14 Cult-Favorite Products That Thousands of Happy Buyers Say Live Up to the Hype
Updated: Feb. 26, 2024
From the best beauty buys to life-changing gadgets, these cult-favorite products are worth investing in.
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There are lots of cool products you can buy online (and some you should never buy online), but very few are deserving of cult-favorite product status. The ones that have earned that title may have been around forever and have seemingly endless endorsements from celebrities, experts, editors and reviewers. Others make a swift entry on social media and, suddenly, everyone has to try it.
“Products can become cult favorites in a variety of ways,” explains Sara Skirboll, a shopping and trends expert for RetailMeNot. “It seems like social media is a main driver of a brand having the potential to gain fame and popularity over a short amount of time, creating a sense of FOMO [fear of missing out] from shoppers who don’t already own or use that item.”
From kitchen essentials and beauty must-haves to strange Amazon items and products that cost just $1, we apologize to your wallet in advance for bringing these cult-favorite products to your attention.
Essence Lash Princess Mascara
Amazon reviewers and top beauty editors (including ours!) agree that Essence Lash Princess Mascara is one of those cult-favorite products that’s truly a best beauty buy. Retailing for under $5 (!!!), this volumizing lash enhancer with a conic-shaped brush is the closest you’ll get to fake lashes in a tube. When it comes to the best mascara, you can’t get better than this tube at this price—just ask the more than 310,000 people who reviewed it on Amazo
Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven
The Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven is one of the most iconic pieces of cookware and cult-favorite products out there. The cast iron enamel-finished pan has become a status symbol of sorts, but even the most serious of chefs maintain it lives up to the hype. It comes in seven sizes and two dozen colors, and is safe to use on the stovetop, in the oven and in the dishwasher. The dutch oven’s quality construction means they retain lots of heat for even cooking. All signs point to this being an A+ gift for mom.
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag
Lululemon leggings achieved cult status several years ago, however, the yoga brand’s TikTok famous Everywhere Belt Bag has become one of their most recognizable and sought-after accessories. The versatile, comfy and cute fanny pack-slash-crossbody boasts a liter of space for your wallet, car keys, smartphone and other essentials. Beware: This budget-friendly bag sells out quickly after every restock, so take the chance when you get it.
Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler
Even water bottles can achieve cult status. The TikTok-viral Stanley Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler sells out over and over again with waitlists topping 150,000 people. What is it about this water bottle that has turned into an emotional support product? Not only does it keep a whopping 40 ounces of liquid cold for up to 48 hours with double-walled insulation, but it offers a comfortable handle and straw to encourage sipping. While it’s also available in other sizes, the 40-ounce even manages to fit into most car cup holders! Just make sure to keep your water bottle clean.
Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 Repairing Treatment
Tired, broken hair from excessive bleaching, highlighting, coloring and other chemical processes will drink up this Olaplex Hair Perfector treatment. It’s a vegan-friendly bond builder for hair, fortifying strands in ways typical shampoos and conditioners just can’t hold a candle to. Hydrolyzed soy protein acts almost like spackle for each strand’s cracks and weak spots, leaving you with incredibly shiny, smooth and silky hair. You can also try the K18 mask, which our reviewer maintains saved her damaged hair.
Alo AirLift Leggings
These leg-slimming, body-smoothing leggings put Alo on the map. The Airlift pair has amassed a cult following, which includes the likes of Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner and Olivia Wilde. Available in three core colors and even more limited-edition hues, they are designed to flatter every size and offer breathable, moisture-wicking material. Don’t be surprised when you put these butt-lifting leggings on for a workout and find yourself wearing them for the rest of the day!
Bioré Original Deep Cleansing Pore Strips
Those with lots of strawberry seed-like blackheads on their noses (and very little patience) have probably at least considered trying Bioré Original Deep Cleansing Pore Strips, which have been around for decades. Go for it! They’re the nearly instant way to pull pesky blackheads directly out of the most stubborn pores. How do you know these cult favorite products are worth the hype? You can see the gross contents of your pores glued to the little tape-like pore strip! Even better, it takes just a few minutes to complete the process from start to finish. While we’re on the subject, a quick word of warning: Make sure you never pop this kind of acne at home.
