Ranking the Best (& Worst) TikTok Beauty Trends of 2022
Alisha Bhojwani is a Sydney-based digital strategist and content specialist. When she's not reminding her friends to wear SPF, you can find her drenching her face in Vitamin C and consuming copious amounts of peanut butter. You can find her on Instagram here @alishabhojwani_.
My for you page has become the wild west of beauty.
This year I’ve seen it all: from using period blood as a part of people’s skincare routine to discovering my favourite lip gloss of all time.
BeautyTok is a digital version of your local neighbourhood bric-a-brac.
I truly never know what weird or helpful hack I’ll be exposed to when I log on and honestly, I’m here for it.
So, as 2022 comes to an end I thought I'd take a look back on some of the best and worst TikTok beauty hacks/tips/trends I’ve seen.
Worst TikTok Beauty Hacks:
1. Eye Bag Makeup Trend.
@fahirair #stitch with @sara wait, eyebags are trendy now? 🤨 #makeup #fypdong #trending #viraltiktok #weirdmakeup #eyebags #darkcircles ♬ original sound - fahirair - kitty
If you’re wondering, what the eff, how this is a trend?
You’re not alone.
I had to watch this 3 times to make sense as to why someone would willingly add black and purple pigments to their under eyes.
And I still don’t get it.
Maybe Gen Z enjoy looking tired, but as someone who doesn’t love adulting, I’ll be leaning into the instant eye lift trick that I learnt on TikTok (like I said, the wild west).
And I recommend you do too.
2. Period Blood as a Face Mask.
@mikay.fer no filter? 🫣 #bloodmask ♬ som original - イー
A creator earlier this year shared her glowy skin secret was using her period blood as a face mask.
Millions of views later, people began trying this out.
As someone who works in skincare, I got the major ick from just thinking about doing this.
On a more professional level, this isn’t safe.
By putting the blood that has been in your vagina onto your face you’re not only transferring bacteria but you cause the risk of infection.
My advice?
Book in with a skin therapist.
And if you really want a bloody video on your TikTok page, make it microneedling not period blood.
3. Radiator Curls.
Did you ever straighten your hair with an iron?
This is pretty much the 2022 version of that where you wrap your hair around a radiator to get the perfect curl.
As someone whose has never missed a hair appointment…. DO NOT DO THIS.
Not only because you could risk getting a severe burn but also because it’s TERRIBLE for your hair.
Radiators have no temperature control and will cause dry brittle ends and fade your colour quick.
Instead opt for a tried and tested hair tool like the GHD Soft Curl Tong 32mm Hair Curler and watch our tutorials on how to master the perfect curls for Christmas.
Shop the ghd soft hair curler here:
4. SPF Contouring.
Earlier this year, TikTok started sunscreen contouring as a beauty trend where you use your SPF to contour your face.
DO NOT DO THIS.
Because it is dangerous to use SPF improperly.
Instead, make sure you reapply every 2 hours to ensure you’re not causing any trauma to your skin cells.
5. Removing a Mole, Yourself.
@svan042 Your a wizard Harry #greenscreen #fyp #diy ♬ original sound - Shandog
If you thought TikTok skincare trends could not get worse, get ready to be shocked.
Skinfluencers are telling their audience that removing a mole is no big deal.
All it takes is applying some acid to burn your skin off and using a tool to cause damage and leave you mole free. *insert drip emoji here*
SERIOUSLY DO NOT DO THIS.
Because an at-home treatment like this can irreparably damage your skin.
Moreover, did you know that moles can be benign or malignant?
Moral of this?
If you’re unhappy with your mole, go see a professional.
That’s why they’re called a PROFESSIONAL.
Thankfully with the bad comes the good so let’s take a look at some of my favourite things TikTok has taught me.
Best TikTok Beauty Hacks:
1. Skin Cycling.
@drwhitneybowebeauty What to expect from #skincycling ♬ Aesthetic - Tollan Kim
Even though the concept of skin cycling isn’t new, the phrase was on heavy rotation this year.
And is a great way to approach using actives in your routine without damaging the barrier.
As a quick refresher you want to do your vitamin A Monday, Wednesday and Friday and exfoliate Tuesdays and Thursdays.
On your rest days a cleanser and hydrating moisturiser is all you need.
Personally, I’ve been following this method for years now and it’s a 10/10 from me.
2. Minimal Makeup (AKA Clean Girl Makeup).
Another trend I’m sure has come across your insta or FYP was the clean girl aesthetic.
Slicked back hair. Fluffy, natural brows. Luminous skin.
You know the look I’m talking about.
And whilst I’m not a fan of the trend’s name (more of that here) this trend is my go to look.
Partly because BeautyTok said it’s cool but mainly because I like sleeping in.
And yes I will be taking this trend in 2023, so thank you Gen Z.
3. Glazed Donut Skincare Routine.
@haileybieber glazed donut vibes🍩🍩🍩layering my skin care for that perfect dewy finish
♬ The Girl From Ipanema - Stan Getz
I could be 90 years old and the one thing I’ll always do is make sure I look like a glazed donut right before bed.
I have to say, Hailey Beiber really took the glazed donut trend to the next level, from skin to nails and even hair.
If you want to know how I achieve this, read more here but it’s an 11/10 from me.
4. Heatless Curls.
As someone who does their hair a lot, I started to notice that my hair felt crunchy and brittle, so I began searching hair hacks on TikTok.
Lo and behold, heatless curls caught my eye.
Fast forward a few months and it’s one of the easiest hairstyles to nail and better than those bloody radiator curls.
Another 10/10 from me.
Peep the picture above of AB staffer Maddy who gave this heatless curling trend a try using the Kitsch The Satin Heatless Curling 3 Set and said, "I was sceptical as to whether this would work on my long, fine hair, but I was a convert the first morning I woke up with gorgeous, heatless curls."
"The volume lasted for a few days, it's honestly so good."
5. Face Lift With Blush.
@alexxandra.makeup How to achieve a facelift with blush ❌ vs✅ The difference blush placement makes is crazy!! I use the @rarebeauty blush! #makeuphack #howtoblush #makeuptutorial #blushhack #faceliftmakeup ♬ original sound - Alexandra Milek
You know you’re over 30 when videos with the one ‘lift’ appeal to you.
Jokes aside, understanding blush placement has been the biggest thing I’ve learn from TikTok.
And I highly recommend watching some videos to learn what placement of blush works for you, because it really can change the structure of your face.
And there you have it, the best and the worst beauty trends/tips from TikTok and if there’s one thing I’ve learnt it’s if people are doing it for ‘shock value’ it’s not worth trying (I’m looking at you period blood, I’m looking at you).
Watch me try TikTok makeup trends IRL in this YouTube video below.
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