Ahead, the under-$100 products we actually bought, used, and came to rely on over the past 30+ days: from a BO-battling natural-deodorant warrior to cheerful affirmation candles and a $16 miracle forehead-bump-banishing serum. Scroll on to web-window shop, feel seen, inspired, fatigued, or just connected — all emotions are valid. And be sure to holler out what you've carted for under one hundo that's made these stay-at-home days feel a little bit better.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Naturium Niancinamide Serum
"I found this niacinamide serum after searching 'how to get rid of forehead bumps' on Youtube…and let me tell you, just 2 weeks of use and there isn’t a forehead bump to be seen. I. Am. Serious." – Kate Spencer, Deals & Updates Editor
Shop Amazon
Natrium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%, $, available at Amazon
Carhartt Chore Canvas Dog Coat
"It's not quite fall but Arlo (my dog) is fall-ready. I snagged this insanely adorable Carhartt dog coat off Amazon this past week while searching around for this, that, and the other (as one is wont to do on the virtual hidden-treasure trove). After falling in love with it at first sight (I mean, come ON), I was further converted into an IRL purchaser based on the reviewer hype alone — this thing has a whopping 4.8-out-of-5-star rating and over 1,000 reviews. I've purchased many a pet accessory off the 'zon and have gotten some real duds, but this one is the real deal in both quality and fit. It's crafted from a durable cotton canvas that's water-repellent and lined with a soft quilted interior — which I'm hoping will protect her silky soft coat from burrs, twigs, etc. during off-terrain romps in the woods. (For reference: Arlo is wearing a small and weighs 14.6 lbs with a 17-in chest measurement.) Costing under $50, IMO it was well worth the splurge." - Liz Buxton, Editor
Shop Carhartt
Carhartt Carhartt Chore Dog Coat, $, available at Amazon
Buffy Soft Hemp Pillow Shams
"My boyfriend and I moved into our Bushwick loft during the height of the pandemic, which is a special breed of hell even for the most experienced New Yorkers. To ease the pain of moving everything by ourselves, we bought these luxe shams from Buffy. I live in a neutral-colored household, and these Soft Hemp Shams in creamy white are both breathable and super, super soft." – Cortne Bonilla, Lifestyle Writer
Shop Buffy
Buffy Soft Hemp Shams (Set of 2), $, available at Buffy
Moft Laptop Stand
"Like hand sanitizers, cleaning wipes, and small-space desks, laptop stands have at one point or another in quarantine, been a hotly coveted item. I’ve been reluctant to buy those metal ones that are all over Amazon since they’re you know, kind of fugly. So when I got an email pitch about a nearly-invisible laptop stand from startup Moft, I was immediately interested and took them up on their generous offer to send me one to try. I’ll admit, I didn’t expect a foldable, stick-on product to work, but this has actually been a total game-changer for my WFH setup. It perfectly props up my laptop for comfortable typing, and when I’m done for the day, I can fold it up and poof, it’s out of sight." – Karina Hoshikawa, Beauty Market Writer
Shop Moft
Moft Adhesive Collapsible Laptop Stand, $, available at The Grommet
Princess Polly Cardigan
"I decided I wanted to step up my zoom outfit game this month, so my first (and only) clothing purchase was this lightweight cardi to throw on with my sweats. It’s also the perfect muted green color that will look great with any wash of denim….I just need this NY weather to get a liiiitle cooler so I can actually wear this sweater outside." – Kate Spencer, Deals & Updates Editor
Shop Princess Polly
Princess Polly The Michael Top, $, available at Princess Polly
Paddywax Spark Candle Collection
"I love a good candle, but I don't love feeling like I am literally burning my money away whenever I light one up. That's where Paddywax's newish Spark candles come in to save the damn day. The $20-and-under collection is a cheerful take on classic prayer-style candles (meaning these tallboys boast a nice slow burn), featuring pastel-colored wax poured inside positive-affirmation-printed votives — like my fave 'breathe in, breathe out' vetiver cardamom. They're affordable, brighten up my WFH space, smell fresh, and, most importantly, burn noticeably longer than the short n' stouter styles that cost the bigger bucks. Plus, they make really sweet care-package material to send as pick-me-up gifts to socially distant friends and fam." – Elizabeth Buxton, Market Editor
