Viral products are everywhere, but are they necessary?
We’ve all heard the term influencer. It’s basically someone who promotes fashion, foods, or services to their followers on social media. But have you heard the term de-influencer? It’s getting a lot of attention on social media right now, as people try to help you spot items that are overhyped or you simply don’t need.
Studio 5 Style & Beauty Contributor Megan Moore shared advice that will make you think twice before adding something to your cart.
Making Smarter Consumer Choices
“I think we’re seeing the shift where people are… feeling like we’ve been over consuming,” Megan said. This shift is driven by the increasing cost of living and the realization that many purchases are influenced by targeted ads and social media algorithms. Megan emphasized asking critical questions before making a purchase to avoid falling into the trap of overconsumption.
The Power of Repetition in Advertising
Megan mentioned the affect repetitive advertising can have on us as consumers. She noted, “ There is some definite mental manipulation there… seeing the same thing over and over again.” This repetition can create a false sense of need, leading you to unnecessary purchases. Megan’s advice is to be mindful of this tactic and to critically evaluate whether the product you’re seeing advertised is really necessary.
Overhyped Products
Megan shared her personal experiences with several overhyped products that didn’t work for her.
Snail Mucin
“I literally was able to use this like, maybe two times. It was a texture thing for me,” Megan emphasized. She said that if you know that something isn’t going to be for you, whether it be from a texture standpoint or something else, don’t buy it just because everyone else is.
Sponge Applicator Highlight Wand
Personally, Megan doesn’t like using highlight wands with a sponge applicator. “ Anything that comes in the sponge applicator like this is so messy, you can’t put [the product] back in,” she explained.
Additionally, she doesn’t like this particular product for her skin type and age. “This looks like if I was wearing a safety vest and it was on my face,” she said. ”For me and my texture of skin, this is far too much reflection.” However, she emphasized that if something like this works for you, that’s great. Maybe you have younger skin, but for Megan, she knows that this type of product doesn’t work.
Bronzing Drops
Megan said that bronzing drops went viral for a while, and they would sell out in beauty stores. “ I wanted to love these so much, but here’s the problem…” she explained. “It’s only putting bronzer, which is quite orangey and again, metallic, not good for mature skin, on my face. But then the rest of my body is not this color.”
Megan also mentioned that this kind of product would just cling to her dark spots, making them darker. “ I just think that this might work for 10 year olds, but it does not work for 40 year olds,” she said.
Foundation Powder
This was another viral product, with ads popping up everywhere. “ I actually did a video about this because I was frustrated with the marketing,” Megan emphasized. “They call this a foundation, and in my brain I know… the powder, it does not do the same thing as foundation.” She said that most women know this, but since the ads were so big, it had some thinking that this product was different. Megan emphasized that, like a powder, this product gave no coverage.
3-Second Setting Mist (Hairspray for Your Face)
“ If it looks like hairspray, it probably is hairspray. Don’t put it on your face,” Megan emphasized. “ It’s like, pure alcohol on your face and it made my face feel like the tin man.”
Questions to Ask Before Making a Purchase
Megan suggested asking yourself a few questions before you click ‘add to cart.’
- Is this product being recommended by a real person? Ensure the influencer aligns with your personal style and needs.
- Does it fill a hole in your categories? Consider if the product is something you actually need or if it will just add to your collection.
- Would I use this product daily or multiple times a week? Evaluate the practicality of the product in your daily routine.
- Are the claims simply too good to be true? Be wary of exaggerated claims that may not hold up in reality.
- Is this an ad designed to play on my emotions and convince me to spend money? Recognize emotional manipulation in advertising.
“If it looks like it’s too good to be true, it probably is,” Megan emphasized.
Find more beauty advice from Megan on Instagram, @beautysnoop, or at thebeautysnoop.com.
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