

Amazon

It's got handy handles right below the ears!

Promising review: "A friend sent me a link to this float as a joke, since I like cats, but I immediately purchased two for an upcoming lake trip. The kids LOVED them! My daughter immediately grabbed the first one and ran to the water and it's the perfect size. Eventually the kids got canoe paddles and were paddling themselves all over the place on these floats. Over the course of the week, just about everyone ended up using them, even the adults, and they held up perfectly! The floats themselves are adorable, of course, but they're also very durable. The plastic is thick but supple, the handles are very sturdy and well-anchored. The float has two valves for inflation, and I would recommend an air pump rather than trying to blow them up with lung power as they take quite a bit of air. They barely leaked even after multiple days of play on the water. A definite hit!" —jeninmaine

Get it from Amazon for $18.56.

5. Or an amazing avocado float that comes with a removable pit that doubles as a beach ball. ~Guac~ about combining form and function.

Amazon

Multiple reviewers actually love this to use as a bed to sleep on after BBL procedures!

Promising review: "Y'all know that a lot of pool floats don't survive even one summer of heavy use. Well, our avocado float is on its second summer now and showing no signs of giving up! It does need re-inflating after a couple of days just to puff it back up; it's not losing more air than you'd expect of an inexpensive float at all. And that's with two adults and three tween/teenagers using it almost every day. It's hilarious and huge, and we've had a lot of fun with the pit ball too! I would absolutely buy this again. I've thought about buying a second one just to have a backup for whenever something does happen to this one, as it's the family favorite out of a LOT of pool floats over the years!" —M. E.

Get it from Amazon for $21.99.

6. Chic, under-$15 sunglasses with over 2,000 5-star reviews that some folks say are comparable to a certain brand that rhymes with Shmay-Span.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "I am still in shock that these sunglasses were so nice. I bought them for the style and look (trendy yet comfortable) and figured the polarized label was a gimmick (polarized sunnies I’ve bought in the past have been well over $200). I was going on a trip and needed some sunglasses I wouldn’t cry over if I didn’t return with them (always lose mine). These sunglasses were packaged beautifully. They came with a polarized tester! They passed the test as well as my Ray-Bans I knew were polarized, but when I kept switching back and forth between these and my Ray-Bans I’m pretty sure the lenses on these are even CLEARER. Maybe because they were brand new, but I was so impressed!! They are so cute and stylish while also so comfortable with an amazing lens. BUY THESE!! Super good deal, you won’t be disappointed! They also seem so sturdy, so I’m hoping they will last me a while. Update: I still have these sunglasses and I’m still obsessed!!! ONLY issue I have had with them is the lens glue is kinda melting down but I think it’s because I left them out alone in AZ 110 degree weather, just boiling them out there. Still look amazing, still so strong. I’ve sat on them 8,574,927 times and they are still alive. Amazing. I’ll never buy expensive sunnies again." —liz

Get them from Amazon for $14.67 (available in 10 colors).

7. A large glittery hair clip to make even your messiest summer 'do Zoom call-ready and easily accessorize a breezy sundress.

Fibs & Fables

They're from Black woman-owned small business Fibs & Fables, which focuses on creating gorgeous hair accessories to help people of all hair types feel fabulous.

Get it from Fibs and & Fables for $16 (available in three colors).

8. Throw Throw Burrito, a card game you can play indoors or out that, yes, involves throwing squishy burritos at each other. It also feels like a healthy way to relieve some of the frustrations your fam has after being cooped up with each other for the past four months.

Amazon

It works for two to six players seven and older!

Promising review: "We've had this game for roughly three days now and have played every night since receiving it in the mail. My family has multiple closets full of games and this is our favorite, hands down, better than Pictionary, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Operation, Jenga, Boggle, Scrabble, ConnectFour, Checkers, Chinese Checkers, and Othello combined. Let me be clear: This...game...kicks...BURRITO. First of all, it's simple. You keep five cards in hand at all times and draw from a pile and discard into another as fast as you can, in order to make matching sets. Everyone draws and discards at the same time and usually the game is a giant mess. Second, you throw burritos at each other. You heard me. Occasionally someone draws a set of burrito cards, and then you have to throw burritos at your family members. Sometimes there are tears. Sometimes your daughter gets so angry that she pummels you repeatedly with one of the burritos until her father tells her to stop beating up her mother. Sometimes the dog jumps up and down thinking you are screaming in pain when your are only laughing hysterically as your husband bashes you with a foam burrito. Let me be clear. This is a card game. This is dodge ball. It is the best thing that has happened to our family since the birth of our child." —Light Junkie

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

9. A giant squishy whale shark plush for anyone who knows that the world's largest fish is also the world's cutest. Like, it's krilling me how adorable it is.

amazon.com, amazon.com

FYI, whale sharks are massive, super gentle sharks that eat krill and plankton just like whales! This guy's also got a manta ray design on his tummy that's a handy little pocket.

