I stay pretty active … and by “active” I mean shopping online. (You thought that was going a different direction, didn’t you?) Long before I started collating these lists of fabulous Amazon finds, I was a big fan of the online retailer, where you can literally buy anything from the latest bestseller to can openers to foot masks. I keep a pretty active shopping cart on Amazon, too, adding things that inspire me, moving things I want to consider to my “Save For Later” list and even depositing more things into my various wish lists.
These items made the cut and you’ll see why in the descriptions below. Some of my top “likes?” That leave-in conditioner that’ll save my hair from salty ocean waves and harsh pool water; that all-purpose item at No. 5 that’ll replace those more expensive hair and skin products in your bathroom; and, a water bottle at No. 18 that’s so much more than just a water bottle. (Seriously, it’s a must-see.) Go ahead and add one … two … all 37 … to your cart ASAP.
You Must Sea This Leave-In Conditioner
I enjoy being outside — obviously, I live in Florida, so I spend a lot of time at the beach and the pool. But, both of those activities wreak havoc on my hair. This natural, leave-in conditioner has so many positives going for it: Moisturizing and non-greasy, UV protection, antioxidant-rich and made from ingredients that are safe for the environment. What’s not to love?
This Knee Brace That I Can’t Believe I Don’t Own Already
I recently started training for a 5K, and the first thing I’ve noticed (aside from how wildly out of shape I am) is how sore it makes my knees. So, naturally, when I stumbled upon this knee brace from POWERLIX I popped it into my cart immediately. Reviewers talk about how lightweight and breathable it is while still managing to be super supportive.
Rah-Rah, Retinol
Retinol is one of those things you need to start using before you usually are smart enough to figure that out. So, consider this your PSA: If you want better skin tone and texture that’s smooth and firm, just buy this Retinol Advanced Moisture Cream. Cruelty-free with none of the bad stuff you want in beauty products, use it wherever your skin feels dry in this convenient 16-oz. jar with pump.
A Slim Trimmer
One of the great mysteries of being a female is how to, ahem, manage your sensitive bikini area. Brazilian? Not my style. Razor? Bumps — no, thank you. This bikini shaper and trimmer from Panasonic is a happy medium — for me, anyway. Complete with five positions to get the closest shave possible, this trimmer is lightweight and portable with a waterproof trimmer head.
Let There Be (Emergency) Light
Nobody likes to be left in the dark. No, I mean, seriously, nobody likes to be left in the dark — like when the power goes out. These rechargeable lightbulbs will have all your neighbors wondering how you can still see what you’re doing while they’re scrounging for candles and batteries for lanterns. Available in daylight or soft white, they’ll provide four to five hours of light once turned on.
A Zombie Pack — Brains Not Included
When I stumbled on this product, I was like, “How can I not include this on my list?” And, it only took one word: Zombie. Call it great marketing or great results, but these Zombie Packs are a top seller on Amazon, delivering a whole facial at home in just about 15 minutes. Don’t believe me? Take this reviewer’s word for it instead: “After the treatment, my skin felt so soft and smooth and my pores were tiny!”
Don’t Go Bacon My Heart
O.K., I fully acknowledge that someone’s great-grandmother is rolling over in her grave right now, but I am beyond fascinated with the fact that you can buy bacon grease — legit bacon grease — from Amazon and have it delivered to your front door in two days. Of course, you could go old-school and collect your own bacon grease, but this is a much less messy option.
Float Your Boat Hammock
All of my pool floats are massive. I’m talking take-up-the-entire-trunk-of-my-car, can’t-see-around-them-while-walking massive. I was in the market for something more portable and I think I’ve found it with this multipurpose float hammock. It can be used as a saddle, a lounge chair, a hammock and a drifter and it folds up to such a small size, I actually have a spare hand to carry my Starbucks.
Upgrade Your Wardrobe With This Chiffon Top
​I’m always on the lookout for comfy, easy tops that can be thrown on with jeans (or leggings!) to create a pulled-together look with very little effort. (I’m wardrobe-lazy, what can I say?) This chiffon pom-pom shirt checks all of my boxes. Made from a lightweight, breathable material, this option has just enough class and sass to make a complete look. Grab it in one of nearly a dozen colors.
Better Veggie Storage
I loathe sandwich bags. Not only are they expensive and a huge waste of materials, but they clog up my refrigerator organization. This reusable fresh stretch pod is designed for your onions, specifically, but I won’t tell if you use it for other fruits and veggies. Or, you can buy its brother-and-sister products made for avocados, lemons and tomatoes, among others.
