
I Explored The Depths Of Amazon's 'Internet Famous' List And Found These 32 Cool Beauty Products For You
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
This spray-on body moisturizer is about to be the holy grail for busy humans everywhere.
1. A "Birthday Cake Stick" lip balm that earned its place as a cult-fave — not only is this super nourishing on your lips, but it tastes like vanilla cake, buttercream icing, and rainbow sprinkles, so now you can have your cake and moisturize with it, too.
Amazon
Promising review: "LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS. Texture, taste, and dispenser were fantastic. I give it as birthday surprises. I keep one in my bedroom, purse, and both cars, and my son keeps one in his golf bag, bedroom, and car. Yes we have it on AUTO SHIP! You can't go wrong buying this product." — BUBBA SHIRL
2.
Olay Super Serum Body Wash to make anyone with dry or dull cold weather skin REJOICE — this is packed with niacinamide, shea butter, and collagen peptides to nourish your skin for 24-hour hydration that will make you feel ~luminous~. (Psst — this is the body wash version of their TikTok-famous, super effective facial Super Serum, so you KNOW they mean business.)
www.instagram.com, Amazon
Promising review:"I recently tried the Olay Super Serum Body Wash, and I am absolutely in love with it! The formula is incredibly hydrating, leaving my skin feeling soft and smooth after every use. It lathers beautifully and has a lovely, light fragrance that isn't overpowering. After just a few uses, I noticed my skin looked more radiant and felt deeply moisturized. The addition of serums in the body wash is a game-changer my skin feels nourished, and I no longer need to apply lotion right after showering. Highly recommend this to anyone looking for a luxurious, skin-loving body wash!" — Darina
3. Plus Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Mist Oil for an *instant* and long-lasting dry skin fix — this blend of vitamin E and jojoba oil is designed to moisturize, soothe, and restore skin, and do it REAL quick and easy for those of us who don't have time for a whole song and dance of a body moisturizing routine.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I'm terrible about putting on lotion even tho my skin is dry. I just hate it. But I love this stuff. It makes my skin feel great. Has a light pleasant scen t. Spray it on and rub it in. So easy! I just apply when going to bed or at least when I don't have to put anything other than lounge clothes on right away. My skin looks and feels so much better it makes me want to keep using it." — Slade
4. Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener, which became the internet's holy grail for concealing and brightening dark circles under your eyes so fast that everyone's old concealers are doing double takes. This lightweight color-adapting formula is designed for truly ~invisible~ coverage that makes a drastic difference.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
The color-adaptive formula is designed so one of two shades will work on any skin tone.
Promising review: "Took years off my eyes! This product is so reasonably priced. I came across a TikTok promoting this and decided to take a chance since the price was super reasonable. My eyes looked brighter in a good way, and the concealer worked so well that I felt I looked younger. I got compliments from friends asking what I did differently with my makeup. I recommend it." — Monica T.
5. Plus Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel, a cult-fave product for your beauty arsenal that will quickly help minimize eye puffiness and swelling thanks to its winning combo of caffeine and hyaluronic acid. It's basically an alarm clock for your eyeballs, because boy howdy are they awake now!!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
6. L'Oréal Paris Makeup True Match Lumi Glotion designed to enhance your skin's natural ✨ glow✨ just like the pricy Drunk Elephant drops — perfect for anyone who wants a lightweight alternative to foundation or just a lil' extra low-effort, ethereal shimmer in their lives.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Love love love this stuff. This is such a stellar product that is so versatile. Can be worn alone to put some glowy life to skin. Add to foundation or layer it. Beautiful. Use it as a base where you put highlighter on top. Mix some with moisturizer. This, in my opinion, is better than so many high-luxury brands that make similar products. And I am pretty sure it can be used by all skin types. It's not an oily feeling at all, and it doesn't dry out the skin either. Just a total package. Can't beat the price either." — Figgy08
7. Medicube Deep Vitamin C Golden Capsule Face Moisturizer for a K-beauty staple that's almost a little *too* fun to use — it comes with liposome capsules you can pop on your skin, helping oxidize, brighten, and smooth your complexion with the added burst of concentrated vitamin C and niacinamide. This is designed to have both instant *and* lasting results, with many reviewers noting an immediate difference in skin's radiance after the first use!
