37 Cheap Products With Expensive Results

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10-05-2025

A pack of six wood repair markers to fend off the urge to buy a whole new dining room set because your kitten made one of the legs its personal scratch tower. The markers and crayons come in shades that match the most common wood colors (cherry, mahogany, walnut, black, maple, and oak) — grab a marker for small scratches, or a crayon for larger knicks and scrapes.
A reviewer-loved scar gel that sinks in super quickly, so it's perfect to use on facial scars. The superstar scar-fading ingredients are panthenol, which helps promote the production of new skin cells, and allantoin, which attracts moisture to the skin to help speed up the wound-healing process. It also works on new and old scars, so it's never too late to add this to your routine.
A Dash single-serve ice cream maker — it can whip up a half-pint of creamy goodness in 20 minutes. Oh, and it's not just for ice cream — it can also make froyo, sorbets, and frozen drinks! Reviewers say it seems awfully similar to the Ninja Creami, except it takes up way less space while saving you around $100.
Jergens Natural Glow Firming Self Tanner Body Lotion that'll give you the bronzed glow of a spray tan without paying an expensive monthly fee at your local spray tanning salon. Just swipe this on like you would any body lotion, and you should start to see results within a few days (most reviewers see results after the third or fourth application). It's also formulated with elastin, collagen, and green tea extracts to help firm and hydrate your skin while you get your glow on.
E.l.f. Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray that'll have you checking your order history to make sure you didn't accidentally buy the $38 Milk Makeup Hydro Grip. Just be sure to shake before you spray so you can mix the oil and water layers — the squalane and green tea oils help to hydrate and soften skin, while the water layer helps to lock in your makeup for all-day wear.
Black matte cabinet pulls so sleek you'll say, "Hi AD, welcome to my home!" every time you step into your kitchen. No really, sprucing up your cabinets can give you that ~new kitchen~ feel without splurging for a full-on renovation. I also suggest a bowl overflowing with limes like Dakota Johnson.
And some peel-and-stick subway "tile" if you're looking to further revamp your kitchen without the expense and hassle of regular tile. Just peel and stick these anywhere you want 'em — they're heat- and moisture-resistant, so you can even use them in the bathroom!
An Onsen cuticle conditioner — it has a non-oily, serum-like formula that's way less messy than your traditional cuticle oil. Whyyyyy do cuticle oils take so long to absorb?! This one sinks in more like a lightweight lotion thanks to the moisturizing shea and cocoa butters that give it a creamy texture. Oh, and it's not just for your cuticles; you can smooth this all over your nails to condition, strengthen, and add a fresh-from-the-salon shine.
And Sally Hansen nail polish with a gel-like finish that requires NO UV LAMP! Sally, girl, you have done it again — constantly raising the bar and doing it flawlessly. When paired with the matching top coat, these shiny formulas should last you up to eight days. Fun fact — doing your own nails will save you approximately 1.2 trillion dollars over the course of your lifetime. Ok, I made that up, but I'm sure the actual figure is not far off.
A mini bottle of touch-up paint to mask any scratches or scuffs on your walls and furniture... and to make sure you get that security deposit back. You can use it directly on wood or to freshen up existing paint, so don't be surprised if you get the urge to roam around your home looking for cabinets, shutters, and floorboards to spruce up.
Gold Bond's firming neck and chest cream, because your décolletage also deserves some special skincare attention. It contains salicylic acid to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, while glycerin and aloe add some extra hydration. Reviewers say it takes a few applications to see results — so start using it now, then marvel at your results later!
A lightweight gel-cream from Nivea that uses the magic of an ingredient called ~Q10~ to help firm and moisturize your skin — and it's racked up more than 17,000 rave ratings. Reviewers say it takes consistent use over a few weeks to see results, but those who stuck with it have seen changes in the smoothness of their neck, thighs, and more.
A pair of waterproof wireless earbuds — reviewers say they give AirPods a run for their money in the sound quality department. These have a six-hour battery life, meaning you can listen to the entirety of Short n' Sweet nine times in a row before needing a recharge. You'll also be so grateful for the waterproof design when one of your earbuds dives into the sink when brushing your teeth to "Please, Please, Please."
An Ogx air-dry leave-in cream, which will give you Sephora-level results at a drugstore-level price. Now you can stop dreaming of buying one of those $400+ blow-dryers — this lets you air-dry your way to bouncy waves! The coconut oil and shea butter add extra moisture, while the citrus oils help add shine to your curls.
A headlight restoration kit that attaches to a household drill so you can stop squinting to see what's ahead of you every time the sun goes down. It comes with everything you need to get started so you can kiss that expensive mechanic bill goodbye!
The Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener, which will have you singing 🎵 "where have you been all my li-i-i-i-i-ife?" 🎵 when you realize it might just replace your beloved Smashbox x Becca Under Eye Brightening Cream. Reviewers say it blends seamlessly into the skin and adds light coverage to dark circles — and now it comes in four shades!
A grout ink pen — it'll take the space between your tiles from grimy to shiny in a few simple swipes. This won't clean your grout, but it'll make it look brand-new. It's like a more productive version of an adult coloring book — and about the same price!
A cruelty-free E.l.f tubing mascara that's basically lash extensions in a tube. The formula wraps your lashes with lengthening tubes for a fuller appearance, which also makes it SO easy to remove at the end of the day. Plus, it's under $10, which proves you don't always have to pay extra for convenience.
