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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Plus, it comes in three strengths so you can adjust your strength to avoid irritation. No wonder shoppers have given it a 4.5-star overall rating after more than 1,400 reviews.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Go to sleep with these silicone 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. When cleaned properly with the included soap, they’re reusable, and they come in a pack of two.

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.

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.

Made from easy-to-clean silicone that won’t irritate your skin, this facial brush aims to exfoliate dead skin, cleanse pores, and scrub away makeup. It’s rechargeable with multiple settings, combining gentle vibrations with soft bristles — and the opposite end has a flat metal wand that heats up to soothe puffiness and improve product absorption.

• Available colors: 3

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.

Get the lip-filler effect without any injectables with this peel-off lip stain. For the most natural effect possible, choose a color close to your natural lips and overline slightly. Wait up to 10 minutes, peel it off, and bam — matte, highly pigmented color that’ll last you all day long. It’s also waterproof for transfer-free wear and comes with tweezers for easy peeling.

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 instead. Despite their double-sided adhesive that sticks to both clothing and your skin, they’re reusable, suitable for wear inside a swimsuit, and come off easily after staying in place for hours. This set also includes several pairs of pasties.

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.”

Using nano-ionic water particles, this facial steamer opens your pores, while the double-sided steel extraction tools help you get all the gunk out. It also doubles and triples as a humidifier and a towel warmer. “A total game-changer for my skin-care routine,” wrote one reviewer who said, “From the very first use, I noticed a difference in my skin.”

Using 7% Glycolic Acid, this toner from The Ordinary aims to smooth texture, even skin tone, and reduce the appearance of lines, helping your complexion to look brighter and plumper. Those who are used to acid exfoliators can use it once a day, but one reviewer with “VERY sensitive skin” called it “a staple and the holy grail in my daily skincare routine.”

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.

The secret ingredient in this Medicube Jelly Cream? Freeze-dried hydrolyzed collagen, which aims to improve absorption to increase elasticity, offer deep hydration, and create a plump, glass-skin effect after the first use. It’s also dermatologist-tested for sensitive skin, so it’s no wonder it has 14,300 five-star ratings.

This root touch-up powder creates a little oomph at the scalp by filling in sparse areas. An Amazon bestseller, it comes in a variety of shades for a close match to your own hair and stays put through sweat and rain — until you shampoo it out. The powder puff applicator means you can just dab it on and be on your way.

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.

Consider these patches your inexpensive, Botox-free shortcut to smoother skin. The micro-cones deliver peptides, retinol, and hyaluronic acid below the skin, helping to replump lines anywhere on your face, from your forehead to the sides of your eyes. They aim to produce visible results in two hours, with more pronounced effects when used consistently over time.

Get the look of laminated brows without an expensive trip to the salon by adding this brow glue to your beauty routine. The transparent, waterproof formula is designed to hold brows in place for up to 16 hours — simply comb and style for the feathery brows of your dreams, that’ll last all day. It’s so popular, it boasts over 23,000 five-star ratings.

This body oil features over 100,000 five-star ratings — so it easily earns your attention. Formulated with natural ingredients like Vitamins A and E, along with chamomile and lavender, it can help to improve skin tone and texture, leaving a refreshed glow, no lasers required.

Formulated with hyaluronic acid and a blend of proteins and lipids, this cream helps to moisturize the skin on your face and neck, working to improve both tone and texture. It’s such such a favorite of shoppers, it has over 12,000 five-star ratings — and it’s sure to become a regular part of your beauty regimen.

Forget about a neck lift; this serum is formulated with emblica, an antioxidant that can help skin to look and feel smooth and firm. Designed with a cooling metal applicator, you’ll feel like you’re at a high-end spa every time you put it on.

Moisturized skin is the key to an expensive glow — and this moisturizer delivers major bang for very little buck. So popular over 17,000 shoppers have given it a five-star rating, it uses hyaluronic acid and squalane to help lock in moisture without clogging pores. Smooth, hydrated skin has never been so accessible.

When it comes to skincare, vitamin C is a hero ingredient, and this serum is packed with it. Also formulated with vitamin E and ferulic acid, this helps to brighten and refine your skin’s tone and texture, much like pricier serums — at a price that’s almost too good to be true.

Formulated with DNA extracted from salmon, plus peptides and and niacinamide, this serum helps leave your skin with the sort of glassy glow you only get from the most high-end skincare products. The lightweight formula helps keep skin moisturized all day long, so obviously it’s earned a near-perfect 4.6-star rating.

Thanks to yerba maté, this eye gel helps to calm any unwanted swelling in the delicate under-eye area; it’s also formulated with three types of hyaluronic acid, to help moisturize and smooth. Shockingly easy on the wallet, this is bound to become a skincare mainstay.

Streamline your beauty routine with this balm stick; formulated with salmon DNA, it helps to moisturize and smooth the under-eye area, face, and neck, so you don’t need multiple products. The stick application couldn’t be more effortless or easy to pack — it’s the perfect product to bring on vacation.

Get the spa experience in only 10 minutes with these hand masks; they use shea butter to help moisturize even very dry skin. Since they’re gloves, you won’t have to worry about any mess; simply pop them on and then massage in the remaining product once you’re finished.

Designed with a deep V-neckline and padded cups, this bra gives your boobs a boost, without your ever having to go under the knife. It’s crafted from smooth, stretchy fabric, in a seamless design that’ll remain discreet even under delicate T-shirts.

• Available sizes: X-Small — XX-Large
• Available colors: 20+

If you love the look of a lash lift, but not the hefty salon price tag, try out this kit; it includes everything you need to replicate the look at home, from silicone eyelid pads, to lash glue and a lifting brush. Once you’re done, results can last up to eight weeks — just like if you visited a professional.

You don’t need a BBL with these shapewear panties. Crafted from highly stretchy fabric, the high-waist design creates a nipped silhouette, while the seamed back lifts and shapes the booty. Thanks to the zipper closure, you won’t have to work too hard to get these on, so you’ll be ready in a jiff.

• Available sizes: Small — 3X-Large
• Available colors: 1+

Crafted with heavy-hitter moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil and vitamin E, this is the cream to reach for when you want to nourish very dry skin. Acai and collagen help improve skin tone and texture, so your skin will be at its glowing best.

You’ll be amazed at how much this glow-boosting serum can do. It uses rice extract to gently exfoliate the skin, while AHA and BHA help improve skin tone and texture, and hyaluronic acid aids in moisture retention — all for a shockingly good price.