Shopping for beauty has become a bit mad.
Whenever you open either Instagram or TikTok there's always some new product that everybody is talking about; one week it's a blush, the following week it's a lip treatment, and then all of a sudden everyone wants the same Korean sunscreen.
Here's the question: is it really worth buying these products?
A few viral products are actually good, while others are enjoyable though not essential, and some look a lot better on social media than they do in real life. Rather than saying that all popular products are amazing, let's consider some of the beauty products which people actually know about, buy, search for, and discuss. I have included makeup, skincare, lip products, fragrances, and a few budget-friendly ones.
Yes, I'll also let you know what I dislike about them.
An honest beauty review should include both the good and the bad.
1. The Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush
You'll have come across Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush if you've spent just a bit of time watching beauty videos.
Rare Beauty is now one of the most well-known brands in the field of modern makeup, and the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush is one of the product lines that the brand is best known for; the product still ranks among Rare Beauty's current bestsellers.
The first thing you notice is the pigmentation.
You in fact do not need very much.
A single dot is sufficient to colour one cheek. You'll most likely end up spending longer on blending than you intended if you apply too much.
That is in fact one of the main criticisms that beginning users have about this blush.
Once you know the right amount to use, it can appear very nice indeed, giving you a fresh, slightly rosy look without making your makeup look too heavy.
The positive points are that it is very pigmented, offers a wide range of shades, and requires only a small amount of product.
The rather poor aspect is that it's very easy to apply in excess.
My honest opinion is that I see the excitement about it; you should begin with a small amount.
2. Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment
Rhode gained fame very quickly, and a great deal of that recognition came from social media.
The brand is now one of the most discussed beauty brands in the world. According to a 2026 beauty popularity report, Rhode was included among the top beauty brands globally on the basis of social media followings and search interest, and WWD stated that Rhode became Sephora North America's largest brand launch with three products being sold every second during the opening weekend.
The Peptide Lip Treatment is a product which contributed to the buzz.
It's roughly the type of lip product you can keep in your bag and use each time your lips seem dry or if you just want a bit of shine.
One of the things I prefer about products such as this is the ease with which they can be used.
There's no need to consider them.
Wear it and then go.
Here's the straightforward truth: you can achieve just as much basic lip moisturisation with cheaper products.
You are paying part of the money for the formula and the rest for the experience and the brand.
Advantages include ease of use, comfort, a glossy finish, and being very suitable for social media.
The rather poor option is that there are some cheaper lip products which can achieve a similar effect.
My honest opinion is that it's worth giving it a go if you like glossy lip products, but by no means essential.
3. Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk lipstick
Some beauty products go viral.
Others become classics.
Pillow Talk by Charlotte Tilbury falls into the second category.
Pillow Talk is now one of the most well-known names associated with lipstick in the field of beauty, and Charlotte Tilbury currently regards it as one of its most popular products, always including it in its bestseller range.
The reason that people enjoy it is simple.
It's a lipstick that's common and simple to use every day.
You can wear it to work, to a dinner, to a party, or simply when you want your lips to appear a bit more polished.
I should not say that the shade is perfect for everybody.
The appearance of lip colours depends on both your natural lip colour and your skin tone.
That's something which social media doesn't always display to you.
The positive points are that it is classic, easy to wear, and readily recognizable.
The downside is that it's expensive and the well-known colour won't look precisely the same on all people.
My honest opinion is that it's a beauty classic provided that you genuinely love the shade.
4. Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62
Let's move away from makeup for a second.
People recognize Sol de Janeiro on the basis of its scent.
Cheirosa 62 is, in fact, particularly popular among body mist enthusiasts.
According to WWD's 2026 Power Brands data, the brand is currently one of the strongest beauty brands on Amazon, Sephora, and Ulta.
The scent is sweet, warm, and obvious.
It's a smell which causes a person to ask, "What perfume are you wearing?"
That must be one of the reasons why people love it.
However, if you do prefer rather soft or clean scents, then this one might seem a bit sweet.
Typical of body mist is the fact that it doesn't last just like a strong perfume.
The positive points are that it is fun, easy to identify, sweet-scented and simple to wear.
The not-so-great aspect is that it can be rather sweet to certain people and its longevity might not be equal to that of an expensive perfume.
My honest opinion is that it's excellent if you prefer sweet scents—so if you can, do try it before deciding to buy.
5. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
It does not follow that every beauty product which is famous around the world is glamorous.
CeraVe is a good example.
The Hydrating Cleanser has become a essential product in the field of skincare and, according to current beauty data, it ranks among the most searched skincare products worldwide, with approximately 246,000 searches per month as shown in Idealo's 2026 report.
