Today kicks off the official first day of fall, which means we've entered the busiest time of the year — so there's no better time to implement a few clever solutions to simplify and save you time.
To make our lives a little easier, Shop TODAY senior editor Julie Ricevuto swings by Studio 1A with a host of helpful hacks. From a wall-mounting tool that helps you “nail” the first try to a beauty award-winning, instant under-eye depuffer, Ricevuto shares the products our team swears by (all of which are available on Amazon!).
If you're anything like our team of busy editors and producers, these useful finds will seriously change the game for you. Keep scrolling to shop all of our favorite practical products.
Amazon helpful hacks seen on TODAY
This wall-mounting hack helps you “nail” the exact spot the first time, helping you avoid extra holes and marks.
“You simply insert the marking tools into the back of the frame, hold it where you want it on the wall, and gently press against the wall to leave a small mark where your nail or screw should go,” explains Ricevuto. “It also comes with a mini level!”
Cover scratches and scuffs with this wood furniture repair kit. According to the brand, it includes six colored markers and six wax sticks that are permanent and safe on cabinets, tables or even picture frames. Plus, it’s easy to use; you simply draw over the mark and let it dry.
“For under $10, it’s a simple hack that can help make older furniture look new again,” says Ricevuto.
This Shop TODAY Beauty Award winner helps revitalize your under-eyes in seconds. According to the brand, it’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, aloe water and caffeine, which hydrates the delicate skin, provides a cooling effect and reduces puffiness.
“I also love that it’s in a balm form because it’s mess-free and I can easily take it with me while I travel,” notes Ricevuto.
Toovren Pant Waist Tightener (Set of 8)
Loose (or tight) jeans? This editor-loved fashion hack lets you adjust your waistband in seconds with zero sewing, says Ricevuto. The button works like a tack; you push it into the waistband of your pants, and it blends seamlessly for a tailored fit. Ricevuto notes that you can also use them on pants, skirts, or even as a quick fix for a missing button on a jacket.
No one wants stinky shoes haunting their home. That’s why our team leans on the “StankStix” to help eliminate odor from smelly shoes.
“They use silver seal technology to fight shoe odor. The silver ions are designed to neutralize odors rather than just masking unpleasant smells,” explains Ricevuto. “It also contains moisture-absorbing bags to diminish any wetness within the shoes, which is great for your feet on a hot run in boots or sneakers.”
More Amazon helpful hacks to shop
This wrinkle release spray instantly smoothes your clothing without the need for an iron or steamer, thanks to its “molecular iron technology,” says the brand. ByMatter also notes that you can use it on cotton, linen and silk-blend fabrics.
This is your one-step shortcut to the layered necklace look. No more fiddling with tiny clasps behind your neck — this little fastener employs a simple magnetic connection, so you can attach and detach your necklaces and bracelets in just a second.
Throw this travel-friendly compact in your purse to mattify skin and blur pores on the go. Since it’s transparent, it works under or over makeup to keep shine at bay.
Made from natural diatomaceous stone, these mats instantly absorb water and dry in just seconds. Lifestyle expert Melissa Garcia says it’s perfect for under soap dispensers and sponges in the kitchen.
Are last season’s sweaters looking a little frumpy? Give them some TLC with this bestselling gadget that’ll spiff them up in no time.
Tired, achy feet? Give these insoles a try. Associate market editor Audrey Ekman swears by the inserts and has added them to every pair of boots that she owns.
When your hands are full, wet or messy from cooking, the last thing you want to do is use your hands to pull out the garbage and get the handle dirty! With this upgrade, you can turn your garbage drawer into a hands-free system. Simply slip your toe under the pull, lift and pull — it’s that easy.
This editor-loved hack works on minor cuts, scrapes, bites, acne and more to help cleanse and heal skin. Per the brand, the "magic" ingredient in the formula is hypochlorous acid, a molecule our bodies naturally produce to fight bacteria and promote healing.
This little wearable light wraps around your neck, freeing up your hands to read, knit, or journal anywhere, anytime — all without needing to plug it in or disturb anyone. It’s genius if you’re in bed, and it has a few adjustable light settings.
We’re all guilty of losing or misplacing our readers every now and then, but these ultra-thin glasses stick right on the back of your phone case or tablet! The super lightweight design pops on easily and stays put on your nose.
“My husband is obsessed with these,” Garcia gushes. “He would always forget his glasses at home, but now he never does because they’re literally attached to his phone ... You’ll never want to carry around bulky readers again.”
Bodysuits are a wardrobe basic and a fall closet essential that can make getting dressed in the morning easier. Garcia suggests wearing this one on its own or using it as a base layer under sweaters or blazers.
“No tucking, bulging, lines — just a clean, sleek base that really makes every outfit look better,” Garcia says. “It’s buttery soft, lightly shapes without squeezing, and is so comfortable.”
Prepping your salads just got a whole lot easier. Equipped with a one-handed pump, this little spinner offers "maximum drying with minimum effort," per the brand.
Meet the experts
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest in trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team, along with Melissa Garcia and Julie Ricevuto.
- Julie Ricevuto is a senior editor for Shop TODAY with over a decade of experience covering beauty, fashion and lifestyle content.
- Melissa Garcia is a Shop TODAY lifestyle and fashion contributor, a professional stylist and the founder of Melissa Garcia Styling.
- Shop TODAY is a team of shopping editors and writers who spend hours every day finding the best new products, tried-and-true favorites and more finds available on Amazon that are worth shopping, according to our high standards.
How do you add Shop TODAY as a Preferred Source on Google?
Google’s new Preferred Sources feature allows users to manually select their favorite publishers and news outlets for a more customizable experience tailored directly to the reader. Once you’ve opted to receive our content, you’ll begin seeing more of our recent and trending articles displayed within your Top Stories news feed.
The easiest way to add us as a preferred source is to click here and type in “TODAY.com.” Once the box is checked and you’ve refreshed the page, Shop TODAY content will start appearing in your feed.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
