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Acne Patches, Purple Shampoo And 28 Other Beauty Products That May Seem Sus, But Actually Work
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We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide. You probably already know snail mucin is a beauty trend...but have you actually tried it? I am a "Judy" of all trades who writes about pretty much everything, but specializes in sexual wellness, personal care, plus-size fashion, maximalist home goods, and gnarly before and after pics! Promising review: "I’m so happy I got these. I have been dealing with a stubborn pimple on my leg and it has been hurting so bad. I didn’t want to touch it and try to pop it because it’s sensitive to touch. I cleaned the area and placed this patch on and when I woke up the next morning, it was white and ready to be pulled out! I put one more on the next day just to get any leftovers out and ugh it worked like a dream without the pain! Get some!!!" —Jas Gisselle Each strip is 2 inches long and can be cut into smaller sizes if necessary. Promising review: "Amazing! I was using a number of little patches on large areas and they just didn’t work that well. I put this patch on my chin and left it over night and was extremely pleased with the results. I had two little pimples and a bunch of hard-to-get blackheads. My chin has never been more clear. It basically feels like those clear waterproof Band-Aids so it did not slide off during the night. I was so surprised and a little grossed out that so much gunk was in my chin. I highly recommend these patches!" —Erin Brown Promising reviews: "I've tried like a dozen different purple masks and shampoo and conditioner combos... With faith I can tell you THIS IS THE BEST ONE! Well worth every penny!!! Not only does it work super well, it's nourishing, and smells so good! Side note, keep rubber gloves in your shower for when you want to use any of the products..." —Jessica Mucherino "If you're looking to enhance your blonde or silver hair, you absolutely need to try this purple trio! After just one wash, I was blown away by how much brighter and more vibrant my highlights looked. It effortlessly banished any brassiness, leaving my hair looking fresh and salon-finished. Not only does it work wonders on color, but it also keeps my hair feeling soft and hydrated without drying it out. Trust me, adding this purple shampoo to your routine is a game-changer. Don't miss out on the chance to elevate your hair color — grab yours today and see the stunning results for yourself! You won’t regret it!" —Kaylie Sharkey Get them from Amazon: the entire trio (shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask) for $67.99 or just the shampoo for $29.99. Check out the Cosrx snail essence on TikTok! Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping writer Gabriela Manjarrez has to say: "I've personally been using this for months now, and it's amazing how it's improved aspects of my skin that I didn't even know needed improving. I didn't think my skin looked too dull before, but after seeing how this brightened and soothed my skin, I'm never going back. I spray my face with rose water, gently pat the essence into my skin while it's still damp, and let it absorb. Plus, it absorbs so quickly, it's like your skin is saying, "gimme gimme gimme!!" Promising review: "Skincare game changer. I started using this two years ago, and this product has transformed my skin completely! I have dull, dry skin and this helps hydrate and makes my complexion look healthy and hydrated. I use this under my moisturizer day and night." —Nhi Luu Promising review: "I'm 55-years-old and my skin is a bit sensitive. I don't have a lot of wrinkles, but I'm definitely noticing a few more laugh lines and forehead crinkles than I had a few years ago! I've tried several moisturizers and have not been terribly impressed with any of them until now. This stuff really is great — incredibly hydrating without feeling greasy and it absorbs quickly. It feels great on my skin. In just a few short weeks, I definitely notice an improvement in my skin tone and fewer lines and wrinkles! I will definitely be ordering this product again. I use it in the evening and morning; no need for two different moisturizers. Very pleased!" —sbakey Get it from Amazon for $19.98+ (available in two sizes). Each jar has 38 lotion bursts, and you want to make sure to keep it somewhere room temp, just in case it gets too warm and they start to melt together! According to one reviewer: one star is perfect for moisturizing hands, but you might want to use two or three for arms and legs. Promising review: "OK, but I love these? They smell so good, and they're so convenient. I was worried they'd be like gummy or leave a weird skin or something, but that's not a problem at all! The whole cute little lotion pop rubs into the skin. I've found they're the perfect size to get my hands and up to my elbows when I'm hecka scaly, and all