Cheap, Clever Products That Work So Well, People Will Think You Had Work Done

Frownies facial patches have been absolutely everywhere lately, and it's no surprise why — their before-and-after photos from customers speak for themselves. Designed to be a natural alternative to injectable neurotoxins, the patches, when used every night, help relax your facial muscles and smooth the look of skin, especially on the forehead. Made of nothing but unbleached paper and water-activated vegetable starch adhesive, the patches come in small sizes so you can get the perfect fit, and each box comes with 144 patches.

This exosome serum is unlike anything else on the market. The product uses tiny, microscopic spicules to deliver active ingredients to the skin, namely niacinamide, panthenol, and adenosine to enhance brightness, tighten the appearance of pores, and promote generally smoother, more radiant skin. It's like microneedling in a bottle (and for under $20), and it's racked up some impressively positive reviews, too.

Want longer, fuller lashes, naturally? It sounds too good to be true, but it's not with this 100% organic castor oil. Designed to be used on both lashes and brows, the oil comes in a double-sided tube — one has a thin eyelash applicator, and one has a spoolie for eyebrows. The product is less than $15, it's sold over 10,000 times in the last month, and it's racked up thousands of five-star ratings so far.

Get the “glass skin” effect with this collagen serum that works to increase skin elasticity, deeply hydrate, and promote an overall glow. It works its magic using collagen, niacinamide, and amino acids, as well as a filler-like ingredient called Volufiline, which helps to plump up dry, crepey skin. All of that for less than $25.

You've already seen a serum with retinol and a serum with hyaluronic acid — but how about one that combines both? This Retinol Correxion serum by RoC utilizes the power of both ingredients (it has three different forms of retinol) to intensely hydrate skin while increasing skin cell turnover for a smoother-looking complexion overall. And the product will cost you no more than $25.

Here's another overnight mask that'll have you looking like you just got a professional treatment at a spa — this chin lifting mask. Designed to be worn overnight, the gel mask adheres snugly to your chin and jawline, hooking around your ears to stay in place. Formulated with collagen, hyaluronic acid, and aloe vera, the mask helps to firm and lift skin while you sleep, so you wake up to a more defined jawline in the morning.

Getting fuller-looking lips is as easy as sleeping with this overnight lip plumping mask. The product does more than just protect against nighttime dryness — it also increases the look of lip volume while conditioning and hydrating lips so you wake up to a juicier pout that’ll last all day long. While this watermelon scent leaves your lips with a wash of pink, the mask comes in three other colors/scents.

• Available colors: 4

Reversing thinning hair is as easy as popping a supplement once a day with these hair growth supplements by Viviscal. Formulated with biotin, vitamin C, marine collagen, and iron, the tablets are designed to be taken just once a day for noticeable results. In a study, 92% of women saw thicker hair in just three months, and Amazon reviews agree, having awarded the product thousands of five-star ratings.

Hyaluronic acid is something of a hero skin care ingredient, as it works to draw in moisture for the ultimate boost of hydration. And this hyaluronic acid serum from The Ordinary lets you add the superstar ingredient to your routine for less than $10 for a plumper, bouncier complexion. It contains five different forms of hyaluronic acid along with ceramides to support skin barrier health, as well as vitamin B5 for additional soothing and hydrating benefits.

Ideal for the under-eye area, this nourishing balm in stick form uses retinol, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and avocado oil to hydrate and soothe, while also offering depuffing benefits. Put it on before going in with concealer for an even smoother finish, or swipe it onto tired under-eyes when you’re on the go.

This hair fiber powder from Boldify is about to give you your best hair looks ever for no more than $15. The easy-to-use powder applies with a quick shake, and the tiny fibers bond to your hair to make it look noticeably thicker by adding fullness to the crown or part. The powder is great at covering up roots, too, and the powder even stays put until your next wash. It comes in 14 natural-looking shades so you can grab the perfect match.