Everything’s Coming Up Rosehip
Rosehip. That’s a weird word, isn’t it? This Radha rosehip oil, though, isn’t weird at all because it does miraculous things to your skin like minimizing stretch marks, reducing blemishes and dark spots and giving you that gorgeous glow. Reviewers rave about it, too, like this buyer: “This oil is amazing … I’ve been using this about one year and I hardly ever wear makeup anymore!”
This Blanket Is Too Cool
I’m not going to lie — the sheer contentment on this kid’s face is enough to sell me this cooling throw blanket. Plus, let’s be clear: I love blankets of all sizes, shapes and colors. This one comes in plenty of all of those and delivers a cooling technology that’ll carry you through all of our four seasons. Grab it for a flight, throw it over your couch or take it on a picnic — the possibilities are endless.
Put It On These Tabs
How many times have you been reading a book or magazine, lost your place and spent way too much time trying to figure out where you were? My hand is up. These tabbed sticky notes are a perfect solution for books, cookbooks, magazines and more, and even allow you to add your own text on the tab, like “Cook me!” or “Start here, dummy.” Maybe leave the self-loathing out of it.
Try On These Thin Watch Bands
​Give me all the Apple watch bands, especially if they’re as thin and stylish as these packs of three. Long gone are the days when the only bands that complement your watch have to be purchased directly from Apple. Now you can grab packs of three in varying designs like sunflowers/leopard/gray flowers or black leopard/white marble/peony. The best part? All three are less than $12 total.
Hair-y Dairy
I’ve recently discovered that my hair isn’t straight, which sounds odd when you realize I’m 43. Nevertheless, here we are. I’ve been testing and trying out a variety of products to coax the waves to their full potential. Lots of wavy gals rave about Carol’s Daughter products, like this hair milk curl refresher spray for waves on day two and beyond. This one moisturizes without weighing down your hair.
That’s A Wrap
You guys, I just about spit out my iced matcha when I saw this wrap bracelet on Amazon. It capitalizes on the stacked look in one piece and certainly looks more high-end than a $13 purchase on a retailer’s website once known exclusively for selling books. Available in a variety of color combinations, it features a varied texture look including stones, braiding, beads and more.
Your Pearly Whites
You don’t have a very big circle of friends if at least one of them hasn’t offered to sell you some “miracle teeth whitening toothpaste.” <Insert eye roll here> Just. don’t. do. it. This professional whitening toothpaste delivers all the same results without the pesky social media ads or lengthy wait times. This one comes in some interesting flavors, too, like rosewater and jasmine green tea.
Have Wet Brush, Will Travel
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely heard about the Wet Brush, a brush designed with extra-bendy bristles so that you can untangle your hair without pain or tears. Now, they’ve made it in a mini size with this Wet Brush travel version. Small enough to slip in a purse or toiletry bag, this Go Green Mini Detangler packs all the punch of the regular Wet Brush in an itty-bitty package.
Pop Your (Customizable) Top
I’ve never joined the PopSockets craze, mostly because I can’t commit to just one color or design. This PopGrip may have solved my problems by giving me the option to swap tops as often as my heart desires. Simply swap out the PopTop to show off your personal style or remove it entirely for wireless charging. Use it as a hands-free stand or as a sure-grip accessory.
A Water Bottle Packed With Hidden Features
What comes to mind when you think of a water bottle? Hydration? That’s so last decade. You need a water bottle that does double- and triple-duty. This smart water bottle from ICEWATER helps you hydrate, of course, but it also reminds you to keep drinking (water, O.K.?) and it plays music with a dancing light show at the bottom. Simply connect your Bluetooth and away you go.
The Coast-er Is Clear
Cruise in style with these car coasters in a variety of patterns like flowers, marble or even a VanGogh-inspired starry night. Not only do they add a touch of personal style to your vehicle, but they also effectively protect your car against moisture and scratches. These make a great, inexpensive gift for the friend who has everything or to throw in a stocking at Christmas.
It’s In The Bag
If you have a trip planned around water anytime soon, you need to pick up one of these universal waterproof pouches. When opened, you can insert your phone and then check emails, texts and more without fear of water damage. These pouches also promise to be dirt- and snowproof, too, while maintaining full touch screen functionality. It’s a $9 purchase to safeguard your much more expensive investment.
Lash Out
Full confession time: I’m getting kind of tired of my lash extensions. The upkeep, the appointments, the detailed cleaning, the brushing … and the list goes on. I’ve been slowly seeking out at-home lash extension kits and landed on this one from KISS. These go on easily — no strips, no glue — with a claim that if you can apply mascara, you can apply falscara. Needless to say, these are staying right in my Amazon cart.
