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1. 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 grime and odor that cause buildup and yucky smells on sidewalls, blades, under the splashguard, and other hidden areas. They come in pre-measured, drop-in packets and are recommended to use about once a week!
I moved into a new apartment in September and one of my favorite things (that I didn't have in my previous apartments, but had in my parents' house growing up) is a garbage disposal. Finally being free of having to clean out sink strainers of nasty little food bits has been quite the joyous occasion. But, with that, comes the increase of not-so-yummy smells emanating from my sink area. I've put this foaming cleanser in so many posts I've written, so I decided to buy some to keep on hand when I moved, and my goodness...I LOVE THEM! They are seriously so quick and easy to use. And they actually work!!! I clean out my disposal on a weekly basis now with these. I highly recommend if you also have a garbage disposal!!
Price: four packets for $3.78 (also available in a larger size)
2. 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 reapply throughout the day.
As the daughter of someone who spent nearly 30 years working for a very well-known makeup brand, I've been able to try many top-notch, expensive cosmetic products for free (thank you, mom). But, I am a shopping editor, and this mascara that my team has put into a bajillion posts has a cult following, and I'm a very curious person, so I decided to test this out. It really is such a great mascara and truly just as good (if not better than some) as its mascara rivals at a higher price point. I don't use this daily, but this is my go-to when I'm out and about and need a touch-up or traveling and don't want to bring an expensive mascara.
Price: $4.99
3. A stainless steel tumbler for keeping hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for hours!!! Not to mention it looks super sleek and comes in a bunch of great colors.
I truly have been consuming more water than usual since buying this! For starters, it's available in SO many gorgie colors and prints (which makes it so fun to use — I have the lavender mist color, pictured right). My cold water actually remains cold, so I don't dread sipping from it over the span of a few hours. Not to mention, it's also cheaper than more expensive brands (looking at you, Stanley/Yeti/Hydro Flask) — always a slay to score a bargain on an equally wonderful, if not better, version of a product!
Price: $29.99+ (available in 35 styles)
4. A Color Wow moisture-repelling spray that's all about stopping frizz in its tracks Sorry, humidity, you lose this round!
My hair likes to do this fun thing (especially over the summer) where it doesn't stay put after styling. The amount of times I'll flat iron my hair just for it to turn to full curls by the time I get to where I need to be...or I'll curl my hair just for it to turn to some frizzy mess. It's SO frustrating. I've tried pretty much everything. I discovered this back in July and was hesitant because of the price but, out of desperation, made the splurge and I'm so glad I did. My hair ACTUALLY frizzes less with this. I went on a vacation in early August and was so happy that my hair actually kept its style throughout the day (it made taking photos a more enjoyable experience, too). I don't use this much in the winter as my hair actually cooperates with me more when it's cold outside, but the second the warm temps come back, which I hope is soon (because I hate winter), I will be so excited to put this stuff to good use again.
Price: $28 (also available in a travel size)
5. A pair of earplugs to help bring down the noise at a concert to a more comfy/tolerable level. A mix of loud music and screaming fans can be a...lot...to put it lightly. Reviewers with sensory issues swear by these as well!
In early 2021, I was diagnosed with tinnitus and hyperacusis. What this means is I have a permanent ringing sound in my ear (tinnitus) and a reduced tolerance to sound/increase in sensory overload (hyperacusis) — two things I never dealt with prior to that diagnosis at age 26. One of the first things I thought of when I got this diagnosis was wondering if I'd be able to experience concerts again. I'm a HUGE concert girl and couldn't picture a life without being able to experience concerts comfortably again. I went to a tinnitus specialist and was fit for custom earplugs that honestly changed my life.
It's been almost three years now since my diagnosis. Since then, the ringing in my ear no longer annoys me the way it once did and I've gotten a lot better at being able to identify/manage situations that would cause my hyperacusis to flare up. One thing I have not gotten better at is remembering my custom earplugs. Keeping these Loop Experience earplugs on hand has been SO helpful in ensuring that I always have a pair of earplugs nearby when I don't have my customs. Not only are these comfy, but they do an awesome job at reducing noise levels without muffling sounds. I've tried a lot of earplugs on the market in the last few years in situations where I've realized I didn't have my customs and Loops truly beats out the competition. I'd say they're definitely the closest in quality to my custom earplugs.
