34 Cheap, Summer-Friendly Products

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4 days ago

A cult-favorite Persian Garden fragrance rollerball with warm florals, ocean air, and light amber that reviewers compare to Glossier's $78 "You." This is from TikTok-famous small business brand Kuumba Made, known for its luxury scents at ridiculously affordable prices, so you know they're on their game — reviewers especially love how clean and long-lasting this sweet but elevated fragrance feels, and how nicely it plays with other scents!
A limited edition (!!) Eos Marshmallow "Super Balm" lip treatment from the brand's "secret menu" so good that reviewers say it's better than Carmex for healing and better than Summer Fridays for quality. Lip care that also tastes like you're perpetually eating a s'more for less than $6?? My friends, life is good.
Dove's Coconut Milk & Sugar Lychee Body Wash so moisturizing, gentle, and decadently-scented that you're going to feel fully transported to your ~happy place~ every time you lather it on. This is especially lovely for sensitive skin, since the plant milk base is nutrient-rich and sulfate-free to keep your skin feeling eeextra soft and loved.
A three-pack of vintage-inspired polarized sunglasses for anyone who needs to stock up on a few "these look like Ray-Bans, but I won't cry into my Baja Blast if I accidentally leave them in the Taco Bell parking lot" pairs this year. These are especially handy because you can match the subtle prints to whatever 'fit you're wearing!
A set of limited edition Band-Aids with retro flower patterns so the next time you get a little ouch, you can be like, "wound care, but make it summer-y."
A delightfully affordable instant foot peeling spray for anyone ready to go full YEEHAW!! on a pedicure, without the big salon price tag. This not only helps gently remove dead skin, but moisturizes dry and cracked heels, so you'll really get some refreshing bang for your buck.
A tinted lip balm that's eerily close to the same magic as "Black Honey," TikTok's beloved $25 ~universal shade~ from Clinique, that it will genuinely startle you — especially when you see the price. This is a perfect, non-sticky "go-to" lippie that's just a step above the "no makeup makeup" look, giving the perfect subtly polished effect.
Tree Hut Desert Haze Shea Sugar Scrub — yes, the chronically sold out, cult-fave scent is in stock on Amazon...for NOW. If you're looking for a gentle, satisfying option for summer exfoliation, this one is a winner. Reviewers are obsessed with this smoky, floral "loud" scent that blends jasmine, raspberry, and musk.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Moisturizing Face SPF 60 Serum, which finally answers the question of, "What if a high-quality priming moisturizer could also punch the UV right out of the sun??" This lightweight, nongreasy, no-white-cast formula is here to solve all your warm weather beauty woes once and for all by playing nice under your makeup *and* protecting you from the sun's rays.
Moroccanoil's Mini Must-Haves Sampler, which is so affordable that I'm not not pinching myself to make sure I'm awake. Reviewers especially love these teensy versions for traveling in ~luxury~ on the cheap, and for trying these beloved splurgeworthy products without committing to the whole price first!
A pair of cheerful, super lightweight boxer-style shorts so comfy and adorable that you are about to put your denim shorts on notice for the rest of the year — especially since these are a MUCH cheaper alternative to the $98 Reformation version.
Monday Haircare Dry Shampoo with all the oil-absorbing, refreshing power of its competitors, *plus* added keratin for protection against frizz and breakage. The subtle gardenia scent is just extra extra credit after all that.
A set of lightweight, oh-so-dainty ruffled pajamas reviewers are in loooove with for summer, saying the fabric is so high quality that it feels like linen. If you're looking for breezy warm weather loungewear, this adorable set fits the bill!
E.l.f. Sheer For It Blush Tint, the $5 answer to the beloved $26 Benetint that does just as brilliant of a job despite costing five times less. This flush of pigment for your lips and cheeks is perfect for those lightweight, "no makeup makeup" looks that are especially key on a day when the sun is showing no mercy.
A set of spicy margarita instant cocktail tea bags — all the sophistication of tea and the 😜 of a cheeky cocktail, without the exorbitant bar price tags or the sugar crash. All you have to do is add three ounces of cold water, 1.5 ounces of hard liquor, and the tea sachet into a glass, and you'll have a delicious cocktail in one minute.
Kitsch's flat claw clip with some modern meets retro vibes that will give your hair a chic little ~pop~ of volume and hold. Reviewers are especially impressed by how strong these little clips are, and how much hair they can hold! Reviewers also note that these make it more comfortable to lean back on chairs, since the claw won't dig into your head.