• Available shades: 14

K-beauty brand Skin1004 is known for their funky yet effective face masks, and this “zombie” mask is no exception. The two-part mask comes with both a powder and a liquid — mix the two together and the face mask is ready to apply. It contains albumin, a protein made of amino acids, along with adenosine, a glucoprotein that occurs naturally in our bodies, for an all-over hydrating, firming effect after just a 15-minute application. The mask starts to crack as it dries, which gives it its zombie name.

Look like you just came back from a tropical vacation any time with these self tanning drops — they'll give you a bronzed glow without getting an expensive fake tan, or, worse yet, sun damage. The drops are designed to be mixed into your body lotion, giving you an even, easy application without adding a step to your routine. And since you can control the number of drops you use, your glow is totally customizable, too.

Here’s another innovative product you might not have heard of before — a moisturizing cream that helps you get your sweat on during a workout. The hot cream helps promote circulation wherever it’s applied, helping you boost the firming and toning effects of your workout while adding intense hydration to dry skin, too. Reviewers have given it an impressive 47,000 five-star ratings so far, and the cream is less than $15.

Get smooth, tight skin from head to toe with this best-selling retinol body lotion. Just like a retinol cream for your face, the lotion helps to increase skin cell turnover for a smoother texture and brighter tone. It’s also bolstered by ferulic acid to enhance its benefits.

If you’re looking for fuller eyebrows, this popular serum may be the perfect fit. With a formula that contains biotin, arginine, and natural botanicals, each tube should last around six months with regular use. In time, you’ll notice stronger, thicker brows. “I love this product and am impressed. It's easy to use. Glides on, dries with no residue, and the results are fast. I saw new hair growth in two weeks,” raved one reviewer.

One of the most effective skin care ingredients on the market, retinol helps your skin cells turn over and regenerate at a faster pace, meaning a range of benefits like reduced acne and a smoother, firmer, more even complexion. This serum by Naturium uses the retinaldehyde form of retinol, one of the most effective over-the-counter forms. The powerful serum contain peptides to further support skin health, too, and it only costs around $30.

Get plumper-looking lips in seconds with this clever plumping gloss from Covergirl. The gloss is formulated with menthol for a tingly yet refreshing feel (not a burning one!), and gives your lips a wash of glassy shine without any shimmer or sticky feel. It looks just as great on its own as it does over a lip stain, and the drugstore gloss will cost you no more than $10.

• Available shades: 24

These collagen face masks have been all over the Internet lately, and for good reason. Designed to be worn overnight, the gel mask applies opaque, then turns clear as the active ingredients, like niacinamide, adenosine, allantoin, and collagen sink into your skin over the course of several hours. The result is an incredibly glowy, bouncy complexion that's had moisture locked in all night long. And if you think it seems gimmicky, just check out all the fantastic reviews, or the number of times it’s sold in the last month alone (over 100,000, to be exact).

This waterproof lip liner pencil has a creamy texture that’ll help you better define your lips. Popular with cosmetologists, the formula lasts all day long, and can even be used to fully color in lips. It’s smear-proof, packed with vitamins C and E, and available in seven shades.

For an instantly gratifying effect, check out this microblading brow pencil — for less than $15, it'll make you look like you got professional microblading done. The precise brush tip creates single, realistic looking hair-like strokes, while the other side has a four-fork tip for drawing in four identical strokes at a time. And the pen comes in seven different shades so you can get the most accurate shade match.

• Available shades: 7

These individually packaged toner pads by Bliss have a spa-strength 10% formulation of glycolic acid, along with vitamin E to simultaneously soothe and hydrate — so they're strong but not stripping. Designed to be used during your nighttime routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, the toning pads will have you waking up to glowier skin that makes you look like you just got a facial.

Fade unwanted hyperpigmentation — whether caused by sun damage, past breakouts, or something else — with this skin tone-evening serum. Key ingredients include retinol, hyaluronic acid, nicotinmide, and vitamins B5 and E. It’s a new brand and product, but it already has hundreds of reviews confirming its effectiveness.