Shop Paddywax
Paddywax Spark - Vetiver Cardamom, $, available at Paddywax
Disney 10K Gold Mickey Mouse Pendant
“My obsession with competitively-priced fine jewelry is well-documented, and I’m happy to report that the $40 that I allotted for this 10K gold Mickey Mouse pendant necklace was money well spent. (I’m pretty sure it’s meant for a child, but... whatever.) While the accompanying chain is gold-plated, it’s NBD to me — I was planning to use a different chain for the precious pendant regardless, and add to an existing stack of sentimental gold charms. It makes me smile every time I look at it, and I’m contemplating splurging on the Minnie version next.” – Emily Ruane, Fashion Writer
Shop Disney Jewelry
Disney Mickey Mouse Pendant Necklace with Gold-Filled Chain, $, available at Walmart
Bala Weighted Bangle Set
"When lockdown first began, I had a full-on meltdown. Why, might you ask? I had been going to pilates and barre classes for eight months beforehand; finally getting my butt in shape and focusing on my mental health. Of course, with stay-home orders, all studios ceased to exist on ClassPass and Equinox. After a few weeks of wallowing in my megaformer despair, I found Bala Bangles. These ankle and/or arm weights increase the efficiency of my at-home virtual workouts and give me the burn that soothes my anxiety and calms my nerves after a long workday. " – Cortne Bonilla, Lifestyle Writer
Shop Bala
Bala Weighted Bangle Set, $, available at Anthropologie
Amie New York Puff-Sleeve Sheath
“I recently stepped out of my comfort zone and took a chance on an intriguingly stylish but less-vetted Amazon item — a fire-engine red puff-sleeved sheath from Amie New York. It promised to be 100% cotton and the $79 price tag was within my budget for the month. It arrived and I was pleasantly… not disappointed. There’s gentle shirring at the waist which accommodates my lumpy bod, and a simple pull of the drawstring makes the puffy sleeves inflate to a satisfying volume. Also, pardon the wrinkles — I put it on as soon as it arrived in the mail.” – Emily Ruane, Fashion Writer
Shop Amie New York
Amie New York Puff Sleeve Smocked Waist Poplin Cotton Midi Dress, $, available at Amazon
Ursa Major Sublime Sage Spray Deodorant
"I consider myself somewhat of a natural deodorant savant, and Ursa Major’s is among my top favorites. I’ll admit that I have a total soft spot for anything sage (it’s my favorite fragrance note), but this formula actually holds its own against the dreaded B.O. Plus, the fact that it’s a spray formula makes it very easy to reapply during the day if needed (which usually I don’t, and I’m a sweaty monster). P.S: Come October, they will be transitioning to aluminum packaging to cut down on plastic." – Karina Hoshikawa, Beauty Market Writer
Shop Ursa Major
Ursa Major Sublime Sage Spray Deodorant, $, available at Credo
SPANX Faux Leather Leggings
"The hype is real: SPANX's faux-leather leggings are actually that good. I've never thought of myself as a black-leather gal, but these 'pants' have officially made me a convert (photo evidence of said black-leather convert right here). For starters, as far as leather-adjacent material goes, they are surprisingly soft and stretchy without being too thin. I appreciate that the leather look is more of a subtle sheen as opposed to a full-on Sandy-from-Grease situation (although I appear to be channeling that in this pic and, tbh, I'm okay with it). I wear a size small, and, while they're snug, the form-fitting feel is more hug-like and less constricting. I've worked out in them, worked from home in them, and even worn them out for a walk around the neighborhood with my dog. So they come comfort-approved — and, TMI, fairly camel-toe proof. How I style them: usually paired with chunky sweaters or oversized button-downs and sneakers or clogs. I've yet to sport them out-out paired with a heeled boot or the like, but never say never..." – Elizabeth Buxton, Market Editor
Shop SPANX
SPANX Faux Leather Leggings, $, available at SPANX
Food52 Knives
"I recently bought my boyfriend this set of 3 kitchen knives for his birthday. He loves to cook and our old knives were truly atrocious and made cutting a tomato a squishy nightmare. But don’t be fooled, these were a gift for me, just as much as they were for him." – Kate Spencer, Deals & Updates Editor
