These Cheap Beauty Buys Are Kind of Weird But Make My Life So Much Easier

Cleanliness is more important now than ever, but the harsh alcohol in traditional hand sanitizer is seriously drying out my hands. I like to mix it up with these essential oil towelettes that employ the natural antimicrobial properties of essential oils to kill germs without wreaking havoc on my skin. You can also use these to create an aromatherapy steam situation in the shower!

My screen time has increased dramatically over the last few weeks, resulting in dry, red eyes. These drops instantly relieve dryness and make my eyes look way brighter.

This is the best lip salve out there. No matter how dry, chapped, and irritated my lips are, this thick balm leaves them feeling softer and moisturized.

I've had this ice roller for years, and it's by far one of my favorite beauty tools to use when I need to relax and unwind. Pro tip: Roll this bad boy all over your face while soaking in the bathtub. The cold sensation over your face mixed with the warm water makes for supreme relaxation.

With the increased washing and sanitizing we're all (hopefully) doing now, our hands are paying the price. Mine have never been drier. I keep tubes of this nourishing hand cream strewn about my apartment so I can apply it immediately after washing and any other time my hands are feeling parched.

If you don't regularly wash your makeup brushes, you need to start immediately. Brushes can be a hotbed of skin-irritating, illness-causing bacteria. I got this drying rack a while back, and there's nothing more satisfying than knowing my brushes are drying in the optimal position for life span and cleanliness.

This is by far my favorite micellar water, so I keep it stocked up. Lately, I've been running it along the perimeter of my face after washing at night to make sure that any cleanser I might have missed is removed from my hairline or other hard-to-reach places.

I bought this tongue scraper after a fellow editor recommended it in a recent story, and I can't believe I've gone my whole life without religiously scraping my tongue. My mouth just feels so much cleaner all the time now.

I'm a longtime peach-fuzz shaver, and I've yet to be convinced that expensive derma-planing tools are any better than these super-cheap razors. I even use them to clean up around my eyebrows when I can't get in to see my beloved brow artist. (But please don't tell her that.)

You've heard us talk about TruSkin's vitamin C serum before and have probably read through the tens of thousands of positive reviews to see what all the fuss is about. Well, here's another one of its formulas to investigate. It combines vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and retinol to hydrate and protect the skin while smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Oh, and it has nearly 30,000 reviews—happy reading! 

This OG clay mask is seriously magic. I haven't felt the need to mix up a batch to cover my entire face since I made it past the adult acne that struck my face in my mid-20s, but I still use it to spot-treat any pimples I get.

I use apple cider vinegar for everything. Aside from combining it with water to clean my produce and adding it to a glass of water in the morning to help detoxify my body, it's also a staple in my beauty routine. When my skin is acting out or showing signs of distress, I'll dilute this stuff with a little water and use the mixture as a toner for a week. By the end, my skin is always rebalanced and glowy.

Of all the serums I use and love, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C are the two I absolutely couldn't live without. Options can get really pricey, so I love having this duo in my arsenal to give my bank account a break. They're incredibly effective and super affordable.

I've been noticing a bit of thinning in my edges, likely caused by the high, tight buns I pull my hair into every day, so I've started diligently applying castor oil to my hairline at night to aid in regrowth. I also dab it into sparse spots in my eyebrows to encourage growth there as well.

My at-home manicure game is pretty strong right now thanks in large part to these handy scissors. The tiny, curved blades make it super easy to trim my cuticles, which sets the foundation for a flawless, professional-looking manicure. I usually do my trimming after taking a bath, when my cuticles are extra soft and primed for pushing.

It's going to be a while before professional gel manicures or gel polish removal are possible. If you have an old manicure that's looking more raggedy by the day, it's time to remove it yourself. This kit includes everything you need to make that happen (except nail polish remover) without having to fumble with separate foil and cotton components. 

I've become obsessive about cleaning my phone screen, computer screens, and glasses. These wipes make it fast and easy to sanitize those high-touch surfaces without leaving behind any streaks or water marks.

It's no secret how much I love this luxurious French face cream. I'm not alone, either. Makeup artists consistently call it out as their favorite, too. I've started applying it all over my whole body for an extra hit of moisture, and let me tell you, it's a treat. Try it!

I've always used this soothing spray throughout my skincare and makeup regimen, but I've been reaching for it more than usual lately. Whenever my skin feels dry, dull, or thirsty, I'll spritz it on for an instant refresh.

I love a pre-portioned hair mask to keep me from going overboard and accidentally using half a jar of product at once. This particular mask makes my hair so shiny.

These clips come in so handy for all kinds of haircare processes. They allow me to section my hair to apply deep-conditioning treatments, to oil my scalp, to blow-dry with ease, and so much more. Plus, the colors are so cute. I can't recommend them enough.

I love sheet masks. Seriously, they're my favorite thing ever. I usually keep a box of these deeply hydrating ones with Aquaxyl, hyaluronic acid, and algae extract on hand to use whenever I need a moisture boost.

I've used this silicone brush to shampoo my coily hair for ages. It helps me get shampoo evenly distributed all over my scalp, which is no easy feat when you have hair as thick as mine. But recently, I've been using it as a head massager between wash days and have found it to be an incredible tension reliever.

I'm a bath girl. If I had the time to soak in the tub every single night, I would. There are bougier bath salts out there, but I always come back to good ol' Dr Teal's. I especially like this one with eucalyptus and spearmint because it clears my passages and helps me relax further with each deep breath.

To be honest, I initially only bought this mask because it looks hilarious when the clay formula is activated and foams up like a cloud on your face. I thought it was just a gimmick that wouldn't actually have any actual benefits, other than a funny photo. But with continued use, I've actually noticed clearer, more refined pores. I guess the comical experience is just a bonus!

This thick, highly moisturizing salve has been a staple in my beauty routine for a long time now. Not only is it perfect for soothing and smoothing dry patches, but it also boosts shine under products like highlighter and eye shadow for editorial-looking makeup looks. It's one of those bomb multi-use products I can't believe some people still aren't using.

Remember those thinning edges I mentioned before? This deep conditioner is another weapon I added to my arsenal to address them. It's formulated with strengthening proteins and vitamins that encourage hair growth. I've also noticed my scalp has been drier than usual, and I think this conditioner could help combat that as well.
Up next, these five face mask ingredients can dry out your skin—here's what to use instead.