Price: $34.95 (available in nine colors)
6. A Dash air fryer that'll have you enjoying "fried" versions of all your favorite foods, minus all the yucky oils.
For some reason beyond my comprehension, it took me a while to get on board with the whole air fryer thing. I just wasn't really convinced that I needed one and didn't think I'd get much use out of it. But, I saw some recipes on TikTok that I had been wanting to make and after some time decided to take the plunge and buy one. This air fryer in particular is so easy to use. All you need to do is set your time and temperature. I know there's so many other air fryer models out there with cool features and functions, but honestly, I like the simplicity of this one a lot. It gets the job done and is beyond easy to clean. The basket is dishwasher-safe and I bought some silicone air fryer liners on Amazon to use with it that I can also toss in the machine after using. I use this for soooo many things — roasted veggies, oatmeal breakfast cookies, turkey burgers, etc. This is truly my favorite appliance in my kitchen.
Price: $49.99+ (available in six colors, two sizes, and two styles)
7. A set of TikTok-famous blending sponges for some seriously smooth makeup application. If you wear makeup, might as well treat yourself to a set, too!
Two things about me: 1) I've always found the idea of paying $$$$ for a blending sponge (name brand or not) so silly. I mean...it's a sponge for blending your makeup. Is it really that much better if you spend $20 on it?! I will never know because I will never do that. 2) I'm terrible at remembering to replace my blending sponges so when I buy them, I need to buy them in a set so that I have multiple at a time and don't have to worry about re-stocking for a bit. I found these through our own posts and I'm a sucker for anything that TikTok loves so I decided to try them and they're great! Great price point! Great sponges! Great blending! Not much else to say than that, so add them to your beauty routine!
Price: a set of five sponges for $5.89+ (available in nine color combinations)
8. An oral rinse that's loved by reviewers — and for good reason: This stuff provides 12 hours (yes, 12!!!!) of coverage from bad breath and the bacteria that leads to it. Bonus points: It's vegan and free of alcohol and artificial colors/flavors.
I've been a loyal Listerine (the zero alcohol kind) for many years now, but lately was feeling like it wasn't doing as much as it used to for me in the fresh breath department. I recently decided to try out TheraBreath because I had been seeing it EVERYWHERE and wanted to see what the hype was all about (if it was even worth it). The first night I used it, I was truly shocked. I literally felt like I had just left my dentist after a cleaning, that was how fresh my mouth felt. I've been using the mild mint flavor (although I'm debating trying the icy mint next), but the mint flavor is super subtle and the results are truly awesome. If you're a garlic/onion lover like me or just looking to elevate your fresh breath game, definitely consider TheraBreath or talk to your dentist about adding it to your routine!
Price: a set of two for $15.34
9. A Kindle Paperwhite so you can easily dig into all those books you've had on your "to read" list for AGES, but haven't had the time to get around to yet.
I did it. I caved on October Prime Day and bought myself this Kindle Paperwhite, and boy am I glad I did. For starters, I always thought of myself as someone who preferred physical books over e-books. There's just something SO exciting to me about unboxing a book order or walking into a book store and spending way too much money. I even spent two years creating a rainbow library on my bookshelf in my apartment. BUT! After taking two vacations this year and realizing how annoying it is to pack physical books and moving somewhere that requires a long train ride to get to the city (aka increased boredom), I decided to just get myself a Kindle. For starters, I'm reading more on this Kindle in the past month than I have all year. It is incredibly lightweight (it fits into my small little BELT BAG WITH ROOM TO SPARE!!!), easy to use, and not to mention, a really great investment! I have three free months of Kinde Unlimited which means access to tons of great books for free, but the best is Libby! I just go on the Libby app from my phone, choose a Kindle book to check out through my local library, and boom, it's instantly delivered to my Amazon account to add to my Kindle library. It's safe to say I'm obsessed.
Price: $139.99+ (available with or without three months of Kindle Unlimited and ads, in 8 GB or 16 GB versions, as well as a kids version)
10. An ice tray for making the perfect spherical ice balls your heart desires. Your next glass of Diet Coke is about to be sooooo good with these.
