37 Things You Don't Think To Buy Until It's Too Late
Because if you stock up on these now you won't panic the next time your pants are down and you're staring at an empty TP roll.
We hope you love the products we recommend! Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1. A gentle cleanser to purchase before you let yourself sleep in your makeup for the third night in a row.
Glossier gives you the option of having your products delivered in 1–3 month intervals, so you never have to worry about forgetting your foundation again! Your breakouts will thank you.
Get it from Glossier for $18. Or if you're looking for something at a lower price point, check out this highly rated cleansing water from Amazon for $3.44+ (available in full and travel size).
You can also check out more of our favorite cleansers here.
2. A windshield scraper you definitely wanna buy before you wake up after a snowstorm and try scraping the ice off your car with a credit card.
This snow brush includes a rotating head, scratch-free windshield scraper, an icebreaker with jaws for when you have large pieces of ice to deal with (looking at YOU, Montana winters), and a telescope extender to easily reach every inch of snow and ice on your vehicle.
Promising Review: "This is the only tool you need in your car during the winter! It cleans off my car in less than five minutes. The comfortable, cushy handle telescopes out to get all the way across the roof of your car. It has a durable scraper, snow brush, and squeegee. What else could you need?" —RockIt111701
Get it from Amazon for $23.99.
3. A large set of disinfecting wipes that'll save the day (and like, maybe your life) when you try cooking raw meat in your dorm room.
This set includes antibacterial wipes and multi-surface cleaning wipes.
Promising Review: "I really can't say anything bad about this product! These wipes never let me down. Things seem so much cleaner when I use them! They are so convenient and handy. I absolutely LOVE them! I've tried other brands but they just don't compare to these. I have these all over my house for quick cleanups. Saying I love these isn't enough!" —G. Grennon
Get them from Amazon for $8.49.
P.S. This product has a Dash button (which makes reordering easier) for $4.99!
4. A set of nice, spare hand and bath towels for when your best friend from high school "drops by" unannounced as a weeklong surprise for your birthday. Surprise! You need more towels!
Get them from Pottery Barn for $22.50+ (available in two sizes and five colors) or grab a set from Amazon for $17.99 (available in seven colors) and if you're looking for crazy comfort at a comfortable price, get Target's Fieldcrest towel for $14.24. You can check out BuzzFeeder Emmy Favilla's review of them here.
5. A massive set of AA batteries to use when your electric toothbrush's batteries die, making it (obviously) useless.
Promising Review: "I love Amazon basic batteries. The value and quantity for the price is amazing. These last longer than most of the name brand batteries that I normally buy at the store and they cost less. Now I only buy Amazon batteries. I have two children and a lot of toys so we are constantly needing batteries for something. If you need good quality batteries, Amazon is the way to go. And shipping was great as well. These definitely give you the best bang for your buck!" —Teresa Sherman
Get them from Amazon for $11.87.
P.S. This product also has a Dash button for $4.99!
6. And toilet paper, so they never (again) catch you with your pants down.
Includes 24 mega rolls of toilet paper.
Promising Review: "While it may seem a little uncomfortable to talk about, you'll have no discomfort using this product! I always say that you should never be too cheap to buy good toilet paper. This brand is my choice and has been for over 15 years. Charmin, you'll always be my toilet paper." —Nikki Nicholson
Get it from Amazon for $22.65.
P.S. This product has a Dash button for $4.99!
And if you still need to stock up, check out our pick for the best cheap toilet paper on BuzzFeed Reviews.
7. An easygoing pajama set, either short and spunky, traditional, or a one-piece, because you may prefer sleeping in the nude when you're alone, but possibly not when you visit Grandma over spring break.
8. A pack of canned coffee for the days when you're too late for work to even think about waiting in line at Starbucks.
Includes 12 coffees per pack.
Promising Review: "What a great boost of goodness! I've been drinking these for years now. I only drink one when I need a real energy boost (a few times a month) and it sure does help! They have a creamy coffee flavor. You'll love these!" —PN
Get it from Amazon for $16.19+ (available in four flavors).
9. A Band-Aid box that's gonna seem like a luxury when you're contemplating using the same piece of paper that just cut you as a DIY bandage.
This Band-Aid pack is sold exclusively at Target and so cute you know you're gonna feel well fast.
Get them from Target for $2.79.
10. A monthly tampon subscription with pads and liners also available, so you'll never again suffer from an unprepared surprise. Period.
Lola provides organic cotton tampons and holistic menstrual relief products. Available in a variety of sizes, applicators, and products, each box can be customized for you and your period. Boxes arrive every month, so you won't have to worry about remembering to get them yourself! It's the best way to menstruate, naturally.
