I Tried 6 Instagram-Famous Products to See if They’re *Genuinely* Worth the Hype

How often do you scroll through your Instagram or TikTok feed and come across a cool influencer promoting a new, buzzy product?

Probably not as often as you ask yourself if said product is actually good, right?

With so many shiny, fun beauty releases coming out all the time, I don't blame you for wondering what’s legit and what's not.

So, I put six Instagram-famous products to the test to see if they're worth the hype or just full of empty promises.

Let’s just say, I was more than pleasantly surprised…

1. Laneige Perfect Renew Youth Serum.

What: Laneige Perfect Renew Youth Serum

• A highly-concentrated serum that promises to improve the appearance of skin tone, skin texture and boost skin’s radiance.

• An essence, serum and oil in one, the formula contains tri-peptides to encourage collagen synthesis, a super berry complex to deliver antioxidant benefits, and glyco-miracle technology extracted from the root of the butterfly ginger plant to help with skin firmness and early signs of ageing.

• Suitable for all skin types, and free from sulphates and parabens.

OK, but what's it like in real life?

Here's my Laneige Perfect Renew Youth Serum review...

I first spotted this on TikTok and Instagram when the brand sent out a little science experiment to influencers to promote the new product.

Laying out two slices of apple, they popped water on one and the Renew Youth Serum on the other.

After a while, the watered apple slice had oxidised and turned brown, while the serum-y one looked fine and juicy!

And juicy is accurate, because it's what my skin looked like on first application.

Gentle to apply, it has a light floral-y scent and a milky-looking texture.

After three nights of using this lightweight serum, my face looked plumper and I woke up with dewy skin.

Win.

Shop Laneige Perfect Renew Youth Serum here:

2. Mermade Hair PRO Waver.

What: Mermade Hair PRO Waver

• The hair tool that promises Kardashian-style 'mermaid' waves, sans their celeb hair stylist Chris Appleton.

• A three-pronged ceramic hair tool that’s easy and quick to use, and comes in at under $100.

• Has three heat settings from 80-210℃ and creates an S-bend mermaid wave in just five seconds.

• Comes with a handy heat-protectant glove, and designed with a safety clamp to avoid any burning mishaps (we’ve all been there).

OK, but what's it like in real life?

Here's my Mermade Hair review...

I've tried (and failed miserably) to get those effortless Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner beachy waves at home on my thick, coarse hair.

So, I was pretty surprised to find this now-iconic pink triple barrel hair tool actually helped me achieve that ‘cool girl wave’.

I set the tool to 180℃, sectioned my hair and clamped my hair for five seconds, as recommended.

The result was relaxed and beachy.

If you want more of a polished look, you can clamp the hair for a little longer.

Voila! Mermaid hair. Gets a tick from me.

Shop Mermade Hair PRO Waver here:

3. Who is Elijah NOMAD EDP.

What: Who is Elijah NOMAD

• The newest launch from the niche boutique unisex, vegan and cruelty-free fragrance brand.

• When the Sydney-based brand launched on Adore Beauty, the fragrance who is elijah HIS | HER sold out in a matter of hours.

• who is elijah NOMAD promises to be a 'bold and complex scent for all genders, with notes of saffron, rose, resin and amber.'

• Head (top) notes: Egyptian jasmine, saffron, almond.

• Heart (middle) notes: Amberwood, Bulgarian rose, moss, ambergris.

• Base (bottom) notes: Fir resin, cedar, dry amber, musk.

OK, but what's it like in real life?

Here's my Who is Elijah NOMAD review...

Fragrance aficionados, take note; I’m not alone when I say you will fall in love with this scent.

Comedian, podcast host and performer Em Rusciano even posted about how she reckons it smells a lot like cult scent Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540... but without the $360 price tag.

At $179 for 100ml, NOMAD has the cachet of the fancier perfume at a more affordable price.

When I initially spritzed NOMAD, it was a bit sweet, a bit spicy, and a bit sexy.

I could smell all the different warm, earthy notes as it settled on my skin throughout the day.

I can confirm the EDP (eau de parfum) scent lasts ALL day. So can my brother - he nicked some of mine and said he could still kind of smell it after he'd had a shower!!!

Verdict: I think NOMAD is so worth it. Not to play favourites, but this may just be my new favourite signature scent.

Still not convinced? Here's what one Adore Beauty customer had to say about NOMAD:

"I bought my husband the discovery set for V day. He put this on and immediately I thought it was baccarat rouge 540! It lasted all day on him, so strong and very unisex like most of their scents. Fractions of the price too!" - T

Shop Who is Elijah NOMAD here:

4. Hismile PAP+ Teeth Whitening Kit.

What: Hismile PAP+ Teeth Whitening Kit

• A clinically-proven teeth whitening kit from a beauty brand with over 1 million Instagram followers.

• Instead of peroxide, the three-step teeth whitening kit uses PAP+ or Phthalimidoperoxycaproic Acid as the primary whitening ingredient.

• PAP is clinically-proven to whiten teeth without any sensitivity or irritation that ingredients such as peroxide can often cause.