The product is simple.
You can use it to clean your face and this will not complicate your skincare routine.
Exactly what I like about it.
A cleanser is not something you need if you want to completely transform your skin.
Its function is to clean your face and make your skin feel comfortable.
The problem is that a person who enjoys a strongly foaming cleanser might think it is too mild.
The positive point is that it is simple, practical, and appropriate for those who prefer basic skincare.
The downside is that it might seem a bit mild if you prefer a more thorough cleaning sensation.
My honest opinion is that it's not exciting but still a reasonable everyday skincare product.
6. Niacinamide 10% combined with zinc 1% from The Ordinary
Another beauty brand known as The Ordinary has gained fame by sticking to simplicity.
Rather than stating that the product has some mysterious 'beauty complex', the brand displays the ingredient itself.
The Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% serum is one of the brand's most well-known products and was included in Idealo's 2026 beauty report as one of the world's most searched skincare products, receiving about 165,000 average monthly searches.
Niacinamide is employed in skincare for a number of issues, such as the appearance of excess oil and skin that looks uneven.
But here's something I wish more beauty videos would say:
It's not necessary to include every active ingredient simply because it's popular.
You shouldn't start adding five new serums to your existing skincare routine just because they are currently in fashion.
The positive point is that it is affordable and easy to find.
The negative aspect is that it's not necessary for everybody, and having too many active ingredients can cause your skin to become irritated.
My honest opinion is that it's a good serum that's affordable, so use it since it suits your routine, not because all the people on the internet have it.
7. Fenty Beauty's Gloss Bomb
When Rihanna launched the brand, Fenty Beauty brought about a change in the way people talked about makeup shades and inclusivity.
Gloss Bomb turned into one of the brand's signature products.
The concept is simple enough: having shiny and comfortable lips without your makeup appearing too complicated.
At times people do want simple makeup.
You could just add a bit of gloss along with some mascara and blush and that would be all.
Fenty Beauty is still one of the most widely seen beauty brands globally, having amassed millions of social media followers and enjoying high levels of search interest.
The downside?
It's still lip gloss.
You'll probably not suddenly start liking gloss if you're the type who disposes of sticky or glossy lips just because Fenty launched a gloss.
A positive point is that it's a simple everyday lip product and one that is a well-known beauty classic.
The thing about Gloss is that it isn't suitable for everybody and doesn't last as long as a long-wear lipstick.
My honest opinion is that it's worth a go if you enjoy glossy lips.
8. Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
I'd like to include this product in a list such as this because it shows that it's possible to buy a popular item without having to spend a lot of money.
Maybelline Sky High became a huge hit on social media and is still one of the most recognizable of the cheap mascaras.
It is able to make lashes appear longer and more defined without needing a complicated eye-makeup routine.
It's the one you get when you're late and yet want to appear awake.
However, you shouldn't expect to get precisely the same result that you see in a person's TikTok video.
Your natural lashes matter.
A person who has long lashes might end up with a totally different outcome than someone who has short or straight lashes.
The positive point is that it is affordable and easy to use.
The somewhat negative point is that the results depend a great deal on your natural lashes.
My honest opinion is that it's one of the easier makeup products to recommend to those who are just starting.
9. The beauty of the Joseon relief sun
K-beauty has developed into a global beauty trend, and Beauty of Joseon is one of the brands that contributed to bringing Korean skincare to a much wider audience.
Sunscreen Relief gained a great deal of popularity since it has a formulation that is more in the nature of a skincare product than the heavy sunscreen formulas that some people don't like.
And honestly, that's important.
You might not wish to use the sunscreen every day if you don't like the way it feels.
It is easier to incorporate a comfortable sunscreen into your daily routine. The beauty of Joseon can still be seen in current discussions about viral beauty products.
Advantages include a lightweight sensation and the fact that it is based on a popular K-beauty formula; disadvantages are that because it has become viral it does not necessarily suit all skin types or all climates.
My honest opinion is that it's a worthwhile product to consider if the idea of using traditional sunscreens doesn't appeal to you.
10. L'Oréal Paris
It was important to me to feature at least one of the major everyday beauty brands since global beauty doesn't consist solely of expensive or viral products.
L'Oréal Paris is one of the world's leading and most well-known beauty brands.
In a 2026 TikTok beauty brand ranking compiled on the basis of earned media value it reached number one, outperforming other brands such as Huda Beauty, YSL Beauty, CeraVe, Charlotte Tilbury, and Rare Beauty.
Because the brand is so large, it offers a wide range of choices.
Makeup, skincare, haircare, and all other kinds of beauty products are available at various price levels, and since they are widely available you generally don't need to look hard to find them.
