TikTok is such a fever dream. Some people log on to watch Addison Rae and Charli D’Amelio bust moves, while others enjoy trendwatching (indie sleaze, out; blokecore, in), sharing personal traumas, or learning about strangers’ sneaky link drama. Us? We like to go deep into the abyss of the shopping scene. It can get pretty intense, to say the least—TikTok has been known to make everything from feta to Vaseline disappear from store shelves, but there are more obscure product finds as well. (It wasn’t not too long ago that we found some absolutely impeccable pole-dancing cowboy boots on the app.)
Although we adore a pair of bold stilettos, we’ve moved on to bigger and better thrills. TikTok teaches us things—whether it’s an upgrade to our cooking skills or a beauty secret of the seemingly effortless—and we are eternally grateful for those who share the tools and tricks of the trades. We’re talking spatulas that can dice veggies, ice rollers to heal our hangover face, and even neon-yellow cleaning goo for hard-to-reach messes. (Have you gotten into cleaning Tok? It’s a wonderland. There’s even crime-scene cleaning Tok…)
The TikTok-viral products promoted by our favorite TikTokers range from cheap to luxe, because we’re all about saving a buck over here but sometimes, we’re armed to splurge on stuff that’s super worth it so we can proudly say “TikTok made me buy it.” Everything below has superb customer reviews and thousands of views and likes on TikTok videos to back them up. We have trust in the people of TikTok, all hail.
The Uproot carpet scraper
I have a million shag rugs, but I’m also really lazy and don’t always feel like pulling out the vacuum to tame them. I tested the TikTok-viral carpet scraper for VICE, and it absolutely dommed them—I can only imagine how helpful it must be to people who have pets. —Francky Knapp
A bagel guillotine
As someone who is from New Jersey, bagels are part of my livelihood. I’ve seen so many videos of people slicing their bagels in a split second and it makes me need one in my life. —Nicolette Accardi
Koss Porta Pro headphones
These lightweight, retro headphones have my whole heart. I tested the beige Porta Pros when they were back in stock for VICE, and, aside from feeling 80s-Linda Hamilton-cool, loved how long I could wear them without ever getting that achy ear feeling. The sound isn’t womp-womp loud, but boy is it nice for listening to Enya for nine hours. —Francky Knapp
Courant wireless charging stand
Sure, you can use your frayed, white phone charger cord to juice up your cracked-screen iPhone, or you can level up with Courant’s coveted magnetic charging stand that looks like a handsome tchotchke from a Mad Men office and simultaneously restores your phone and AirPods to full battery (at lightning speed). —Hilary Pollack
Sunset lamp
I first got a sunset lamp during the wintry and sad pre-vaccine days, and it really did a lot for my serotonin. It makes for really sick selfies. —Francky Knapp
Dash’s egg cooker
Yolk porn is worth everything nowadays since inflation hit. I saw a carton of eggs worth $7 the other day… a true tragedy. The price spike compels me to treat my eggs with the utmost respect, and this egg cooker by Dash is the perfect way to do so. It can cook eggs five different ways: hard-boiled, soft-boiled, poached, scrambled, and even omelette-style. —Nicolette Accardi
… And this mini waffle maker
If I’m able to simulate the crusty waffle maker from the dining hall in college, sign me up. Unlike the one holding court in the cafeteria though, this one has flair since 1) it’s miniature and 2) has models that can even make designs (!), such as hearts and snowflakes. People on Tiktok are bananas for this thing. —Nicolette Accardi
The pole dancing cowboy boots
My everything. The algo blessed me with these towering yeehaw boots one day, and I ordered them immediately; they have permanently altered my DNA, and I get compliments wherever I go in them. —Francky Knapp
Laneige lip mask
I’ve been loyal to my Vaseline and Aquaphor ever since my grandma introduced me to it in her beauty routine—and she had the best skin I’ve ever seen (sans plastic surgery). That said, the internet-famous Laniege lip mask definitely works (quite quickly I might add) when I need to un-chap and smooth my lips in no time. —Becca Sax
Pheromone oil
With nothing to lose and all the cuties to gain, I put the TikTok-viral pheromone oil to the test for VICE, and had some… interesting results. Maybe it was the placebo effect, or maybe I really did douse myself in some kind of horny chemical alchemy, but the tincture certainly made a statement. —Francky Knapp
Balmuda’s fancy toaster
Sometimes, a toaster is more than just a toaster—such is the case with the Balmuda, a revolutionary Japanese countertop appliance that doesn’t just toast your bread, it steams it to chewy, doughy perfection with a perfect caramelized exterior. If you aren’t already convinced by the bajillion Toks about this thing, read our staff writer Adam Rothbarth’s full review of just how much it changed his carb game.
The iconic rose vibrator
The rose vibrator (or should we say vibrators, plural, since there are now a million different versions of this floral-shaped toy) was EVERYWHERE on TikTok for months. While the hashtag page for this mind-blowing, orgasm-bestowing, clit-sucking sex toy seems to be mysteriously inaccessible, the memory absolutely remains. Fans of this cunnilingus-simulating toy go wild for its gentle suction.
The Ruk vegetable chopper
This chopper is utterly insane. It has 11 interchangeable blades for ultimate mastery in the kitchen; all you have to do is place your veggie, and press down. In addition to being a vegetable chopper, it’s an egg separator, egg slicer, lemon squeezer, julienne dicer, and more. Watching people shred in the kitchen on TikTok actually makes us want to eat a vegetable. That’s how you know this is something special. —Nicolette Accardi
FlexiSpot Desk Bike
A desk that doubles as a built-in stationary bike—genius. We’re wasting no time when it comes to getting swole for the summer, so this two-in-one, furniture-meets-workout machine has our names written all over it. If you need to be convinced, look no further than the many TikToks singing its praises, such as this one with more than 2.5 million likes. Perfect for burning cals while grinding through emails, it has whisper-quiet pedaling for zero distractions, and an adjustable seat and desk for all-sizes accommodation. One top reviewer calls it “the most rewarding purchase I have ever made—personally and professionally,” and another lauds it as “the HEALTH ANSWER FOR ALL SITTING JOBS!!!” —Nicolette Accardi
LATME’s ice roller
When we wake up from our brutal hangovers deep, restful slumbers, sometimes things don’t look too hot. Eye bags are one thing, but face puffiness is a whole other level of morning malady. Enter: Latme’s ice roller. While we’ve seen plenty of versions of the ice roller on TikTok, this one is a best-seller on Amazon and has over 11,000 reviews with a 4.7-star average rating. Just pop it in the freezer, then bask in the frosty relief in the morning.
This 5-in-1 Spatula (phew)
We’ve gotta get Guy Fieri on the phone, because he needs this in his utensil lineup. A five-in-one gem, you can use this tool to slice and dice all your favorite meats and veggies, as a slotted (and solid) spoon, and as a fish turner. It can handle up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit and is dishwasher-safe. For only $10, and with a 4.6-star average rating, and tons of convincing demos on TikTok, it’s definitely a winner.
The Omoton iPad keyboard
Any tech accessory that’s extremely lightweight, compact, and will keep us from lugging around a heavy laptop is… well, top on our shopping list. TikTokers love this sweet little keyboard that easily slides under your iPad or iPhone for easy typing, because who doesn’t want to text with a full-blown keyboard, right? (Plus, you can work from your phone while waiting in line at the Harry Styles ticket pop-up.) It connects through Bluetooth, so no need to worry about bulky wires.
ColorCoral’s dust-destroying cleaning gel
We’re gonna take any chance we can to play with slime, and you should too. Bonus points if it helps you clean, like this goo that lifts up dust and gunk to make anything from speakers to kitchen appliances spotless. (You’ll know it’s time to replace it once the color gets darker.) We’ve also seen TikTok stars use it to reach the nooks and crannies inside cars, which are notorious black holes for junk and detritus. Just simply plop it on any unwanted debris and watch it work its magic. It’s also lemon-scented, which is rad.
The Instant Vortex Plus air fryer
While we love finger-lickin’ good greasy eats, meats, and treats, keeping an eye on our diet is something we can’t ignore. Science is looking out for us, because a genius discovered that air can fry our beloved comfort foods (shout out tater tots). If there’s one appliance that’s all over TikTok, it’s the now-ubiquitous air fryer, with home cooks (using that term loosely) making potato wedges, jammy eggs, Frankensnacks, and even steak in their countertop machines for millions of hungry viewers. (As an example, this dude used his air fryer to make chicken wings.) Just plop whatever your heart desires into the frying basket, crank up the heat, and dig in.