• Also contains hydroxyapatite that works to rebuild the protective layer of your teeth, and potassium citrate to provide protection against external aggressors that can cause discomfort.

OK, but what's it like in real life?

Here's my Hismile Teeth Whitening Kit review...

Anyone else constantly seeing Hismile ads on social media?

I must admit, the sceptic in me wasn’t as keen to try this IG-famous product.

I couldn't get that scene from Friends out of my mind where Ross Geller has the super white teeth... but I get it now.

The kit comes with the teeth whitening LED device, a mouth tray, six teeth whitening pods (for six uses) and a shade guide.

It's pretty quick and easy to use. Three steps and 10 minutes.

Following the instructions, I brushed my teeth before applying half of one pod to the top of the mouth tray, and the other half to the bottom.

Then, I turned on the LED device, popped it in and let it do its thing. I really like that it has its own timer, so I did some cleaning for 10 minutes and it turned off when it was done.

The teeth whitening didn't hurt at all, I felt a slight tingle on my tongue that subsided after about a minute.

After one use, the Hismile result was subtle, but I could definitely tell that it had worked.

I liked that it wasn't too noticeable, especially with my olive skin, but the brand says you can get more obvious results after using a couple of pods.

Now I kind of want to explore the other Hismile products.

Maybe that purple toothpaste AB staffer Hannah tried on the Beauty IQ Uncensored podcast… 

Skip to 32.30min to hear Jo and Hannah chat about HiSmile on the podcast below.

Shop Hismile PAP+ Teeth Whitening Kit here:

5. Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum.

What: Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum

• A vitamin A serum that promises to 'outsmart wrinkles' by repairing, resurfacing, and replumping skin.

• Contains a CL1870 Laser Focus Complex of peptides (including Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Acetyl hexapeptide-8 andPalmitoyl tetrapeptide-7), caffeine and algae extract, granactive retinoid (hydroxypinacolone retinoate) and hyaluronic acid.

• Free from oil, denatured alcohol, SLS, SLES, sulfates, parabens, phthalates and fragrances.

• A clinical trial of 69 participants noticed a 32% reduction in stubborn lines after 16 weeks of use.

• Consumer testing on 358 participants found 84% said deeper wrinkles looked reduced, 94% said skin looked smoother, and 87% said skin looked more plump.

OK, but what's it like in real life?

Here's my Clinique serum review...

The newly-formed lines on my neck were very interested in the above stats.

I also saw this purple serum bottle all over my Instagram feed when it launched, as the brand partnered with a bunch of my favourite beauty content creators including Amelia Singson and Ruchi Page.

I haven't been using it for long enough to speak to any long-term results, but this serum is already a winner for me because of how it combines vitamin A and hydration in one.

The combination of peptides and granactive retinoid (a potent but non-irritating form of vitamin A) formulated with hydrators like hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, glycerin and squalane made it gentle enough for my retinol newbie skin.

The serum texture is also really beautiful to apply. It's silky yet rich, and the serum sinks in quickly with no real scent.

My skin felt buttery soft after applying.

Shop Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Serum here:

6. Vida Glow Radiance Supplements.

What: Vida Glow Radiance Advanced Repair 30 Capsules

• A high-tech, vegan daily beauty supplement that promises to boost skin radiance from within in just one capsule taken with food.

• Vida Glow Radiance Advanced Repair brightens dull complexions, reduces the appearance of dark spots, aids in reducing free radical damage and the appearance of blemishes, evens skin tone and increases luminosity.

• Clinically-proven to increase luminosity by 26% and reduce dark circles by 12%.

• Active ingredients include: 

  • SKINAX2™ - An award-winning antioxidant-rich formula that blends French grape seed, melon extracts and potent infusions of vitamin C and zinc. 

  • Vitamin C - Rich in antioxidants that can enhance skin’s radiance by reducing free radical damage, supporting tissue repair and promoting overall skin health.

  • Carotenoids - This series of plant extracts act as antioxidants that can improve tone, brightness and firmness.

OK, but what's it like in real life?

Here's my Vida Glow Radiance supplement review...

As someone who genetically has very dark circles, the clinical evidence behind this TGA-listed supplement (with Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration) is HUGE.

I was already really excited to add Vida Glow Radiance to my hyperpigmentation skincare routine.

Then I read this review on the brand's website and got even more keen:

"I've been taking the Radiance Capsules daily for two months. I have noticed that my skin has become brighter, my pigmentation has reduced, and my skin tone has improved."

"What I am most impressed about is how much it has improved my dark under eye circles! I didn’t think it was possible."

I’m a sucker for cool packaging and love the slick branding and green colour of the bottle.

Usually when I open a bottle of capsules, there’s an immediate strong smell.

Radiance hardly has a scent, so the medium-size capsules felt easier to swallow.

No weird or bitter aftertaste either!

Considering how many Vida Glow reviews I've read from beauty experts I trust, I reckon they're worth investing in.

And so my quest for glowy skin continues!

Shop Vida Glow Radiance Advanced Repair here:

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