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    17 Problem-Solvers So Cheap, Even If You Bought Them All, You’d Be Spending Less Than $100

    And everything in this post costs less than $10. You can thank us later.

    1. A mascara to give you lashes so dramatic, no one will believe you when you tell them you bought it for less than $5 on Amazon. No need to spend hours wrestling with falsies to get the long lashes of your dreams. Reviewers also rave that this lasts all day. Thank goodness! You have better things to do than re-apply throughout the day. 

    buzzfeed editor kayla boyd showing comparison of her eyelashes with and without mascara on
    a gif of kayla applying the mascara
    Kayla Boyd / BuzzFeed

    Promising review: "It was only $5 and the reviews were all really positive and I thought, why not? So I bought it. I’m a teacher and since the pandemic hit, I no longer wear makeup to school. Makeup irritates my skin with my mask so I just haven’t been wearing anything plus it makes morning time hella easy. I kid you not — my lashes were literally ALL I heard about that day. Upon walking into the building, a teacher friend from all the way at the other end of the hall and was like 'oh she got makeup on today!!!!' Each kid that came up to me commented on the lashes. One kid even told me I looked younger and the best story of all — a teammate of mine was out and the sub was having trouble with the announcements and so I went in to help her. Her homeroom just went bananas about my lashes and then they started clapping and I got a standing ovation. A literal standing ovation. Best $5 I’ve ever spent LOL!" —Katie

    Get it from Amazon for $4.99.

    2. Dishwasher cleaning tablets because the machine you rely on to clean the things you use to eat shouldn't be gunking them up even more. These tablets remove odor-causing residue and help get rid of lime and mineral build-up that naturally occurs inside dishwashers.

    the inside of a reviewer's dishwasher looking dirty
    the same dishwasher now looking cleaner after using a tablet

    These are safe to use in stainless-steel tub and plastic tub dishwashers.

    Promising review: "I am happy to report that my $5 investment saved me over $500. I was ready to replace my dishwasher due to super cloudy glasses, residue, and just not getting clean. Then, I became aware that the water softener no longer was doing its job, so I had the rental company replace it. Dishwasher performance improved somewhat. I decided to do two more loads before deciding to purchase a new one. Then I saw a product test review for Affresh in a magazine. I was ordering some stuff from Amazon anyway, so I added that to my order. When it came, I tossed one of the tablets into the bottom of the full machine, and ran the regular cycle. I did not expect the results I got! My glassware that I thought was permanently etched and ruined came out like new. Same with cutlery. The difference is unbelievable. I will use this faithfully on a monthly basis, as recommended. I can even put it on my subscribe and save order, so I will get a new pack every six months. I am amazed!" —Sheila

    Get a pack of six from Amazon for $8.99.

    3. The Pink Stuff, a cleaning product so good, you'll be tempted to part ways with every other cleaning product you own. Seriously, this amazing stuff can be used on a plethora of household items and surfaces (both indoors and outdoors).

    A customer reviewer's before photo which shows a white wall covered in crayon scribbles
    The same customer reviewer's after photo which shows all crayon scribbles are completely gone

    Check out The Pink Stuff on TikTok!

    Promising review: "This. Stuff. Is. Amazing. Just buy it. I have never loved a cleaning product so much. Just moved into a new house and my oven and stove both set the fire alarm off every time. No product (organic or chemical) could get them fully clean except this stuff. I was ready to buy a whole new oven because I couldn’t stand it. I have now gone on a cleaning spree and have used this to remove the rust on my kitchen sink, marker from a dresser (darn kids), grout in the bathroom. The list goes on. I would probably still use a Magic Eraser on painted wood/walls because this is pretty abrasive but other people have done it and had success. The smell/scent is so minimal. Didn’t even notice it. It’s so easy to use. Some things will require more elbow grease than others but that should be expected with any cleaning product." —NYC Livin

    Get it from Amazon for $4.99.

    4. A collagen hair protein treatment to help repair damage from things like heat, sun, and dye, just to name a few, because we want you to be able to do all the cool, experimental things with your hair.

    former buzzfeed editor before and after for the collagen protein treatment
    Bek O' Connell / BuzzFeed

    Read our Elizavecca CER-100 collagen coating treatment review for more deets!

    Promising review: "I have tried everything on the market to fix my damaged, bleached hair that keeps breaking off. I stumbled across this hair treatment on TikTok. I had never heard of it before but decided to give it a try. I used it for the first time yesterday and I couldn't believe how amazing it made my hair feel and look. It's sooo soft, shiny, bouncy and nourished. My bleached rat's nest now looks and feels like hair again. Even my boyfriend noticed a huge difference in my hair. I’m going to buy a lot more of this product. I’ve been really frustrated about my hair for years now because of all the damage. Now I can finally relax and enjoy my new hair." —Eline

    Get a bottle from Amazon for $8.50.

