Okay, besties, let's spill the tea. You know I'm obsessed with scrolling through TikTok. And like everyone else, I've been bombarded with viral beauty hacks. Some look amazing, some… well, some look downright terrifying. So, naturally, I volunteered as tribute and tested a bunch myself! Get ready for some laughs (and hopefully some useful tips) because I'm sharing my honest experiences.
The Viral Hacks I Tried (So You Don't Have To!)
I've been religiously watching what's trending on the app. From skincare to makeup, I've been trying to recreate these looks using a variety of methods. Some worked, some REALLY didn't.
Hack #1: The 'Fake Tan' Contour
The Claim: Contour with fake tan for a sculpted look that lasts!
My Experience: Okay, this one scared me, I won't lie. I grabbed my trusty bottle of St. Tropez tanning mousse and a small angled brush. I carefully applied it to my cheekbones, temples, and jawline. The trickiest part? Blending! It dries fast. I was terrified of ending up looking like I'd been tangoed.
The Verdict: It actually worked! The colour was subtle (thank goodness!), and it did give me a nice, defined contour. However, I'd recommend this only if you're experienced with fake tan. And maybe do a patch test first! I'm not responsible for any orange incidents. I'd also say it's more of a summer hack, when you're already using fake tan more. For my regular autumn skincare routine, I prefer powder contour. It's just easier, isn't it?
Hack #2: The 'Spoon' Eyeliner
The Claim: Use a spoon to create a perfect winged eyeliner.
My Experience: This one seemed easy enough. I grabbed a spoon from my kitchen drawer (washed, of course!) and followed the instructions I saw online. The handle of the spoon is supposed to help you draw the wing, and the curved edge is supposed to create the perfect flick.
The Verdict: Total fail for me. The spoon kept slipping, the eyeliner was wobbly, and I ended up with black smudges all over my eyelid. Maybe I'm just clumsy, but I think I'll stick to my trusty eyeliner pen. I use the one from Collection, it's a high street staple and so easy to use! Plus, it’s budget-friendly at £4. Honestly, don't waste your time.
Hack #3: The 'Vaseline' Lash Growth
The Claim: Apply Vaseline to your eyelashes every night to promote growth.
My Experience: I've heard whispers of this hack for years, but never tried it. So, I diligently applied a thin layer of Vaseline to my lashes every night before bed for two weeks. I made sure to be super careful not to get it in my eyes – stinging eyes are not a vibe.
The Verdict: I can't say I noticed a huge difference in length, but my lashes did feel softer and looked a little bit thicker. Plus, Vaseline is super moisturising, so it's not a bad addition to your evening skincare routine, especially in the colder autumn months. It's definitely worth a try, especially if you have sensitive eyes like me and find most lash serums irritating. It's cheap as chips, too!
Hack #4: The 'Ice Roller' for Puffiness
The Claim: Rolling an ice roller over your face reduces puffiness and inflammation.
My Experience: I popped an ice roller in my freezer and used it every morning after cleansing. It's freezing, obviously, but surprisingly refreshing.
The Verdict: This one is a winner! It really did depuff my face, especially around my eyes. It's perfect for those mornings when you wake up looking like you've been crying all night (we've all been there, right?). I've also found it helps to soothe my skin after using active ingredients like retinol. This hack works especially well alongside my Gua Sha facelift routine which I've talked about Gua Sha Facelift? My Honest DIY Experience!. I've found this is a great combo.
Hack #5: The 'Brown Sugar' Lip Scrub
The Claim: Mix brown sugar and honey for a DIY lip scrub that gets rid of dead skin.
My Experience: This one is so simple! I mixed a teaspoon of brown sugar with a teaspoon of honey and gently scrubbed my lips for a minute.
The Verdict: Absolutely! My lips felt so smooth and soft afterwards. It's a great way to prep your lips before applying lipstick, especially those matte shades that can cling to dry patches. Plus, you probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen cupboard! I do this before applying lip balm as part of my fall routine, along with my skin flooding routine that I wrote about in Skin Flooding? It Saved My Dry Autumn Skin!. Trust me on this one.
My Top Tips for Testing TikTok Beauty Hacks
Okay, so before you run off and try every viral hack you see, here are a few things I've learned:
* Do your research: Don't just blindly follow trends. Read reviews, watch multiple videos, and make sure the hack is safe for your skin type.
* Start small: Don't slather your entire face with a new ingredient without testing it on a small area first. Patch tests are your friend!
* Be realistic: Not every hack will work for everyone. What works for one person might not work for you, and that's okay.
* Listen to your skin: If something feels irritating or uncomfortable, stop using it immediately.
* Have fun! Beauty should be enjoyable, so don't take it too seriously.
Final Thoughts
Some TikTok beauty hacks are genuinely brilliant, whilst others are just… well, a bit of a mess. It's all about experimenting and finding what works for you. Don't be afraid to try new things, but always be cautious and listen to your skin. And if you're looking for more tried-and-tested beauty advice, check out my post on Scalp Detox DIY? Hello, Hair Growth!. Happy hacking, lovelies! Let me know in the comments which hacks you've tried and if they worked for you. I'm always up for trying new things!
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