I think it's a scientifically proven fact that ice cubes just taste better (and make your drinks taste better) when they're little spheres vs. boring cubes. After moving to my apartment this year, I decided I deserved a little treat yourself gift amongst all of the important things I was ordering for my move, and this ice cube tray was that gift. I love it. The ice cubes are just so cute and I love the storage box/scooping tool this comes with to make quick work of getting out the ice cubes without having to actually touch them.
Price: $22.99+ (available in four colors)
11. A useful, gorgeous, and AFFORDABLE duffel bag that'll make you wonder how you ever took weekend roadtrips or packed a carry-on for your flight without this baby. The interior features four compartments and the bag itself is made of water-resistant nylon because a little rain can't come between you and your much-needed rest and relaxation time.
I purchased this duffel as a personal item-sized bag for a weekend trip to Nashville back in May to see the Eras Tour. For starters, it's sleek and holds a nice amount of stuff. I used it for my laptop, a book, and some snacks for my flight. I also love that it's water-resistant. I flew to Nashville on a rainy day and didn't have any issues with the bag getting wet or anything of the sort. This is just a trusty duffel. I bought it in black, but I have some weekend trips already lined up for next year and want to purchase it in another (more fun) color soon, that's how much I love this bag.
Price: $21.49+ (available in a variety of colors and options with a toiletry bag, mini crossbody, laptop pocket, and more)
12. A white noise sound machine for blocking out unwanted sounds when you're trying to fall asleep.
I'm used to falling asleep to noise at night. I grew up in a house located right next to a busy service road and highway (when I say right next to, I really mean right next to). But back in August, I went to Los Angeles for a week with some friends and one of them brought a white noise machine that she turned on every night in our hotel room before bed. I'm someone who can never manage a good night's rest when I'm on vacation, but that week...I got some of the best sleep I had EVER gotten. When I got home, I immediately ordered myself a white noise machine and now it's something that I need to have on all night. I just find it so soothing? I like that it prevents my room from being too quiet, while also preventing me hearing potential noises in my apartment hallway. And this one is small and so easy to bring on-the-go — I'll definitely bring this on any travels I have coming up in the next year.
Price: $12.99
13. A set of waterproof phone pouches to help keep your phone dry when braving a storm outside to run errands, going to an outdoor event in the rain, or partaking in water excursions/sports on a trip.
Before I left for my trip to see Taylor Swift in Nashville earlier this year, the forecast was predicting pretty heavy rain. If you're a Swiftie like I am, then you know that Taylor LOVES a rain show so you better come prepared with everything you need to get through hours of singing and dancing in the rain. I bought these cases because I knew I'd want to take photos and videos (and because I had just gotten a new phone and wasn't trying to water damage it a month later). Alas, I attended the infamous Nashville night three rain show that was delayed several hours and went until 1:30 a.m. because of how bad the storm was. I kept my phone in one of these pouches and was able to get the photos and videos I wanted without ANY damage to my phone. A couple months later, these came in handy yet again when I went to see the Jonas Brothers opening night at Yankee Stadium to pouring rain during intermission. I will always keep these on hand for outdoor concerts in inclement weather as well as any water activities I may find myself doing on future vacations!
Price: a set of two for $9.99 (available in 13 color combos and sets of four)
14. A wall charger complete with six outlets AND two USB ports because fighting over who gets to use the outlet next to charge their phone is such a last-year problem.
And! As if that wasn't enough — this thing also functions as a night light. 🙏
I love hosting friends at my apartment, but have had my fair share of moments where I'm hosting a gathering or have several friends staying with me for a weekend and haven't had enough outlets for everyone's devices. It's not a huge deal and has never really been an issue, but when I moved into a bigger apartment, I realized that meant I had more space for larger gatherings, and with that, should have more outlets available. I've had a few gatherings since then and, thanks to this baby, never have a shortage of outlets anymore.
Price: $17.97
15. A flexible power strip featuring a five-foot extension cord you simply arrange to your needs/liking. Goodbye to all the other power strips you own. They just couldn't compete with this genius invention.
iJoy is a small biz that sells a variety of tech accessories, speakers, and headphones.