Promising review: "This moisturizer is one of the nicest feeling moisturizers ever. The appearance of the vitamin C capsules inside the gel goop on TikTok enticed me to purchase it for myself. This moisturizer has a gel like consistency and comes with a scooper, making it very easy to apply. You get a decent sized jar of moisturizer for the price, and the moisturizer is pretty thick. Although it is sticky, I would say it absorbs in your skin pretty quickly. I t may leave a slight sticky residue left behind, but I think overall it is amazing for all skin types. After using this in the a.m. before sunscreen, I noticed my skin really glow and feel smooth! I had gifted a jar to my 60 year old mother and she had told me how her skin felt like a baby's bum the next morning!" — tracey + kiwi
8. Joesoef's pharmaceutical-grade anti-acne sulfur soap that people with acne, rosacea, dermatitis, and clogged pores swear by for helping clear their skin and relieve the tenderness. A lot of reviewers noted that they found this specific product after their dermatologists recommended it to them!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Joesoef Skin Care is a small business that specializes in anti-acne skincare products.
Promising review:"I recently saw a dermatologist talk about those clogged pores on and around your nose. If they are of uniform size, they aren't blackheads. She suggested using a sulfur soap to get rid of or minimize those stubborn clogged pores. This has a slight sulfur smell, it is not overwhelming, and it disappears when dried. It works! My pores are much smaller. After applying and drying, moisturize." — Sandy G
9. A pomade hair wax stick designed to work for all hair types for some residue-free *instant* hold for slick-back ponytails or setting flyaways, cowlicks, and baby hairs into place, if that's the ~look~ you're going for that day. Reviewers note how easy it is to glide over hair and brush back without leaving hair looking greasy or shiny.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising reviews:"I saw this on YouTube and immediately wanted to try it. I have curly hair, which I love, but sometimes I just want to put it in a ponytail and go on with my day. This is a time saver for all those little hairs that tend to stick up or don't want to stay in place. I'm not a fan of hairspray, and this even smells nice. I believe it's a light coconut smell. Overall satisfied, and you don't need to use much. I took it with me on vacation, and it saved me time in the evening from having to deal with bad hair days." — Blanca Perez
10. "Gloves In A Bottle," aka the hero of anyone with dry, cracked hands — this game-changing lotion not only helps heal your skin, but actively protects it for four to twelve hours, even through repeated hand washes. Reviewers with eczema or those who have to sanitize frequently for work swear by this!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Gloves in a Bottle is a small business that specializes in skincare products for working professionals.
Promising review:"I am a teacher and literally wash or sanitize my hands several times per hour! If I'm not washing my hands, I'm cleaning all the surfaces in my classroom with harsh cleaners. I thought I would try this lotion and I am thankful I took a chance! It is not only moisturizing, but it's not too scented or greasy. We are not allowed to wear perfume at school due to allergies, and this works perfectly. The best part is that after you do wash your hands, you can still feel the lotion! My cuticles are staying moisturized, too. I am going to get more for home and the car." — Chianti
11. Maybelline Lash Sensational Washable Mascara — not only does it build like a dream, but it lives up to its "full fan" promise, giving you a ton of length and extra definition without clumping or weighing lashes down.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"My sister swears by this mascara and her lashes always look great so I had to try it. This mascara gives me life! Lengthens and volumizes my lashes making them look full and beautiful. I will never buy another mascara again!!!" — Bees85
12. And E.l.f.'s Pro Eyelash Curler, aka your secret lash weapon — mascaras are all well and good, but this contoured, gentle, super effective curler is what is gonna get you that BIG lash drama your eyeballs crave.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This eyelash curler is by far the best eyelash curler I've ever used. It doesn't pinch or pull out lashes. The curler makes a nice lift and curl that looks natural." — C
13. A pack of the internet-beloved Mighty Patch Pimple Spot Treatment, a hydrocolloid sticker that you can apply straight onto open zits to help drain them and reduce that sore feeling overnight. Personally *love* to see a problem magically disappear while I'm snoozing.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
14. A pack of cult-favorite Clean Skin Club Clean Towels — these ultra-soft, chemical-free disposable towels are ideal for drying your face or pairing with a makeup remover or face wash to gently remove makeup at the end of the day. A lot of folks with sensitive skin *swear* by these, particularly because it helps prevent exposing their skin to bacteria that may collect in ordinary reusable towels.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Clean Skin Club is a US-based small business specializing in hygienic, vegan, and cruelty-free skincare products.
