21-05-2025
37 Products You'll Try Once And Use As Summer Staples
Jergens Natural Glow Firming Self Tanner Body Lotion to give you a gradual-building, vacation-worthy ~sunkissed glow~ over the course of just a few days. Not only is this easy peasy to apply compared to other finickier, streaking lotions, but it's formulated with collagen and elastin to help your skin appear firmer *and* glowier, and a HECK of a lot cheaper than its competitors.
A set of DEET-free handy mosquito-repelling bracelets for the ultimate in genius summer investments — these use essential oils, including citronella, to help stop those teensy vampires in their tracks.
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!
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.
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 cult-favorite Creamy Coconut fragrance rollerball reviewers compare to the $25 Sol de Janeiro version 👀☀️ . 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 ~beachy~ and long-lasting this sweet but elevated fragrance feels and how nicely it plays with other scents!
E.l.f. Glow Reviver Melting Lip Balm for all the ultra fans of Summer Fridays, Rhode, and Laneige whose bank accounts are begging them to put a stop to the lippie madness. These new deliciously tinted, moisturizing, buildable glosses are just as buttery and decadent as the balms that inspired them, for a fraction of the price. (Brb, drowning myself in the "Strawberry Shortcake" and "Vanilla Toffee" flavors.)
Tree Hut Desert Haze Shea Sugar Scrub — yes, the chronically sold out, cult-fave scent is in stock on 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.
Physicians Formula Butter Glow & Go Stick with similar energy as the $46 Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick for a smooth, rich, and ridiculously easy-to-apply contour to give your skin that ~sunkissed~ glow with as little effort as possible. This dual-ended stick is the definition of no muss, no fuss, and so versatile that when you're not using them on the go, you'll love experimenting with all the different ways you can make a subtle colorful *pop*.
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.
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum, aka humidity's WORST ENEMY. 😈 This super lightweight argan oil solution is designed for all hair types to help manage frizz and define waves and curls without weighing them down, and will be the MVP in your hair arsenal in the warmer temps — especially considering how costly competitive serums are!
Eos' Cashmere Skin Collection Shave Oil — yes, that's right, the astronomically TikTok-famous Eos "cashmere" body lotion now comes in shave oil form, just in time for potential spring shaving shenanigans. Reviewers are notably impressed by how close of a shave they can get with this, particularly in sensitive areas, helping spare you from razor burn and ingrown hairs.
A handy as heck Burt's Bees sunburn soother you'll want to stock up on if you're a "just in case" kinda human — it's made with aloe and coconut oil to hydrate skin and gently relieve pain from the sun's unforgiving rays within just a few hours.
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 new "Ultra Petite" Satin Scrunchies for anyone who loves the hair-protective style of satin, but wants a lower profile than the big billowing versions. These are super gentle and prevent creasing, but still have an all-day firm hold.
A Yonanas fruit soft serve maker that magics any frozen fruit into an ice cream or sorbet texture so you can have a yummy frozen treat made to your *precise* favorite fruit combos. A lot of folks with dietary restrictions swear by this to get their ice cream kicks!
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!).
Lottabody's Coconut Oil Foaming Curl Mousse designed for all hair types to give you satisfyingly hydrated, volumized, frizz-free curls at a FRACTION of the price of its competitors.
A bag of FIRECRACKER! POPSICLE! FLAVORED!!! Liquid I.V. electrolyte drink mix, so you have extra incentive to hit your hydration goals on blazing hot trips *and* you can relive the glory of chasing down the ice cream truck as a kid. Reviewers are genuinely stunned by how much this tastes like the ~real thing~.
A truly multi-talented set of colorful cooling towels you can use to prevent yourself from overheating — all you have to do is wet these, and they get chilly to drape on your head or neck. Once the chill runs out, you can wet them again to get it back!
Reef Water platform sandals, aka the ultimate in cute, comfortable, and water-friendly sandals that will be the "go-to" shoe of your summer. These don't have a break-in period, can be dressed up or down, and have a cheeky little platform to them so you can cosplay as someone an inch taller than you usually are. Reviewers ESPECIALLY love these for traveling because of how versatile they are!