This little power strip is awesome. For starters, you can choose to get it in a trendy color or just stick with black or white. I got the mint green color and it's SO pretty. I keep several devices in my bedroom charged/powered with this strip like my air purifier, laptop/phone charger, and the USB ports are great for allowing me to charge my Kindle and my white noise machine. Plus, the fact that it's flexible makes it easy to adjust to your own personal charging needs.
Price: $17.99 (available in five colors)
16. A 12-piece colorful knife set for not only adding a pop of color into your kitchen, but safely ensuring you're not cross-contaminating during meal prep.
I have a pretty inexpensive knife block set in my kitchen that I've had for the past two years since I first got my own apartment. While it looks great on my kitchen counter and the knives are usable, they're not exactly the best quality. I found I was getting really frustrated trying to chop up produce with the knives I had, but didn't want to drop a ton of money on a whole new knife block set. I bought these knives a few months ago and they are GOOD. They work really well at cutting through onions, potatoes, etc. — everything that I struggled to cut through before with my other knives. I like that they come with covers and are color-coded. They're functional, pretty, and overall. a great addition to my kitchen for meal prep.
Price: $30.31+ (available in three color combos)
17. A pair of bike shorts that'll instantly become your new go-to bottoms. They're ideal for working out or simply lounging around the house.
I was pretty late to the bike shorts game and I'm not really sure why. 9/10 times these days I'm dressed with comfort as my main priority — when you work from home, you find yourself buying more pieces with comfort (and breaks to go for a walk/the gym) in mind. I had tried bike shorts from other brands I wasn't the biggest fan of, but finally stumbled upon these and they're too good. For starters, they're SO comfortable. Second, they have POCKETS! Super useful when I'm out and about and need a spot to put my keys and wallet but don't want to carry a bag! Third, you really can wear these anytime for anything. I wear them to work out, lounge around the house, etc. These bike shorts with an oversized tees or sweatshirt = kinda the most perfect outfit combo to ever exist...
Price: $19.99+ (available in 33 colors and sizes XS–8XL).
18. An air purifier to assist in reducing the level of allergens, bacteria, dust, odors, smoke, and pet dander in the air so you can breathe a sigh of (clean air) relief.
I got to try out this air purifier and I LOVE it! I had an air purifier from another brand two years ago and I honestly felt like it didn't do much — when it was time for a filter change, I didn't even bother because why spend money on a new filter when the purifier didn't function the way it should. I was a bit hesitant to test this out, but I'm a major year-round allergy sufferer and was desperate for relief. This thing is AWESOME. I have definitely noticed a difference since I've started using this a little over a month ago in the midst of fall allergy flare-ups.
Another thing I love about this is that it warns you when smoke levels are high. My Revlon hot air brush has definitely been known to set off the smoke alarm in my apartment and with this baby, I know when the air is getting too smoky before that horrible piercing alarm goes off, and can give the air some time to cool down between uses. Just buy it!!!!
Price: $119.99+ (available in two sizes)
19. A prebiotic "soda" that's really a sparkling tonic formulated with botanicals and plant fiber but tastes like ROOT BEER!
This has kinda become my favorite beverage ever this year. Having a bad day? Treat myself to a root beer OLIPOP. Having a good day? Celebrate with a root beer OLIPOP. I'm not sure how they make this prebiotic sparkling tonic drink taste so much like root beer, but it's SO good. I honestly stock up on these on a regular basis because of how much I love them.
Price: a pack of 12 cans for $35.88
20. A lightweight vacuum to make cleaning your floors an easy experience. This is super easy to carry/move around and comes at an unbeatable price.
Vacuuming is my least favorite chore. I didn't want to buy a bulky vacuum because I knew I'd never bother trying to use it, and I didn't want to spend a ton of money on a lightweight cordless because I'd rather spend my money on things I actually enjoy. Then I happened upon this lightweight, inexpensive vacuum and it's perfect for my needs and living in an apartment. It's easy to carry since it's so light, does a great job of picking stuff up off the floors, and all at an excellent price.
Price: $33.95+ (available in four colors)
Reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.