GE Profile Opal 2.0 Nugget Ice Maker
Nugget, pebble ice, pellet, chewable or Sonic ice (named after the fast-food chain)—whatever you want to call it, this ice is having a serious moment. The term “nugget ice maker” has been viewed over 503.5 million times on TikTok, with one specific model coming up time and again: GE Profile Opal 2.0. This smart countertop gadget turns water into chewable ice in 20 minutes or less. It makes 1 pound of fresh ice per hour and holds up to 48 ounces at a time. Your water, iced coffee, soda, juice or whatever is in your cup is about to get a chilly upgrade.
Bio-Oil Skincare Oil
Kim Kardashian, Megan Thee Stallion and Megan Markle can afford the most expensive beauty and skincare products—and yet, they are just a few of the millions of people around the world who slather this best-selling, budget-friendly vitamin E-infused oil all over their faces and bodies. From softening skin and erasing acne scars and stretch marks to hydrating thirsty and parched locks, reviewers maintain that it lives up to the hype and earns its cult-favorite product status.
iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO Vacuum
Everyone can agree our lives have gotten a lot better since robots started doing the vacuuming. The iRobot Roomba has a range of robotic vacuum cleaners that are available at a range of price points. The one that has become a cult-favorite product is the i3+ EVO, which vacuums, self-empties and mops. The three-stage cleaning system features an edge-sweeping brush, has power-lifting suction and holds up to 60 days’ worth of dust and dirt.
EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Sunscreen
Beauty editors, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, Amazon reviewers and celebrities (including the Kar-Jenner clan, Hailey Bieber, Sydney Sweeney and Addison Rae) unanimously agree that the EltaMD UV clear tinted sunscreen is a must-buy. Formulated for sensitive skin types—rosacea and eczema included—this lightweight and silky sunscreen just disappears into the skin. It offers protection from harmful UV rays without any irritation while evening out your skin tone with its gentle tinted coverage. It also contains niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3), hyaluronic acid and lactic acid—ingredients that promote the appearance of healthy-looking skin. For more options, you can also consider our other top picks for tinted sunscreens.
Quince $50 Mongolian Cashmere Sweater
Cashmere sweaters are generally considered guilty pleasures, as they can cost hundreds of dollars. When Quince introduced the $50 cashmere crewneck and V-neck sweaters, some people worried they were too good to be true. Those worries were all for naught—as our editor tested for herself. The price-transparent company has amassed a serious cult following for what reviewers call the “perfect” cashmere sweater. From nearly 3,500 reviews, the cashmere sweater has earned an average of 4.9 out of stars. Need we say more?
Sol De Janeiro Bum Bum Cream and Body Mist
Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Bum Bum Cream quickly achieved cult beauty status for not only smoothing and tightening skin, but smelling like the perfect beach day. And when it comes to scents, this brand knows what it’s doing—the brand’s Fragrance Mist in Cheirosa ’71 happens to be a top-rated fragrance on Amazon. When you bring these two together, you’ll be feeling smooth and smelling amazing. What could be better?
Verified Amazon reviewer, Celeste Delgado, calls the Bum Bum Cream a “game changer” that tightens skin and gives it a beautiful texture. She also notes this cult-favorite cream “really targets stubborn ankle areas.” Five-star reviewer for the mist, M&J Kane, describes the smell as “heaven.”
Theragun Mini 2.0 Massage Gun
Theragun, the OG percussion massage gun, continues to maintain cult status with everyone from pro athletes to occasional exercises using it. The portable Theragun Mini 2.0 has three foam attachments to provide the kind of massage you need. Don’t underestimate this small device—it’s quite mighty. The deep tissue treatment provides the ultimate pain relief, so keep it in your gym bag to work those muscles at a moment’s notice.
Originally Published: November 30, 2020
