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.

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.

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.

For quick, at-home eyebrow coloring, this tint kit only requires spending $15 rather than a fortune at the salon. The easy-to-use kit comes with four color capsules, a cream developer, four applicator sticks, and a mixing cup. The tint lasts for up to six weeks, and each application comes out to less than $4. You can use it on your hairline or on beards, too.

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

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.

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).

Beauty starts from the inside out — literally — with this skin and hair supplement by Hum Nutrition. Formulated with plant-based fatty acids from black currant seed oil along with vitamin E, the supplement is designed to promote hydrated skin with a healthy texture, as well as nourished hair follicles. The supplement comes out to well under $1 per day, and reviewers note that it really does promote hair growth and healthy-looking skin.

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.

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 collagen cream comes with a metal rollerball applicator so you can get immediate lifting and sculpting benefits — and if you keep it in the fridge, the cooling effect can help with depuffing, too. The formula uses centella asiatica, vegan collagen, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and firm skin, and it can be used on both your face and neck.

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.

Made of a blend of botanical oils, this glow-boosting face oil is the perfect last step in your skin care routine to seal in moisture for all-day or all-night hydration. The blend is formulated with oils like squalane, rosehip, and jojoba for lightweight nourishment, along with turmeric extract for brightening and chamomile and calendula extracts for soothing. Reviewers rave that the oil leaves their skin soft and glowy, but not greasy.

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: 3

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 retinol collagen lifting masks by Mediheal go beyond giving your skin quick hydration like a standard sheet mask (although they do that, too.) They target the jawline specifically, with a separate jawline sheet formulated with low molecular weight collagen and retinol to increase skin cell turnover. Wear the mask for 20 minutes, and you’ll be left with a firmer, glowier, more hydrated skin.

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.

Amazon’s number-one bestseller in microdermabrasion devices, this derma roller by Roselyn Boutique helps to boost skin’s product absorption capabilities and promote collagen production. The roller has hundreds of tiny, 0.25 millimeter needles that give you a safe, comfortable microdermabrasion effect. Giving your skin tiny micro-injuries helps to stimulate skin’s healing capabilities, leaving you with smoother, bouncier, more even-looking skin. Just be sure to sanitize in between uses!

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.

Wake up to your softest, most radiant skin even with this overnight face mask by Arencia. The mask is powered by hyssop extract, along with a powerful antioxidant complex that gives you brighter, glowier skin with regular use. The mask feels so refreshing, to boot, and it’s guaranteed to have you waking up to smoother, firmer, glowier skin come morning.

Here’s another product from Medicube that Amazon reviewers swear by — this collagen glow booster serum. The serum is made with niacinamide for brightening and sebum regulation, along with low molecular-weight collagen and actual milk — a milk protein extract, to be precise. The serum gives your skin an intense shot of 24-hour hydration for a glowy effect as soon as you apply it.

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.

Last but not least, keep your blonde hair or highlights looking like you just left the salon with this purple shampoo that neutralizes brassiness after just one application. The intensely pigmented, under-$30 shampoo counteracts yellow tones on blondes or light brown hair, giving you an ashier finish that’ll have you looking like you just got your hair professionally toned — without even needing to add another step into your hair care routine.

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 hero ingredient in this moisturizer is bakuchiol, a plant-derived ingredient that has similar effects to retinol. Suitable for both the face and neck, the formula is also balanced out by strengthening ceramides, firming peptides, and niacinamide, which works to promote a more even-looking skin tone.

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.

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs is a celebrity favorite for red carpets and other occasions where they’ll be showing off their legs. The body makeup is water resistant, fast drying, and transfer proof, but wipes off easily with soap and a wash cloth or loofah at the end of the night.

• Available shades: 11

This moisturizer contains encapsulated retinol and collagen, which are suspended in a hyaluronic acid-rich gel, to boost your skin’s radiance. Since it contains retinol, you’ll want to use it solely at night — over time, you’ll begin to notice a clearer, brighter complexion.