    5. A garbage disposal foaming cleaner that'll tackle built-up grime and those nasty smells you gag at every time you're near your kitchen sink. It's truly so...disgusting. The biodegradable packet cleans/scrubs away at odor-causing buildup on sidewalls, blades, under the splashguard, and other hidden areas. 

    A gif of the foaming cleaner
    Amazon

    They come in pre-measured drop-in packets and are recommended to use about once a week!

    Promising review: "It seems counterintuitive to put a little packet down your garbage disposal to clean it, but this does actually seem to work, at least for getting out weird smells that baking soda and vinegar don't really touch. I scrub the sink down first, especially around the garbage disposal area, rinse it down, and then just follow the directions on the package. I have used it with single, large-size sinks and with double sinks — only difference is that the double sink will have blue cleaning foam rise up the drain, which you rinse away when the disposal sounds clear again. I have tried the foaming cleaner in a can, but unfortunately it stopped coming out of the can about 10% of the way through. Went back to this tried-and-true." —KS

    Get four packets from Amazon for $3.78.

    6. Schick Silk touch-up tools perfect for painless, precise eyebrow shaping, cleaning up peach fuzz hairs on your face, and even clearing away dead skin. These little guys go a long way.

    Reviewer using the tool to dermaplane their face
    Model using tool to shave hair above the eyebrow

    Promising review: "I saw these on TikTok and was skeptical but they work so well. I use them for any facial peach fuzz and to shape my eyebrows and they're perfect." —Megan Kopicko

    Get a set of three from Amazon for $5.94.

    7. toilet cleaning gel kit that is so easy to use, you'll want to scream about it from the rooftops. Just use the dispenser to stamp a gel disc to the inside of the toilet bowl. The gel will literally clean your toilet each time you flush until the stamp dissolves — it should last about 12 days!

    A hand stamping the circle of gel in the toilet
    Scrubbing Bubbles

    Promising review: "I was sooo skeptical and was confused about how they’d work but the gel solidifies and with every flush, suds wash through with the water and it really makes a fresh difference. Also the scent is light but really nice and fresh! I recommend these 100%! They’re super interesting but they do the job." —Janet

    Get six stamps from Amazon for $5.99.

    8. carpet spot remover spray to clean stains so fast and easy, Stanley Steemer is going to start plugging YOUR phone number in their catchy jingles.

    red salsa all over carpeted stairs
    the same stairs now stain and salsa free

    Promising review: “There are products that you love and buy again. And then there are products that you love and can’t live without. And then above that, are a few select products that you revere and hold with the highest honor. Folex is that product. I have used Folex for years and it works wonders on everything from spilt coffee, wine, and dog messes, without any chemical smells or residue. But my love for Folex grew so much deeper when I dropped a 32-ounce jar of salsa down the stairs. My husband took one look and declared that the stairs were ruined and would need to be replaced. I took a look, grabbed the Folex and said, 'We’ve got this.' If you have children, pets or are very clumsy with your canned goods, you need this bulk-size jug in your arsenal of cleaning supplies.” —Carobnty

    Get it from Amazon for $6.65.

    9. Peach Slices hydrocolloid stickers — simply put one of these over a zit, let it sit for a few hours (or overnight!), and then bask in the amazement of seeing all the pore-clogging gunk it absorbed when you take it off. 

    Reviewer wearing small round sticker healing a zit
    Small clear dots on a sticker sheet

    Peach Slices is a Asian woman-owned biz that sells skincare products!

    Promising review: "This brand is so affordable and works just the same as the more expensive brands. I go through them so quickly so this is a plus! I’m generally a picker at my zits, but if I can get to one of these dots in time I save my face a lot of irritation and pain. I wear them at night and sometimes during the day, only takes about two to get rid of those pesky whiteheads, sometimes more for a big zit. They really suck everything out." —Savannah Wilson

    Get a pack of 30 from Amazon for $4.88

    10. Light-dimming stickers so the bright LED lights from all the cool tech items in your room (or, ya know, just your alarm clock) don't keep you awake at night. 

    These dim 50–80% of light! Plus, they can always be cut or adjusted to your preferences/needs. 

    Promising review: "This is the best thing you never knew you needed. I own a digital clock with the numbers displayed in red LED light, and every night I've blocked the light with a cover so it doesn't shine in my eyes as I sleep. Silly I know, but I like my room pitch black and cave-like. On a whim I bought this product. OH MY GOD! Game changer!! For the first night EVER I didn't have to cover the clock display before I went to bed!! I had no idea how big a difference this little dimmer could make, but I'm more than pleased with the result. I can still see the time display just fine, but now my room is a happy cave! Some commenters argue you could get the same effect using electrical tape but this product is easy to remove and doesn't leave a sticky residue at all, which can't be said for most tapes. I did notice a slight lag in response when I covered my TV LED sensor, so if you're trying to block something that actually senses inputs I would maybe not suggest this. Other than that, excellent product!" —Logan M

    Get a pack of 100 from Amazon for $1.49.