Get them from My Lola for $9+ (available in multiple packs) or if you're attached to your Tampax, get them from Amazon for $9.27 and use Prime Pantry to have them shipped to you every month.
11. A bottle of color-safe moisturizing shampoo and conditioner may save your hair from a seriously greasy week.
Promising Review: "First of all, R+Co smells great. It gets your hair and your scalp clean, and I don't see my hair color running into the drain as I am washing it. It works great and I'm very happy with it!!" —Rvanm
Get them from Nordstrom for $24 (shampoo) $27 (conditioner), Birchbox for $24 (shampoo) $24 (conditioner), or R+Co for $24+ (available in shampoo and conditioner).
12. A weirdly good-looking plunger, because if there is anything you do not wanna be without when you need it, it's a plunger.
Promising Review: "Historically, I've found plungers to be a nasty yet necessary component to a functional powder room. This one is the exception. It actually looks nice enough to keep out. It has a minimalist and modern appearance. This is the best looking plunger ever! The design is brilliant because it prevents toilet water from leaking onto the floor. The magnetic holder keeps it in place yet easy to access quickly in an emergency. I've found this to be a worthy investment." —Nurse Bex
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in two colors).
13. A first-aid box for storing everything needed in emergencies when your Dora the Explorer bandages won't cover it.
This darling storage box helps keep all your first-aid necessities in a clean and organized place, while also looking cute enough to make the pain go way. The Ouch box is designed in iron with a white powder-coat finish and has a removable interior tray for easy access to bandages and medicine, with three organized storage compartments.
Promising Review: "Who can possibly resist this? By far the cutest medicine chest I've seen. Adequate in size and very practical with its little compartments. Love it." —Arati
Get it from CB2 for $29.95 or grab a similar product from Amazon for $26.99.
14. A set of five clear containers with label stickers to help you know when your flour is almost finished.
Promising Review: "Are these not the cutest jars ever?! I have them set up on my kitchen counter with various dry stuff like flour and sugar. They not only make my counters look more uniform, but they make my counters look cuter, as well. The seals close tightly. I even tested by adding water in and flipping upside down and got no leaks!" —Th3Ph1l0s0ph3r
Get them from Amazon for $32.99.
15. An adorable elephant humidifier that'll comfort you throughout a cold, as long as you have one before you get the cold.
This petite pachyderm provides 11 hours of humidifying power. The tank can produce 2.1 gallons of moisture per day and it includes a free demineralization cartridge.
Get it from Target for $44.99.
16. A tube of mascara, because it's always hard to tell when it's almost gone, but you also never wanna find out the hard way.
17. A set of snow chains for winter, and for road trips when the weather thinks you don't deserve a vacation.
And FYI, Amazon has a system to check and see if these chains will fit your tires!
Promising Review: "I bought it last minute for my trip to Yosemite. And boy I am glad I did. These were easy to install, even though I had never done it before. While on my trip, most of the roads were snow covered and not once did I feel the car skidding. And BTW Yosemite is effing awesome. :)" —adi_vastava
Get them from Amazon for $64.54.
18. A pack of deodorant, because running out is sure to stink, there's no way you can keep it a secret.
Promising Review: "I love this deodorant. It's long lasting, invisible, and it gets me through even a hot day. It doesn't make me break out or itch. I actually prefer this to natural alternatives as I have found it works better and my skin doesn't react to it." —Kaitlyn G.
Get it from Amazon for $11.91+ (available in two scents).
19. A flamingo bulb will surely help you see the light, if you buy extras before one goes out.
20. A tube of ChapStick so your winter lips won't ever end up as dry as your humor.
21. A pair of simple black heels, either velvet, strappy, or strapless, for when you're randomly asked to speak at your great-aunt's boyfriend's funeral, because you currently only have Docs and Converse in your closet.
22. A moisturizing shaving cream your freshly razor-burned legs are gonna really appreciate the next time you spontaneously plan a night out in your little black dress.
23. An extra sheet set you'll only remember you need when your visiting mother-in-law asks if she can use something other than your leopard-print Snuggie while she sleeps.
24. A box of matchsticks so you can follow through on the candlelit dinner date you promised your perfect match.
Get them from Studio Portmanteau on Etsy for $3 (available in two colors), or grab a standard set of matches on Amazon for $12.97 (900 matches in all).
25. A jug of wiper fluid for finally cleaning your blurry, buggy windshield.
Get it from Walmart for $2.97.
