Stephanie Griffin/CNN Underscored

TikTok and Instagram can be great resources for discovering new products, but sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s worth it and what just looks good on your social feed. We’ve done some of the legwork for you, trying out popular viral products that have popped up on our own For You pages. From kitchen favorites to trending fashion finds, we believe these 35 internet-famous products pass the vibe check.

Viral home products

In my search for a new runner rug, I came across this Instagram influencer-approved washable Damas rug and instantly fell in love. Not only is it practical (my hallway gets lots of foot traffic and it’s washable) but it’s also trendy-looking and affordably priced — not to mention completely worth the social media hype, as it has truly stood the test of time. — Stephanie Griffin, social lead

I’ve been singing the praises of the Goshi towel for years, and I still tell everyone I can about the textured towel. It does a great job at exfoliating and scrubbing and will seriously change the way you shower. — Kai Burkhardt, editor


After seeing “cloud slides” all over social media, I finally decided to swap my stiff (though cozy) slippers for a pair of these slides. They have a thick sole that really does feel like walking on clouds. They took some time to soften up, but my feet rarely hurt anymore after standing in the kitchen for hours. — Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home and gifts editor

This tray is so cute but also really practical! It comes with tons of different inserts that you just slide into the tray to make it work for any occasion or just use as a decoration in your home. They also have an insert to make charcuterie boards on. — Hannah Lauson, senior content strategist

Everyone has heard of the Our Place Always Pan by now, and you’d be hard-pressed not to see it all over social media. Once Selena Gomez announced her collab with the brand, I knew I had to finally grab myself the Always Pan and Perfect Pot in Azul. They’re now my kitchen staples. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor

As many of us learned during the Dalgona coffee craze, a milk frother is such a simple tool that can make your morning coffee so much more satisfying and tasty. I love how easy this one is to clean, store and charge. I usually go for a normal cup of joe topped with almond milk foam, and this little whisk whips it up into a beautiful fluffy froth every time. I’ve also tried using it with Clevr’s turmeric Golden SuperLatte, which is delicious and creamy. — Sophie Shaw, associate beauty editor

Viral fashion

The hashtag #WithJeanTryOn has unsurprisingly amassed millions of views on TikTok for its trendy corsets, so naturally, I was influenced enough to get one for myself to wear this spring and summer. The strapless top features a classic corset-style waist, hook-and-eye front closure, white lace overlay and, finally, the most gorgeous blue velvet lace-up back — a key design feature that really sold me. — Stephanie Griffin, social lead

In case you missed it, teardrop earrings of all sizes and finishes are a viral fashion trend. So, I recently picked up a pair of the viral statement earrings from Sterling Forever, and I can’t stop wearing them with everything I own. (I’d probably wear them to bed if I could.) The pair is hypoallergenic, waterproof, tarnish-resistant and, as expected from an Oprah-approved brand, 100% worth the hype. — Stephanie Griffin, social lead 


Thanks to the claw clip comeback, I discovered Emi Jay — a women-owned hair accessory brand that’s partnered with Revolve, influencer Matilda Djerf and many more — on TikTok. As expected of viral brands, most of their bestsellers are frequently sold out; however, I was luckily able to snag one of the super-cute, cult-favorite sweetheart clips, and my hair and I couldn’t be happier! — Stephanie Griffin, social lead

I had been having a lot of trouble finding heels/boots that don’t hurt my feet but still look cute and give me height. I came across these boots while on my search for the perfect going-out shoe and immediately fell in love. For such a large heel (yes, you’ll grow 5 inches) they’re surprisingly super comfortable and easy to move in! — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator 

Parade has become my go-to loungewear and lingerie brand. You’ve probably seen some cool kids on your Instagram wearing their pieces. The fabrics are so, so soft (and sustainable), and they have new colorways and drops to browse all the time. While their underwear is just as cute and comfy, it’s their loungewear that I really love. They have a bunch of mix-and-match options that are great for your base layer or just wearing at home. — Sophie Shaw, associate beauty editor

Nap dresses have been all over my Instagram Explore page for years, and I finally caved ... then proceeded to yell at myself for not buying one sooner. I, of course, went with the OG nap dress and bought myself a Hill House Home Ellie Nap Dress, and it was a summer staple. I’m also toying with the idea of throwing a turtleneck under it to wear into fall. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor

Tights are a fall and winter staple, but every year I found myself having to buy multiple new pairs because of the inevitable rips and runs — until I tried Sheertex’s rip-resistant tights. The Instagram ads of the tights being pulled at and poked with scissors — and never tearing! — convinced me to give them a try. I have both the classic and the Shaping tights, and they both look and feel great. Two years later and I’ve never had so much as a snag appear.