    11. A set of exfoliating wash cloths that can help buff away dead skin and leave you feeling nice and smoooooth. 

    A reviewer holding an exfoliating bath washcloth in green
    A reviewer's arm with bits of exfoliated skin removed with the exfoliating washcloth

    Promising reviews: "I stumbled upon these from watching a TikTok and I’m so glad I did! Definitely look into how to use them before you start so you do it efficiently and find what works best for you. I use them after being in a hot shower for at least five minutes then I start with long strokes in one direction. These got lots of gunk off my body and left my skin feeling so soft and smooth!" —Mariah C.

    Get a pack of four from Amazon for $4.80.

    12. A Gold Bond friction-reducing stick for swiping over areas prone to chafing and hopefully help stop it in its tracks. There's nothing worse than a day of exploring a city or walking around a Disney park ruined by that dreadful pain. 

    the gold bond friction defense stick that can be used to help prevent chafing
    Amazon

    Promising review: "I just used it for five days in 90-degree-plus weather at Bonnaroo music festival in the middle of Tennessee on a farm in June with 100,000 people walking several miles, dancing, and sweating every day. I am happy to report that this product is a lifesaver. My thighs didn't chafe once, and I have big ones! I had to reapply once during the day. I strongly recommend buying this if you have large thighs and need relief from chafing. I couldn't wear dresses or skirts in the heat if I was walking anywhere, and now I live in them because of this stuff! Buy it! It works!" —Issac

    Get it from Amazon for $5.29.

    13. A scalp shampoo brush to not only aid in giving you a deeper clean when shampooing your hair, but to help massage your scalp too!

    BuzzFeed editor holding pink scalp massager with silicone bristles
    editor showing other side where there's a gripper for fingers
    Emma Lord / BuzzFeed

    Promising review: "I saw this little thing all over TikTok and everyone swore by it. To be honest, they’re right and I now swear by it. It’s perfectly soft and sturdy to massage the scalp. Works shampoo into roots, helps with dry skin and such. I absolutely love it and I use it every time I wash my hair. I most definitely would recommend to anyone. Don’t hesitate." —Z

    Get it from Amazon for $6.98+ (available in three colors).

    14. nail and cuticle care solution for making your nails look fresh and healthy with consistent use over time — just apply a coat and let it wow you!

    reviewer's nails before using the cuticle oil
    reviewer's nails after using the cuticle oil

    Promising review: "OMG this is the real deal. I applied it to my nails and cuticles. It worked and now my awful cuticles are gone. Before they looked dry and no matter what I did, lotion several times a day, it didn’t work. But with one application of this oil and my nails look so fresh, clean, and not flaky at all!! Love!!" —W. Mills

    Get it from Amazon for $9.90.

    15. An adorable little fish that happens to be a very easy and effective humidifier tank cleaner because you can't get the most out of your device if it's contaminated with slime and bacteria.

    the blue plastic fish filled white white balls that sanitize the water
    the fish swimming around a humidifier

    The brand says the fish will continuously clean for about 30 days so it's recommended to change it every month! 

    Promising review: "Just drop this in your humidifier and it keeps the water pretty darn mildew- and mold-free. Super easy to use, no smell, and safe. I have already repurchased and given a few to other people as well." —Kristine

    Get it from Amazon for $5.98.

    16. Blind-spot mirrors that'll allow you to spend less time perfecting your parallel park and more time doing whatever it is you had to parallel park for.

    The blind spot mirror attached to a rearview mirror showing more closely, how much room is next to the car door
    Amazon

    Promising review: "I bought these for my mom's car and mine a while ago and these little things are great. Since I got my license I've hated merging or switching lanes; I never felt good or safe doing it. Since having these its been a blessing, I feel less like a scared new driver. I'm currently encouraging my sister and friends to invest in these too! These are also great for backing up, because you can see exactly how close you are to hitting the car behind, and it's helpful when I parallel park in the city." —Mariam Abass

    Get a pack of two from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in four shapes).

    17. A glimmer glow lipstick whose color actually adjusts to your pH level so you can rock a shiny shade of pink. Just apply and let it do the magical color-matching work for you! Plus!! It's vegan and free of parabens, alcohol, and oil.  

    Reviewer with pink lip stain
    The clear glittery lipstick in its case

    If a light shade of pink is all you're going for then just a simple application will do. If you'd like a bolder pink, then you can layer this stuff on as much (or as little) as your heart desires! 

    Promising review: "This is such a pretty pH color lipstick, viral for a reason — it's very pretty to look at, it's not sticky at all, and the more you layer it, the darker the pink shows up. The only thing I don't like is the scent in it, I can almost taste it a bit. It's nice to have in my purse if I need a quick color while I'm out in case of sudden dinner plans or a meeting, because you can control the color saturation to how light or bold it is." —Kristina Brumbelow

    Get it from Amazon for $3.99

    Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.