A set of waterproof "wet bags" you will curse yourself for not buying YEARS AGO, because they are tiny little lifesavers when you're on the move. Reviewers use these to cart wet suits and towels from the beach and pool, sweaty clothes from the gym, and soiled clothes and burp cloths in diaper bags. It even has a little snap closure if you want to hook it to a stroller or bag (and the color combos are TOO CUTE).
A portable Chill-O-Matic Instant Beverage Cooler, aka every finicky cold bevvy drinker's DREAM. This gadget can take a 12-ounce can of seltzer, soda, or beer at room temperature and make it ice cold in just one minute. A lot of people who complain that their fridge doesn't make drinks "cold enough" also swear by this for an extra icy kick.
A set of Victoria's Secret–inspired seamless "invisible" underwear so soft and stretchy your butt will want to *sing* when you slide them on. This is a true holy grail underwear that doesn't show, doesn't ride up, and somehow manages to look cute all at the same time.
A bottle of Nyx matte setting spray for anyone who wants the all-day protection of MAC and Urban Decay's setting sprays without the price tag — this matte finish will lock your look in place in just a few seconds, even on days when the sun is trying to melt you like an ice pop.
A high-quality, *just* compressive enough layering T-shirt reviewers love so much that a ton of them tried it and immediately ordered more colors to stock up. This shirt is double-lined but still feels lightweight on the skin, giving a sophisticated, expensive look with a casual feel. Reviewers compare it to Skims at a fraction of the price!
A cute lil' insect catcher you can set in a plant or near your fruit bowl or compost to deal with any unwanted fluttering guests. These odorless sticky traps are designed to work indoors and outdoors and will stop fruit flies, gnats, mosquitoes, and more — without the high price tag of the electronic or liquid versions.
A set of satin pillowcases that not only have a cooling effect, but are soft on your skin and create less friction for your hair so it won't get as tangled while you sleep. Reviewers especially love these because they're an affordable alternative to ones that typically run $18 per case!
A beach towel clip you can attach to a beach chair to stop it from blowing away while you're off gallivanting in the ocean trying to make friends with a mermaid. Reviewers also love this for building blanket forts, holding down tablecloths, and hanging wet items like suits and towels at the end of a long beach day.
A bottle of truffle seasoning for an instant upgrade on homemade meals that honestly has become one of my only personality traits, to the point where I'm just like, begging you to try it. I should gatekeep this stuff so I can have it all to myself but it is such a delicious and satisfying and ridiculously affordable alternative to real truffles that I'm throwing the gates WIDE OPEN.
An affordable, Lululemon-esque longline sports bra so comfy, supportive, and versatile that reviewers love it both for outdoor workouts, gym use, *and* errand running. This is designed to be supportive without being too compressive, with lightweight fabric that keeps you breezy in the heat.
And a pair of high-waisted running shorts with a scrunch-elastic waistband reviewers also compare to the Lululemon version. These are lightweight, quick-dry, and come in so many adorable colors that your butt might just want them on rotation until laundry day.
A truly miraculous sand-free beach blanket that repels sand and dirt so easily that you'll wonder if someone cast a spell on it. Parents especially love this because babies and toddlers can lay on it without getting sand in their mouths, and it's ridiculously easy to repack without worrying about taking half the sand in the beach from with you. Oh, and it's also GINORMOUS. (And packs up super small!)
And a reusable, family-friendly sand eraser to *instantly* remove sand from your skin with a quick swipe so you don't accidentally turn your unsuspecting car interiors into "Beach, Part Two."
A blister-preventing foot balm that basically magics an extra layer between your skin and your shoe, so you can break in and wear your favorite summer flats, heels, and sandals without worrying about getting big ole blisters on your feet.
Sol de Janeiro's aluminum-free "Rio Deo" refillable deodorant — because yes, that yummy sunshine pistachio caramel "can't put my finger on it, but I'm obSESSED" smell from their cult-favorite skin-firming Bum Bum Cream is now available for your armpits. Everyone raise a glass to celebrate (REAL high, so we can all get a whiff of summer ☀️☀️😋).
