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    17 "Hail Mary" Products That Actually Worked

    "As a Hail Mary, we invested in this and it has 100% saved his sleep."

    1. A TikTok-famous pink cleaning paste so you can restore your walls and dressers when your little ones go Baby Picasso on your furniture with a permanent marker.

    before photo of a white dresser covered in scribbles made with a black permanent marker
    the same dresser after it was cleaned with the pink paste and almost all of the black marks are gone and the remaining marks are hard to notice

    Promising review: "If this stuff isn’t in your arsenal yet, you need it. I accidentally got GREEN hair dye all over my white sink. Bleach, CLR, Magic Erasers — nothing touched it. The Pink Stuff was my Hail Mary while I was panicking about what I would tell my landlord. The stains are completely gone and I have a white sink again!" —Courtney Foltz

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

    2. An acne patch for those days when a pimple pops up at the *worst* possible moment. Hydrocolloid, tea tree oil, and calendula oil are gentle on the skin while still drawing out fluids and pus from your pimple.

    Reviewer photo of square acne patch that is filled with pimple discharge
    Reviewer photo of cheeks with dark red acne scars and breakouts
    Same reviewer's cheeks, which are now a more even skin tone and free of almost all breakouts

    Promising review: "I'm in my mid-20s but have struggled with acne since I was a teenager. Nowadays I don't break out as much as I used to, but when I do get pimples, they're BIG and stubborn. I bought this as a Hail Mary without much hope. It was cheap enough that I figured if it helped, great, if not, no big deal. I stuck one of these bad boys on a stubborn pimple I'd been fighting for over a week before I went to sleep. I'd admittedly popped this pimple already, so it was inflamed, a bit scabbed and still pretty big. I'm a rough sleeper, so I wasn't confident that it would still be on in the morning. In the morning, it was still on and I could see a clear white spot on the patch where the pimple was. I peeled it off — no pain at all — and the pimple was completely gone! There's still some redness but I'm pretty sure that's just from me popping it. There's no bump at all, no inflammation, no scab, no pain. I'm amazed! No product works for everyone, but if you have stubborn acne and nothing else seems to work, give this a shot! It's worth trying." —Sarah

    Get 40 round patches from Amazon for $6.95 and eight square patches for $7.49.

    Our in-depth review of Avarelle's acne patches gets into the nitty-gritty!

    3. A broom for pet hair to loosen the fur trapped in your carpet. It works just as well on wood and linoleum, with the rubber head working as a magnet to attract stray hairs. There's also a built-in squeegee for wiping up liquids or for cleaning glass. Plus, the handle extends from 36 to 60 inches so it can reach practically any mess.

    Reviewer photo of their German shepherd sitting next to a massive pile of fur that the broom pulled out of the carpet
    Reviewer photo holding a huge chunk of cat fur that they brushed out of the carpet

    Promising review: "Best $12 investment! We have a cheap vacuum and couldn't afford one of the nice ones yet. This was intended as a Hail Mary to hold off the big expense. I use the flat squeegee side for the carpet (quick scrapes across carpet do best) and the rubber broom side for hardwood." —Lauren S.

    Get it from Amazon for $12.98.

    Check out my colleague's FURemover broom review for more oddly satisfying photos of all the hair this broom unearthed.

    4. A memory foam mattress topper because your old mattress is hard as rocks. Add this bad boy on top and instead of feeling lumps and bumps when you turn over, you'll sink into plush memory foam that conforms to your body, as well as temperature-regulating gel beads that help distribute heat so you don't burn up.

    the two-inch topper
    hand pressing into the mattress topper
    photo of the handprint left behind to show how plush the topper is

    Promising review: "We bought this for our 5-year-old's twin bed. He was waking up a lot at night and we wondered if it had to do with discomfort from his (cheap) mattress. As a Hail Mary, we invested in this and it has 100% saved his sleep! He never wakes up in the middle of the night anymore and actually sleeps IN in the morning! I've even taken a few naps on his bed and it's divine! Super comfy." —Emily

    Get a two-inch topper from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in sizes Twin–California King as well as a three-inch-thick version).

    5. A collagen-coating hair treatment that'll revitalize a dry, damaged, and overprocessed mane overnight, and is safe for all hair types!

