I Asked 23 of My Friends for the Amazon Products That'll Make Your Life Easier
I turn to my friends for advice on just about everything in my life—where the best new restaurants are, what to watch on Netflix, who the emerging fashion designers to watch are—so it's only natural that I was curious to find out what their favorite Amazon buys happen to be. Obviously, Amazon is a common resource for just about everything, but it is especially handy for cheap and cheerful items that miraculously improve your life. You know the kind of item: the under-$25 toothbrush that makes you feel like you just left the dentist or the $15 orthopedic pillow that helps you skip a trip to the chiropractor. It's a treasure trove for cheap but useful everyday products, all available in one place.
Keeping this in mind, I emailed my friends to find out what affordable Amazon products they think make a positive difference in their lives. Continue ahead to shop their picks, and be sure to read their quotes to find out if you should add these items to your cart.
"Love a little hyaluronic acid. It’s organic and the perfect anti-aging serum to put on your skin before layering on oils and sunscreen." — Kate Castonguay
"I love these Amazon brand sweatpants. I was skeptical about ordering them, figuring they would just fall apart after one wash, but have been pleasantly surprised. Not only do they hold up well, but they're super comfortable and are about as 'sleek' as a pair of sweatpants can be, with the perfect slim fit that isn't tight (the last thing I want in a sweatpant). They're also versatile: When I'm not pairing them with a 10-year-old T-shirt to chill at home, I've dressed them up a bit with an oversize blazer and cool sneakers to look a little less schlubby while traveling." — Jessica Schiffer
"These are by far the best sheets I’ve ever owned. They are so soft, cozy and inexpensive. I love the oatmeal color, but all the options are really good. I definitely plan to buy more." — Cory Sargeant
"Behold: the most useful gift for anyone with pierced ears. These may look like regular earring backs at first glance, but they actually have a system that locks onto your earring post, meaning you never have to worry about losing a special pair of earrings again. Don't worry, they unclick easily so you can remove your earrings. They also have some styles with discs that also help support your lobes to help prevent sagging from heavy earrings. Lastly, the posts are made of fine jewelry metals too, so they're meant to last. I've found that ladies in my life of all ages are delighted to receive such a practical present." — Kat Collings
"They are organic, fair-trade, cruelty-free, zero-waste, hypoallergenic, and best of all, significantly reduce dryer time. I will NEVER buy dryer sheets again. Oh yeah, they also plant one tree for every bag sold." — Val Snow
"This may not be the sexiest sleep mask, but the Bluetooth sleep mask is great for plane rides (or in the meantime, zening out on your couch)." — Vanessa Kensing
"I am old-timey at heart and a hot water bottle is one of my favorite ways to feel like I'm one of the March sisters. It's perfect for cramps, sore muscles, or warming up the bed on cold, lonely nights. And the cute little sweater is so adorable—I can't take it. There's also nothing funnier than when someone comes over, sees it, and asks what the tiny fat turtleneck on my dresser is. But seriously, it really is delightfully cozy! Would recommend to anyone." — Lourdes Uribe
"I color my hair frequently and already have a thick and coarse texture, leaving my strands parched a lot of the time. This deep-conditioning treatment is an absolute savior for my hair. I usually put it in once a week in the morning and let it work its magic for several hours with a shower cap over top (a very chic sight!) as I work from home. Needless to say, I avoid video conferences during this time." — Laura Lajiness
"This little guy is so convenient if you’re strapped for time or if (when) you miss a spot shaving. It’s tiny enough to keep in your bag, desk, car, etc and is chord-free and rechargeable. It’s perfect for any last-minute hair removal needs your heart desires." — Sarah Chiarot
"These haven't drastically changed my nighttime skincare routine, but I feel 100% better about not throwing a couple of cotton pads into the garbage every day. Plus, the bamboo feels so much better on my face than the disposable alternatives." — Gina Marinelli
"I've always been averse to wrinkles, but since my early years of working in the fashion industry, I quickly learned the importance of a steamer, particularly one that you can pack. This one is a little bigger than most 'travel-size' steamers, but I prioritize it for every trip, and it's never let me down (except when I once plugged it into an adapter in Paris but that was totally my fault). It works incredibly well, heating up super fast and never spitting out water onto my clothes, which I've learned is a very common side-effect to small travel-size steamers." — Laura Lajiness