Promising review: "Where do I even begin? This is the best thing to happen to me in my 25 years on this planet. Soft, snuggly, and supportive, Namu (that’s what I’ve named her) has become an instant favorite. The comfort is next level. Like, you don’t even know. Namu is the perfect size for cuddling. Get your own Namu today!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $25.99.

10. A pretty tee featuring one of the best lyrics (though it's near impossible to choose) from Taylor Swift's Folklore, the album of the summer and possibly the year.

LemonBalmDesignsLLC/Etsy

IMHSO (in my humble Swiftie opinion) "She had a marvelous time ruining everything" is quickly becoming this album's "Darling I'm a nightmare dressed like a day dream" and I am here for it. And psst, this Etsy shop has lots of other Folklore lyric goodies too.

Get it from LemonBalmDesignsLLC for $22.99 (available in unisex sizes S-3XL and in three colors).

11. Or a Swiftie sticker you can pop on your computer or thermos or notebook as this last month of summer sips away like a bottle of wine.

jemdoodles/Etsy

Get it from Jemdoodles on Etsy for $1.50.

12. Elizavecca Milky Piggy carbonated bubble clay mask, a top-rated, blackhead-banishing mask that starts to bubble once you apply it. It's possibly the most fun solution to your greasy, sweat-clogged summer pores you could ask for.

Amazon, amazon.com

It's got over 4,500 (!!!!) positive reviews! Name one fancy mask in in your collection that's this selfie-worthy, I'll wait.

Promising review: "This literally made my boyfriend's blackheads disappear! I wasn't so lucky but his were really bad. It made our faces feel so clean. I'm a mask junkie and have gotten masks from all the top brands, from the drugstore to Lush to Sephora or Ulta. This is one of my new favorites! It's also so much fun to watch and it feels like a spa treatment." —Katie Mitchell

Get it from Amazon for $11.99.

13. Sip-sational reusable plastic sloth straws in case you thought a cold glass of lemonade on your back porch in August couldn't get any better. But friend, sloths make EVERYTHING better.

Amazon

Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.99.

14. A racerback romper with adjustable straps available in tons of quirky prints from flamingos to dinos to llamas to bespectacled pineapples to taco cats in space. I don't know who picked all those patterns, but I want to be their friend.

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: "This is way cuter and more comfortable than I thought it would be. I intended it to be a beach coverup, but I wear it all the time. Fabric is soft and stretchy. The shorts are just the right length and it has pockets. Love it. Seriously had to talk myself out of ordering another one (still fighting though...)." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in women's sizes S-XL and in 40 prints).

15. A charming paint-your-own earring kit so you can DIY some summer statement hoops that are truly one of a kind — and have some rainy day fun channelling your inner jewelry designer.

JillMakes/Etsy

It comes with two pairs of plain wooden hoops, eight colors of paint, and a brush.

Promising review: "I love this kit. It’s such a fun idea, ends with a practical result (for yourself or to use as a gift), and isn’t too difficult! I had been looking at crafts I could get into, and this was so manageable but still so fun." —Abby

Get it from JillMakes on Etsy for $27.

16. Athena Club's natural, plant, based, aluminum- and cruelty-free deodorant, which not only has cute packaging but is making me take back pretty much everything bad I've ever said about natural deodorant.

Athena Club

I know deodorant doesn't sound particularly exciting or fun, but I'm actually excited about this little life upgrade. I just received a sample of this a couple days ago and I think I've found my new go-to deo?! I've always felt like natural deodorant never works, and I have sacrificed on my usual cruelty-free ethos and my icky feeling about using a deodorant that contains aluminum to keep using a major name brand that I felt worked better. But when I first swiped on this stuff, I loved the pleasant but mild smell and already felt like it was different. I will confess, and I know no one here will judge me, that I have skipped several shower days in quarantine with my family, and this empowered me to skip another. I'm not going anywhere and my parents love me unconditionally, okay??? But I also felt totally fresh with this stuff on — I stayed dry and smelling A-OK pretty much all day. So far, I totally recommend this!