the way up to the shoulders when I'm less dry. And there's no residue! No greasy feeling! Just soft and hydrated and awesome. If they come out with more scents besides this and lavender, I'm buying them for sure. And less chance of spilling in a bag and ruining things!!" —AllyBelle Get it from Amazon for $7.47 (available in two scents). Promising review: "Best foot callus remover I have ever used! I read a lot of the reviews before purchasing this product. Most callus removers I have purchased in the past were not very effective. So, I was encouraged by the reviews. I saw that a lot of reviewers mentioned being very careful not to leave it on longer than three or four minutes. My feet were the softest they had ever been. Love love love." —Cheri whisker Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in three scents). Plus, you won't have to search around for trash cans to toss your blotting papers *or* take up precious handbag space carrying setting powder and a brush everywhere with you! Promising review: "First off, if you have extremely oily skin, this. is. it. I was so tired of getting blotting powder/wipes. It felt wasteful and always left residue on my face. I saw this on TikTok and NEEDED it. It was backordered but then I got an email saying it was in stock and I was SO excited. Not only is it affordable, but it's washable, which helps you save money and be less wasteful." —Kelsey B. Promising review: "I absolutely love this stuff. I was skeptical at first, but after my first use, I fell in love. It goes on smoothly and doesn’t drip off, which is nice. Once it was time to rinse off, it was amazing seeing all the stuff it sucked out of my pores (gross, but a good gross). Not only does this stuff work, it’s fun to watch and see your face turn into a Smurf lol. I have cystic acne, which in itself is hard to manage, but this stuff made it that much more manageable. Face was left feeling cleansed, refreshed, and soft. LOVE LOVE this product. Highly highly recommend." —HarleyMama Wonderskin is a small business specializing in "smart" and effortless beauty products that are cruelty-free. Promising reviews: "I didn’t know what to expect when I received this product, but I have to say I am pleasantly surprised! I absolutely love it! I put it on as soon as it arrived. I kept it on for almost a minute, and when I wiped it off with a damp cotton ball, the color was beautiful. It’s true to its word about the 12-hour stay power. I put a little lip balm over it and enjoyed eating, drinking, and talking. It didn’t come off! Do you like lip stains? Get this product! It’s a keeper. I will be ordering all of the shades." —Brandy Get it from Amazon for $22+ (available in 19 shades and 14 kits). Of course, there's absolutely nothing wrong with loving your skin as-is, if you don't want to change your dark spots! Promising review: "I’m big, so my inner thighs have always been darker than the other parts of my legs. I’ve tried other products for it but nothing has worked. I HAVE BEEN USING THIS SOAP FOR THREE DAYS AND OMG!!!! My inner thighs are SMOOTHER, and they are ALMOST THE SAME COLOR AS THE OTHER PARTS OF MY LEGS, I'M SO SO SO HAPPY!!!! I hate that I didn’t take a before picture but trust me!!!! BUY IT!!!! My face also looks brighter and fresher, agghhh!!" —Daphney Get a three-pack from Amazon for $16.99. Caffeine has a number of skincare benefits, including brightening and temporarily reducing the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite, if that's something you're looking to do! You can read more about the skincare benefits of caffeine at the Cleveland Clinic. Promising reviews: "This Bum Bum cream is a winner! You will not be disappointed. It smells wonderfully awesome. :-)" —Dianne Doering "Like so many, I was brainwashed by TikTok into buying this rather expensive lotion...then I bought one for my mom and one for my sister and five more for myself as they became harder to find. My favorite thing about it is the smell. Lightly tropical/coconutty but nothing overwhelming. Every time I wear it people say, 'What are you WEARING?' like I have some amazing perfume on. Besides that, it really is a great moisturizer. I’m not usually a sucker for marketing but this was so worth it." —Kristen Get it from Amazon for $24+ (available in three sizes). And if (when) you do fall in love with the scent, they make tons of other products, including a fragrance! I got a facial a couple of years ago and I could tell something was different about my extractions, so I asked the aesthetician to write down the name of the product. I went home and immediately bought this! I LOVE IT. I love it more than any other skincare tool that I own. This thing gets gunk out like nothing I've ever tried before, and the first time I used it, I was absolutely disgusted. But I kept on using it. I don't have much acne, but I do have oily combination skin and visibly clogged pores, so this has been a lifesaver when I don't have time to visit an aesthetician. You