"This water bottle is game-changing. It takes the guesswork out of making sure you’re hydrated. All you do is give it a little shake and it updates straight to the app how many ounces you’ve consumed. Even sends you reminders!" — Alyssa Marie
"This tool is magic. It dries my hair in 18 minutes flat. Everyone always thinks I have my hair blown out professionally. It is also a volumizer, so I use it very close to my roots to give my hair a lift, which has helped me not need to wash my hair every day! There's a reason a ton of WWW staffers have the brush too." — Paulina Galoostian
"It had never occurred to me that there was a way to spruce up my coats other than getting them dry cleaned, which I really only do once or twice a year. This de-piller smooths out even the pilliest of wool coats and cashmere sweaters, leaving them looking brand new. It's worth every penny, easy to use, and oddly meditative. The satisfaction of watching it shave off each dreaded little pill is better than a glass of wine." — Lourdes Uribe
"I just bought this tool. I like to do my face massage while I watch Top Chef after dinner and before bed with this rose-hip oil. It not only promotes lymphatic drainage but is also a very relaxing way to apply serums and such without touching your face. You can use it as a back massager too!" — Drew Elovitz
"I’ve had platinum-blonde hair for almost two years, and I use this Japanese hair mask once a week. This treatment is a powerhouse conditioner and a little goes a long way. I use about 1/3 of a capsule every time I do the treatment. Someone with long hair might need to use the whole thing, but at $10 for four treatments, it's a steal. Also, it never leaves my hair feeling greasy." — Val Snow
"When you're looking to enhance your Netflix experience, add popcorn. When you're looking to enhance your popcorn experience, add truffle salt. I stumbled upon this inexpensive salt (an $11 pouch lasts me about three months) after my husband and I traded our bagged kettle corn habit for a microwave air popper. It’s full of flavor and makes our sofa snacking feel a little fancy." — Olympia Thomson
"I've spent so much money on pillows over the years searching for the right amount of firmness and fluff, only to be disappointed and left with a stiff neck. This adjustable memory foam pillow from amazon is just what I was looking for. Soft with the right amount of firmness. I love that you can remove a layer if you want less cushion and the removable bamboo cover is easy to wash. Amazon for the win again!" — Tamerri Ater
"I try to go to either Pilates or barre classes four to five days a week, but those little gripper socks that you need to wear can get pretty pricey if you purchase them at the studio. I can admit to spending a lot on cute socks before, but I draw the line at spending $20-plus on a pair that aren't part of a 'lewk.'" — Meaghan Hartland
"These Stasher bags have CHANGED me. They are dishwasher safe and make it incredibly easy to have healthy snacks or just snacks on the go. I recently flew with a couple and saved so much money at the airport. Strapped with snacks is my motto.” — Alyssa Marie
"I recently became a bath person and realized how much I need a copious amount of bubbles to fully enjoy the experience. Coupled with a few candles and a good show or movie to stream as I soak, this bubble bath transports me to a heavenly spa thanks to the soothing lavender scent and always relieves sore muscles with Epsom salt as part of the formula. I usually bathe before bed, too, and this process always helps prepare me for a sound sleep." — Laura Lajiness
"I love these sets of string lights from Amazon that come with their own batteries. I use them in plain glass jars, as part of floral arrangements, or for holiday décor. (They’re awesome woven into a wreath!) They always add a lovely pop of brightness to my apartment." — Natasha Soto-Albors
"Weird admission, but I love the smell of cleaning products and the fresh scent of clean laundry. Since I don't have a washing machine in my building and have to send my laundry out (got to love NYC life!), I've become addicted to spritzing my clothes with this Febreze spray. Even if it's a fresh-from-the-dry-cleaner item, the airy scent is a little mood booster when getting dressed. It's also great for freshening up those items you wear a few times before washing, like jeans." — Laura Lajiness
"I've become more sensitive to uncomfortable clothing since I've been working from home, and I've bought this bra three times now because I basically can't bear to wear any other. It's that comfortable. It's somehow even way more comfortable than a sports bra because it manages to not be too tight and binding even though it has a similar cut. I also love that it's produced ethically." — Kat Collings
