I found alternatives to these viral makeup products

At some point, we've all been confronted with those two little words that no one likes to hear: sold out. While there are certain things that I would put on a waitlist for and (impatiently) wait to be notified of when they were back in stock, a makeup product isn't one of them. If one of my beloved products goes viral on TikTok and is subsequently no longer in stock, I don't skip this step in my routine until it becomes available again, but instead look for a suitable alternative. And in the process, I learned a cold, hard truth: Many viral makeup products are actually pretty overrated.

When it comes to shopping for new beauty products, I have one rule: If it doesn't fit in my makeup bag, I don't buy it. It's a bit dramatic, but over the years I've come to realize that less is more: wear less makeup, spend less money. Maybe it was the transition to becoming a more conscious consumer or moving into a small New York apartment, but at some point I realized that hanging on to an excess of beauty products was no longer possible. But with so many #BeautyTok creators and the viral products that have followed, it can be difficult to decide what to buy — if anything.

Considering that it is Literally, it's my job to stay up to date on the latest internet trends, including beauty must-haves. Trust me: These are the viral makeup products I think are overrated, plus their better, slightly cheaper alternatives.

lip gloss

Skip: Juicy lip balm from Tarte Maracuja
Love: Kosas Wet Lip Oil Plumping Peptide Lip Treatment Gloss

I'll never forget the day my best friend of 14 years pulled out her makeup bag and revealed that it contained ten sticks of Tarte's Maracuja Juicy Lip Balm. Open-mouthed, I asked, “But why so many?” At the time, she swore to me that just one swipe of a “juicy lip” would forever revolutionize the way I viewed lip gloss. I'll admit that the lip plumping treatment had a stranglehold on me for a while, but that was before the current world of hydrating lipsticks and juicy lip oils (back when I only wore matte lipsticks…oh yeah). Now I find the tart formula too sticky and too heavy; Instead, I enjoy the non-sticky, hydrating formula of the Kosas Wet Lip Oil Plumping Peptide Lip Treatment Gloss.

Blush

Skip: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Rouge
Love: Glossier Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush

No, this is not a mix-up: my Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush was actually passed on to a friend. It's not like the popular, highly pigmented blush is naturally like this bad– It just wasn’t for me. Although I found the applicator to be user-friendly, the pigmentation was a bit too much for me and I found using the product on a daily basis difficult. Then I went back to my tried and tested blush of choice: the Cloud Paint Gel Cream Blush from Glossier. The gel-cream combination allows for easy, buildable application and a streak-free, natural finish.

Bronzer

Skip: Tarte Sculpt Tape contour
Love: Dibs Desert Island Duo Blush and Bronzer Stick

Speaking of which a little goes a long wayNo matter how many times I tried to get the right ratio of bronzer with the Tarte Sculpt Tape Contour wand, I couldn't help but feel like I'd just be better off without it. Even worse: the padded applicator tip split in half after just a few weeks of use. I took this as a signal to switch to Dibs' award-winning Blush and Bronzer Stick duo. It'll cost you the same as Tarte's, but you get a lot more for your money with the 2-in-1 blush and bronzer combo. In comparison, Dibs' cream-based formula felt more hydrating and allowed for a buildable, foolproof application.

Eyebrow gel

Skip: Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow + Tinted Volumizing Eyebrow Gel
Love: Kosas Air Brow Volumizing eyebrow gel

Finding a great eyebrow product is like finding a great pair of jeans: it's a difficult but rewarding task. And with that comes the fear of trying something new. As someone with thinner brows, I'm always looking for the next best brow product (bonus points if it's particularly volumizing). For years I stuck with Benefit's Gimme Brow, and while I was pretty happy with it, I recently switched to Kosas' Air Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel after getting a sample of it with my Sephora purchase. Thanks to the change, my brows have never looked fuller.

Fixing spray

Skip: One/Size On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray
Love: NYX Long-lasting fixing spray for a matte finish

I have to admit, when I saw the waiting list for Patrick Starrr's TikTok-approved setting spray, I thought it must be worth the wait. The pretty pink packaging? It's worth it twice. But when I received the product, I realized how impulsive it had been to click the “Checkout” button on a product I didn't know much about. Although I wanted to keep the product for the incredible smell alone, the feeling of pulling the trigger on the aerosol can was far too reminiscent of my early makeup-wearing days, when I relied on Tresemmé Hair Spray to be my cover girl Keep BB Cream intact. When my one/size setting spray ran out (very quickly, I might add), I went back to my trusty sub-$10 matte finish setting spray from NYX.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tinsley Crisp, Fashion and Beauty Contributor

Tinsley Crisp is The Everygirl's fashion and beauty editor, specializing in reporting on the season's latest trends and hottest products. As a New York City-based stylist, she is passionate about inspiring joy in the art of dressing and providing our readers with accessible, yet sophisticated content.