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Why Suffer Through Summer When These 41 Amazing Products Could Help You?
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BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More There’s no reason to torture yourself when there’s a fan that plugs right into your phone. As a BuzzFeed Shopping editor, my goal is to find all the products actually worth buying. Summer comes with all sorts of annoying problems, from the heat to the bugs. Stay one step ahead with a beach tent, innovative sunscreen, and a special doggy water bottle. KBEthos is a small business founded in 2001. Promising review: "OK, so I am very picky about my hats. It’s really hard to find hats that fit nicely but also sit above my ears. This hat is perfect!! It’s above my ears and it has two openings in the back so you can have the option of high ponytail OR wearing it regularly with a low ponytail. I have been trying to find a good material ponytail hat for working out/running and for summer beach/pool trips… THIS WORKS! I will definitely be purchasing more colors, too." —Holly Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in 44 styles). Promising review: "I'm not one to write reviews; however, this small cooler/lunch box deserves one. It's totally worth paying the extra money. I filled it up with sushi rolls for a concert, and it stayed very cold for over 10 hours. The cold packs I placed inside were still frozen after all that time! It is also roomy, a nice soft material, and very stylish, and the shoulder strap option makes it more functional. I love it!" —Leticia Hampton Get it from Amazon for $75+ (available in 22 colors and three sizes). Quitch is a small business founded by moms. Promising review: "I was honestly skeptical about buying these. My son (15 months) is too little for Benadryl or any anti-itch cream, so I bought them for our upcoming camping trip to try. Little did I know, they would come in handy sooner! My son got bitten by a mosquito near his eye. This caused major swelling and irritation. As mentioned, he’s too little for medicine. I put a patch on, and the results speak for themselves. I’m amazed, and they helped my son not scratch the area. They’re so little and super sticky, he doesn’t even notice it’s on. I added a photo of the patch about five hours after application, and you can see how full it is. I will definitely be purchasing again!" —Sierra Get a 27-pack from Amazon for $9.95+ (also available in packs of 36 and 81). Promising review: "Just used this product on a recent trip to Florida. I made sure to wash my skin before application, and it lasted about two days on my skin without coming off. When out of the sun or behind UV glass, like in a car, the spot turns clear. As soon as you step into the sun, it turns purple. If you use sunblock, it starts to become clear or semi-clear. After being on the beach and having gone into the water a few times, the spot started turning purple, and I applied sunblock again. In a minute, the spot was clear again. So this is very effective in alerting me when to reapply." —RGTorque Get a pack of 16 from Amazon for $16.49. Promising review: "I have a pair of black leather flats that stank so badly my husband would yell at me if I took them off anywhere near him. But I love the shoes! So I had to find something to make the stench go away without leaving me with an allergic reaction. Mini Moso was the answer. I honestly couldn’t believe it. A few days after placing them in my prized off shoes, I took a whiff from about a foot away. Nothing. I got closer. Nothing. I stuck my nose practically in the shoe. OK, maybe that’s pushing things, but I’ve got to tell you that 95% of the broken-in leather grossness was gone. So happy!" —Erin Like a gecko's foot, these pads have thousands of fibers to create a dry adhesive that clings to your nose. Promising review: "These work great to keep my glasses from slipping down my nose. I had the earpieces adjusted several times, and even when they were uncomfortably tight, the glasses slipped. They have been on for two weeks so far, and no sign of the adhesive failing. I am careful not to get cosmetics on them." —Gayle Get them from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in two pack sizes and two colors). Promising review: "Does exactly as advertised. I purchased this item because of TikTok and was so happy to find it actually worked! Love it and use it all the time. My skin is smooth like butter. 