I Write About TikTok Trends for a Living, and These Are the 7 Viral Products I Swear By
Courtesy
Some people think of TikTok as a goofy social media platform where teens twerk and talk internet drama, but I think of it as a source of inspiration for everything from fashion to skincare. See, the thing that makes this app different from other visual ones — like Instagram or Facebook — is that it allows real, non-influencer humans to go viral for their honest reviews and tutorials. I love the authenticity of it, which is why I started primarily writing about TikTok trends more than a year ago, and I continue to today.
After all the time I’ve spent on the app (researching, obviously), I’ve grown quite savvy at spotting life-changing items as opposed to flukes that just so happen to kinda, sorta look good in a 30-second clip. The thing is, there’s a lot more of the latter than the former — but that just makes the real-deal goodies even better.
RELATED: I Tried 9 of TikTok’s Viral Beauty Products — Here’s What’s Worth The Hype
So, after more than 500 days of covering TikTok shopping trends, I’ve gathered a small (but mighty) list of the viral items that are truly worth buying. They include a color-correcting treatment I simply refuse to leave my apartment without, a corset top from Amazon that looks and feels like it’s designer, and tanning drops that helped me look perfectly bronzed (and feel more confident!) before a nerve-wracking first date.
Here are the seven TikTok fashion and beauty finds I now can’t live without.
Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops
It’s been more than a year since the Isle of Paradise tanning drops went viral, and I haven’t stopped using them. The simplicity and convenience of adding a few drops of this product to your moisturizer can’t be beat. I use them at night at the end of my skincare routine and wake up with a glow that makes me feel like a star. If you have fair skin, test the drops out by only adding a few to your lotion the first time. It might take some testing to find your perfect amount — I have olive skin and mine’s around seven drops — but once you discover it, it’s a recipe for success.
Now that sunny summer days are here, I’m using them to create a base layer tan, and previously, they were my go-to before particularly nerve-wracking occasions like a first date. In fact, I give them some credit for how well my first date with a complete stranger (who is now my smokeshow of a boyfriend) went. To these, I owe my subtle tan and maybe even my relationship.
Amazon Strapless Body-Shaping Corset
It might be surprising that somebody who writes about sex toys every other day is not the most privy to wearing lingerie-esque pieces out and about, but I am who I am. That is, I was who I was, because after setting eyes on this beautiful body-shaping bustier, my mindset completely shifted. I ordered the vintage-looking strapless top in seconds, and was delighted to discover that it’s a high-quality piece of clothing that looks super expensive IRL. I wore it to a friend’s birthday party and, I kid you not, eight (!!!!) people asked for the link to buy one of their own.
For this top, I recommend sizing up if you have a big bust. I’m a size small with a 32D chest, and the 2-4 option fits perfectly. My last word of advice: Get ready to feel like the coolest person in the room, no matter where you go, because you’re going to look like it.
Butt-Lifting Leggings
I have no butt and I’m not ashamed to admit it. But with these Seasum leggings that broke the internet for what seems like two months straight, I don’t need to do extra squats or lunges to achieve a peach-shaped rear end. The scrunched center and textured material creates the illusion of a large and voluptuous behind. Need to see them in action? My review from January includes before and after photos that, in my humble opinion, are quite impressive. The flattering leggings start at $12, and I advise buying a few pairs at once so you won’t have to pay tax twice when you (inevitably) go back for more after the first pair transforms your body.
Aerie’s Cross-Waist Leggings and Swimsuit Bottoms
I have no idea what kind of magic went into creating these slimming and sculpting bottoms, but I believe it has the power to bring peace to the world (once it’s discovered). When I first tried out the leggings, I audibly gasped. My waist looked like it was two inches slimmer and my butt looked like it was two inches larger. The cross-waist design creates an hourglass shape without uncomfortably sticking to your body like most shapewear does. Now that it’s summertime, I’m also buying the cross-waist cheeky bikini bottoms and biker shorts, because when something is this flattering, I want it in every style possible.
Dr. Jart+ Color Correcting Treatment
My skin tone is naturally flushed. It basically looks like I’m constantly embarrassed or on the brink of sweating, which is typically only half-false. Heavy products like concealer and foundation make me break out, so I was previously left trying to pick between the lesser of two evils when I went out. Now I rely on a color-correcting cream from Dr. Jart+, which allows me to ditch those other products altogether. It transforms my face from a tomato-esque hue to its normal olive tone, and it doesn’t take a lot of product to work. I use about a fingerprint size of the lightweight cream and apply it all over my face with no issue. In minutes, my skin evens out and red bumps or dark spots are concealed. The only issue is that some of my friends with darker skin tones who’ve tested it say it doesn’t match their complexion and can look chalky.
Ariana Grande’s Cloud Eau de Parfum
If you want to smell like someone who has their life together, you can buy the $425 Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait, or you can buy the $45 Ariana Grande Cloud Eau de Parfum — hmm, tough decision! I’ve smelt the luxury 540 scent before, and obviously fell in love with its sophisticated scope of smells that isn’t too floral or fruity, but shelling out so much money for it will never be in my cards. When I saw TikTok videos talking about how Grande’s perfume is a near twin, I immediately added it to my cart. Are they exactly the same? No. Are they eerily similar? Yes. And unlike some celeb fragrances, Grande’s stays on and doesn’t fade quickly.
Coach Pool Slides
Speaking of clouds, I’ve always wanted to walk on one. Which is why I splurged on the puffy and comfy Coach slides that I started to see everywhere this month. Slides are, no doubt, the shoes of the summer — celebs like Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner practically live in them — and I wanted a pair that was fashionable and casual at the same time. These fall under each category. They look fun and funky when I pair them with socks and loungewear, but maintain a chic front if I wear them with dresses or skirts. Not to mention, they’re unbelievably comfortable and made extremely well. I have no doubt these will last for years to come, and I’ll be wearing them constantly.
