Truth of truths, as much as we love cute packaging, transporting scents, and impressive claims, we base a lot of our product purchases on how well they actually perform. But a lot of times, those results aren’t as visual as we’d hope they’d be — well, sometimes. When we’re not being preventative with night creams, fending off dark circles with eye patches, or sudsing the life out of our hair until it looks brand-new again, we’re looking for something more satisfying. We don’t always want to wait weeks to know how well a product works. Like Veruca Salt, we want the results now. If we were going to coin a term for this phenomenon, we'd call it the Bioré-Strip Effect.
Believe it or not, mystical, one-and-done products exist — and we’ve tried and loved them all. While they might not be the right pick for anti-aging concerns or cosmetic longevity, the results still drive us wild. From innovative gadgets to underdog masks, the results impress us every single time we use them.
Click ahead to some of the products we can’t help but gawk at when we see the results.
This pore-revealing mask blew up a couple of years ago and the hype has yet to simmer down. Smooth a dollop over your face, wait 10 minutes, and stare at every single oil-clogged pore on your nose, cheeks, and chin. Trust us, it's gross in the best way.
GlamGlow SuperMud Clearing Treatment, $69, available at Sephora.
At first glance, this R2-D2 lookalike doesn't seem like something a beauty devotee would have on his or her bathroom counter. This skin vacuum rotates to push AHA/BHA solution into your skin and pull excess sebum out. Consider your skin crazy-clean after a session with this contraption.
Skin Spa Aqua Peeling System, $179, available at Auction.
No matter the season, feet suffer, whether it's the grimy result of walking around in sandals for months or the ugly calluses that inevitably appear in the dry winter months. Shed that dead skin, literally, with this one-hour treatment that reveals brand-new heels and toes. Maybe opt for doing it around boot season, or else you'll have piles of dead skin peeling off under your desk at work. (No, really.)
Baby Foot Foot Peel Lavender, $25, available at Target.
In the market for anti-aging gold? This set of masks is essentially a face-lift in a box— minus the scalpels and healing. The magic retinyl palmitate-rich formula doesn't stop working after you wash it off, it keeps penetrating the skin for an entire day.
Dermarche Labs Roloxin Lift Instant Skin Smoothing Masque, $79, available at Sephora.
As we've gotten older, we've learned that hair appointments can take up to two hours — which is a lot of time. Next time you go to get those highlights touched-up, asking your stylist if they've tried this wand, which turns your hair blonde in minutes. With a few sweeps over foiled strands, hair instantly brightens to a sunny golden hue.
Pravana The Blonde Wand, $159.99, available at Brighton Beauty Supply.
Use these babies every night and you might just toss your thick lip balm for good. The masks hydrate, plump (in a natural, non-filler way), and are a great base for your nighttime red lippie of choice.
KNC Beauty All Natural Collagen Infused Lip Mask, $24.99, available at KNC Beauty.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
CoverGirl Face James Charles Drops Amazing Instagram Medley
A Cult L.A. Beauty Brand Just Announced A Rad Collab — & We're Pumped
Avocado Toast Is So 2015 — Now It's All About Avocado Lipstick