It is true that not every product made by L'Oréal will be suitable for every individual; that is the issue involved in evaluating an entire brand rather than assessing each product separately.
The positive points are that it has a wide variety, is easy to locate, and offers plenty of inexpensive choices.
The downside is that the quality of the product can differ from product to product.
My honest opinion is that it's a useful reminder that popular beauty doesn't have to be expensive always.
So, which beauty product is actually worth purchasing?
Having looked at all the products, I don't believe there is a single answer.
You could end up falling in love with Rare Beauty or Fenty if you already love makeup.
If you'd like to stick with skincare, brands such as CeraVe, The Ordinary, and Beauty of Joseon might be more helpful.
If you're interested in fragrance, Sol de Janeiro is most likely the one product you'll notice.
If you're looking for something cheap, Maybelline and L'Oréal both have a wide range of choices.
The important thing is not to buy it all.
It's not necessary to have a lot of products in the bathroom simply because they are popular.
Don't Confuse Viral With Necessary
This is likely the most important rule I have for beauty shopping.
A product may be viral and yet not the right one for you.
Even if you notice thousands of people using a certain serum, there's no reason to buy it if your skin doesn't require it.
Even if all the people you see are wearing a particular lipstick, if you don't happen to like the colour then it doesn't matter how popular that lipstick is.
You could perhaps appreciate the packaging of a luxury item but still come to the conclusion that a far cheaper one serves you just as well.
That's okay.
Beauty is personal.
What Would I Buy?
If I were trying to keep my beauty routine simple, I wouldn't go and buy all ten products.
I might begin by using a good cleanser, a moisturizer, some sunscreen, one makeup product that I really like, and one lip product.
I would include them only when I really needed to.
That's a lot better method of shopping than just buying things since they appeared on your For You page.
Final Verdict
After looking at all these beauty products, I honestly don't think there is one product that everyone needs.
That's the truth.
A product can be all over TikTok, have thousands of reviews, and still not work for you. Maybe the shade doesn't suit you. Maybe the texture feels wrong. Maybe it's too expensive for what it does. Or maybe you simply don't need it.
And that's okay.
Some of the products on this list are definitely worth trying. I can understand why Rare Beauty blush became so popular. CeraVe is a good choice if you want simple skincare without making your routine complicated. Maybelline Sky High is a nice option if you want good-looking lashes without spending a lot. Beauty of Joseon is also worth checking out if you prefer a lighter sunscreen.
Then there are products like Rhode, Sol de Janeiro, and Charlotte Tilbury. They're fun, they're popular, and I can understand why people love them. But I wouldn't say you need them. Sometimes you're paying a little extra for the brand, packaging, and overall experience.
That's something I think we forget when we're constantly seeing beauty products online.
Popular doesn't always mean necessary.
Before buying something, I'd ask myself, "Am I buying this because I actually want it, or because I've seen it 20 times today?"
If the answer is the second one, I'd probably wait a few days.
You might still want it later—and if you do, great. At least you'll know you're buying it because you really like it, not because the internet talked you into it.
For skincare, I'd keep things even simpler. You don't need ten serums sitting on your bathroom shelf. A cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, and a treatment that actually suits your skin can be more than enough for a lot of people.
For makeup, buy what you will actually use. I'd rather have five products I reach for every week than a drawer full of viral products that looked amazing online but never get used.
So, are these beauty products worth buying?
Some definitely are. Some are nice to have. And some are probably not worth your money if they don't fit your needs.
That's the honest answer.
Don't buy a product just because everyone else has it.
Buy it because you actually think you'll enjoy using it.
And now I'm curious about your experience.
What's one beauty product you bought because it went viral? Did you love it, or did you end up thinking, "Why did I buy this?"
Tell me in the comments. I'd much rather hear real opinions from readers than another perfect-looking beauty recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best beauty products to buy?
The best product depends on your skin type, budget, and what you actually need. Popular products aren't automatically the best for everyone.
What are the most popular beauty products right now?
Products from brands like Rare Beauty, Rhode, CeraVe, Charlotte Tilbury, Fenty Beauty, Sol de Janeiro, and The Ordinary are among the names getting strong attention from beauty shoppers.
Are viral beauty products really worth buying?
Some are, but not all. A product going viral doesn't mean it will work for your skin. Check the ingredients, reviews, and whether you actually need it.
What is the correct order for a skincare routine?
A simple routine is usually cleanser, serum or treatment if needed, moisturizer, and sunscreen in the morning. Sunscreen should be the final skincare step before makeup.
Is expensive skincare better than affordable skincare?
Not necessarily. Price doesn't guarantee better results. A less expensive product can work perfectly well for your skin.