TikTok Made Me Buy It: Unboxing Viral Products

TikTok Made Me Buy It describes the moment you purchase something after seeing it in a clip; by 2025 the hashtag has amassed over 200 billion views and more than 20 million tagged posts.

Put simply, viral videos are now a major shopping engine. Consider the woman whose car burned yet her Stanley tumbler emerged unscathed.

@dailymail @Danielle says the ice in her Stanley cup survived a CAR FIRE that incinerated her vehicle – but left the insulated container completely intact. #fyp #stanleycup #carfire #accident #wholesome ♬ original sound – Daily Mail

In her TikTok she laughed, saying “everybody is so concerned if the Stanley spills but what else? It was in a fire yesterday and it still has ice in it”.

Her post drew over 60 million views and Stanley not only sent her extra cups but offered to replace her car.

That story explains why viewers endlessly search what’s trending on TikTok: viral narratives fuse practicality with emotion and generate loyalty.

TikTok didn’t start out as a store. As WIRED notes, the app began with dance routines and quick skits but has “turned into a catalog of shopping recommendations.”

The switch means TikTok trends right now aren’t just about songs; they’re lists of gadgets, lipsticks and organisational hacks.

Searching what is trending on TikTok or what is a new TikTok trend often lands you in unboxing montages and “Amazon finds” compilations that feel more persuasive than ads.

Each TikTok trend becomes a story you want to join.

Why certain products go viral

Sellerhook’s research identifies five categories that dominate the top TikTok shopping feeds:

Beauty and skincare items thrive on transformation. Creators show dramatic one‑dot applications of Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Blush or revived classics like Clinique’s Black Honey lipstick, illustrating how a single swipe flatters every skin tone.

@rarebeauty You are worth it @Selena Gomez uses Soft Pinch Liquid Blush in Worth #rarebeauty #liquidblush #selenagomez #softpinch ♬ Ojos Tristes – Selena Gomez & benny blanco & The Marías

Colourful packaging and affordable prices push products like Byoma Gel Cream to the top of the shelfie trend.

No wonder TikTok Shop sold over 370 million items in 2024. Just as some users search for ‘TikTok trends’ or ‘TikTok trends right now’, a single trend TikTok can snowball into a global shopping craze.

Kitchen gadgets become stars when they solve everyday annoyances.

Dash’s mini waffle maker turned weekend brunch into a viral event thanks to its compact size and under‑£20 price.

@chelpostspics My kids loved these so rating her a solid 10/10!!!! would be so easy to meal prep for the week and keep them in the freezer! Everything in the video is in my Amzn SF under ‘KITCHEN’ #breakfast #toddlerbreakfast #toddlerbreakfastideas #momfinds #waffle #miniwafflemaker #foodprep #gadgets #kitchengadgets #wafflemaker ♬ original sound – Chelsy McMaryion

Olive‑oil spray bottles and electric milk frothers earned views because their demos are oddly satisfying.

A clever device might seem trivial until you see how much easier it makes breakfast.

Fashion and accessories remain highly visual. Oversized hoodies, leggings and matching sets blow up when creators style them in “get ready with me” clips.

@sizeer Hood for every mood, eh? #grwm #outfit #streetwearwomen #oversizedhoodie #hoodie #girlstreetwear #streetstyle ♬ The Dubai Mall – Official Sound Studio

Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch isn’t the only phenomenon; viral leggings or a Longchamp tote can pop simply because someone filmed a convincing outfit.

@hayleyfanshaww Peachy vibes girliessss #leggingsoftiktok #leggings #fyp #foryouu ♬ original sound – Hayley Fanshaw

TikTok Shop moved over 285 million fashion items last year, proving that a single haul video can clear inventory.

@chanmioryou Loving my big girl purchase (not really iykyk ) obsessed with the medium longchamp #biggirlpurchase #bag #purse #longchamp #longchamplepliage ♬ Rory Gilmore Fall – dietcherrycola

Home and décor trends revolve around ambience. Affordable sunset lamps bathe rooms in golden‑hour light, inspiring aesthetic‑driven room makeovers.