have to use it while your face is still wet, so after washing your face or even using toner, and you just start scraping. Make sure you have a paper towel near (and maybe a camera) because you will be amazed and disgusted all at once, but you will literally never stop using. I use mine every other day to once a week if I'm having skincare issues, but it also does a great job with monthly use (it's just much grosser)! I follow mine up with Clinique's Clarifying Lotion 3 and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel! Promising review: "Life changing! I’m obsessed with this product! I’ve tried a lot of different extraction tools, even bought a different sucker-type one several months ago that didn’t do anything. This is amazing and makes my skin so smooth after. Definitely make sure your skin is wet for extractions." —Darcey Bonnet Get it from Amazon for $15.98+ (available in four colors). Read more about nail care, including how nail strengtheners may help nails, at Mayo Clinic. Promising review: "My natural nails are horrible! They are and thin and brittle, and have a tendency to split, peel and break. Consequently, I wore acrylic nails for several years until I got tired of leaving so much money at the nail salon. When I soaked off the acrylics, my nails were, of course, worse than ever, and nothing I tried seemed to restore them to even their original condition until I found Hard as Hoof Nail Strengthening Cream. I rub this into my cuticles and nail beds several times a day and after two months my nails are hard and much thicker with no breaking or splitting. For the first time since I took off the acrylics, my nails are growing past my finger tips. This cream is a keeper, just ordered my second jar and I'll never again be without it." —M. Hill Get it from Amazon for $9.09 (available in four scents). This dual-sided pen is designed with a curved wing stamp on one end and a fine tip liner on the other. Plus, it comes in a pack of two — one for each eye! Promising review: "I'm a licensed cosmetologist and I usually only purchase high end prestige brands of makeup. Well, let me tell you, I'm so grateful I took a gamble on this product because it UNDERSTOOD THE ASSIGNMENT! I almost always wear winged eyeliner and unfortunately I'm also a perfectionist. It can take me probably half an hour or so sometimes just to be comfortable with feeling like both wings are symmetrical... 😥😨 "I thought this concept with the stamp wing on one end and liner on the other seemed too good to be true TBH. I was [very] skeptical. After finally using this product I was raving about it! It literally cut my 'get ready' time down immensely in the grand scheme of things! I'm gaining valuable time back that I was ignorantly wasting trying to make my eyeliner perfect! ... "IMO, even if you're newer to it or not very talented at applying eyeliner, you can teach yourself with this product because of the user friendly ergonomic design (for example, the way it handles when you have it in your hand and the size/shape/flow of the felt). They legit created an all-around masterpiece and gem of an eyeliner! I'd HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who wants to easily achieve that sleek winged eyeliner look!" —Dallas Dixon Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in three sizes and a combo pack). Promising review: "Yes, yes, yes! I love the cooling effect this has and I feel it does make a difference with my puffiness and dark circles. I like to do this at night after my skin care routine and then again in the morning when I wake up. The coolness from the stick really helps to wake me up in the morning and reduce the puffiness I have." —Kierstyn McKinnery BTW, even reviewers with acne-prone skin love this product and say it doesn't cause breakouts after use! Promising review: "BEST OIL CLEANSER I SWEAR. I’ve gone through 3–4 bottles now and it continues to cleanse my skin AMAZING. It melts makeup, clears pores. Honestly a heaven send. The first time I used it, it cleared a lot of my sebum and even now when I use it, it clears any dead skin and dirt I have, even when I don’t wear makeup. BUY IT, it's amazing. You can see all the dirt that came out of my face recently in the photo [above, right]." —rexichor Read more about how biotin shampoo could help with the fullness of hair at Cleveland Clinic. Maple Holistics is a small biz offering unique beauty products created with all-natural ingredients. Promising review: "I love this shampoo! I had gastric sleeve surgery, and my hair was very, very thin. I started taking biotin and switched to biotin shampoo, as recommended by my doctor. It doesn’t make your hair grow by washing it, but it makes your hair and roots stronger. And it worked. After using the whole bottle, my hair was stronger. I had a lot of new growth that was sticking around (the previous new growth fell out early on), and my hair was getting thicker. Eight months later, my hair is back to normal. It's longer and