THANKS to platforms like TikTok and Instagram, beauty products can go viral, too, showing up on videos overnight and disappearing from shelves just as quickly.
One Ulta employee who's seen viral favorites become ubiquitous and sell out gave her followers an honest take on the platform's biggest hits, and revealed which picks aren't worth the money.
Gisselle doesn't reveal her last name in her videos, but she does confirm her Ulta employee status by letting viewers see her lanyard and name tag.
"These products went viral on TikTok," Gisselle said by way of introduction. "I'll be letting you know if they're underrated, overrated or justified."
The first product was Lash Princess mascara by Essence, a cult-favorite mascara that costs only $5 and promises results identical to high-end brands.
"Is it affordable? Yes! Is it the best mascara when it's first used? Yes!" Gisselle admitted.
"But after a few uses it's a clumpy mess."
Commenters were quick to agree with her. "The Essence mascara disappointed me so much," one viewer wrote.
Gisselle labeled the cheap buy "overrated."
Next up was e.l.f.'s Putty Blush line. Gisselle immediately said the hype around these $7 blush pots was justified.
"These will melt onto your skin like butter on a hot biscuit," the Ulta expert said.
"And can we talk about the price?" she continued. "So affordable for the way they perform."
One viewer in the comments said she bought the blush after watching Gisselle's video.
"Finally got it and love it," she wrote.
One of the most controversial products Gisselle discussed was the NYX Shine Loud Lip Color, a longwear lip gloss that became so popular on TikTok, the product's online reviews are filled with mentions of the app.
"Get this tacky latex mess out of my face," Gisselle wrote.
"I truly don't understand how people continue to buy this specific lippie."
Some commenters were taken aback by her virulent dislike of the gloss, which costs $11.50 at Ulta stores.
"I must have the best lips out there because I love that NYX lipstick," one person wrote.
But others agreed with Gisselle's assessment that the lip gloss was overrated.
"I knew I could trust you when you dragged the NYX," another woman said. "That texture is like hot asphalt."
Finally, Gisselle reviewed the Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer, a product by Eva Nyc that many consider a "dupe" of a much pricier item.
Mane Magic is "just as good as It's a 10," Gisselle wrote.
She was referring to It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product, which also protects and primes hair for heat styling.
The Eva Nyc spray is only $11.99 for a 5.4-ounce container, while $21 at Ulta will buy 4 ounces of It's a 10.
Gisselle called the Mane Magic spray underrated and said it "deserves to go viral again."
"I have the Eva Nyc and it is amazing," a commenter agreed. "Smells so good too!"
And another viewer jokingly chastised Gisselle for bringing the spray to the world's attention.
"I don’t want it to sell out," she wrote.
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