It’s official: TikTok is our go-to resource to scroll for the newest and most noteworthy beauty tips, tricks and hacks. A recent report by digital tools platform LaunchMetrics revealed TikTok’s increasing influence on our bathroom cabinets, naming the social media platform as having the strongest impact growth for beauty brands, with an increase of 176% year-on-year.
Yes, TikTok’s allowed us to up our beauty game via our digital peers as well as celebrities, but alongside the good advice there’s plenty of the bad and the ugly (not to mention the trends that are gone in a flash – hello, menstrual face masks).
More importantly, there are some clips that have caution written all over them. Many pros are advising users to take care when recreating TikTok beauty trends at home. “I have to say TikTok is a major source of frustration especially with younger clients as they’re taking advice as gospel,” says skincare expert Dija Ayodele, author of Black Skin – The Definitive Skincare Guide. “Generally, I think there’s a lot of misinformation out there pushing these trends and they can be very dangerous and hyped up. I’ve seen people injure themselves trying these trends and even cause life-long disfigurement from trying to tattoo freckles onto their skin or micro-needling makeup into their skin.”
Dija urges TikTokers to be careful about who they’re receiving beauty advice from. “I say to people, especially younger clients: look at the qualifications of the people behind these 90-second videos. Are they professionals? Do they have medical qualifications, or any standing on these issues?”
Also, Dija adds, apply some common sense before you embrace the next viral vid. “Just because people are jumping off a cliff would you jump off a cliff as well? Trends aren’t universal. Just because it works for one person it doesn’t mean it will work for you.”
So before you dye your eyebrows pink or add ‘wolf cut’ to your hair wish-list, read our reality check on the latest beauty tips from the world of TikTok – ones you can try sensibly and safely.
Meet the experts
Dija Ayodele
@dija_ayodele – Author of Black Skin – The Definitive Skincare Guide
Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme
@dr_ifeoma_ejikeme – Medical Director of award-winning Adonia Medical Clinic
Cynthia Adjei
@cynthia_for_real – Founder of DW Aesthetics
Notox
Off the back of ‘skinminimalism’ and rise of social media app BeReal, “Notox” has gained momentum as more of us look to get skin beautiful without a syringe in sight. Trend forecasters WGSN hailed 2023 the year of ‘tweakments’, so keep an eye-out for double barrelled buzzwords like lab-grown, and doctorfounded. TikTokers are in love with LED facial masks and topical treatments that promise fewer frowns that are needle-free.
What to try
Skincycling
Originally coined by dermatologist and brand founder Dr Whitney Bowe, the method of skincycling has gone from strength to strength on TikTok. What’s the theory? Dr Bowe suggested that the most effective way to skin perfection was to use active ingredients on certain days followed by “rest days” to help prevent over exfoliation and irritation. She recommends using a leave-on product over something that’s wash-off, like a cleanser. Night two is a retinoid application. While nights three and four are reserved for “rest and recovery”.
What to try
Face water dumps
With claims it makes skin brighter, less puffy and can relieve anxiety along the way, Lucerouriondo1, whose video has been viewed 1.6 million times, suggests two to three rounds of 10-13 second dips in iced cold water works wonders. Historically, the concept of cold-water therapy or cryotherapy has a long legacy, however our skin expert Dija advises the following: “Salicylic acid, sunscreen, retinoid, they are what ultimately give you the appearance of smaller pores and better looking skin.” If your interest is still piqued, here are some alternatives.
What to try
Hair syrup
Good old oiling the hair and scalp is now coined hair syrup. It focuses on pre-washing with oils, a throwback to popular Luster’s Pink pre-treatment hot oils. Fans are readily taking up oils elsewhere in their regime. Rosemary oil, for instance, is particularly popular right now on TikTok, touted as a remedy for hair growth and ridding your scalp of irritation and dandruff. Dr Ifeoma Ejikeme recommends, “Rosemary Oil which has been proven to be good for preventing hair loss and encouraging hair growth. The rosemary plant contains carnosic acid which is known to heal nerve and tissue damage and improve cellular turnover. Some trials using rosemary oil have proven it is just as effective as minoxidil – a common drug used for hair.” Given many believe hair syrup’s roots come from Indian culture, it shouldn’t really come under the banner of trend, but as a concept, the act of dosing your strands in moisture is one we can appreciate and give thanks for!
What to try
Featured image c/o Lottie London