The Stradivarius Slim Mom jeans
TikTokers love sharing their shopping hauls, and for whatever reason, we love watching them try on stuff—from bathing suits to vintage jackets. But even in the flood of content on the feed, certain items of clothing stick out because they just look good on everyone. For something as tricky to find as the perfect jeans, that can lead to on-the-spot influencing. One of our editors stumbled across the TikTok-famous Stradivarius Slim Mom Jeans while trying to find the perfect slim-fitting jeans for transitioning out of the skinny jeans era into a more modern cut, and never looked back. They’ve been a VICE reader bestseller since.
The Stanley cup (no, not *that* Stanley Cup)
We’re thirsty people over here, so thank god for this adult sippy cup. Able to hold a whopping 40 ounces, it’s big enough to fulfill your Big Gulp desires (even if you don’t live anywhere near a 7/11). If you want to keep something cold, this is the cup you’re looking for; one VICE writer left the Quencher in her car overnight, shocked by what she discovered the next day. “Expecting warm, leftover melted ice sludge, I was astonished to instead receive an icy blast of H2O, still cold from the previous afternoon.” Now that’s what we call innovation.
UMAY Under Desk Treadmill
There’s no excuse to not get in your 10,000 steps a day when you have a treadmill at your feet (literally) as you sell your soul to corporate America. It has six speed options, a quiet motor for zero distractions while suffering through Zoom calls, can operate via remote control, has shock absorption to help minimize knee and ankle pain, and is so compact that it can slide under your bed (perfect for when your bedroom magically transforms from “WFH office” to “Netflix refuge” once 6 p.m. rolls around).
Laundry Turtle
People love turtles, so naturally a brand used the animal to inspire this laundry savior. You place it on top of your wet clothes in the washer, rotate the drum, and boom! Your wet laundry lands straight into the “shell” of your turtle companion, making transferring clothes to the dryer easier.
Method Soap
We want to reek of old money, and this $7 soap makes that easier than we ever thought possible. Clearly a cousin of Le Labo’s Santal 33, this hand wash by Method specifically boasts of warm amber, earthy vetiver, and crisp cedar wood. We don’t know about you, but every time we get a whif of this soap our nostrils start singing.
MaryRuth Organic Vitamins
Do you want hair like a horse’s mane, a flawless complexion, and turbo-shot-level energy??? Users of our distorted algorithm claim MaryRuth’s vitamins do just that. The brand’s liquid vitamins contain almost every nutrient imaginable in your typical multivitamin, along with 1,000% of the daily recommended amount for biotin, which is a B vitamin commonly used to support hair and nail growth. We like to think of this as a raspberry-flavored magic potion for adults.
Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker
Whether you’re on TikTok or not, if you haven’t jumped on the Ninja CREAMi train you’ve been living under a rock. This tiny appliance has gone viral for not only making bangin’ frozen treats, but for having the ability to turn a sad, bottled protein shake into a homemade Wendy’s Frosty. One of our writers adores it and has been making dairy delights on a regular basis ever since copping one. The OG model has seven pre-programmed settings: ice cream, gelato, milkshakes, smoothie bowls, lite ice cream, sorbet, and one to incorporate mix-ins.
Scrub Daddy Damp Duster
We’re simps for the iconic smiling sponge, but Scrub Daddy has expanded with a new addition to the family: the Damp Duster. Perfect for reaching all the nooks and crannies where dust likes to hide, all you need to do is moistening the Damp Duster with water before getting down to dust around the house. One of our writers said, “This baby is so good at trapping dust and hair that when I looked at the dusting sponge after the first pass I almost gagged.” That’s the spirit!
Bissell’s Little Green
Got an old musty rug that needs to be Stanley steamed? Mr. Green can get the job done for under $125 over and over again. VICE staff writer Becca Blasdel was able to get a months-old smoothie stain out of her rug with combination of Bissel spot removal solution and the Little Green’s built-in hose. Maybe big things do come in little packages.
BRB, scrolling on TikTok.
The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations, and red-hot deals? Sign up for our newsletter.
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