Promising review:"I absolutely love these. I saw these on TikTok and bought them. I will be buying more. They are great for my face. Really soft and VERY durable and strong, even when wet. You can wash your face [with it] or just dry your face, either way, it's the best option." — Sahara
15. Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in *PINK* Honey — aka, the sweet, subtle sister of the iconic "Black Honey" that has been so popular over the past few decades that it just about broke TikTok when it finally had its moment over there. The skin tone-matching, pH-adaptive pink version is every bit as buildable, polished, and decadent feeling as the original black honey, and perfect for everyday makeup looks.
Amazon
The"Almost Lipsticks" are also well-known for working as a subtle lip *and* blush shade for a perfectly dewy, au naturelllll look!
Promising review: "This lip color is a fantastic, no-fuss lip product for those who want a natural, effortless look. It offers the best of both world s— hydrating balm and a hint of color — making it ideal for daily wear. It's perfect for those looking for a low-maintenance, lightweight lip option with a natural finish. While it may not be the longest-lasting product, its comfort and versatility make it a great addition to any beauty routine." — The Unexpected Girl Mama
16. Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 59 Hair & Body Perfume Mist, a woodsy, gourmand tweak on the iconic "sunshine" smell of the brand's famous Cheirosa 62. This pretty lil' lilac version is infused with vanilla orchid and sandalwood for a mellower, velvety, nostalgically sweet scent you can wear year-round.
Promising review: "I have tried a few of their perfumes but it never really smelled that great on me. I tried this one and I am 110% in love with this smell! I get so many compliments and people asking what I am wearing! This will be my go to spray!! 💜" — Ashley
17. Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum for a deliiiightfully affordable way to address dark spots and sun damage without taking out a second mortgage. (Why is skincare so expensive??) You can apply a few drops of this serum to your skin before moisturizing at morning and night for noticeable results in as soon as a few weeks.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Good Molecules is a small business that specializes in affordable skincare products.
Promising review: "I've been using the Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum for about a month now, and I'm honestly impressed with the result s! I have some stubborn dark spots from past breakouts and mild sun damage, and this serum has noticeably faded them. The formula is lightweight, non-greasy, and layers well with my other skincare products. With consistent use, my complexion looks more even and radiant. It does take time to see results, so patience is key, but it's definitely worth it." — Tracy
18. Lumify Eye Drops, a product so beloved by TikTok that despite being more $$ than other brands, it's the number one selling brand on Amazon right now. Reviewers swear by this for instant reduction in redness in their eyes, with visible differences within a minute of use.
Learn more about different kinds of eye drops and what they can do at Cleveland Clinic. Note that eye drops can potentially mask symptoms of eye conditions, so you should talk to your eye doctor about what's right for you. And according to Mayo Clinic, you should avoid redness-reducing drops if you're looking for dry eye relief.