Shop Food52
Opinel Opinel Kitchen Knives (Set of 3), $, available at Food52
Patrick Ta Beauty Major Brow Shaping Wax
"I've tried just about every product and treatment on the market (even tried microblading many moons ago) in an attempt to give my very fine, sparse, and light brow hairs some extra oomph — nothing gave me the full, fast, affordable, and lasting results I was longing for. Until Patrick Ta, who I've now decided is some sort of beauty Willy Wonka. After being smartly targeted on Instagram by the brand's brow-shaping wax and watching in awe as the mesmerizing product was applied with bountiful results, I had to try it. You may not think they look like much here, BUT: the results from one spoolie swoop are, as the name suggests, major for my pair of lackluster brows that I usually have to fill in with a pencil and then apply a wax to in order to get anywhere close to a bushy brushed-up look. The best part? My limited brow hairs actually stayed brushed up in place all day! Hot Tip: you need to activate the wax by either spraying it with a setting mist or wetting it with a few drops of water so that you can work it into a tacky consistency that will properly transfer from the brush to your brows. Otherwise, you can join the ranks of the nonplussed reviewers who claim this miracle product 'doesn't work. It does!" – Elizabeth Buxton, Market Editor
Shop Patrick Ta Beauty
Also available at Sephora
Patrick Ta Beauty Major Brow Shaping Wax, $, available at Patrick Ta Beauty
Nike Cotton Crew Socks
"This may seem silly but my mom was right, I really should wear socks. For years, I went sockless beneath my boots and sneakers but after finding inspiration on Instagram from girls who wear their sweatshirt sets with sock-clad sandals, I had to get some of the classics. " – Cortne Bonilla, Lifestyle Writer
Shop Nike
Nike Performance Cotton Crew Socks (6-pack), $, available at Amazon
Mercury Row Ladder Bookcase
"I recently moved, which is a special form of torture if you live in New York City. Throw in a pandemic, and it’s well, probably shaved five years off my life. However, the one silver lining is that it did allow me a fresh start to refresh my space with some new furniture. Like many other Brooklyn twenty-somethings, my home décor kryptonite is anything that combines “affordable” and “small space”. Enter, this simple ladder bookshelf that I copped for under $100. It is surprisingly roomy despite taking up very little wall space, and it doubles as a way to display some of my more sentimental possessions, like my vintage Royal typewriter that I received from my boyfriend early in our relationship." – Karina Hoshikawa, Beauty Market Writer
Shop Mercury Row
Mercury Row Almanzar Ladder Bookcase, $, available at Wayfair
Lee All Cotton Straight Leg Jean
“I also snagged these sweet mom jeans for $30 — they are high-waisted, straight-legged, and totally stretch-free. (In other words, jeans as God intended them.) I opted for the extra-long pant hem so I could cuff them, cut them off, or let them be floor-length. (I haven’t decided yet.) I am very much looking forward to wearing them to death. I find the sizing to be true — I normally wear a size 4 but opted for a 6, and they have an appropriately just-too-big boyfriend fit.” – Emily Ruane, Fashion Writer
Shop Lee
Lee All Cotton Straight Leg Jean, $, available at Amazon
Etsy Concrete Coasters
"I’ve actually never owned coasters before, but after cleaning glass rings off of my coffee table one too many times, I decided to make this very adult purchase. These ones I found on Etsy are hand-poured, durable, and go with my apartment's anti-color color scheme quite well." – Kate Spencer, Deals & Updates Editor
Shop Etsy
MadeByRheal Concrete Coaster (Set of Four), $, available at Etsy
Cariuma OCA Low Canvas Sneakers
"Who doesn’t love a cute, sustainable sneaker? These came into my life as a generous gift from Cariuma after Emily wrote about their Pantone collab, and haven’t left my size 5.5 feet since. (I find that they run ever-so-slightly small, FYI!) They go with almost everything in my closet, and how could I resist this awesome shade of green? Also, two trees are planted for every pair sold, making them a true no-brainer item for the environmentally-conscious sneakerhead. " – Karina Hoshikawa, Beauty Market Writer
Shop Cariuma
Cariuma OCA Low Green Canvas Sneaker, $, available at Cariuma
Cultiver Linen Shirt