26. A pack of tissues that'll be right there beside you every time you watch Sleepless in Seattle (and this clear tissue box will help you know when you're running low).
27. A box of laundry pods can make doing your laundry way easier than remembering when you're out of detergent.
Promising Review: "I love this detergent! Our clothes always come out fresh (my husband is a personal trainer and he sweats, a lot). We also have a baby who makes a lot of food messes, but these pods get it all out!" —Christine Levi
Get it from Amazon for $18.97.
P.S. This product has a Dash button for $4.99!
28. A new eyeliner is gonna keep you from running out of black magic before finishing your cat eye.
29. A box of blank cards to whip out when you realize you forgot to send a thank-you/condolence/birthday/get-well/graduation or Groundhog's Day card (nothing says "Congratulations on your marriage" quite like a raccoon in a polo shirt).
30. A size up in diapers that'll come in handy when your baby grows out of their Pampers way too fast.
Promising Review: "We love Pampers swaddlers. My son has been wearing these diapers since he was born. I've tried various other brands but none were as good. I've never had issues with leaks or blowouts. They are super absorbent and easy to put on. They don't sag when they are full and my son is able to sleep through the night with out needing a change. Also, we've never had a problem with diaper rash. The scent is clean and refreshing, without being overpowering." —Renee
Get them from Amazon for $27.66+ (available in seven sizes).
P.S. This product has a Dash button for $4.99!
31. An extra pack of toothpaste can keep your teeth pearly white, instead of the kinda-white they get when you squeeze tiny rations from an nearly empty tube.
Promising Review: "This is a bargain for the price, as these three tubes will last over 90 days. The feel is clean in your mouth and on your teeth. The whitening action is very subtle and not abrasive. After a month, you will maintain a whiter smile and fresh breath without feeling dry. This is one of those products that I buy over and over again when I run out." —Martin A. Hogan
Get it from Amazon for $11.76.
32. A carton of printer ink, so your 15-page paper ends up actually being on, you know, paper.
Get it from Amazon for $58.99.
33. Or a printer for anyone who finds out too late that their concert tickets have gotta be printed (speaking from waaay too much experience).
This smart printer can print, scan, and copy while easily connecting to your iPad, iPhone, and Android tablet. It includes Wi-Fi Direct for network-free printing. It has a 100-paper capacity.
Promising Review: "I just received this wonderful machine and I absolutely love it! The color is beautiful and the ink isn't expensive. It is petite and it still gets the job done! It has very easy Wi-Fi setup and it comes with a set of ink. I'm very glad I made this purchase. And the price is goood!" —Carmella
Get it from Amazon for $59.99.
34. A mini emergency kit you won't think to buy until the button on your blouse pops off while on a date with your best friend's taxidermist cousin.
This kit includes a deodorant towelette, stain remover, nail polish remover, dental floss, clear nail polish, lip balm, breath freshener, hair spray, mending kit, safety pin, double-sided tape strips, clear elastics, emery board, bobby pins, and hairspray.
Get it from Anthropologie for $21 (available in two colors).
35. A pair of blister-proof socks you're gonna really wish you had thought of before your first time hiking through the Grand Canyon.
Promising Review: "I am impressed with these socks without a doubt. I was hesitant to spend so much on one pair, but I am beyond glad that I took the chance! They keep my feet dry, comfortable, and blister-free during intense workouts." —B. Lynn
Get them from Amazon for $12.50+ (available in seven colors and sizes S–XL).
36. A cream foundation, which you don't usually wear, but would prefer having around so you can cover up the way your skin reacts after your weekend-long pizza binge.
Glossier gives you the option of having your products delivered in 1–3 month intervals, so you never have to worry about forgetting your foundation again! Your breakouts will thank you.
Promising Review: "I'm a no-makeup makeup gal and this is perfect, feels light on skin and looks lovely and dewy!! It is everything I hoped it would be!!" —claimingtheanonymous
Get it from Glossier for $26 (available in five colors) or if five options is not nearly enough, get a Fit Me foundation on Amazon for $5.60 (available in 38 colors).
37. And a natural nail polish remover that'll have your chipped nails naked in no time!
Promising Review: "I love it! It's very effective and I don't shudder about what might be leeching into my skin. I've already recommended it to friends. It leaves my nails moisturized and doesn't cause odd sensations on my skin like regular polish remover. I'll no longer be hesitant to paint my nails since I know I can quickly, easily, and naturally remove the polish when they start to chip!" —Jessica
Get it from Amazon for $12.87.
Time to stock up and never run out of your essentials again!
The reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides here!