This clear nail polish does more than just provide a shiny finish for healthy-looking, polished nails from the comfort of your home. It actually strengthens your nails, too, as it’s formulated with growth-supporting vitamin E. Use the polish as a top coat to reduce breakage and chipping, or wear it on its own — especially when your nails are recovering from a damaging gel manicure.

This retinol and caffeine eye stick is best used at night, so you can wake up looking more well-rested. It’s great at hydrating and rejuvenating the skin around your eyes, and can show results in just four to eight weeks of continued use, after your skin adapts to the retinol. It also contains skin-friendly ingredients like squalane, bisabolol, and ginger root extract.

Not only will this lip balm give you a hydrated, juicy-looking pout (although it'll definitely do that) — it's also formulated with peptides to improve the health of the skin on your lips, too. The balm has a glossy finish and comes in a few different color options — some of which give you a your-lips-but-better tint, and all of which give you a subtle tingle that indicates that plumping effect.

• Available shades: 5

It turns out that you don't have to pay hundreds of dollars on professional teeth whitening to get the same level of results, thanks to at-home LED teeth whitening kits like this one. Just fill the trays with the whitening gel, put the trays on your teeth, and turn on the LED light. You'll be left with a noticeably whiter smile after just 30 minutes, although best results occur after seven to 10 days.

Thought there was no easy solution for torn or stretched ear lobes? Think again. These small patches adhere to the back of your earlobes — then, when you insert an earring and pierce it through the patch, it'll stay in place rather than sagging, as the patch bears most of the earring’s weight. They work for both large dangly earrings and studs alike, and this set of 30 pairs goes for no more than $10.

You might have heard of retinol, but this beauty shot takes it one step further by using 0.1% retinal in their formula, otherwise known as the more advanced form of the skin care favorite. The retinal targets deep into the skin to help smooth and firm skin. Best used at night, and best paired with sunscreen usage, this shot has earned an impressive overall score of 4.6 stars, with each tube lasting around two or three months. “Better than retinol! You see results in just one day. You look 10 years younger,” wrote one reviewer.

Get a salon-worthy manicure in no time — and for no more than $15 — with this set of press-on nails. The nails are made of real gel polish, giving them a slight flexibility and a natural look that won't chip or fade. The set comes with 15 different nail sizes so you can get the perfect fit on each nail. And they're designed to last — apply the nails with the adhesive tabs for a couple days of wear for an event, use the included glue to make them last for about a week, or use both the tabs and the glue for up to two weeks of wear.

• Available colors: 32

LED face masks have been all the rage lately for their ability to promote collagen production and improve skin’s elasticity. They can get pretty pricey — but a device like this LED facial massager can get you similar results for a fraction of the price. The wand has seven different light settings, including red, and it has a vibrating massage mode that’ll help your skin care products absorb more effectively. The wand contours to the curves of your face or neck, and it even heats up to a mild 113 degrees for a comfortably warming effect.

• Available colors: 4

This exfoliating enzyme cleanser features rice powder, rice extract, and papaya enzyme to exfoliate your skin gently. The exfoliants in the formula are activated with water, so put a little on your hands, add a little water, and rub it into your face. Massage it into your skin for two to three minutes and then wash it off. You’ll be left with a glowing complexion.

Invest in your hair health now and you’ll reap the benefits later — like longer, stronger, more voluminous hair. This shampoo and conditioner set from Maple Holistics was designed to add volume and radiance to fine or thinning hair, as it’s formulated with ingredients like biotin, rosemary oil, and castor oil to boost growth and leave you hair deeply cleaned and refreshed at the same time.