Sophie Shaw, associate beauty editor

Viral beauty products

This skin tint/foundation went viral for being “makeup you can sleep in,” and while I don’t plan on sleeping in my makeup anytime soon, I was intrigued enough to pick up a bottle for myself after finding out it’s also acne-safe and formulated with non-pore-clogging ingredients. I can see why it’s so beloved now that I’ve tried it, because it leaves my skin with a glass-like finish that I haven’t been able to achieve with any other beauty product. — Stephanie Griffin, social lead

I bought this perfume because I heard that it’s got a perfect, sweet smell, and it’s rumored to be Rihanna’s go-to scent. Although it's more of a luxury item, it's worth the cost. I get compliments all the time when I'm wearing this. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator

I’ve been seeing this lip liner everywhere! It’s only $2, which is a steal compared to other viral beauty products on the market. It’s also comparable in quality to some of the luxury liners we all know and love. You need this ASAP. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator

If you never thought applying sunscreen could be fun, let me introduce you to Vacation’s Classic Whipped sunscreen. Not only is the packaging A++ but the whipped cream-like texture is so innovative and fun to use for adults and kids alike. It’s made with clean ingredients and provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection. It doesn’t go on or dry sticky and smells amazing. If you’re not good about wearing sunscreen, I guarantee you this will make you a fan. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor

After finally trying out The Minimalist, I now understand why this product has gone viral: It’s truly the best. It has incredible coverage, but you only need a little bit of product and it doesn’t feel cakey or heavy, and lasts even on the hottest and most humid days. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor

I first learned about this product through one of my favorite podcasts, and after getting my hands on a bottle nearly a year ago, I’ve never gone back to any other moisturizer. Hydraglow, which is formulated with powerhouse anti-aging and anti-acne ingredients, went viral for not only the visible improvement it has on all skin types but also for the lit-from-within glow it leaves you with.

— Stephanie Griffin, social lead

As a pale-skinned person, this cream does wonders to reduce the redness in my skin and give me a nice, even tone. On most days I use this in place of a heavier foundation since it’s lightweight and looks great on its own or as a base for other products like bronzers and blushes. I also love that it has SPF 30 sunscreen built in, so if I do forget my daily sunscreen layer, I’ve got a little bit of backup protection. I truly can’t imagine my skin care shelf without it. It’s just that good. — Jillian Tracy, associate editor

I refuse to lose 45 minutes of precious sleep by waking up to curl my hair in the morning. I also have a very tumultuous relationship with my curling iron, both of which are why I love this heatless curler set. Easy to use with great results, [it just] takes is ten minutes of intentional work the night before [and you] wake up with more voluminous and bouncy hair. My hair loses hold throughout the day regardless, but this way I get a restful night’s sleep, a few hours of curls and healthier hair. — Jillian Tracy, associate editor  

Six months, a 50,000-person wait list (and probably a prayer or two) later, I finally got my hands on Madison Beer’s can’t-live-without beauty product — the Beauty Light Wand — and I can confirm it’s well worth the wait. This shimmering rosy-pink highlighter/blush hybrid is incredibly easy to use, is packed with pigment, blends perfectly into the skin and can be built up to make more of a statement, which is what myself, Madison and pretty much all of TikTok does to really give you that lit-from-within glow. — Stephanie Griffin, social lead

I could barely go a day without seeing the MegaBabe Rosy Pits deodorant in videos. After users swore by it and the incredible scent, I caved and bought it. I was already a huge fan of the brand’s Thigh Rescue, so it’s no surprise I ended up loving this too. The Rosy Pits candle is next on my list. — Lindsey Smith, associate editor

Claw clips are such a cute trend, but it’s always been difficult for me to find ones that can actually keep my very long and thick hair up all day. I saw one of Kov’s videos on TikTok and was influenced to give it a try. The large clip is literally the only claw clip I’ve tried that keeps my hair up, and they even have an XL for even thicker and more textured hair. I’ve had mine for a year now, and it hasn't let me (or my hair) down. — Sophie Shaw, associate beauty editor

