32 Things For The Smartest Shopper In The Friend Group

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2 days ago

An eight-compartment pill organizer so you can ditch the bulky bottles for something that's way easier to slip in your pocket. You'll also be the hero of your travel group when anybody has a sudden headache.
A ridiculously beautiful Touchland Power Mist hydrating hand sanitizer that looks so chic you'll be tempted to plan your entire outfit around it. "Does anyone have any hand sanitizer?" one of your woefully unprepared friends asks. "Oh, I do" you nonchalantly say as you casually blow their mind with the most ~aesthetic~ hand sani they've ever seen. Once they realize it's hydrating and smells delightful, you might not get it back.
And a pack of antibacterial paper soap sheets — it'll seriously come in handy when the public restroom you're using is out of that mysterious pink sludge they call soap. Just pull out a sheet, wet it, then get to lathering. "Seriously, is there any scenario you're unprepared for?!" — your friends, probably.
A set of hair-tie bracelets that look like a chic accessory at first glance but are actually your secret weapon for whipping your hair up into a flawless pony at a moment's notice. The boho-chic designs will match basically all of your summer 'fits, and your hair will appreciate the super smooth and stretchy nylon.
A travel brush with a hidden compartment, which is one of those "seriously, where has this been my entire life?" kind of inventions. The surprisingly spacious compartment slides out so you can store your hair ties, lip balm, bobby pins, mini perfume, or even an extra pair of earrings. This is basically Mary Poppins' purse in hairbrush form. Also, your goal of traveling with just a carry-on is about to be SO much easier.
A 🚨 limited edition 🚨 Eos Marshmallow "Super Balm" lip treatment from the brand's "secret menu" that's simply way too good to gatekeep. Imagine a vanilla bean Frappuccino with a pump of marshmallow syrup — that's exactly what this creamy lip balm smells like!! It's also super smoothing thanks to the cocoa, avocado, and shea butters — and one reviewer even said it's better than Laneige and Summer Fridays. 👀
Or a Lip Smacker Rolly Lip Gloss that will make your pals green with envy when they only have the tiny unscented lip balm they got from the dentist. The flavors and retro-chic packaging will transport you back to the days of fighting over Backstreet Bosy vs N*Sync — and the reviewers say the cooling formula is surprisingly moisturizing.
Hawaiian Tropic's SPF 30 Mineral Powder Sunscreen Brush — it looks at competitors like the $35 Supergoop and $36 Brush On Block and shouts, "WHY ARE YOU SO EXPENSIVE?!" The powder formula makes it super easy to touch up your sun protection throughout the day. However, the real jaw-dropping feature is that it applies perfectly to your scalp — yes, your scalp needs SPF, too!
And an Abib Airy SPF 50+ Sunstick Smoothing Bar, which is a popular K-beauty pick with a unique curved design that practically hugs your cheekbones as you glide it on. It's also perfect for precisely gliding along your hairline or the sides of your nose, and the semi-matte formula will keep you glowy without looking like a disco ball.
A set of espresso martini instant cocktail tea bags — they may look like regular ol' tea bags, but they're actually your secret to making you and your friends some super affordable cocktails. Just dunk the bag into 3.5 ounces of water, add 1.5 ounces of vodka or tequila (or just do a Sandra Lee pour if it's that kind of night), wait for the contents to dissolve, and drink up! Your friends will be so relieved they don't have to drop $20+ on one drink tonight.
A set of limited edition wildflower Band-Aids so even your boo-boos will be super cute and match all the sundresses you bought for summer. Or! If you scrape your knee while gardening, these floral cuties will keep the happy vibes going.
And a compact but super helpful first-aid kit — you'll be prepared for any boo-boos that threaten to ruin the vacay you've been waiting all summer for. Just imagine: You're walking on the boardwalk during your beach getaway, then someone in your party trips and scrapes their knee. "Ow! I really wish I had an alcohol wipe, some Neosporin, and a bandage!" they exclaim in pain. That's when you swoop in and dethrone Superman as the ultimate hero of summer 2025.
Kitsch's flat claw clip so you can show your friends that they no longer have to put up with the flimsy, cheap hair accessories they've settled for. This sleek clip holds a surprising amount of hair with ease, and reviewers say it's super durable. The flat design also means the claws won't dig into your head, so you won't have to take it off when you lean your head back on a headrest!
Dramamine in a ridiculously compact bottle that is perfect for slipping in your carry-on, personal bag, or even your pocket. And this is the "less drowsy" version, so you won't have to choose between falling asleep or nausea. Just take at least a half-hour before traveling (but no longer than an hour before) and it'll help alleviate nausea, dizziness, motion sickness, and vomiting.
Or a teensy 2-in-1 nausea relief inhaler to help lessen nausea, morning sickness, motion sickness, and general queasiness. It's non-medicated and won't make you drowsy, so you can use it any time — just use the inhaler side two to three times per use, or flip it over to the oil-rub applicator if you want to apply it directly under your nose.
