You’re not alone if you’re overwhelmed with the hundreds of beauty and skincare recommendations on TikTok. It feels like every other video on my FYP is an endorsement, advertisement, or suggestion for the best moisturizer, retinol, or blush. As much as I like to complain about “BeautyTok,” I absolutely eat it up. Over the past few years, I’ve tried tons of TikTok-famous beauty products, so I’ve come up with the five makeup and skincare purchases that are actually worth the hype—so you can save your money for important other things, like fashion trends that don’t suck.
If you haven’t heard by now, sunscreen is essential. Besides decreasing your risk of skin cancers, SPF helps to prevent premature aging and discoloration. In addition to the benefits of SPF, the EltaMD sunscreen contains vitamin B3, hyaluronic acid, and lactic acid—all of which can encourage healthy skin while reducing acne. If you’re not a heavy makeup person, this a great, lightweight substitute for foundation that stays on all day long. I’ve been using this product every morning for almost three years now, and it’s safe to say I’m obsessed.
This product is an absolute game-changer. After accidentally overplucking my brows this summer, I skeptically bought this serum. It took me a month and a half to go through a tube, and my brows have completely changed since then. It’s very well-priced and the serum doesn’t feel too thick or noticeable on the brows and lashes. It contains several, clean ingredients in the product that promote hair density, thickness, and growth. So if you’re looking for some extra volume in your brows and lashes, how could you say no? (Spoiler alert: You can’t).
If you’re on “skin cycling” TikTok, then this is the product for you. I’ve always associated exfoliants with harsh scrubs like the St. Ives Apricot one (if you know, you know). The Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting product has totally rebranded exfoliating, though. BHA (beta hydroxy acid) helps to shed old skin layers and is one of the main ingredients in the exfoliant. The product also contains salicylic acid to brighten skin and unclog pores. Its lightweight texture and leave-on nature feel great on my skin, and I truly have noticed a difference since using it. Let’s just say there is a reason this product went viral, so you can say goodbye to that apricot scrub once and for all.
The Dior Lip Oil has made quite a name for itself recently. Per TikTok’s recommendation, I got the Clear, Cherry, and Rosewood shades, which I love. Even though it’s just a glossy oil, I find that it plumps and adds volume to my lips. The product is also so versatile—it works for the office or the bar and it’s pocket-sized to fit in any bag. Don’t let that fool you, though, because it lasts a while. There’s one catch to the best-selling lip gloss: it’s almost always sold out. But if you can get your hands on this product, then you must. I would recommend stalking various department and makeup stores’ websites to find a restock. Putting in the effort for the Dior Lip Oil is definitely worth it.
Charlotte Tilbury has recently been the hottest makeup brand around, and justifiably so. Thanks to TikTok, I’ve purchased many Charlotte Tilbury products, yet this is by far my favorite. The Flawless Filter is a one-stop, versatile glow machine that comes in a lot of shades. You can use it as a foundation, cover-up, or even a highlighter. Even though it provides light coverage, the liquid formula has such a strong effect. It’s particularly long-lasting and a little goes a long way. The only catch is that it’s not the cheapest product, but IMO, worth every single penny.