Let's be honest — and our TikTok sunscreen tests prove it every time — not all sunscreens are made with people of color in mind. When I found out through an Instagram ad that Black Girl Sunscreen exists, I was super excited to try for myself! I've tested the broad-spectrum [sunscreen] on my body and the Make It Matte sunscreen for the face, and it’s so nice to know that I can protect my skin without looking like chalk. — Sarai Thompson, former social coordinator

I’ve been seeing a ton of people on my For You page raving about clarifying shampoos to remove product buildup from your hair, so I did a little research and found that many people loved this one. I use it once every two to three weeks and I’ve definitely noticed a difference in my hair since I started about three months ago! — Hannah Lauson, senior content strategist

Beloved by TikTokers and celebrities, this viral LED mask is absolutely worth the hype. Aside from the steep price tag and petrifying my pup every time I use it, there is pretty much nothing I dislike about this product after owning it for over a year. It uses 162 LED lights over your entire face to target both wrinkles and breakouts, it works in just three minutes, it's FDA-cleared and, best of all, it actually works. As someone who is acne-prone, I use it every single night and have noticed a major improvement in my complexion and acne scarring.

Stephanie Griffin, social lead

I’ve repurchased this bottle three to four times now and it’s my favorite hair care product. It’s the only thing that I’ve been able to find that tames my frizzy hair and keeps it hydrated all day. Plus, a little goes a long way, so each bottle lasts me a couple of months. — Hannah Lauson, senior content strategist

I am a skin care enthusiast in pursuit of glazed donut skin, so naturally I turn to Hailey Bieber for nearly everything product-related. On her YouTube channel, she raved about the Mara Beauty cleansing oil in her nighttime routine (that has over 3 million views) and I immediately added it to my cart. After just one use, it truly blew me away; it’s a makeup-dissolving cleanser-meets-mask and is a velvety soft, gentle formula that includes a mix of algae extract, jojoba, chia, papaya, pineapple, grapefruit and pumpkin enzymes.

Stephanie Griffin, social lead

Viral travel and outdoor products

Yes, the colors are fun, but what really makes me love the Owala FreeSip is its amazing lid. Its ingenious design has one small opening that’s connected to a straw so you can sip water easily when you’re on the go, and a bigger opening that allows you to chug if you’re really thirsty. Plus, this extra opening means that water won’t come shooting out the water bottle’s straw when you go up in elevation. — Kai Burkhardt, editor

Everyone has heard of the Stanley tumbler by now and it’s selling out everywhere, so we put it to the test. I wanted to see how long it would keep drinks cold, and it did not disappoint as you can see on our TikTok. I use it every day while I work from home, and it is huge so I hardly ever have to refill. It’s helped me drink a lot more water, and all of the different colors make it fun.

— Hannah Lauson, senior content strategist

I had seen tons of videos on TikTok of Away’s The Carry-On and now I finally understand the hype. I have tested a variety of luggage brands for our TikTok and Instagram video series, and while there were a couple top performers, I personally have been using Away. The design looks sleek and even as a serial overpacker, I can fit everything I need. It also easily fits into the overhead on a plane and I have never had to check it.

— Hannah Lauson, senior content strategist

This simple, magnetic ski and snowboard holder has been super helpful protecting my car’s paint from the sharp edges of my snowboard all season. I love how intuitive it is and that you can fit up to two snowboards side by side. — Kai Burkhardt, editor

Viral pet products

My cat is an indoor NYC kitty. Which is not to say she’s lonely, but she can do with some stimulation when we’re not around. Enter The Floppy Fish, which I can confidently admit I found on my Instagram feed. All we had to do was charge it with the included USB cable and throw it in the ground. This fish flopped around like it was losing air by the minute — and Bugsy was on it. Once it stops moving, if a cat just nudges it, it will start convulsing again — which makes it the perfect independent toy.

Tobey Grumet Segal, reviews editor 

I love my cat, but I hate walking into a room that smells like a giant litter box. I’d also rather not scoop litter. We’ve had our Litter Robot for nearly four years, and I’m grateful for it every day. It didn’t take long for my cat to get used to it — although she likes to poke her head around while it’s cycling, so we keep it off during the day and only run it at night. We can also run a cycle via the app while we’re on vacation. — Amina Lake Abdelrahman, home and gifts editor