These clever eye patches are better than the competition for a few reasons. For one, they’re cut to reach a wider area. Secondly, they’re great multitaskers, helping minimize puffiness, dullness, and unwanted signs of aging, all in one. Crafted with collagen and rose serums in the ingredients list, they’re a great way to help you unwind at night. Fifteen pairs arrive per purchase

Go to sleep with these patches on your chest, and eventually, you may begin to notice smoother skin. These types of patches are all the rage these days as people claim they really do work, and they’re easy to incorporate into your routine. The patches are reusable, and are sold in a four-pack.

Falsies just got so easy to apply with this magnetic eyelash kit. Each strip of false lashes is actually two strips that magnet together — place one strip below your lashes and one strip above so they magnet together and stay put without any annoying lash glue. They even come with a handy applicator tool, and the whole kit will run you no more than $25.

Here’s another chin lifting product that’s been flying off the shelves lately. The chin lifting strap is made of a stretchy, breathable material that contours to your jawline, wraps around the top of your head, leaves holes for your ears, and secures with a velcro at the crown of your head. The strap is designed to tighten the look of your jawline with regular use for a firmer appearance, and reviews say that it really does work.

There’s nothing like a reliable, super nourishing moisturizer to leave you with a bouncier, more radiant complexion. And this one packs a serious punch for less than $20. It’s formulated with retinol to boost skin cell turnover, niacinamide for calming and brightening, hyaluronic acid to draw in and retain moisture, and snail mucin for even more hydration and soothing. The result is a deeply nourishing moisturizer you can use any time of day for firmer-looking skin.

Great to wear before hitting the hay, these facial wrinkle patches come in a convenient pack of 120, perfect for targeting frown lines, smile lines, and more. Each patch includes air holes to let your skin breathe, and they’re designed to stay in place during the night. “These patches keep my skin clear of lines! I keep using them nightly, and I look as if I am getting Botox,” wrote one reviewer.

Another simple skin care product that packs a big punch? This Bright Idea serum by Bliss. It’s formulated with a potent, clinical-grade form of vitamin C (3-O ethyl ascorbic acid) to effectively brighten the look of skin and even the skin’s tone. It doesn’t stop there — the serum also has a tri-peptide complex that helps build skin’s natural elasticity. And the effective serum costs less than $20.

This overnight mask is packed with niacinamide and TXA (tranexamic acid) to promote a clear, even, luminous complexion once you peel it off in the morning. The pink jelly texture makes it oddly satisfying to apply, and it’s also great for a long flight since it requires about eight hours to work its magic.

Built with a soft LED light for precision, this mini facial hair remover is especially excellent for frequent travelers. It’s rechargeable with a USB, and is lightweight and pen-sized for portability. Gently glide it on your face for a trim without any pulling. Since its head is low-friction, you won’t feel any discomfort. Best of all, you can buy it in multiple colors and quantity packs.

Packed with 0.2% retinal, which is in the vitamin A family, this serum perfectly pairs with moisturizer during your nighttime routine to help promote a more even skin texture. Also including ingredients like panthenol and allantoin, its vegan-based formula is crafted without the use of gluten or essential oils. Reviewers have given it an impressive overall score of 4.6 stars.

This skin spatula is such a convenient skin care tool to have on hand, as it helps you deeply clean out your pores without having to make an expensive facial appointment. The device has a stainless steel head and four different vibrating modes so you can gently yet effectively push excess sebum out of clogged pores, reducing the frequency of blackheads and whiteheads and giving you an overall more even, balanced complexion. Plus, it’s less than $20.

You just might achieve your most flawless makeup look ever if you set it with this pressed powder. The lightweight feel makes it effortless to apply, and it delivers a smooth, matte effect that makes your skin look pretty much perfect. It also sets your makeup, blotting excess oil and blurring any lines, so that it looks better throughout the day.

Get the lip filler effect without any injectables with this peel-off lip liner stain. For the most natural effect possible, choose a color close to your natural lips and overline slightly. Wait up to 20 minutes, peel it off, and bam — lip liner that’ll last you all day long.