A wood polish and conditioner to bring your furniture back to life. Its magical blend of orange oil, beeswax, and Brazilian carnauba oil will help to break down water spots and restore wood to its former shiny glory. No need to call in the professionals or Google "new wood entryway table" just yet.
A bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel that's a major upgrade from other harsh formulas you may have tried in the past — and it'll give your pedicurist a much-deserved break. Some callus-removing products will make the surrounding skin feel dry and irritated, but this one includes a healthy dose of glycerin to help soften and hydrate.
A bottle of Elizavecca hair treatment with an impressive ingredients list for such a low price. Its blend of ceramides and collagen can help add smoothness and shine to your hair in just five minutes, making it perfect for those of us who care about our hair but not enough to devote extra time to it. Many reviewers say it's replaced Olaplex in their routines!
Or a keratin hair mask that's revived the tresses of 11,000+ Amazon reviewers — and it's at least 20x less than a typical pro treatment. The keratin can help reduce frizz and add shine, and there's even some biotin to help add a boost of volume to thinning hair. You're about to get so many compliments, and you'll be so excited to tell them it was only $10.
Veet's sensitive hair removal gel so you can skip that waxing appointment and spare yourself the awkward small talk. It's formulated with aloe, so it's perfect for anyone who typically deals with redness and irritation after hair removal. It's also meant to provide longer-lasting results when compared to traditional shaving and reduce the chance of ingrowns. Be prepared to pat yourself on your smooth, hairless back!
An oil stain remover that'll take care of that giant spot that's ruining your driveway's entire vibe (you can try to convince yourself that nobody notices or cares, but we do and we're all talking about it). Pour it over the stain, wait for it to dry, and then brush away to reveal a sparkling clean driveway. And you didn't even need to invest in a pricey power washer!!
A root touch-up powder from the same brand so you can stretch the time between salon appointments. Just use the attached sponge to pick up some powder and rub it directly on any grays, or use it on your hairline to create a fuller appearance. It'll become one of your new beauty lifesavers — just ask the 16,000+ reviewers who left a perfect 5-star rating.
Or a Schwarzkopf permanent hair dye that might have your stylist calling in to check on you because you haven't been back to them in MONTHS. They're great, but this cheap hair dye kit is too convenient to resist — you'll get everything you need for a bold color that lasts for up to 28 washes. Plus, the amonia-free formula is infused with argan oil and oat milk, so it's basically a hair dye and conditioning treatment in one.
Nyx's extreme hold eyebrow gel to keep your brows in place for a whopping 16 hours — I think even Anastasia Beverly Hills herself would be impressed! Unlike the other countless brow gels collecting dust in your makeup drawer, this one is designed to dry down without a sticky finish — and it won't flake throughout the day.
A pair of rechargeable motion sensor lights that might just fool your guests into thinking you installed some fancy new cabinets. But the best part is you can now finally see exactly which Little Debbie you're reaching for in the pantry when that late-night snack craving hits. They're also great for closets, under cabinets, or even illuminating the shelves holding your exquisite Lego Flower collection.
A Nyx Fat Oil lip gloss to douse your lips in hydrating raspberry seed oil while adding a super glowy shine that'll have you forgetting all about Dior. You'll get the lightweight feel of a luxurious lip oil with the moisture of a heavier lip balm, all for under $10.
A Wet n Wild lightweight tinted hydrator that gives you a perfect hint of coverage while helping to improve your skin over time — your current foundation can't do that! It goes on just like a normal moisturizer, but has just enough pigment to reduce redness and blur pores. Oh, and the hyaluronic acid and squalane will help make your skin feel soft and moisturized.
A screen-cleaning brush, because what good is all this sunshine if you can't even look out of the window and enjoy it?! If your window screens need a good deep cleaning, you can wet this with soap and water to break down stubborn grime. Then use it dry once you see any dirt start to accumulate — and be eternally grateful you won't have to search "screen window replacement services" any time soon.
A tinted lip balm for anyone intrigued by Clinique's "Black Honey" shade that went wildly viral on TikTok for its sheer shade that's meant to blend seamlessly with your natural lip color. It's impressed several reviewers, including loyal fans of Clinque's pricier shade.
A tomato knife designed to take the pain out of one of the most annoying cooking tasks: slicing tomatoes. The dual-serrated blade helps it glide through tomatoes of any size and thickness — yes, even those tiny cherry tomatoes that always seem to wiggle away from your knife. Several reviewers say these are actually better than the ~fancy~ brands they've bought in the past.
A box of skin-lifting Skin 1004 face masks — they'll make you look like a terrifying zombie until you rinse it off, but it's worth it for the pore tightening and complexion brightening benefits! It contains albumin, an ingredient derived from egg whites that's known to tighten and lift the skin, even if reviewers say it's a bit smelly at first (but most say they get used to it quickly)! Reviewers say it's similar to the popular Hanacure mask, but way cheaper since you get eight of these in a box!
A ceiling fan carbon filter that basically turns your fan into an air purifier! Peel-and-stick these filters to the top of your fan's blades and they'll catch some of the dust, pollen, smoke, dander, and other allergens in the air as the fan spins.
A set of makeup sponges to make you question how you ever spent top dollar for a Beauty Blender. You can get five of these for less than $10, and reviewers say they blend everything from foundation to concealer like a dream.
A compact and super affordable ionic hair dryer that has reviewers questioning why they ever shelled out the cash for a $400+ Dyson. 😩 It has three heat levels and a temperature-regulating function to prevent overheating, and the powerful motor is designed to dry hair in less than 10 minutes.