The internet giveth, and the internet taketh away (mostly, my money and my inability to make confident, independent decisions). One minute, I’m innocently scrolling my Instagram feed. The next, I’ve convinced myself that a snail-based serum is the one thing standing between me and glowing skin. Or that I need a new perfume that smells like summer. Or that my whole personality might actually hinge on owning the perfect water bottle. (It’s kind of terrifying to imagine how many things in our homes have been dictated by an algorithm. Don’t think about it too much.) 

But you know what the craziest part is? Sometimes the algorithm’s right! Sometimes, its recommendations are actually worth the hype. That said, I’ve also fallen for stuff that now lives in a drawer, untouched, collecting dust and/or guilt – my goal here is to help you avoid making those same mistakes.

So today’s post isn’t a haul or a guide. It’s a reckoning: a review of the viral things I bought because the Internet wouldn’t shut up about them. Think of it like a Link Up, but one that also tells you what not to buy. We’re considering this as a new series (I just bought some pillow covers that I will happily talk smack about, if given the option…), so let us know what you think! Shall we?

Sambas

I don’t know if “the internet” made me buy these so much as, uh, every single person walking the streets of LA. I’ve had my Sambas for over a year and they’re a great daily sneaker that have since been put through the ringer – we’re talking sandy beach walks in coastal Oregon; muddy, lush rainforests of Tropical North Queensland; weekly 8 mile treks through the flea market.

The good news: other than their scraped soles and creased toes, they essentially look new. They come in a ton of colors. They’re on-trend enough to wear with pretty much anything. The bad news: I find Sambas to be an absolute pain – both literally and metaphorically – to break in. WHERE WAS THE DISCOURSE ABOUT THIS? No one warned me!!! But the pain was worth it in the end, and you can take my perfectly molded Sambas from my cold, dead hands.

Verdict: The internet is right about these.

TikTok’s Favorite Water Bottle

Oh man. I WANT TO LOVE HER, I DO. I grabbed this kettlebell-shaped replacement last December after leaving my go-to bottle on the other side of the world. I loved its irreverent shape; I loved that it came in a rainbow of punchy hues (I sprung for the above, but it was a tough choice!); I loved the built-in handle. Yet I’ve rarely used this bottle over the past 9 months for one reason alone: I do not want to be responsible for the twist-off lid.

I’m a woman who forgot she was carrying a 40 oz. bottle. I was schlepping two and a half pounds of water, and I just left it somewhere. Why did I think I’d be responsible enough to care for a tiny cap? I’m supposed to keep track of this tiny item every time I take a sip? NOT HAPPENING, SISTER. I should have just gotten another ThermoFlask, TBH.

Verdict: It’s a high-quality water bottle for those who don’t suffer from crippling ADHD.

A Clare V. Bag

I am here to report – with great regret – that Clare V.’s bags are, tragically, worth the price tag. There are many imitators out there (I own and love this knockoff crossbody, for example), but nothing compares to the texture, drape, and ease of a Clare V. piece. The bags have this natural, cool-girl slouchiness that other leather producers can’t imitate.

I grabbed the Petit Moyen as a birthday gift to myself in 2022 – it was a fraught decision, but I thought it was a bit more timeless than some of her trendier pieces – and it’s a joy to wear. Clare V.’s bags aren’t cheap, but they do live up to their hype.

Verdict: They’re even better IRL, somehow. Why was I cursed with expensive taste?

Snail Mucin

If you’re into skincare, I have little doubt that you’re familiar with COSRX’s viral Snail Mucin. It’s heralded as a secret moisturizing weapon – a key pre-moisturizer step that soothes angry skin, improves texture, and locks in moisture. For a while, I believed the hype! And then, I pulled the Snail Mucin from my routine, and…nothing changed. It wasn’t doing anything.

I swapped the essence for a cheaper moisturizing rice milk (!!!) recommended by my local Korean beauty store. And it makes a huge difference – prepping my skin with a few pumps of his milk keeps my moisturizer locked in for 48 hours! Snail Mucin could never. (I can’t believe I fell for it.)

Verdict: Overhyped! There’s better Korean beauty out there. (But it is also pretty novel and fun, so no one will fault you for adding it to your rotation.)

Le Bon Shoppe Socks

Earlier this year, the EHD team took a trip to The Carly, a fabulous boutique rental property in Oregon’s wine country. One morning, while making breakfast in our sweats, I glanced down at our feet – we were all wearing these socks from Le Bon Shoppe.

If you’re not familiar, Le Bon Shoppe is an LA-based brand that’s taken the world by storm over the past two years. And it’s well-deserved, because these are the best fashion socks I’ve ever worn. (The best cozy socks are fleece-lined from Columbia, obviously. But I live in LA where it’s 80 degrees in October, so fashion socks it is!) ANYWAY – these are light, cheery, and they wash up like a dream. I’ll never go back.

Verdict: These are the only socks I’ve worn for a year. The internet was spot on.