@cblovesinteriors LED LIGHTING – Love this COB LED lighting from @amazonuk i have it everywhere. On my TV, mirrors and panelling! So easy to use and amazing quality and looks great on an evening! – Shop via my Amazon Storefront link in my bio – #ledlights #tvwalldesign #mediawalldesign #tvwallinspo #homelighting #amazonhomefinds #amazonmusthave ♬ GRR – Fantomel

Wireless LED strips, acrylic organisers and mushroom‑style table lamps satisfy minimalism and multi-functionality.

Tech and lifestyle gadgets deliver the “wow” factor. Portable blenders churn smoothies in a car cup holder, while the Dyson Airwrap became a cultural touchstone after creators filmed salon‑quality blowouts at home.

When Dyson launched the Coanda 2x in July 2025, beauty editor Lauren Balsamo highlighted its upgraded motor and six attachments.

The ability to achieve a pro blow‑dry without a stylist justified its high price and kept it trending on TikTok.

These categories share a common trait: they are visual and they solve a problem, making them perfect for TikTok’s algorithm that rewards instant gratification.

The psychology behind the purchases

Woman in a white top resting her chin on her hand, appearing thoughtful.

The viral TikTok trends you scroll through tap into basic human impulses.

We love watching quick transformations, whether it’s a blemish disappearing under a pimple patch or a messy kitchen becoming spotless with a power scrubber.

We also value authenticity. People explore comment sections to see if reviewers truly like a product.

That authenticity is why the Stanley tumbler story resonated; the brand’s generous response felt personal.

Community engagement amplifies these effects. Videos of scalp massagers or sunset lamps prompt viewers to tag friends or share their own experiences, which keeps an item on the algorithm’s radar.

Printify notes that home and lifestyle products thrive thanks to organisation hacks under hashtags like #CleanTok.

Sellers use data to spot current TikTok trends early; AfterShip’s trackers show that plus‑size sports bras, NAD⁺ supplements and digestive enzyme bundles enjoyed triple‑digit growth on TikTok Shop in 2025.

Meanwhile, AMZScout data highlights the popularity of cargo pants, weighted hoops and cloud slides.

The combined effect of user videos and sales data reveals how these popular trends move from screens to shopping carts.

Navigating hype responsibly

Woman browsing fashion products on a laptop while seated in a wooden chair.

It’s tempting to purchase every clever gadget that appears in your feed, but a few habits can help you make thoughtful decisions.

First, watch multiple clips rather than trusting a single trending TikTok video; consistency across demos suggests the product works.

Second, consult credible sources such as WIRED and other testing sites, verify whether hype matches reality.

Third, understand TikTok’s built‑in shopping tools. Using search and shop tabs for TikTok trend discovery can reveal items before they explode, letting you decide whether they’re genuinely useful.

Finally, reflect on why you want the item. Many montage‑style videos showcase 15 examples of trends, but ask yourself which solves a problem rather than becoming clutter.

The human stories that keep us hooked

Ultimately, TikTok Made Me Buy It is about storytelling. The Stanley clip captivates because it pairs humour with resilience.

Beauty fans share dupe recommendations for viral blushes and lipsticks in Reddit threads, turning product trials into collective experiments.

One YouTube unboxer quipped that a rechargeable ice‑cream scoop felt like “a lightsaber for desserts,” capturing how gadgets can ignite childlike joy.

These voices illustrate why a single TikTok trend can feel more trustworthy than a polished commercial. Each anecdote adds to a shared narrative of discovery and delight.

What We Think

The next time a video leaves you tempted to click “Add to Cart,” pause and appreciate the mix of creativity, community and commerce that brought it to your screen.

Between tiktok trends and the endless parade of haul videos, it’s clear we now shop through stories.

Perhaps ask yourself: what’s trending on TikTok this week that genuinely excites you, and what story will you tell if you decide to buy?