10/10 would highly recommend." —TikTok Finds Reviewers say this lasts for hours, even in super sweaty situations. You can put this stuff wherever needs protection, but they also sell Foot Glide as well. Promising review: "I've been using this product for years, and it's definitely saved me from plenty of chafing and irritation. Especially during summer, I'll apply in sensitive areas (under arms, groin, etc.) to ensure that any rubbing and sweat don't result in chafing or worse. It does the trick perfectly. It's been very rare that I've had any irritation — and that's usually caused by missing a spot. It applies like a stick deodorant — not sticky or greasy at all and holds up for over three hours of exercise. Great product." —NJKT Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three sizes). Check out a TikTok of the Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar in action. Promising review: "NO WHITE CAST! I've been looking for a stick sunscreen, and this was just exactly what was needed!! I'm a medium-toned black woman, and looking for something without a white cast is always a challenge. I have applied it on my bare skin, and there isn't a white cast at all! It's a 'soft matte' finish, for sure, and looks like natural skin. Like you're not wearing anything at all." —Martina Get it from Amazon for $16.33 (also available in a two-pack). This is my all-time favorite sunscreen! It's completely clear, super lightweight, and absorbs quickly. It starts off sticky enough to use as a primer, but quickly dries matte. After about five-ish minutes, it feels like I'm wearing nothing at all. I won't say it's completely non-greasy, but it's as close as it gets. Promising review: "Love how silky smooth it applies. Once you get over the cost for the size, you’ll absolutely love it. The fact that it doesn’t leave a white mask is a plus, and it doesn't feel like it will clog my pores." —Cher Note that the AAD recommends using at least SPF 30 and reapplying as needed for skin protection. You can read about sunscreen myths and facts from dermatologists for more information! Promising review: "I have always struggled with oily skin. I've finally gotten my oil under control thanks to my current skincare routine, but SPF remained a challenge. Nearly everything I tried left me shiny or quickly got greasy during the day. This SPF spray is a super-fine mist that almost feels like nothing is being sprayed on my face. It doesn't leave behind anything shiny, which is unheard of for an SPF 50 spray. I personally love the smell; however, some may find it a bit too much for their liking." —Stephanie Get it from Amazon for $27 (also available in a pack of two). It comes in different sizes (depending on your make and model) with a money-back guarantee. Promising review: "This is super easy to use. Open and put it in the window; can't get any easier than that. My GMC Denali sits outside in the Southeastern North Carolina sun all day, and this really made a difference. When I get into my truck, I can actually sit on the leather seats without being burned. It also keeps the sun off my dash, which is important down here in the Southeast. I would definitely recommend it.' —Sharon Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in a variety of sizes and for specific makes and models). If you're using a small watermelon, you can just cut off the top instead of halving it. Promising review: "Love this watermelon slicer! Makes it easy to cut the watermelon really fast and with less of a mess. Washed this several times already in the dishwasher with no problems. It is very satisfying to make such nice, even slices. Works well for large Costco watermelons and medium grocery store watermelons." —G mom I suffer from horrible motion sickness. I can't even sit in the back of a car without debilitating nausea. I'm jealous of anyone who can read a book in a moving vehicle. I decided to try these out for a long bus trip, and they really work! As long as the plastic dots are in the correct place (slightly lower on the wrist), the bracelets do their job. Just know that they're not miracle workers — I wore them on a rocky fishing trip and was miserable the whole time. That said, I didn't puke, so they did something! Read more about acupressure and nausea at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Promising review: "These work. They’re amazing. Complete game changer for car rides for me. People are like, “iT’s ALL In YOuR HeAd.” If that’s true and it’s a placebo effect, I really do NOT care. They work and that’s all that matters." —Broadwaygirl Promising review: "OK. I never leave reviews, but I HAD TO on this!!! BUY! BUY! BUY! We have six kids ranging from 2 months–13 and our annual beach trip was coming up this past June. I wanted a beach tote that sand wouldn't collect in. I saw this and thought I would try it. I figured it wouldn't be as big as I needed. Fast forward to the day it came in...OMG it was HUGE in person. Guys, I fit four sand buckets, four sets of beach toys, four small boogie boards in this thing, and still had a TON of room to fit more! My only regret was that I didn't buy more than one! This would also be great for laundry, or anything!!!!!"