SKIN CREAM: SOS Sunburn Soother, $35.50, Clarins

WHAT HAPPENS: If you fall asleep by the pool and wake up with a sunburn, this rich cream will come to the rescue.

WHAT WORKS: We like that it's a lightly scented, multipurpose cream that feels soothing on sunburned skin, but it also works beautifully as a lip and skin balm year-round.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: It's a thick, butterlike cream that pretty much melts on contact with skin, but it isn't totally absorbed, so if you don't like a slightly slick feeling on your skin, this might not be for you.

WHAT YOU'LL GET: Along with plant extracts, this cream, billed as an "instant, soothing bandage for sunburned skin," contains mango and shea butters and is formulated to nourish and repair the skin while helping to prevent peeling.

TO BUY IT: Available at Nordstrom.

ROOM FRESHENER: Pet Fresh Fresh-ins, $2.48, Arm & Hammer

WHAT HAPPENS: Pour the contents of one of these packets into your vacuum's dust bag or cup and freshen your home as you suck up debris.

WHAT WORKS: We love the fresh scent that floats about as we vacuum. It makes you want to keep vacuuming just to keep that great fragrance around.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: Because the scented powder goes into your vacuum, once your put it away, the scent fades as well. But it's nice while it lasts.

WHAT YOU'LL GET: Nine small packets filled with baking soda that's infused with a fabulous fragrance.

TO BUY IT: Available at most Wal-Mart stores.

MASCARA BASE: Lash Builder, $16, Prescriptives

WHAT HAPPENS: The name says it all. Apply the lash builder as a base before putting on mascara for fuller, plumper lashes.

WHAT WORKS: It's easy to apply, and the slim brush allows you to reach even the shortest lashes. It goes on smoothly, without clumps.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: Because this is essentially an opaque mascara —- it goes on and dries like mascara but with a whitish cast —- you could get similar results by simply applying a second coat of mascara if you're using one formulated to add volume.

WHAT YOU'LL GET: It comes in a slim, gray plastic tube filled with the conditioning mascara base.

TO BUY IT: Available at Macy's and Nordstrom as well as www.prescriptives.com.

EYE MAKEUP REMOVER: Mascara Remover Swabs, $4.19, Swabplus

WHAT HAPPENS: The idea is that you get a convenient swab and mascara remover in one, so you don't have to bother with bottles of liquid remover.

WHAT WORKS: Well, if you're looking for a handy, travel-friendly makeup corrector, then this product works. You can stash them in a briefcase, desk or even in the glove box.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: There simply isn't enough liquid to remove much mascara, even nonwaterproof versions. A regular cotton-tip applicator dipped in a good remover works better. While this type of applicator works fine for erasing minor mistakes, it doesn't work as efficiently as a saturated cotton pad to remove mascara.

WHAT YOU'LL GET: Cotton tip swabs individually filled with a pre-measured amount of liquid waterproof mascara remover. Ingredients include water and aloe leaf juice.

TO BUY IT: Available online through www.drugstore.com.

DISHWASHER DETERGENT: Smarty Dish, $6, Method

WHAT HAPPENS: Smarty Dish allows your dishwasher to clean your dishes without using "dirty chemicals," according to the manufacturer.

WHAT WORKS: These tablets are pre-measured so there's no pouring and measuring detergent. Just pop one into the dishwasher and forget about it. Dishes came out beautifully cleaned, without specks, spots or cloudy streaks.

WHAT DOESN'T WORK: Wash your hands after handling because the tablets seem to leave a very small amount of sticky residue.

WHAT YOU'LL GET: The cute, chubby square boxes hold 20 oval tablets that are available in pink grapefruit, which offers a subtle scent, or go naked, which means no dyes and perfumes.

TO BUY IT: Available at Target stores and other mass merchandisers in mid-August.

All prices are manufacturers' suggested retail price.