A sophisticated leakproof laptop lunch tote with a super secret, built-in insulated lunch compartment that'll keep your Diet Cokes crispy and your sandwich lightly chilled. This is some real Totally Spies-level innovation right here. And don't worry, the actual tote is still very spacious and has enough room for the essentials and not-so-essentials.
Or a Simple Modern rubber tote bag that dares to ask the question, "What if the Bogg Bag wasn't nearly $100?" The answer is this waterproof, durable design that's ridiculously easy to clean, so it's bound to become your go-to beach bag, workout bag, picnic bag... you get the gist. There's even a detachable zipper pocket for your phone or other small items you want easy access to. No more getting bogged down with expensive, trendy bags, amirite?! I'll see myself out.
Or!! An effortlessly chic woven straw summer clutch if you want to signal to your friends that you've entered your minimalist era, but you still need your lip gloss and portable charger at arm's reach at all times. It also looks way more expensive than it is, so you'll get a kick out of telling them it was under $20.
A smooth edge can opener — a helpful gadget and cool party trick in one! This can remove the entire top of most drink cans, meaning you can spruce up your bev with ice, syrups, or fresh fruit without having to dirty an extra glass. Imagine sipping a wild berry Poppi (the best flavor, FYI) with actual blueberries floating in your can. 😭
An auto-open (and auto-close!) umbrella with thousands upon thousands of rave reviews. Yes, you read that right. How does a meager umbrella have that many fans? Many of them say this is truly windproof — meaning it won't flip inside out when a heavy gust of wind blows your way and embarrass you in front of the besties. They would NEVER let that go.
An ultra-slim portable charger for all of us who have an irrational fear of our phone dying at the WORST possible moment. Can you imagine getting lost or having two hours left of your flight when you get that "10% battery" warning?! This has a 10,000 mAh battery, which should be enough to power up most smartphones more than once per charge, so feel free to share some power with your whole group!
A slim and super discreet travel bottle of Poo-Pourri because rumor has it you're going to end up banned from Chili's if you stink up the bathroom one more time. Sorry, I know how much you love a Triple Dipper 😔. Luckily, this exists and is super easy to carry around — just give the water three to five spritzes before you go!
The super popular Bug Bite Thing, which uses the simple power of suction to alleviate the post-bite itching and swelling from the adorable but vicious bumblebee that attacked you during a picnic while you were distracted by an equally cute butterfly that landed on a sunflower (I think they may have been working together). It works on everything from mosquito bites to wasp stings, so you'll probably want this in your pocket any time you leave the house this summer.
A travel case of mint dental flossers because it's honestly impossible to live in the moment and create long-lasting memories when you have a piece of spinach stuck in your teeth. This compact case comes with 12 floss picks, and it's easily refillable!
A set of 10 retractable Crayola markers — wait, how long have these been a thing?! Do you know how many markers child-me had to toss because the cap went rolling under the stove, never to be seen again?! Well, now you and the crew can finally do those arts and crafts nights you've been talking about without searching for lost caps at the end of the night.
A set of Lock Laces to turn all of your sneakers into slip-ons, which is the height of convenience and also super helpful for people with limited motor skills. Now you can just slip your shoes on, pull the toggle cord to your preferred tightness, and watch your friends marvel at how fast you get ready.
A pomade hair wax stick — it'll be a major timesaver on those days when you want to smooth down flyaways, cowlicks, or set baby hairs into place. Just swipe it over any targeted areas you want to smooth, and it'll provide some seriously strong hold without any sticky residue. Prepare to share the Amazon link to everyone you hang out with.
A glasses lens cleaner so you finally say goodbye to those microfiber cloths and disposable wipes that just seem to smear the dirt and oil all over your lenses. This little tool has a small brush on one side to wipe away dirt and dust, while the microfiber pads on the other side will wipe away oils for a streak-free finish without scratching your lenses. Go ahead and pass this down the aisle on your next movie night.
A travel-friendly version of the iconic Tangle Teezer that'll hardly take up any room in your already-crowded bag. Reviewers say it works the same detangling magic as the full-size version (that's thanks to the two-tiered teeth design that detangles and smooths at the same time), and it's so much better than those flimsy travel flip brushes that brush approximately two strands at a time. Although, prepare for your friends to call you Rapunzel for brushing your hair all day, every day.
A pack of Neutrogena makeup remover towelettes so you can easily refresh your skin while you're gallivanting about. When your bestie's mascara starts to run after a fit of uncontrollable laughter, they'll be so glad you threw a couple of these in your bag. And now you'll know to get them some waterproof mascara for their birthday.
A reusable gel lint roller that's a major upgrade from the traditional sticky rolls that require approximately 10 sheets just to clean one shirt. Just pop open the cover and roll it over any garments that need a good sprucing up, then give it a quick rinse, and it'll be ready to use again! If you have a dog that likes to shower your friends with hugs upon arrival, keep this by the door so they don't have to wear their fur all day.
A universal travel adapter you can use in over 160 countries — because nothing is more annoying than realizing you forgot to bring the right adapter. You can use it to charge up several devices at a time, so you and the crew can power up your phones at the same time.