Get it from Athena Club for $11 (available in two scents).

17. Bold bow slide sandals that are approximately 1,247 times more stylish but just as easy as your go-to flip-flops.

Lilly's Kloset

They're from an awesome and affordable Black woman-owned online boutique — the founder started her business with just $2,500!

Get them from Lilly's Kloset for $38 (available in women's sizes 6-9 and in more colors here).

18. A bright and fun 16-shade, mimosa-inspired eyeshadow palette to help you create splashy summer looks that are downright booze-tiful.

BH Cosmetics

It's cruelty-free and vegan, and the shades have cute themed names like "OJ," "Bubbly," and "Cheers."

Promising review: "GORGEOUS!!! Love this palette so much. It's very pigmented. The colors are amazing and so summery. The packaging is great quality and I love the big mirror." —Erica S.

Get it from BH Cosmetics for $14.40 (originally $18).

19. A velvety soft Pusheen blanket so you can curl up in your overly air conditioned house and still feel cute and summery.

Amazon

Get it from Amazon for $24.95.

20. A truly genius corn on the cob-buttering knife that'll make enjoying the single best summer food (don't @ me) way less of a mess. Also, imperfect butter-to-corn ratio is one of my biggest BBQ pet peeves, so I'd be very glad to kiss that goodbye.

The Grommet

You can use the cool shape of the knife to slice off the end of a stick of butter or scoop some out of a tub. Plus, it's top-rack dishwasher-safe!

Promising review: "This is one of those things you didn’t know you needed until you try it. I hate buttering corn on the cob! It's messy, butter falls off the knife, etc. This genius little thing makes it easy. Love it!" —Christa

Get a set of two from The Grommet for $13.95.

21. A whimsical panda water blaster both kiddos and adults will enjoy using to create pool or backyard panda-monium.

Target

Get it from Target for $5.

22. Clever and adorable fold-up fish grocery totes that can be rolled up into pocket-size guppies for a bit of nautical nonsense on errand runs long after Labor Day.

Amazon

Promising review: "These bags have served me well for two years. I like them because they are really compact and portable, plus they're cute. It's easy to put a few in all the places you might need them. They're not particularly big — each one fits two half-gallon milk cartons and that's about it. But you can use a bunch to carry all your groceries. Obviously, after two years, they've somewhat worn out. The straps on some are coming undone, and most of the bags have small rips. Still, they'll work well enough for a year or so." —Emi A

Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $14.50.

23. A pack of whimsical inflatable donut cupholders, because you ~donut~ want to be without your fave beverage while you swim.

Amazon

Promising review: "So stinkin' cute! You get so many for only a few dollars. So easy to inflate and float nice and evenly. They really add something cute to my pool. Also, they come with a pack of cute brightly colored disposable cardboard straws!." —Janae

Get a set of 12 from Amazon for $10.99.

24. Punny gingham watermelon socks that can be worn as crew socks or folded down for an ankle style and are perfect for anyone who has had "Watermelon Sugar" stuck in their head for the past three months.

ModCloth

Same. Although these actually get a different masterpiece playing on loop in my brain — the VERY under-appreciated Hannah Montana ballad "One in a Million."

Get them from ModCloth for $12.

25. A cute, oversized, plastic-lined wristlet made just for storing your wet swimsuit so it doesn't ruin everything else in your tote.

Kloset Envy

It's from an LA-based, Black woman-owned business!

Get it from Kloset Envy for $22 (get it in pink here).

26. An OMG-worthy UPF 50+ Stitch baby swim cap that'll provide some sun protection and make your bb look even more adorable than they already did...if that's possible.

ShopDisney

I mean look at those TEEF!

Get it from ShopDisney for $8.49 (originally $16.99; available in sizes 0-6 months to 18-24 months) or Amazon for $14.50+ (available in sizes 0-6 months to 18-24 months).

27. Cheerful cherry earrings you can get on super sale right now, because the only thing better than summery statement earrings are summery statement earrings for less than a quarter of their original price.

Baublebar

Get them from Baublebar for $10 (originally $42).

You, feeling *fabulous* about these summer purchaces:

Disney

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