    Before and after of BuzzFeed reviewer who used the product, showing it reduced their hair's frizziness and added shine and softness
    reviewer with 4c hair holding a section of their hair showing how strong and moisturized it looks
    Bek O'Connell / BuzzFeed, www.amazon.com

    Promising review: "I have bleach damage, super dry hair, and straw-like ends. So I researched protein treatments, keratin treatments, and moisturizing treatments and everything said that I needed moisture for my hair, not protein. But after using Olaplex, different oils, deep conditioning masks, and being underwhelmed, I went for a Hail Mary and bought this and holy cow my hair feels almost virgin again.I used the whole container for my hair, but I have a lot of it and it’s long. If your hair is long and thick maybe grab two, and if your hair is short you could probably get two to three uses out of a bottle." —Addie

    Get it from Amazon for $6.95.

    Read our review of Elizavecca's CER-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment to learn more about why my colleague calls it, "the miracle product I've been searching for."

    6. A drill brush kit with three different heads if you gave up on baths a long time ago because getting your tub sparkly clean didn't feel possible. No more furiously scrubbing your tub; instead, just attach the brush head and flip the switch on your drill. Why work harder when you could work smarter?

    Promising review: "My shower was STAINED and dirty. It’s old. I’ve used every product imaginable from toilet bowl cleaner (thanks TikTok but it was a no go), to pumice stones (yes multiple), to bleach cleaners, and nothing would get the stains out from the cheap fiberglass. My Hail Mary was this product and my husband's heavy duty drill. This was hard work. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s a super easy 'fun' cleaning job. Nope. There’s sweat and tears happening (tears from too much bleach cleaner probably). It took me about an hour to get this bad boy clean(er). I’m not done with it yet so it’s a work in progress. Is it fun to use? No. No it’s not. But does it work you ask? YES. These scrubbers work and they work well (I purchased the blue ones). My cheap fiberglass walls and tub are still intact with zero scratches. Years of soap scum and who knows what else are gone. My arms hurt like I’ve been using a jackhammer all day but it’s totally worth it. I’m trying to get my strength back up for round two. Going to try Comet and the large scrubber on the stained bottom. Wish me (and my sad little muscle-less arms) good luck!" —Rhonda

    Get it from Amazon for $14.95 (available in soft, medium, stiff, and ultra stiff bristles).

    7. An allergy supplement so your poor pup can find relief from itchy skin and allergies. These soft chews deliver a dose of probiotics and other nutrients said to help improve immune function, aid digestion, promote healthy skin, and add shine to a dog's coat.

    Reviewer before and after photos showing the allergy supplements helped treat their dog's bald patches
    Before photo of a dog with a red, irritated belly
    Same reviewer's dog after taking the allergy supplements, which calmed the dog's skin and made it less red

    Promising review: "I started buying these for my roommate's elderly dog when she started scratching nonstop. She was biting, licking and scratching until she had bald spots and bled. No matter what we did we couldn't get her to stop. We wanted a vet visit to be a last resort so I bought these as a Hail Mary. A game changer. We noticed a significant decrease in her itchiness in about a week and after about three or four she was back to herself. These are part of her daily routine now. Her fur is thicker and softer than my 6-month-old puppy. We know it's these treats doing the job because a few months ago she ran out before the next container arrived and she was back to scratching herself until she bled." —Amazon Customer

    Get it from Amazon for $26.97 (or Subscribe & Save for $24.27/month).

    8. A bottle of professional grade callus-removing gel for dissolving hard dead skin in literal minutes. (Seriously, reviewers say you should only let it sit for two to three minutes!) Then, give it a good scrub with a foot file and your heels will be baby bottom smooth.

    Promising review: "This is a Hail Mary! This is hands down the best product ever!!!! I have been using this product on my clients and it has made my job so much easier and less time consuming." —Diamante Valentine

    Get it from Amazon for $13.87.

    9. An ear treatment to clean your poor pet's ears of buildup and prevent inflammation and irritation. These ear drops are designed to protect against a variety of fungal and bacterial infections, like yeast and staph infections.