thicker than ever." —Diane J. Huff Get it from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in four sizes and seven scents). Read more about topically applied arnica and how it may help with bruising and pain relief at Cleveland Clinic. Promising review: "I am very fair-skinned and bruise easily (doesn't help that I also tend to be very clumsy). I recently got a very large, dark bruise on my arm, and a friend at work whose son is a [stuntperson] told me I should use Arnica on it. Based on the reviews, I ordered this product and started using it approximately four days after I was bruised. At first, it didn't seem like anything was happening, but after three to four days of use, I could see a marked difference just from morning to evening. I have never had a bruise heal that quickly before. I'm sold!" —J. Yount Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in two sizes). Learn more about different kinds of eye drops and what they can do at Cleveland Clinic. Note that eye drops can potentially mask symptoms of eye conditions, so you should talk to your eye doctor about what's right for you. And according to Mayo Clinic, you should avoid redness-reducing drops if you're looking for dry eye relief. Promising review: "I have a big spot of blood vessels in the inner corner of my left eye. I use the expensive lubricant eye drops for moisture — I've used Visine, Clear Eyes, you name it. No eye drop has made my eyes look this great. Only Lumify! I was soo happy when I looked in the mirror and saw some beauty in my eyes instead of darkness and redness." —Angela Leonard There are three versions created for different hair types, making this a versatile must-have for your beauty routine! Most reviewers are people with curly or wavy hair trying to get a straightened style *or* salon-worthy blowout look, but if you have straight hair, you can still use it for curling and drying! Each set comes with a diffuser for drying, rotatable styling concentrator nozzle, two 1.25-inch curling rods, at least one oval brush, and the blow dryer base. Promising reviews: "I love the heat settings and amount of air flow settings! I also really love all of the attachments it’s so easy to switch them out and easy to pack when traveling! It made doing my hair way quicker than using a Drybar or Revlon brush! I have naturally frizzy and curly hair and it smoothed so quickly. The curling wands work really well if you adjust the air flow to fit the amount of hair going in and after the curl loosens it’s very smooth and bouncy! I found when using the Dyson that my hair wasn’t getting smoothed as well and wouldn’t wrap larger sections of my hair. Also I thought the air dryer feature dried my hair faster than my Drybar hair dryer!" —Tristan "The only attachment that I used was the round brush it came with. It literally dried my hair and gave it some volume in half the time it normally takes. The only product I used was a heat protectant/detangle solution. I haven’t had a haircut in three months, and it’s due for a trim. Still my hair looks great because of this product! I have fine and somewhat thin hair. Also, I tried using the curling attachments and it worked great on my hair. My hair is straight and super hard to curl. I curled it yesterday and brushed out the curls and had waves. I do think the trick for straight hair is to keep the curler in your hair 30–60 seconds or until it sets. All in all it does a great job in a fraction of the time!" —Layla Rodgerson Get it from Amazon for $229+ (available in four colors/styles). This rod is designed to work for bone straight, curly, coily, and wavy hair — there are even tutorials on the site if you need some guidance! Plus, each one comes with two satin scrunchies. Emikeni is a woman-founded small business creating heatless hair curling tools. Promising review: "Ok!!! I LOVE THIS PRODUCT. Seriously, I haven’t used my Dyson since I got this. Takes about four minutes to roll it into your hair, I sleep with it and don’t even feel it (I use a silk turban when I sleep) and the curls lasts two to three days WITHOUT heat and damaging your hair!! Great hair in five minutes, wonderful. Honestly this product is game changing for me." —Nínive Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available in three colors). The set includes a jar of the jelly mask powder, spa headband, mixing bowl, spoon, and spatula applicator. The mask should be mixed with a 2:1 powder-to-water ratio in order to get the gooey, uniform consistency. Then, simply apply it to your face in an even layer, let it sit for 15–20 minutes, and peel it off! Each jar contains enough product for up to 35 uses and you can use the mask on your face and body! Promising review: "I got it for myself last year and use it on my 'treat yo self' days. So refreshing and leaves the skin very glowy. Smells amazing. I got one for my SIL who’s an esthetician and she also was impressed with it. Comes with a bowl, spatula, and headband. Perfect gift for anyone who loves