Tree Hut Coco Colada Hand Wash infused with hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help hydrate and restore skin health so your hands can be super clean *and* super nourished. Now all you have to do is prepare to have the link to this handy whenever guests come over and are like, "WHERE DID YOU GET THIS DELECTABLE SOAP??"
A 16-ounce mini Nalgene bottle for when you're not Big Thirsty, not Little Thirsty, but decidedly just Medium Thirsty. This small, easily portable bottle is great for commuters on the go who don't want the full bulk of a water bottle but also want to stray hydrated (in the most adorable way possible).
Black Girl Sunscreen's Make It Pop Sungloss with SPF 50 (!!) that reviewers *adore* both as a glossy shine on bare lips, or to make their signature lippies pop. Who knew sun protection could look so chic?
A versatile ribbon scarf you can use as the perfect accent to any summer outfit, whether you're using it to tie back your hair, add some color and whimsy to your purse, or using as an elegant ascot. It's like buying a bunch of accessories for the price of one!
Yankee Candle's Midsummer's Night, or what I like to call a "goth summer candle," as a perfectly moody way to usher in the warmer weather if you're not a big fan of sweetness and floral. Reviewers compare this alluring blend of musk, patchouli, sage, and mahogany to a soft cologne.
NeeDoh Groovy Fruit, one of the many variations in the *elite* NeeDoh sensory fidget toy line for anyone who wants to add more calm and focus to their day with a side of ~~whimsy~~. This comes as an orange, banana, or a strawberry, and reviewers love that it doesn't have the kind of stickiness that picks up debris and makes it hard to clean.
Sally Hansen's iconic Insta-Dri nail polish perfect for anyone who wants quick touch-ups on their fingers and toes but has ZERO time to spare. If you're looking for a reliable, long-lasting, fast-drying polish to save not just time, but big bucks at the salon, I cannot recommend these enough!
Spooky Summer, another beloved stress relief coloring book from Southern Lotus, a brand that's made itself famous on TikTok for its cozy, relaxing, easy-to-draw themes. This one is full of happy little spooks enjoying their favorite summer ~haunts~.
A Lululemon-inspired mini wristlet wallet set that looks just like their $50 version, and also easily holds cash, cards, and lip balms, so you don't have to deal with the whole muss and fuss of a purse if you're going on a walk around the neighborhood. Plus, you know what they say — keep your friends close and your beloved lippies closer.
A ridiculously versatile solar-powered bird bath fountain pump — all you have to do is plop it in water in a traditional bird bath, planter, or backyard decor, and boom! You have a sweet little bird haven that can burble water up to a foot high for all our feathered friends to enjoy.
A cult-fave ginormous set of seamless hair ties that will be your new holy grail — they're designed to stay the heck put without damaging, pulling, or bending your hair, with a hold so strong that a lot of reviewers love the *pop* of volume that comes with them. Also, these are so ridiculously affordable that you will NEVER run out of hair ties again!!
A pair of cheerful, super lightweight boxer-style shorts so comfy and adorable that you are about to put your denim shorts on notice for the rest of the year — especially since these are a MUCH cheaper alternative to the $98 Reformation version.
A ribbed button up tank top with some real Abercrombie & Fitch energy to perfectly straddle that line of "professional" and "I am 100000% going out after work today, and a martini glass will be involved."
Essence's Drop of Sunshine Bronzing Drops, aka the more affordable version of the beloved $39 Drunk Elephant version. This buildable, hydrating formula is an easy way to add a ~sunkissed touch~ to your beauty routine without breaking the bank (or compromising your skin!).
A wildly popular floral print sheer cover up for the perfect finishing touch to all your summer outfits that won't make you swelter in the heat. Reviewers especially love how easily this packs (and photographs!!) for travel.
E.l.f.'s Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops, another home run from the brand's moisturizing "Holy Hydration" line that reviewers are comparing to the $35 Watermelon Dew Drops from Glow Recipe. This lightweight formula is designed to brighten and plump skin for a dewy effect, whether you're wearing it alone, applying it under your makeup, or mixing it with your foundation.
A pack of instant cold-stirred foam caramel iced lattes so you can get all that delicious, decadent ~froth~ you love so much right from the comfort of your own home. Considering the price of a fancy bev these days, this is a STEAL at a buck per drink.
E.l.f.'s Squeeze Me More Lip Balm Duo with some real "Laneige, but make it cheap" energy. This mango and watermelon duo is actually the oh-so-tropical remix of the brand's wildly beloved Squeeze Me More Lip Balm that came out last year, so reviewers are already obsessed with how lightweight, hydrating, and deeelicious these go-to balms are.