    Promising review: "My cat had ear mites for a year now. We’ve tried multiple different ear mite medicines and even took her to the vet and they couldn’t even get rid of them. I decided to buy this as a Hail Mary and we are on the fourth day and they are almost gone. 10/10 recommend! This stuff is awesome!" —MarPed

    Get it from Amazon for $21.99.

    10. Dishwasher cleaning tablets because they do practically all the work for you — no scrubbing needed! Say goodbye to having to wash your dishes and plates again by hand because they're coated in mysterious white crusty bits.

    A dirty dishwasher with brown stains on the bottom
    The same dishwasher, which is now stain-free after using the tablets

    Promising review: "We moved into a seriously filthy house and were looking up the cost of a new dishwasher because it was just so hard to look at. I had done vinegar and baking soda runs and that cleaned off a bunch, but we ordered these as a Hail Mary. THE DISHWASHER LOOKS BRAND NEW. I CANNOT STRESS HOW GOOD OF A JOB THIS LITTLE GUY DID. Forever a customer!!" —Ellie

    Get a pack of six tablets from Amazon for $6.94.

    11. A box of color catcher sheets that'll save you from major headaches when your favorite white T-shirt and your new red denim jacket take a tumble together. The sheets are designed to grab any dye that leaks or bleeds so you don't end up with unintentionally tie-dyed clothes.

    Promising review: "This is an amazingly effective product. I bought these as a Hail Mary attempt to avoid replacing the washer at my new place. I tend to just separate lights and darks and had never had a need for this product until this wretched machine was turning all my clothing (light and dark) a dingy, pinkish-gray color. The problem was so bad I was skeptical putting one of these little sheets in there would actually do anything. I am happy to say that I was completely wrong! Now these little sheets turn that gross, dingy color and my clothes are perfect! Does exactly what is promised and I can’t live without these now. If you are having laundry issues you need these!" —Hailstorm1216

    Get 72 sheets from Amazon for $11.49.

    12. A multi-use skincare oil if you want to 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.

    Before photo of reviewer's red, slightly raised scar and an after photo of the same scar that is barely visible after using the oil
    reviewer with dark post-partum stretch marks that have lightened dramatically after using bio oil

    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 have a nickel-sized keloid scar left by a dermatologist's excision a year ago. It itches a lot, so I put olive oil on it, then vitamin E oil, and then tried sweet almond oil just because I have some in the house. I got very short-term relief from each of these. I bought this product on a Hail Mary whim, but it resolved the itching problem...immediately. I'm impressed and grateful. I put it on after every shower first thing. So far, so very good." —Wendy

    Get it from Amazon for $8.92.

    13. A tub of brightening, firming, and rejuvenating eye cream so you at least look like you got some sleep (even if you were up until 2 a.m. scrolling through Instagram).

    Reviewer before and after showing the cream tightened and brightened their under-eye area
    Different reviewer's progression photo showing their eye bags disappearing over time

    Promising review: "I have been suffering from extremely dry skin lately, which is new. It has got to the point that the skin under my eyes would puff up and be red with the slightest touch. So bad that I could peel the dead skin under my eyes. Anyways, I bought this as a last Hail Mary before calling a dermatologist. So far, this stuff has been amazing! My skin is so soft and smooth and no longer dry. My under eyes are back to normal and I've had zero puffiness." —Erin

    Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three sizes).

    14. The Drain Weasel, a drain-clearing sink snake for unclogging your pipes in a shorter time than it would've taken your previously clogged pipes to drain.

    gif of someone using the drain weasel to pull a large chunk of hair from a clogged sink drain
    Amazon

    Just insert the wand down the drain and turn the handle so the barbs pick up hair and debris that's blocked up the pipes. Then, pull out the wand to evict the blockage once and for all.

    Promising review: "I'm not going to say who threw up an entire cheeseburger into my bathroom sink as the whole affair was caused by food poisoning and there is no need to cause undue embarrassment. But it happened. And I was really throwing a Hail Mary on buying this item because 1) this is not what it was designed for, and 2) day-old half digested cheeseburger clogging up a sink is a nightmare of sensory information. But this was cheap and one day delivery so we rolled the dice. This thing worked a treat. I cannot tell you how easy it was to just snap on the little guide rail and turn it right down the drain. Within seconds it unclogged and pulled up a substantial clot of hair that was also in the drain. Comes with several extras just in case a shower drain gets full or you need to do another sink in the house. Huge fan." —James Freeman

    Get the handle and five refills on Amazon for $19.95.