skincare." —cc Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $28.95 (also available in 19 individual jars). Because of the color-balancing, each of the shade options is designed to work with a range of skin tones. For example, the light rose would be best for fairer skin and the dark mocha hue would work for deeper skin tones. Promising review: "Took years off my eyes! This product is so reasonably priced. I came across a TikTok promoting this and decided to take a chance since the price was super reasonable. My eyes looked brighter in a good way, and the concealer worked so well that I felt I looked younger. I got compliments from friends asking what I did differently with my makeup. I recommend it." —Placeholder Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in four shades). The multipurpose crayons can also be used on the lips, cheeks, and eyelids! BTW, this product is cruelty-free and made with vegan ingredients! Live Tinted is a South-Asian woman-owned beauty brand which focuses on creating multitasking products for a diverse and inclusive audience. Promising reviews: "The most amazing color corrector ever! It works beautifully to cancel out my dark circles and any hyperpigmentation. Makeup applies like a dream after using this Huestick. So happy with my purchase!" —Tasha M. "This is a great color to cover up the scars on my face. It saves time I would be spending layering the wrong shades on my face hoping to find the right blend. It’s a great lip color too!" —Jaquelin B. Get it from Live Tinted (available in two shades) or Ulta for $28 (available in five shades) or Amazon for $26+ (available in two shades). Promising reviews: "These absolutely work. You can tell the difference immediately. Purchase these if you want to have access to whiter teeth after your meals and dark drinks... great for on the go!" —R....Dson "I have extremely sensitive teeth from over-whitening in high school but this product has been such a lifesaver! I am a daily black coffee and red wine [drinker] so my teeth have taken a toll as far as staining goes. Seriously, I was very hesitant on getting this because of how sensitive my teeth are but I wish I got it sooner! This is such a great product!" —Mimi Doherty Get a two-pack from Amazon for $15.25 (also available in a pack of four or individually). Jerome Alexander is a small business specializing in airbrush cosmetics. Here's BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord's personal review: "HELLO — I found this through a recommendation on a Reddit beauty forum for people in their thirties, and I am OBSESSED. I am not very skilled with makeup and was intimidated by the brush factor, but it's nearly foolproof. This foundation straight-up glosses over my pores and redness and makes my skin look so even-toned and natural that it doesn't look like I used much foundation at all. It's a bit price-y compared to brands I used in the past, but I'm still on my first bottle of it, and it's been three full months. I hope this never stops getting made. It is so lightweight and lovely and has made my makeup routine feel like a TREAT." Promising review: "Bought this because I saw it on TikTok, and it did not disappoint. I love the lightweight feel of it and how easy it is to build." —Smickens Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 12 shades). See a real-life example of its magic on TikTok. Promising review: "I've always needed dry shampoo for my top roots, which get oily far before the rest of my hair. THIS is by FAR the best I've ever used. The applicator is genius — it goes on so easily. And I've NEVER had a dry shampoo last like this for DAYS! It's easy to work in with my fingers and it is a wonderful volumizer. The size is great for travel. I hope they never change the formula — it is just wonderful — even the very light, delicate fragrance is perfect. I give it 100 STARS for its safety, convenience, design AND for all the time it saves me." —Lexi Jean * Beauty Products That Reviewers Say They’ll Be Using “Forever” * K-Beauty Products With Jaw-Dropping Result Photos * Beauty Products That'll Help With Upkeep Without Costing A Fortune * If You Think You're Terrible At Makeup, These 24 Products May Change Your Mind * Beauty Products So Good At Their Jobs You’ll Try Them Out The Moment You Open Them * Beauty Products Under $20 That Are So Good, Reviewers Say They Use Them Every Day * Reviewers 50 And Up Have Become Obsessed With These 37 Beauty Items And You Probably Will Too * K-Beauty Products So Magical, They Should Have Pixie Dust Included In The Ingredients List Plus, waterproof mascaras, eye makeup, and finds from Amazon, Sephora, Ulta, and Walmart. The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity. BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way. Negesti Kaudo is a "Judy" of all trades. She writes about pretty much everything, but specializes in sexual wellness, personal care, plus-size fashion, maximalist home goods, and gnarly before and after pics!