"I use this massager on tight shoulder muscles from carrying a heavy laptop bag and/or kids, sore legs from workouts, or too much time in heels and even on my hands when they get crampy from too much texting! It's an always available and accessible feel-good escape. Plus, it just topped The Strategist's list of best electric back massagers." — Barbi Jurman
"Limited bathroom storage is nothing surprising when it comes to New York City apartments, but since my one tiny under-the-sink cabinet is 50% occupied by pipes, it's even more of a challenge. A friend suggested these expandable (although I keep mine on the smallest setting) shelves that have literally doubled my storage. It's not dramatic, but at least it can now hold more than a bottle of Listerine and a hair dryer." — Gina Marinelli
"After a yearslong quest for a good natural deodorant that kept me dry and didn't irritate my skin, I finally found her. This roller isn't messy, won't stain or smear on your clothes, won't irritate the most sensitive skin, and will keep your armpits feeling fresh (yes, for real)." — Lexi Berard
"I bought this as an acne treatment, and it works wonders! If I see a breakout coming, I use the currency with my acne cream to kill any bacteria in the area, and I see immediate results the next day. This is also a miracle for back acne. Best to use daily for preventative breakouts but also works on individual pimples." — Paulina Galoostian
"These silk scrunchies have seriously saved my already-thin hair from further damage. They're also useful for creating soft waves sans any hot tools. I simply wrap my hair in a low bun before bed, tie it up with one of these scrunchies, and voilà. I wake up with that effortless beachy look." — Michaela Bushkin
"I bought these ankle weights months ago to step up my at-home fitness game, but I had no idea just how essential they'd become. I wear them while I'm doing mundane tasks like laundry or walking the dog to get my heart pumping. They come in so handy for all the guided workouts I've been streaming lately, too." — Courtney Higgs
"I buy this for literally everyone I know who tells me they are stressed or can't sleep. I apply the lavender every night before bed and keep the de-stress balm on hand whenever I need a pick-me-up—that one's my favorite." — Drew Elovitz
"As we are all responsibly practicing social distancing, we can all admit our screen time has undoubtedly climbed exponentially (at least mine has). It’s gotten to a point where my hands hurt from holding my phone in the same position for too long. This affordable, not to mention cute, phone/tablet holder has been an absolute game changer! It also comes in black and rose gold." — Daphne Fan
"If you love Augustinus Bader's The Rich Cream but you really don't love spending almost $300 on moisturizer, Weleda Skin Food is your friend. It's MUA-approved, under $15, and the only thing I can put on at night that still makes me feel moisturized and glowy in the morning. Keep in mind, my skin is thirsty and used to oils, but even friends I know who feel like it's too rich to use on their faces love to use it on their hands and elbows and heels, anywhere that gets dry. I feel obliged to tell you there's also a heavenly body butter and ultra hardworking lip butter." — Natalie Cantell
"My husband and I kept waking up with back pains, which led us to acupuncture treatments and massage memberships. Our mattress was the culprit, but it’s not that old, so we didn’t want to shell out thousands on a new one. I looked into mattress toppers, found this one on Amazon, and it has been a back saver! I look forward to going to sleep every night because it’s so comfy. It’s not the prettiest thing, but when you put your sheets on, you won’t know the difference." — Tamerri Ater
And now: the 11 best clothing brands for women on Amazon.
Nicole Kliest is a freelance writer and editor based in New York City who focuses on fashion, travel, food, wine, and pretty much anything else that's amusing to write about. After graduating from Pepperdine University with a bachelor's in journalism and creative writing, she started her career back in 2010 as Who What Wear's photo editor and throughout the last decade has contributed to publications including Fashionista, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, The Zoe Report, PopSugar, Fodor's Travel, and several others. She also copywrites and has worked with clients such as Frame, Sea, 3x1, Intelligentsia, and others to develop brand voices through storytelling and creative marketing. She's very passionate about the ways we can improve our sustainability efforts in the fashion industry as well as cultivating content that's diverse and inclusive of all people. When she's not checking out the latest restaurant opening in her West Village neighborhood or riding her bicycle along the West Side Highway, she can be found scheming her next trip somewhere around the world. (Up next is Vienna.)
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