Ingrowns, Be Gone
There are certain things in life no one really wants to discuss: Taxes … religion … ingrown toenails. (I know, it’s a weird list. Shoot me.) This toenail file and lifter set will come in handy when you need it and all for less than eight bucks. Now you can stop asking your Facebook friends about their home remedies for ingrown toenails; taxes and religion are still fair play, though.
If You Like It, You Should Put Your Keys On It
My first experience with a keyring bracelet was with a much more expensive alternative. Then, I found these keyring bracelets for much cheaper and fell in love. I especially love the iridescent white (because it goes with everything) and the classic tortoise (because it’s classic … duh). At just $14, you can afford to buy more than one and change up your look with your mood.
This Battery Will Make You Jump, Jump
This is a true story: A few weeks ago, I stopped to help a woman on the side of the road. While we were trying to figure out how to use jumper cables, a man pulled up with one of these portable car battery jump starters, hooked it up to her car and had her up and running before we got my cables out of the bag. I immediately went to Amazon and added one of my own to my cart — you may want to do the same.
Seal The Deal
When I first saw this product, I thought it was a teeny-tiny hair straightener. Alas, it’s a mini bag sealer, which honestly is a lot cooler. If you have people in your house who don’t seem to understand the concept of re-sealing a bag effectively, this sealer gets the job done with a smidge of heat and a bit of elbow grease. You won’t have to hunt for a chip clip ever again.
You’re Going To Crush It
Why do I want a mortar and pestle? I really don’t need one, but I find myself drawn to them when I’m in stores like HomeGoods. This set from Amazon is much less expensive, though, at just $17.99. One reviewer said the set was beautiful, adding: “Wouldn’t hesitate to buy another. You cannot go wrong with this purchase if looking for a top-quality mortar and pestle.”
Weight A Minute
I’m not much of fitness buff, but I do know the importance of having even a small dumbbell hand weight set at home. This product, with two-, three- and five-pound weights adds just enough resistance to your workout efforts, whether you’re lunging or toning while watching TV. This set is neoprene coated and also includes a handy weight stand — all for less than the cost of a gym membership.
Throw On These Shades
Sunglasses are my nemesis because I’m either A. Losing them, B. Scratching them or C. Breaking them altogether. Don’t give $50 or $100 for sunglasses when you can buy this stylish oversized option for less than $14. Featuring a cool retro round shape, these sunglasses from SOJOS come in a variety of colors from gray tortoise to black to baby pink.
Refresh Your Disposal
Garbage disposals get funky, don’t they? But, it seems like we just keep cramming stuff in them, without any thought about their health and well-being. Give your garbage disposal some hard-earned attention by cleaning it with these Affresh garbage disposal tablets. They’ll remove odor-causing build-up that you can’t remove any other way and will make your whole kitchen feel fresher.
A Close Shave
How many different kinds of shavers does one person need? Face, bikini, legs … sweaters? This fabric shaver and lint remover will safely eliminate fabric fluff, lint and bobbles from sweaters, jerseys and blankets, extending their life and saving your money. This one has three shave heights, two speeds and three shaving hole sizes to tackle all your fuzzy fabrics.
The Clear Winner
Maybe I’m alone in this, but I really enjoy the look of the iPhone 12 without any case on it. But, going caseless with a $1,200 smartphone is either stupid or careless … or both. These clear, slim iPhone 12 cases deliver protection for your device without covering up the look of your device. Add your favorite color or coordinate with your phone color and make a minimalist statement.
A Skin And Hair Wonder
I have to let you in on a little secret: All those expensive hair, lash and brow growth products you’ve been buying? Throw them in the trash. You can achieve the same results for less than $10 with this organic castor oil. This kit comes complete with two types of lash brushes and a glass dropper. And, even better, it makes a fantastic hair oil or facial oil as well.
It’s Electric — Boogie Woogie Woogie
​About every three months, I decide I want to try a new electric toothbrush. I don’t know why except to say I have a hard time committing to a manual brush and I’ve never found an electric one I like. This AquaSonic black series ultra-whitening toothbrush has a ton of positives: Multiple modes, smart timers, a travel case and eight included brush heads.
Have The Last Lash
Remember my ongoing lash saga from a few products above? This false lash effect mascara from Essence is a cult favorite and has been on my “gotta try it” list for a long time. (But, lash extensions.) People love it — to the tune of nearly 200,000 Amazon reviews like this one: “My sister suggested Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect and I IMMEDIATELY fell in love. It provides dramatic length and great volume.”
The Perfect At-Home Facials
At first glance, this sort of looks like a tool of torture, doesn’t it? Upon closer inspection, this might be your new favorite all-in-one skin tool. This facial skin scrubber uses a water-based exfoliation technology to do a number of things including cleansing, stimulating collagen production and just making your overall skin look more radiant. What do you have to lose for $20?