"Okay, so this MVP walks the line as a true under-$100 buy, but I had to include it. Quality linen pieces are a pricey investment but for $100 (on the head!) this gem is well worth it. Not only is it a workhorse wardrobe staple (It's a nightgown! It's a button-down shirt! It's a coverup! It's a Risky Business costume!), but it's also crafted from the most breathable, soft, and sustainable material. Eco-fun fact: linen is a biodegradable and renewable fabric that requires significantly less water to grow AND is way more durable than your run-of-the-mill polyesters meaning it will have a longer-lasting lifespan in your clothing rotation." – Elizabeth Buxton, Market Editor
Shop Cultiver
Cultiver The Claude Linen Shirt (White), $, available at Cultiver
PJ Harlow Grazer
Last Month's Top MVP:
"A long time ago, in what feels like another lifetime, I was a fashion editor for Seventeen Magazine — the print edition! One of the job perks was getting to work at the brand new, glossy Hearst tower with its gleaming cafeteria filled with chef-run food stands and a mile-long buffet. On days when there was time for a proper lunch, my strategy was to head down early to beat the crowds which also happened to be the Gayle King method. Yep, Oprah’s BFF was a frequent early bird customer at Cafe57 and she would genially announce to anyone in the vicinity (usually just me) that she was a 'grazer.' She had her plate and a few moments of calm to hover between the cut fruit and fourteen varieties of bread. I always think of Gayle King as The Grazer now.
Anyway, this has nothing to do with the face mask that was pitched to me which has a fabric tab that can be lifted up if you’d like to take a sip of water or nibble a croissant at a park or what have you. It’s aptly named The Grazer and as I eagerly await its arrival so I can enjoy my egg creams al fresco, I already know it will never live up to its namesake." – Marissa Rosenblum, Shopping Director
Shop PJ Harlow
PJ Harlow The Grazer Face Mask, $, available at Amazon
Etsy Ceramic Tooth Shot Glass
Last Month's Top MVP:
"I went down an absolute Etsy rabbit hole recently where I spiraled out of control and favorited hundreds of pieces I would not buy but would certainly own in the home of dreams. This particular product was the one that I actually turned into an I-now-inexplicably-own-this reality. I did not buy two of these ceramic teeth to use as a surprising shot-glass set (although that purpose is not off the table completely) but I instead have plans to use them as holders for everything from my toothbrush to jewelry and WFH-desk pens. If you haven't checked out the makers' shop, SINDstudio, head on over — it's filled with tons more just as delightfully whimsical home creations." – Elizabeth Buxton, Market Editor
Shop SINDstudio
SINDstudio Ceramic Tooth Shot Glass, $, available at Etsy
Linoto Linen Boxer Shorts
Last Month's Top MVP:
"While rounding up pull-on shorts for our story on boxer baggies, I added these red linen shorts to my cart practically at the speed of light. New York-based brand Linoto specializes in well-priced linen bedding and homewares, and makes these comfy boxer shorts from linen remnants, ensuring that no fabric goes to waste." – Emily Ruane, Fashion Market Writer
Shop Linoto
Linoto 100% Linen Boxer Shorts, $, available at Linoto
Outdoor Voices The Exercise Dress
Last Month's Top MVP:
"Since it’s been approximately 1,000 degrees in Brooklyn for the past few weeks now, I’ve been living in sweat-wicking, lightweight clothing. My current uniform? OV’s Exercise Dress, which I own in three colors — that’s how much I love it. While it is not the easiest to get in and out of (the built-in shorts are great for biking with confidence but bad for peeing), it is insanely comfortable, moveable, and is extremely cute, to boot." – Karina Hoshikawa, Beauty Market Writer
Shop Outdoor Voices
Outdoor Voices The Exercise Dress, $, available at Outdoor Voices
OnyxxThreads Face Mask Pouch
Last Month's Top MVP:
"Because where else are you putting your face mask when it's not in use while you're out and about? This nifty pouch is a safe, clean home for your covering that attaches to your keychain.” – Amanda Randone, Market Writer
Shop OnyxxThreads
OnyxxThreads Face Mask Pouch, $, available at Etsy
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
$28 Leather Leggings & 15 Other Top Weekly Scores
These Were The 29 Top-Bought Items In July
This Always Sold-Out Pan Is Back In Stock
from Refinery29 https://ift.tt/37cUEb7
via IFTTT