    15. A detangling brush to separate knots without pulling and breaking your strands thanks to its flexible bristles.

    Happy reviewer who used the brush to detangle their 3c-4a hair
    Reviewer with knotted hair
    The same reviewer with detangled hair after using the brush

    Promising review: "This detangling brush is fantastic! My hair has been getting really long (finally!) over the past couple of years and it is very difficult to manage. My hair is thick and wavy naturally, plus I regularly put it through a pretty brutal coloring process — it's pink and black — which has made my hair a bit coarse. I recently got sick and was laid up for a couple of days and my hair developed a huge mass of knots on the back of my head. I thought there was no way I'd be able to get it out other than to cut it but I decided to try one of these detangling brushes as a Hail Mary. Thankfully, it worked! This brush managed to get rid of that huge mass of knots and the really surprising part is that I barely lost any hair! Just about the same small amount that comes out naturally when brushing my hair any other day. This worked through it pretty quickly too, and without much effort. Best part is it was practically painless. I'm amazed and also very, very grateful. So glad I tried this brush instead of cutting my hair!" —CocoLoco

    Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in six colors).

    16. An odor-eliminating spray because a few spritzes on the stain your pet's "present" left behind will save you from smelling pee every time you walk into the living room. Each spray releases bacteria that feed on the ammonia left behind after your pet's accidents, eliminating the urine completely and deterring your pet from peeing in the same spot again.

    The spray bottle
    Amazon

    Rocco & Roxie is a family-owned small business named after the Magleby family's pets Rocco, a labradoodle, and Roxie, a former shelter tabby cat. They make a variety of pet supplies, including cleaners, treats, grooming tools, accessories, and toys.

    Promising review: "Where do I start? How about one word: WOW!! I live in a house with four dogs, a cat, a hamster, and a toddler (my 4-year-old nephew). Two of the dogs are puppies, so I'm sure you can imagine... If not, lemme say this — they used the child's bedroom as their personal potty spot more times than can be counted. When I purchased the first spray bottle it was a Hail Mary-type situation. (I now have a gallon) We attempted other carpet cleaners, but when I tell you that his room still smelled horrible, it's an understatement! I used this as directed and the smell? GONE! His room? It's like this almost peppermint, (whatever it is) beautiful scent!! I mean these stains were NOT new, OK?" —Dre Johnson

    Get it from Amazon for $19.97.

    Check out our in-depth Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator review.

    17. An anti-fungal antibacterial spray made with cooling aloe that'll treat a range of skin conditions, including allergies, cuts, hot spots, infections, rashes, and scrapes.

    Reviewer's before and after photo showing the spray got rid of a dog's hot spot
    Reviewer's before and after photo showing the spray reduced inflammation on their dog's paw

    Promising review: "My basset hound has constantly itched his dewlap for years. I attributed this to slobber and water dripping down after drinking. We have gone to the vet numerous times. We have tried antibiotics, sprays, creams, hydrocortisone, multiple kinds of allergy pills, a hypoallergenic diet, fish oil, probiotics, kelp supplements, treated baths, and more. He would still itch so bad he would get sores, and still stunk. As a Hail Mary we tried this spray. I didn't expect much, because nothing ever works. I started by spraying his dewlap thoroughly every night and rubbing it in. It smells pretty good, and he liked the extra rubs and we made a game of it. RAPIDLY he improved. We noticed within a couple days that he was itching less. In a week he was barely itching and the raw spots were healing. Within a couple weeks the sores were healed, he stopped stinking, and his fur was growing back! Another week and we dropped spraying him down to once a week for maintenance. In the six weeks or so he has completely healed. He no longer stinks. He no longer itches. And he's SO happy! I can't believe we solved a problem that we have been dealing with for years, with this spray. If your dog itches and/or stinks do NOT hesitate. This stuff is magic in a bottle and I am so grateful I found it." —R. Ireland

    Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in two sizes).

    You walking into the living room and the carpet doesn't smell like pee anymore: