13 Sneaky Ways Influencers Get You to Buy Useless Beauty Products

This post may contain affiliate links which means I will get a commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure for details.

Influencers make a living by convincing you to buy products, but not everything they promote is actually worth your money. Many of their recommendations are driven by sponsorships, trends, or sales tactics rather than real results. Here are 13 sneaky ways influencers get you to buy useless beauty products:

Fake First Impressions

young pretty beauty blogger talking about cosmetic 2024 10 21 09 48 38 utc
Photo Credit: Garetsworkshop/ Envato

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAVE THIS?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

Many influencers rave about a product after trying it for the first time, without actually testing its long-term effectiveness. A product might feel great initially, but that doesn’t mean it performs well over time.

Overuse of the Word ā€œObsessedā€

young beauty blogger looking excited while holding 2023 11 27 05 04 47 utc
Photo Credit: YuriArcursPeopleimages/ Envato

ā€œI’m obsessed!ā€ is a favorite influencer phrase, making every product seem like a must-have. In reality, they often move on to the next trending product within weeks, proving their obsession was just for show.

Love Amazon? Check out my Amazon Storefront

Perfect Lighting and Filters

young female blogger making a video for her beauty 2025 01 29 09 32 35 utc
Photo Credit: Zoranzeremski/ Envato

Many influencers use professional lighting, filters, and smoothing effects to make products seem more effective than they really are. What looks like flawless skin or a stunning makeup finish might just be clever editing.

Hyped-Up Packaging instead of Performance

cheerful asian female beauty vlogger records tutor 2025 01 24 16 34 40 utc
Photo Credit: Wayhomestudioo/ Envato

Brands send influencers aesthetically pleasing products that look luxurious but dont necessarily work better than cheaper alternatives. Just because something comes in fancy packaging doesn’t mean it’s worth the price.

Related: 15 Shoes That Are Aging Your Look Instantly

Unrealistic Before-and-After Comparisons

portrait of beautiful blond woman girl shows blus 2025 03 09 09 10 20 utc
Photo Credit: Benzoix/ Envato

Some influencers manipulate ā€œbeforeā€ shots by using bad lighting, dull skin, or no skincare, then enhance the ā€œafterā€ with makeup, lighting, and filters. This tricks viewers into thinking the product made a bigger difference than it actually did.

Related: Avoid These 10 Fashion Mistakes If You Want To Look Younger

Limited-Time Discount Codes that Create Urgency

beaming blogger making cosmetics review for her fo 2024 10 18 06 12 25 utc
Photo Credit: Zinkevych_D/ Envato

Phrases like ā€œUse my code before it’s gone!ā€ pressure followers into impulse buying. These discounts are often permanent or artificially inflated to make the deal seem better than it is.

Related: Stop Buying These 12 Things And Save A Fortune

ā€œIt Works for All Skin Types!ā€ Claims

young woman blogger recording video makeup tutoria 2024 12 01 15 18 18 utc
Photo Credit: Polinalebed/ Envato

No skincare or makeup product works for everyone, but influencers avoid mentioning potential downsides to keep sponsorships. What looks amazing on their skin might clog pores, cause irritation, or not work at all for others.

Discover stunning winter outfit ideas on my LTK Shop here.

Unboxing Videos that Hype Up PR Packages

happy fitness blogger filming unpacking of her fit 2024 10 18 04 56 10 utc
Photo Credit: Zinkevych_D/ Envato

Watching an influencer excitedly unbox a PR package makes products seem luxurious and exclusive. In reality, they didn’t pay for those items and may not even use them beyond the video.

Related: Traveling Soon? These 13 Style Mistakes Will Expose You As A Tourist

Calling Everything a ā€œDupeā€

selective focus of beauty blogger holding lipstick 2024 11 11 09 10 46 utc
Photo Credit: LightFieldStudios/ Envato

Influencers love labeling cheaper products as ā€œdupesā€ for luxury brands, even when the formulas aren’t comparable. Just because something looks similar doesn’t mean it performs the same way.

Related: 14 Self-Care Power Moves For A Lit-From-Within Glow

Overcomplicated Routines to Sell More Products

shot of a influencer recording a makeup tutorial f 2023 11 27 05 16 44 utc
Photo Credit: YuriArcursPeopleimages/ Envato

Influencers push 10-step skincare routines and excessive makeup steps to convince you that you need more products. In most cases, a simple routine with a few key products is just as effective.

Not sure what to wear this season? Discover affordable outfit ideas on my Amazon Storefront!

Affiliate Links Disguised as ā€œFavoritesā€

young happy woman recording make up vlog at home 2024 12 13 16 36 15 utc
Photo Credit: Drazenphoto/ Envato

Many influencers link to products using affiliate codes that earn them a commission, but they rarely disclose how much money they make from these sales. Their recommendations might be more about profit than genuine love for the product.

Related: 15 Game-Changing Ways To Style An Oversized T-Shirt

Pretending a Product Is ā€œAlways Sold Outā€

sharing product advantages 2025 02 21 22 43 18 utc
Photo Credit: Gstockstudio/ Envato

Influencers claim a product is so good it’s constantly out of stock, making you desperate to grab it before it’s gone. Sometimes, the brand purposely limits stock to create artificial demand.

Related: 15 Shocking Truths That Expose The Biggest Lies About Aging

Jumping on Every Trend to Stay Relevant

makeup blogger plus size young beautiful woman bro 2025 02 10 12 55 29 utc
Photo Credit: Evgeniya_grande/ Envato

Many influencers constantly push new ā€œmust-haveā€ products, even if they hyped up a totally different one last month. This cycle keeps followers buying unnecessary products that quickly go out of style.

Related: 13+ Beauty and Fashion Secrets Boomers Learned from Their Parents

Influencers know how to create hype, but not everything they promote is worth your money. The best way to avoid falling for these tricks is to research products independently, wait before purchasing, and remember that real results take time, not just a viral endorsement.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

13 Ways Your Beauty Routine Is Making You Look Older

pexels pedrofurtadoo 30690126
Photo Credit: Pedro furtado/Pexels

A well-intended beauty routine can sometimes backfire, making you appear older rather than enhancing your natural glow. Here are 13 common mistakes that could be sabotaging your youthful appearance—and what to do instead.

Read it here: 13 Ways Your Beauty Routine Is Making You Look Older

15 Beauty Routines to Simplify Life Without Losing Elegance

beauty routines
Photo Credit: MART PRODUCTION/Pexels

Doing our makeup routines is our girl therapy, but some days, we don’t have the luxury to take our time. But fret not! That doesn’t mean we have to give up looking our best. Here are 15 simple and quick beauty routines to look flawless with ease.

Read it here: 15 Beauty Routines to Simplify Life Without Losing Elegance

15 Beauty Rituals That Unlock Timeless Glow

cosmetic brush woman and portrait for skincare b 2023 11 27 04 54 55 utc
Photo Credit: YuriArcursPeopleimages/Envato

A radiant, timeless glow isn’t just about good genetics—it’s about consistent beauty rituals that nourish your skin, enhance your features, and promote overall well-being. Here are 15 beauty rituals that can transform your routine and help you look and feel your best at any age.

Read it here: 15 Beauty Rituals That Unlock Timeless Glow

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *