Are These TikTok-Viral Makeup Products Worth the Hype?

When it comes to TikTok-viral makeup, the line between hero product and overhyped is razor-thin. That’s why we turn to the pros—makeup artists with serious industry cred and years of experience under their brush belts—to separate the hits from the misses.

If editorial glam queen Wendy Rorong and her flawless makeup tutorials haven’t graced your For You page yet, you may recognize her signature soft-focus finish in campaigns for L’Oréal Paris and Sephora Canada, and her TikTok tutorials are a go-to for beauty lovers looking to level up their technique. Always on top of the latest product launches and trends, we tapped Rorong for her thoughts on some of TikTok’s buzziest beauty SKUs.

From Rhode’s Pocket Blush to One/Size’s On ’Til Dawn Setting Spray, we asked the MUA to weigh in on TikTok’s most buzzed-about beauty buys. Scroll on to see which products are Rorong-approved—and which ones don’t quite make the cut.

Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

If you’ve ever stumbled upon a “5-minute makeup routine” on the clock app, you’ve likely spotted this sleek little tube. Merit’s buildable Perfecting Complexion Stick can be used as a foundation, a concealer, or a contour stick with the promise of a lightweight, skin-like finish. As a three-in-one product, it talks a big game—but what’s Rorong’s verdict? “I actually love the Merit stick!" she says. “I love the ease of application, and the blend is so easy and seamless. It’s great for days when I don’t have a lot of time but still want to even out my skintone a little bit.”

Rhode Pocket Blush

Whether your favourite content creator uses them religiously or you’ve seen them on Hailey Bieber’s own TikTok, Rhode’s Pocket Blushes hardly need an introduction. “I literally have been raving to everyone about these blushes! Definitely my favourite blush launch out of all the new blushes out there, and there’s a lot,” the MUA praises. “The hype is real with this one, in my opinion. The formula is the perfect balance between pigmented but easily blendable and buildable, and the finish is glowy and stays put.” Since its initial launch in 2024, the brand has continued to drop gorgeous new shades like “Plum” and “Date Cake” to continue obsessing over.

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Contour

From the Soft Pinch Liquid Blush to the Positive Light Silky Touch Highlighter, Rare Beauty products are always having a moment on TikTok. Lately, it’s the Soft Pinch Liquid Contour taking over our For You pages—and Rorong is all in. “The shade range is beautiful. I have been using it in my kit constantly because there is a shade that works for everyone. It blends beautifully and doesn’t pull orange, but not muddy either.” And it’s true: from fair “Gentle” to deep “Sublime,” each shade delivers seamless, sculpted definition for every skin tone.

Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo

Can blush pack too much of a punch? According to Rorong, Patrick Ta’s viral Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo does just that. “Sorry, Patrick, this one is a pass for me. I find it too pigmented, and you spend more time blending instead. I prefer a buildable colour that I can control.”

L’Oréal Paris Panorama Mascara

“I’m a fan of the L’Oréal Panorama mascara,” says Rorong of the lash-lifting launch that’s taken over social feeds since its debut last spring. “I love that the formula is drier instead of a wet mascara, and it delivers its promise for longer lashes!" The secret? A multi-level bristle brush that fans out lashes for a fuller, wide-eyed effect and a fluttery, doe-like finish.

One/Size On ‘Til Dawn Setting Spray

TikTok’s beauty gurus have put Patrick Starr’s One/Size On ‘Til Dawn Setting Spray through the ultimate tests—from pool dips to sweaty gym sessions—and the results speak for themselves. But you don’t have to take their word for it: this mattifying, water-, transfer-, and smudge-proof spray gets Rorong’s stamp of approval, too—especially for glam that needs to go the distance (think: 10+ hours).

The verdict? TikTok might actually be onto something—turns out, the algorithm does know a thing or two about staying power.