Dieux Eye Serum

Here’s a nice story: In my early 20s, I went to a (straight and male) friend’s apartment to watch The Bachelor. During a commercial break, he looked at my baby crow’s lines and told me that I should start Botox. MY STRAIGHT MALE FRIEND SAID THAT TO ME. I didn’t even know men were looking that closely!!!! It gave me a complex, and I’ve been obsessed with eye cream ever since.

This Auracle gel takes “eye cream” to the next level. It’s deeply rich, moisturizing, and so smoothing that I’ve started using it on my marionette lines. It doesn’t ball up, and it keeps the area moisturized ALL DAY. Dieux is a (relatively) new brand that found its home with the TikTok crowd, so let this be a formal stamp of approval from someone who’s tried more eye creams than I can remember.

Verdict: It’s so good, I forget that I’m insecure!

Bondi Beach Dry Shampoo

If you’re an avid reader, you know where I fall on this beauty influencer-beloved dry shampoo. THE HYPE IS REAL, thankfully. I swear on my life: this dry shampoo totally transformed my fine, thin, grease-prone hair. I used to wash my hair daily – now I can go FIVE DAYS between washes. (To be fair, my scalp feels kind of icky by that point – having clean hair just feels good! – but you’d visually never be able to guess that my hair had gone so long sans-wash.)

I love this dry shampoo so much that I have stashes on both coasts. I buy two at a time. If I were an Egyptian king, this would be entombed with me. If they ever stop selling it, I will buy out every bottle on eBay. AND it smells like Rosemary, if you’re into that.

Verdict: Everyone else in this category should give up. Nothing can compare to Bondi Boost.

Birkenstock Big Buckle Sandals

The call is coming from inside the house, folks – even I am susceptible to Emily Henderson’s #emfluence. She’s been wearing these big buckle sandals for years, and she’s had nothing but good things to say…so naturally, when my mom offered to buy me a pair of Birks as a thank-you gift earlier this summer, these were the ones I picked.

WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG?! They’re so comfortable. They’re SO cute. The arch support is a godsend. And they’re Birkenstocks, so you know they’ll last forever (I’m still wearing my 20-year-old Boston clogs from high school!). So let this be a lesson to you (and me): Emily knows quality footwear.

Verdict: It wasn’t so much “the internet” as “my boss,” but these were worth every penny.

Vacation Sunscreen Perfume

For two summers, the ads for Vacation’s sunscreen-scented perfume have followed me around the internet. They’re on TikTok. They’re on Instagram. They were even here, on the blog, as I tried to write blog posts. This year, I caved.

And OH MAN, IT’S A GOOD ONE. I typically prefer super fresh scents (my go-to was previously Clean’s Warm Cotton, for those who want to smell like fresh laundry), but there’s something complex, nostalgic, and fun here. I’ve recently been pairing a spritz with my Santal-scented deodorant (it’s natural and aluminum-free, to boot!) and have literally never gotten more compliments about smelling good.

Verdict: The internet is correct about this solely because of the ego boost it’s given me.

The Madewell Bandana

For years, I have tried to be the cool, effortless type of woman who can tie a bandana around her neck. Here’s the honest truth: I don’t have the build for it. When a bandana hits this neck, my huge dome and tiny chin are accentuated, and I look like some sort of thumb, or like the girl with the green ribbon, or like the friendly worm from Richard Scarry’s Busy Town.

All that to say: most of my Madewell bandanas are worn in my hair or tied around the strap of a bag. And honestly…I think they’re a little too expensive to justify that use case. (Cotton bandanas are about $15, silk about $69. Pricey, no?) Instead, I’d suggest sourcing your bandanas at your local estate sale or thrift store. (I’ve found Hermes scarves at estate sales for less than the price of one Madewell bandana – you never know!)

Verdict: They’re cute; I’ve had several for over a decade. But if you can find better pricing elsewhere, take it!

Starface Pimple Patches

Okay, okay. I don’t want to say that the internet is wrong about the Starface patches, per se, but I’d argue that they are highly overrated. (it could also be argued that I am about 20 years removed from the target demographic, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.)

I’m thrilled that Starface has normalized acne treatments; I love seeing confident teens who no longer feel held back by unexpected breakouts. But I’m going to be honest with you: these just don’t work as well as the COSRX version (which makes sense, seeing as COSRX invented the entire “zit patch” category). If building community is the goal, it’s nice to be in the in crowd sometimes! – Starface patches are great. But if you’re trying to clear a zit the night before a big event, turn to something with more history.

Verdict: These are not intended for 34-year-old women.

At the end of the day, I don’t know if the internet is making me a better shopper or just a more suggestible one with extremely moisturized under-eyes. But I suppose that’s part of the charm of being influenced by your algorithm – it’s about finding the gems, making peace with the flops, and telling yourself that next time you won’t be seduced by good branding and one million glowing reviews. (You will. I will. It’s fine.)

And now, I need to ask: Have you tried any of these? Did you like this format? Will you give me free rein to write a home decor version of this so I can talk smack on those pillow covers? LET’S CHAT. See you in the comments… xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: My Current Favorite Lightweight Trousers On My Body