I’ve Tried Dozens of Viral Beauty Products This Year—These Ones Are Actually Worth It
I may be a fashion editor by day, but a little secret of mine is that I’m also a massive beauty lover. My TikTok is entirely composed of makeup influencers trying new beauty products, my vanity is full of the hottest new releases, and I simply can’t resist the excitement a new product arriving at my doorstep gives me.
Over the past few months, I’ve tried dozens of new beauty products. From the controversial ones (looking at you, L’Oreal mascara), to the ones that I had to hunt down because they were sold out everywhere, I’ve tested more than I can count. I’ve come to find that the majority of products fall in the category of being good, but not good enough to actually be memorable—but these are not those products.
Of all the viral beauty products I’ve tried over the past few months, these are the ones that have gotten the coveted Holy Grail status for me.
SurrealSkin Liquid Foundation
Full disclaimer: I have very, very dry skin. That being said, this is hands-down my favorite foundation I have ever tried. Many TikToks went around when this launched saying it was sparkly, but on the skin, it is not literally whatsoever. Usually my skin looks dry by the end of the day no matter what I do, but not when I'm wearing this. It provides perfect, long-lasting, hydrating coverage that I can't get enough of. I already bought my summer shade out of fear of it being out of stock—it's that good. If you have normal or dry skin, I promise, you will absolutely love this.
Matte Beauty Blush Wand
All of Charlotte Tilbury's beauty wands are constantly out of stock because of how good they are, so when I saw they were extending them to this matte blush, I was ecstatic. I've been a die-hard fan of the contour wand for years, and this is just as good, but in blush form. While it is technically matte, I would say it's more of a satin finish on the skin (it looks like a natural flush and never appears chalky), and gives you a perfect, healthy wash of color that is just the right amount of pigmented. It's very pigmented, so you don't need a ton of product, but it isn't so pigmented that you have to be too careful with it either. I've been alternating between the shades Pillow Talk and Dream Pop, and I literally cannot get enough. If you're in the market for a new blush, I'd pick this up before they sell out.
Glowy Super Gel
I've been using the Drunk Elephant Bronzing Drops since before Alix Earle was even in college, and I like this literally a million times more than them. I use the shade Sunglow, and it just gives the most beautiful sheer, glowy warmth to the skin. I use this both on makeup-free days and underneath makeup, and love it equally either way. It's a very thin, gel-like consistency, and looks glowy without looking sparkly or shimmery. I'm on my third bottle of this, and am praying the TikTok girlies will stop selling it out so I can still get my hands on it.
Airbrush Brightening Powder
If you're a fan of the cult-favorite Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush powder, you're going to absolutely love this brightening version. It makes your under-eyes look smooth, airbrushed, and perfected. Whenever I'm doing my makeup and have it under one eye but haven't applied it to the other yet, I'm literally in awe of how bright it make my under eyes look.
Bronze Balm
This bronzer stick went viral after being marketed as "the easiest bronzer ever," and I can confidently say that I do think it is in fact the easiest bronzer ever. I bought it for my mom who was previously scared of bronzer for Christmas, and even she's in love with it. It blends completely seamlessly into the most beautiful, dewy wash of bronziness, but doesn't disappear like other easy-to-blend bronzers do. On both bare skin and over foundation, it's the most realistic looking bronzer I've ever tried—and I've tried a lot. I love it so much that I bought a second one to live in my purse so I can have access to it whenever I need it.
Cloud Crush Blurring Blush in Candy Crush
This blush went viral for being a dupe for the Dior blush that sold out last year, but I don't think it's a dupe—I think it's much, much better. While the Dior blush looks a little dry on me and fades quickly, this one gives my cheeks the most beautiful bubble gum pink flush that will last until I wash my makeup off at night. I haven't been a powder blush user for quite some time, but this one converted me back, and I can't see myself straying from it anytime soon.
Instant Angel Moisturizer
I waxed poetic about this moisturizer in my full review of it back in the fall, and my obsession with it is still going strong. Not only am I on my third tube of it, but I ended up buying the jumbo version because I don't want to go a single day without it. This moisturizer has quite literally transformed my dry skin into actually being somewhat normal for the first time in my life. It's rich, fragrance free, and doesn't leave any stickiness or residue behind—just glowing, hydrated, healthy skin. I recently went on prescription retinol, which made me terrified for my sensitive, already dry skin, and I literally had no down time or retinol uglies because I used this moisturizer after applying it. The best part? It's under $50.
Telescopic Lift Mascara
I bought this mascara from the checkout area of Ulta (gets me every time) on a whim a couple months ago, long before the TikTok drama about it (IYKYK). When I started using it, I knew it would go viral. I believe this is hands-down the best drugstore mascara—or honestly, mascara, period—that you can buy. It makes my eyelashes look long, fanned-out, and full, but never clumpy. When I use this I still am consistently in shock by how good my eyelashes look. Sometimes I even think my eyelashes look toolong with it on—and what does that tell you? This has single-handedly beat out all my other favorite mascaras at one-third of the price.
Jake's House
To be fair, this has not gone viral, but I'm including it on this list because it should. This is, by far, my favorite perfume I have ever smelled in my life. I tried three scents from Henry Rose and they all are truly incredible: complex, unique, long-lasting. But this one just has that quality of *good smell* (kind of like Glossier You does), that makes you want to douse yourself in it. I got the travel size of this, but the second I'm near the bottom, will be ordering the full size. If you're on the hunt for a unique, clean scent, this will be your new favorite. (I would also recommend Windows Down and Sheep's Clothing.)
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