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If you’re anything like me, scrolling through Instagram and TikTok has basically become a daily ritual. I’ve spent so much time on these apps over the past months, that it would be impossible to miss the various beauty products that suddenly gain traction and go viral.
Of course, impressionable as I am, I had to try some of these out for myself. And, while there were some products I loved, there were also some that I felt were really overrated.
So, here are 7 viral beauty products that I think are actually worth the hype.
Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
The BHA liquid exfoliant was the first Paula’s Choice product I ever used, and it’s still one of my favourites. It leaves my skin feeling really smooth and feels pretty weightless on the face. I also noticed, after continuous use, that my complexion became a lot clearer and brighter.
I had initially worried that it would dry my skin out, but using it every couple of days seems to be the key. Most of the time I don’t apply it all over my face, I’ll just focus on the T-zone where I tend to get the most blackheads. My cheeks can get pretty dry, especially during winter, so this seems to be the best way to avoid irritation.
I definitely noticed a reduction in blackheads when using this product. And the pores on my nose, in particular, appeared a lot less visible. It’s obviously not going to get rid of them completely, but I was impressed with the results!
L’Oréal Elvive 8 Second Wonder Water
After years of balayage-ing and heat styling, my hair has inevitably become quite dry. I’m always on the look out for products that will repair some of the damage so I was thrilled when I saw this. It had amazing reviews and was beyond affordable. I was sold!
At first I wasn’t convinced that an 8 second treatment would be enough to notice a difference in the condition of my hair. But I can really see (and feel) a significant improvement to both the ends and the roots. My hair feels softer and looks slightly shinier too.
If you’re looking for a drugstore equivalent to Olapex, give this a try!
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
This lip mask is amazing! I must admit, before trying it I was extreeemely skeptical. The claims seemed way too good to be true: how could one product do so much? But I’d seen so many Insta posts of people raving about this lip mask that I had to buy it. And I’m so glad I did!
The formula of this is thick and moisture-rich without feeling heavy or greasy, and a little goes a really long way. You only need the smallest amount to cover your lips. I love that it comes with it’s own little spatula to scoop out the mask, and the smell is sweet but not overpowering.
It definitely works well as an overnight ‘treatment’. However, I also think it’s great to apply (a tiny bit) during the day if your lips are feeling a little dry or chapped. My lips felt super soft for days after using this so it’s not essential to wear it every night either.
This is the one viral beauty product I can see myself buying years down the line. I can’t recommend it enough!
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
CeraVe’s Hydrating Facial Cleanser is the gold standard of cleansers. It’s targeted at normal to dry skin, but I honestly think it works for all skin types. Despite being super nourishing, it’s still quite light so it doesn’t feel like it’s clinging to the skin.
I try to rotate my cleansers during the year as my skin changes with the seasons. However, if I ever notice any dryness or irritation, I always go back to this one. It’s extremely gentle and non-reactive so I know it’ll give my skin a chance to recover.
Like most CeraVe products, this cleanser contains three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-ii) which help to moisturise and protect the skin barrier. The hyaluronic acid component further reinforces its hydrating capacity making it perfect for everyday use.
Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops + Self-Tanning Water
Both the Isle of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops and Self-Tanning Water have gone TikTok viral at various points over the past year. And it’s not hard to see why – they’ve changed the self-tan game.
These products make tanning at home way easier (and far less messy) than other self-tan brands on the market. Plus, they don’t have so much of that classic fake tan scent.
There’s no guide colour so it can be a little tricky to see what you’re putting on. But, if you’re careful with the number of drops you use, the results are stunning.
You can check out my full review of the drops HERE.
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
The Ordinary Peeling Solution is another beauty product that TikTok users have fallen in love with.
I don’t use this often, but I definitely notice a difference when I do. It makes my skin feel a lot smoother and look way more glowy. It also significantly reduces hyperpigmentation, so if you’re searching for a product that helps fade acne scars, this is it.
Since the active ingredients are pretty strong, I recommend starting off slow with this solution. Try once every two weeks, then maybe up it to once a week if you feel your skin can manage. Never exceed 10 minutes and make sure to follow it up with a rich moisturiser.
The results can be amazing, but you have to be super careful that you don’t go overboard with it!
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Invisible Fluid Sun Cream SPF50
The Anthelios Invisible Fluid Sun Cream is my favourite sun-protection product of all time. I used to really hate wearing sunscreen on my face because it would always (and I mean without fail) cause me to break out. But this sits so lightly on the skin and doesn’t clog my pores at all.
It provides a really nice base layer for makeup too so whenever I wear it my foundation glides on really smoothly. With thicker sunscreens I sometimes find that my makeup pills and separates, I haven’t had this problem with the Anthelios sun cream so far.
The scent isn’t too strong (for a sun cream) and it soaks into the skin really nicely. You also don’t need a lot of product to cover your face. It’s a small bottle but it does last a surprisingly long time!
Have you tried any of these viral beauty products? Which ones do you love?
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