—Amazon Customer Promising review: This product is incredible — just WOW. In all my years of existence, I was never able to tame my naturally curly hair into a sleek, silky, frizz-free look, until now. I l don't know what kind of magical sorcery went into making this product, but this stuff is amazing. —Lillee45 Get it from Amazon for $14+ (available in two sizes). Soak your hair in this elixir for 30ish minutes up to three times a week. It works for all hair types. Promising review: "I just can't believe the difference in my hair!!! I'm in my 60s, and my hair was dry and dull because of my medications. I just hated my hair. I bought this not expecting too much, but was I wrong!!!! I left it on for 30 minutes because I wanted the best result possible. Wow!! My hair feels wonderful, it's fuller and thicker looking, body galore, and I just can't quit looking at my hair. I will NEVER quit using this!!!" —lucymae The mister will cool the surrounding area by 20 degrees, and it comes with an interchangeable flower-shaped misting head for a fun, whimsical detail. Promising review: "Works exactly how I want it to. Provides a fine, cool mist on the patio, allowing us to enjoy the backyard until sunset without breaking a sweat. Easy to set up. It was out of the box and cooling us off within minutes." —Debra L. Kusek Get it from Amazon for $21.82+ (also available in a two-pack). Promising reviews: "Wish I had found this sooner! Works great, and so far, the cheapest option I have found for powder sunscreen. Love that my face isn’t greasy anymore from normal sunscreen!" —Michelle "I have fine hair, so anytime I’m in the sun, I get burnt on my scalp. Regular sunscreen makes my hair super oily and gross, and I cannot stand wearing hats. I'm so glad I found this. You do have to apply it more often, and also, it doesn’t work if it gets wet. Love this stuff, it's such a lifesaver." —james This starts green and blends into a "universal shade," which may not be a perfect match for fair or dark skin. Promising review: "I swear by this. Been using it for about a year now, it goes on every day and gets all the redness off my face, when I’m in a hurry I just top it off with a little powder, and I’m done, but it’s a perfect base layer for any makeup routine if you have a lot of redness like I do." —Andrea Get it from Amazon for $10.97+ (available in other shades and in packs of two). Promising review: "Best value for the money. Easy to apply and enough coverage — not cakey, which I liked the most. And it lasts a long time without creasing." —Vish Get it from Amazon for $4+ (available in five shades). The tool-free installation is as simple as opening the unit and clamping it onto the umbrella pole. It requires four AA batteries to run, which are not included. Promising review: "This light is great!!! It has three settings to adjust the amount of brightness you need. The lowest level is great for just sitting around your patio table and having a couple of drinks with friends. The brightest setting is PERFECT for playing cards! We play cards a few times a month. There are two 70+-year-olds who did not complain that they couldn’t see. So, works great in my book! 😁" —Mandie Jordan One of these coils is as strong as ~20 standard hairpins. Some reviewers note that these are a little too short for super-thick hair. Promising review: "I'm a nursing student and have to wear my hair in a bun every day. I've tried all the bun makers, watched YouTube videos, and spent way too much time getting my hair into a bun. I was able to make a pretty bun that was secure in under 30 seconds. I thought it was a fluke, so I did it again, and then again. I have hair to my mid-back, and three of these worked perfectly for me. If I can get my hair in a bun in under 30 seconds, trust me...anyone can." —Tina Get a pack of three mini pins from Amazon for $7 (also available in a pack of two full-size pins). Promising review: "The Hanni Shave Pillow is truly life-changing. I can never go back now. It is so convenient. You can shave dry or wet with it. The stick applicator is so easy to use. It glides right on. It helps me get the closest and smoothest shave ever. It also doesn't need to be rinsed off. You just rub it in, and it doubles as a moisturizer — you don't even need moisturizer after! The stick, ability to use dry, and moisturizing properties all make it perfect for on-the-go travel use as well. Such a time saver and great quality, too. I can't decide if discovering this product was good because I love it so much, or bad because now I can never live without it!" —Amazon Customer Polarized sunglasses help reduce glare and eye strain. They also have 99.99% UVA/UVB protection! Promising review: "I bought these for a vacation to San Diego in May. I didn’t want to spend too much because I generally break them or leave them on the beach somewhere. These were amazing. They have awesome eye protection, a great price, and they look trendy without trying too hard! I will definitely buy these again this summer if I lose them!!" —chanpdx Get them from Amazon for $19.99 (available in six colors). Promising review: "I had originally seen these pair of glasses on TikTok and was very eager to buy them, and let me tell you, they did NOT disappoint. They are very sturdy, fashionable, and look like a high-end pair of glasses." —Alejandra Larios Get a two-pack from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in 14 color combinations). Just twist the ring to pop out the stone, then wash it with a mild soap/cleanser and let it air dry after every use. This roller has nearly 38,000+ 5-star ratings! Promising review: "This little miracle worker is a game changer for oily skin like mine. I am amazed at how much oil it absorbs without smudging or removing any of my makeup. Every time I think this oil-eating monster has had its fill and surely I should get a new one, by the next morning, the oil has disappeared, and the roller looks brand new again!! MAGIC!!" —Jason Zapata Get it from Amazon for $6.83 (also available in rose quartz style). Check out the full explainer on TikTok. Heads up: As far as bug sprays go, the CDC only recommends formulas with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, PMD, and 2-undecanone, so I don't recommend using this in super buggy areas. That said, based on the reviews, you should probably be covered for casual picnics and backyard hangs. Promising review: "We live in an area heavily populated by mosquitoes, and this keeps them from biting better than actual bug spray. I purchased several cans of Off spray bug repellent for myself and my husband this summer, and bought this to use for my young kiddos because I figured it would be safer. My mom used this on me in the '90s, and I remember it working like a charm. After a few hours spent outside on the 4th of July, I had 32 mosquito bites on my legs. I sprayed myself with Off four times throughout those hours because I kept feeling them bite me. My kids were unscathed. I believe my oldest walked away with only one bite on his back, which would've been under his shirt, where I did not spray. A week later, my husband and I spent some time outside in the evening on our hammock. He used Off, and I used this. He had several bites while I had one or two new ones. I think that says it all. Yes, the scent hasn't changed, and it still smells like the '90s; it also still has an oily feel to it. But it's worth it!" —Amazon Customer Promising review: "I love this brand of mascara. The waterproof formula does not budge. It stays on 'til you take it off. Best waterproof mascara I've ever used by far. The price is also incredible!" —Cindy P Check out BuzzFeed Shopping editor Kayla Boyd's Essence Lash Princess mascara review to learn more! Promising review: "I got absolutely FRIED at the beach this past weekend and tried everything under the sun (literally) to provide some relief for my sunburn. I was in so much pain, and every over-the-counter aloe gel, lidocaine, and cold shower was not helping. I found this wrap on my TikTok and immediately bought it. As soon as I put this on my burn, I was immediately relieved of any burning or irritation. I am wearing four patches right now, and I plan on wearing them all day, every day until this burn heals. I will say the only downside is they slip off the aloe has worn off! And it is a little bit hard to maneuver to cut since it is so slippery. But overall, I love this product and will be a forever customer!" —Nick Promising review: "Whenever someone I know has a sunburn, I become that super annoying product-pusher friend. I tell everyone about the sun soother! Really, Burt’s Bees should pay me. It rubs into the skin like lotion, so you don’t feel greasy, and you can immediately put on clothes after application. A little goes a long way! It smells good without being overpowering (and I’m picky about scents!). Most importantly, it works! I’ve had everything from slight burn to looks-like-a-lobster-feels-like-fire, and this sun soother has eliminated the pain/itch and drastically reduced the eventual peel. Even if it does peel later on, it’s minimal compared to what it would be and look like if I had not used this sun soother. I don’t burn easily and love this product; my husband is as fair as they come and it’s his favorite sunburn solution as well. Highly recommend!" —Jessie Patterson Promising review: "Perfect hat for Disney World! I wore it every day for two weeks, and it held up beautifully! It also helped drastically in the Florida heat! Kept me shaded and was very lightweight, so my head didn’t feel all sweaty like normal hats. Highly recommend!!" —D. S. Hensen Get it from Amazon for $22.09+ (available in sizes M–XL and eight styles). This works best for wavy and curly hair. Check out its result on TikTok. Promising reviews: "I have tried many different types of foam and mousse, but this is my holy grail. I plop my hair in a microfiber wrap for about 10 min, scrunch out any excess water, section my hair into two