We tried Tiktok-famous beauty products and here’s what we think

IN case you’re wondering where the young people are, they’re all on Tiktok, a video sharing/social networking service. Being the mother of a zoomer (a person born between 1996 and the early mid-2000s), I am not unfamiliar with Tiktok.

Sometimes when I receive a PR package, my daughter would remark, “Oh, I saw that on Tiktok.” So I decided to look through my stash to see what Tiktokfamous products I have and test them if I hadn’t yet.

One of the most famous beauty products on Tiktok is the Fresh Formula Sgt. At Arms Lightening Duo. This comes in a box that includes an underarm lightening cream and a deodorant spray. Fresh Formula’s CEO Nina Dizon-cabrera is an Internet-famous personality. She has 1.5 million followers on Tiktok, where she has shared her underarm whitening journey. I don’t have underarm discoloration or texture issues so I haven’t used the cream but the deo spray works against odor and there’s no itching or irritation after you use it. Both products contain niacinamide, witch hazel, green tea extract, sunflower oil and papaya extract. They are also free from parabens and triclosan, which is an ingredient banned for use in certain products by the US FDA because it can reportedly contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Slugging is a Tiktok beauty trend that involves slathering your face with an occlusive like Vaseline Petroleum Jelly after applying your moisturizer. This is ideally done at night.

While I believe in this technique since petroleum jelly basically locks in moisture, I would never use it on my face. I wouldn’t mind using it on other parts of my body like the arms and elbows though. Slugging is believed to have originated from Korea although my mom has been doing it for over 20 years, even in the summer. Aside from slugging potentially clogging your pores, I see no bad effect. However, imagine how your sheets would smell in this weather unless you change them everyday.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze is a relatively new product that’s perfect for the laminated brow look. Brow Freeze is a clear gel that you apply on your brows with a spoolie.

Since we barely do a full face of makeup, I use this alone and so far, I love it because it makes my brows look groomed even if they’re actually very unruly. It also lasts through hot and humid days. During times when I want a more polished look, I apply the Benefit Microfilling Brow Pen first and then follow that with Brow Freeze.

Physician’s Formula Butter Bronzer is a product that I have been using for years. I mostly use the lighter shade as a face powder. It’s a Tiktok favorite because of its blendable formula and affordable price tag. Mostly, they use it as a contour powder. I’m not a fan of the bronzer’s strong scent though.

I’m always asked what a mask-proof lipstick is and my answer is always the Maybelline Super Stay Matte Lipstick. This lipstick stays put for 12 hours and it doesn’t really dry your lips. It’s famous on Tiktok for this reason. True story: a friend was having a major operation a few years back and was asking what lipstick she could wear that would go the distance. I sent her a tube of this and that’s what she used.

L’oreal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear Foundation is Tiktokfamous because it is convenient to use, has a nice finish and is affordable. Some have even called it a dupe for the Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Blurring Powder Foundation; I don’t agree but Infallible is a pretty good product at its price point.

The Ordinary’s AHA 30 percent + BHA 2 percent Peeling Solution is known as “vampire’s blood” and “blood of my enemy” online. Because of its color, this solution became very popular on Tiktok as creators could do a lot of things with it. Used once a week, this peeling solution helps clear pores and improve skin texture. What you should not do: apply the product directly on your skin from the bottle dropper like they do on Tiktok. If this gets into your eyes, you’ll be in serious trouble. Also, it’s supposed to stay on your face for only 10 minutes and you aren’t supposed to use it more than once a week.

Bio-oil Skin Care Oil was once popular for use when you wanted to get rid of stretch marks. Tiktok creators love it because it helps with discoloration, scars and fine lines.

I’ve used Pears Transparent Soap since I was a child so I was initially perplexed as to why it trended on Tiktok. Apparently, it was because of the soap brows trend. A creator used a used a spoolie brush and a bar of Pears Transparent Soap and the video got millions of views.