Influencer marketing, the rise of the ‘Get Ready With Me’ TikTok video format, and the age of social media icons have made it all too easy for Generation Z to know what to buy. Despite this, a growing trend on TikTok sees influencers advising their followers on what not to buy. An influencer will advise against buying products that are often trendy but deemed unnecessary or not worth their price.
I’m not here to tell you to throw away your favorite mascara or ditch all of your blushes — if a product listed here works for you, keep using it! That said, de-influencing can be a welcome break from increasingly short trend cycles and the growing pressure to buy a product now.
Here are some cult fave products that (IMHO) you should think twice about purchasing.
Charlotte tilbury contour wand
Why I don’t love it: I’m gonna start this out with a blazing hot take: The Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand is not all that. The design is user-friendly and sleek, but at $42 this wand does not perform at its price point. It melted into my other face makeup, and when I used it on bare skin it felt patchy. You can imagine my horror.
More importantly than my personal woes with this product is the fact that it only comes in two shades
What you may already have: Any bronzer will work for a warmer cheek contour. A cool brown eyeshadow will give you a sculpted nose and eyelid contour.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask
Why I don’t love it: I’ll stress that I don’t dislike this product. It’s glossy, the packaging is pretty, and it smells good. That said it is $25, and as a lip treatment I found that it didn’t outperform my beloved budget-friendly Aquaphor.
It’s also worth noting that although the brand claims to not test on animals, they are not certified Cruelty Free.
What you may already have: An Aquaphor or CeraVe healing ointment will do wonders for chapped skin for less than half the price of Laneige lip products. Mix in your favorite blush for a rosy lip and cheek tint!
Grande Lash Serum
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and this does not substitute for professional medical advice for this product.
Why I really don’t love it: I purchased GrandeLash in search of long, fluttery lashes and I did see an increase in the overall length of my lashes over time. That said, I, along with several of my friends who have tried this serum, experienced pretty uncomfortable side effects. The skin underneath my eyes was irritated and had darkened to a purple-y color. This isn’t a universal experience for all people who purchase this product, but it was enough to turn my friends and me away from Grande Lash for good.
At $68 for a full-size bottle (which you must keep repurchasing for as long as you want lengthened eyelashes) this product was a hard no for me.
What you may already have: Castor Oil can be used on your eyelashes and eyebrows to make them appear thicker and fuller. Put it on at night with your Aquaphor lip treatment!
Olaplex Shampoo and Conditioner
Why I don’t love it: I tried this shampoo and conditioner combination after I highlighted my hair for the first time. At $60 for a set, I was hoping for beautiful, soft, and hydrated hair. Though it smelled pleasant and washed my hair well, I found that my hair was left dry and lackluster.
Recently, a group of 30 women filed a lawsuit against Olaplex, claiming that their products caused hair loss and scalp damage. Until 2021, Olaplex contained a now-banned ingredient Lilial, which was found to be harmful.
What you may already have: It is a-okay to stick with familiar favorites in the realm of hair care. Ask your hairdresser for recommendations for color-treated or otherwise damaged hair.
The Bottom line
There is nothing wrong with loving beauty products that work for you. That said, we’re in an age where the average American is exposed to around four to ten thousand advertisements a day, and a lot of purchases can feel rushed or pressured. De-Influencing (at its best) aims to make consumers more mindful of their purchasing habits, and through its mindful influence, it may make you love your beauty routine even more!