sections, and apply four pumps of this mousse to each section, scrunching each time. Once it’s applied, I squeeze my hair once more with my microfiber and diffuse on low heat until it’s 80% dry, and I’m left with lovely curls. I apply no other products, just my shampoo, conditioner, and this mousse. :)" —Ashes Because it's so portable, you'll likely find yourself bringing pool floats everywhere. The 2600 mAh battery is perfect for smaller items that don't need a ton of pressure, so no tires, balloons, or sports balls. Promising review: "I am very happy with this purchase. I took this on a backpacking trip, and it made inflating my sleeping mat a breeze because it is so light to carry. It offers great versatility with its attachments and a solid build, making it a reliable tool for field use. It does get loud during operation, but it was easy and doesn't get that hot. Fantastic addition to my kit." —Sean Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in three colors). Promising review: "This stuff is AMAZING! Literally nothing else keeps tangles out of my daughter’s hair like this does. Her hair is so thick and very difficult to brush; this makes it easy-peasy to brush the tangles out after a swim in the pool. It also softens her hair. When not used, the pool chemicals make her hair very stiff and dry. We even use this every once in a while just because! It smells wonderful and doesn’t make the hair greasy in any way. I cannot recommend this product enough!!!" —Emily These come with a converter, so they work for Lightning and USB-C ports. Promising review: "I work in an area where the AC doesn't always work so well. I can fit this little gem in my pocket and use it whenever I need to cool down a bit. It just plugs into the charging port and starts right away. It gives nice airflow for such a little fan and connects to Android (C-port only) and iPhones. I loved these so much, I bought a bunch to give to co-workers and family." —K.B. Get a pack of six from Amazon for $13.98. Promising review: "This fan was so perfect for our trip to Disney World! Powerful little fan! The heat was pretty much unbearable, but this fan kept our littlest one cool. The LED light was perfect at night for seeing where we were walking. Make sure you bring a power bank, though, for extended use. It really saved us."—Kimmy Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in six colors). Promising review: "This beach tent sun shelter was fantastic for keeping my toddler safe from the sun on our beach days. The UPF fabric provided excellent shade, blocking out harsh rays and keeping the inside noticeably cooler. It’s lightweight and easy to carry, with a quick setup that doesn’t require any complicated tools. The tent is spacious enough for my toddler to play comfortably and has good ventilation to keep the air flowing. I appreciated the stability too — it stayed put even on windy days. A must-have for any family beach trip with young kids!" —Misty Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in five sizes and nine colors). Promising review: "I saw this on a TikTok video and checked on Amazon and ordered it. My toy poodle loves it and drank out of it with no hesitation. With the heat wave we are having in California right now, I want to be sure she is well hydrated. Before I leave the house, I fill the holder with ice and water, and I am set. Easy to clean and no spilled water in the car. Easy to throw in my purse and have it when we are out walking around. I know what people with dogs are getting for Christmas this year." —Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in three sizes and four colors). Promising review: "These are so, so soft. I tuck them under my breasts and then ease my bra on top, and they stay in place all day. At the end of the day, they might be very damp, but my skin is comfy. Also, I'm able to rotate through them, letting them dry in between, and get a good three uses out of each before I wash them. Even then, they don't smell. Hand washing is best, but I've washed them with a mesh bag, and they were mostly OK. Easy to smooth out. I've also worn these without a bra. I needed to adjust them a bit, but I have never lost them. (My bra size is about 38 DDD)." —Leigh B Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in sizes M–XXL and three colors). Check out a TikTok of the plug-in fly trap in action. Promising review: "I can’t say enough wonderful things about these handy little bug catchers! They are simple to use, cheap to refill, and catch a ton of small bugs and flies. I have eight of them now, all around my house! It’s a little gross how many tiny flying insects are around…but it makes me feel a lot better now that I have these!" —Chris H. Get a trap and two glue cards from Amazon for $9.99+ (also available in other pack sizes). 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. The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.