The smooth, glossy texture of this Honey Melting lip balm is close to perfect: It’s made with oils to leave your lips hydrated and plump, and has a shiny sheen that never feels sticky. You can choose between a range of shades, from subtle tints that seem more like a balm to bolder shades that feel like a lip gloss.

Encourage your skin to boost its own collagen production with this serum from K-beauty brand COSRX. Designed to help promote clearer, brighter, more even-looking skin, the serum contains copper peptides, hyaluronic acid, allantoin, and niacinamide, which means it also hydrates and soothes.

If you feel like the bra you’re wearing isn’t giving the push-up effect you’re looking for, try using these sticky bra inserts before buying a new one. They have an adhesive backing and are reusable (they come off easily despite staying in place for hours), and offer just enough padding for a little boost that still looks natural.

The hero ingredient in this body lotion is retinol, which helps to strengthen and firm skin so it looks and feels super smooth. Other ingredients like vitamin E, aloe vera, and green tea offer a nice moisturizing effect that makes this feel hydrating to use all over. “It just glides on the skin and doesn't take long to be absorbed,” one shopper wrote in a review. “[...] It leaves my skin feeling great right after I apply it.”

The nubbed silicone surface of this massage brush not only fees oddly amazing when rubbed all over your body, but also helps to cleanse and firm skin so it looks and feels better than ever. When you use this in the shower with body wash, it helps gently exfoliate while helping stimulate skin to release excess fluids. It also just feels as close to a massage as you’ll get on your own.

Keep this face primer on hand to use before you apply any makeup. It has a blurring and smoothing effect that helps conceal imperfections, leaving behind a soft, almost matte look. The subtle pink tone color corrects as well, so much so that you can also use this on its own if you’re going for a more natural look.

This eyelash tonic can be an effective formula for brittle, dry lashes that need a little love. It’s a unique conditioning gel that’s meant to help strengthen your lashes in order to promote new growth. Ingredients like aloe and ginseng help to moisturize without leaving you feeling sticky. This can be used with or without mascara.

It might seem odd to apply something green to your skin, but it can actually be a game-changer. Green tones help to neutralize redness, so this primer can help color correct and smooth your skin for a more flawless finish. “It goes on so smooth over my moisturizer and looks like foundation after it soaks in,” one reviewer raved. “I don’t even use foundation anymore because this [...] makes my skin look velvet and smooth.

A few gentle dabs of this eye cream might be your secret weapon to looking more alert and refreshed each morning (even if you stayed up late marathon watching your favorite show). Ginseng moisturizes while retinol helps strengthen skin and niacinamide brightens up the area.

Made with hyaluronic acid and marine collagen, these undereye patches are meant to help hydrate skin while brightening and relieving puffiness. The gentle formula makes them a fit for pretty much anyone and they aren’t too slippery, so they won’t slide off easily. The glitter also makes them really fun to use. Pro tip: Store them in the fridge for a soothing cooling effect.

This liquid blush goes on smoothly and blends easily, giving you a natural, dewy flush that lasts all day. The lightweight formula is infused with polyglutamic acid and peptides to help keep skin hydrated, so your cheeks look fresh and glowy from morning to night.

This fragrance-free, face and body lotion helps soften and smooth the look of skin with a blend of antioxidants, botanicals, and omega-fatty acids. It absorbs quickly, isn’t greasy, and helps keep skin hydrated for 24 hours. With regular use, skin can feel smoother, more nourished, and noticeably renewed.

Get the look of lash extensions by swiping on this tubing mascara that’s designed to add length, volume, and curl without clumping or smudging. It wraps each lash from root to tip for a fuller, more defined look that stays put all day. Plus, the formula includes shea butter and castor seed oil to keep lashes soft and nourished.

In just a few minutes, this cluster lash kit helps you get a salon-style lash extension look at home. It comes with everything you need — bonder, sealer, remover, and tweezers — and the soft, lightweight clusters feel comfortable, look real, and can be reused up to five times each.