Promising review:"I have a big spot of blood vessels in the inner corner of my left eye. I use the expensive lubricant eye drops for moisture — I've used Visine, Clear Eyes, you name it. No eye drop has made my eyes look this great. Only Lumify! I was soo happy when I looked in the mirror and saw some beauty in my eyes instead of darkness and redness." — Angela Leonard
19. Nyx's Lip IV Hydrating Gloss Serum for anyone who's ever been like, "It's too bad lip gloss, lip stain, and lip balm can't have a glamorous, long-lasting, moisturizing baby." Turns out they CAN! And it comes with 12 hours of hydration to boot!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I normally don't love lip products. I have small lips and I am never really satisfied! But this stuff is sooooo good! You don't even understand how moisturizing and glossy this is. It's not sticky, very pigmented, and the stain it leaves behind is gorgeous! I got the Rosie one, and it's chef's kiss perfect! I'm totally getting more!" — Katherine Stanton
20. L'Oréal Paris BB Cream, a FAST-acting, anti-redness moisturizer with results that feel like legitimate magic — especially considering its competitor, the Dr Jart+ Cicapair Color Correcting Cream, is over twice as expensive. Reviewers especially love this as a base for their makeup, because it leaves skin super soft and primed.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I'd yet to find anything (even foundation) that could cover up my red areas. Checks, chin, nose, and forehead. It comes out green, but has a gorgeous lightweight finish of a tint that indeed covers my redness beautifully. There's no greasiness to it at all. It dries down to a beautiful matte finish. It's super easy to use. I use my fingers. The texture is like silk. It leaves my face baby-soft, not sticky at all. It doesn't settle into my fine lines or wrinkles, and I don't need powder to 'bake' it under my eyes. It also covers the black circles under my eyes." — Julie F.
21. Laneige's Neo Blurring Powder to absorb oil and blur pores so effectively that you'll be like, "Oh ... witchcraft??" Might be the only explanation for how this can matte-ify your complexion while still keeping it radiant and glowy ✨.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
22. Mixsoon's Bean Cream worth the splurge for anyone trying to achieve the "glass skin" look — this deep-repairing K-beauty staple is not on a holy grail moisturizer, but helps balance oil, lightly exfoliates, and helps diminish the appearance of pores with sebum control.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review:"I've been using this bean cream for about a year and love the results. My skin is brighter, it feels more moisturized (especially in super dry Alaska), not to mention the decrease in hyperpigmentation, and breakouts. Love this stuff." — Raymond Hopson
23. Maybelline Superfluff Volumizing Brow Mousse so your brows can get all the ~~vavoom~~ they deserve. This easy-to-use, buildable brow applicator lightly fluffs and tames brows to give them a fuller, softer appearance, giving them that laminated look without the expensive treatment.
Amazon
Promising review:"So quick and easy to get full fluffy brows! It does it all in one. Gives them volume, holds them nice without being over-tacky and stiff, and darkens them. So easy in the morning before work. Takes a couple of swipes, and I am ready to go." — jessica alexandra
24. Lawless's "Forget The Filler" that's basically like Laneige's repairing lip sleep mask, but if it also worked to make your lips fuller. You can wear it for overnight hydration *and* plumping thanks to a blend of shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and a stimulating peptide complex. It's like "lip filler, but make it subtle (and also don't pay a zillion dollars for it)" — plus it comes in a BIRTHDAY CAKE flavor.
25. Skala's Mais Cacho Hair 2-in-1 Conditioning Treatment, the holy grail of curly hair products — you can either use it as a conditioning treatment, or wear it all day in your curls both to style and condition for all-day hair repair. Reviewers swear by it for healthier, bouncier, more well-defined curls, and love how gently it helps detangle, too.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
This treatment is for all curl types!
Promising review: "I love this hair conditioner I LITERALLY use it everyDAY! It leaves my hair so soft and my natural curls are so bouncy! I'm in need of more soon! Definitely recommend this to anyone. And it smells so good too!!!" — Wendy
26. E.l.f.'s Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops, another home run from the brand's moisturizing "Holy Hydration" line that reviewers are comparing to the $35 Watermelon Dew Drops from Glow Recipe. This lightweight formula is designed to brighten and plump skin for a dewy effect, whether you're wearing it alone, applying it under your makeup, or mixing it with your foundation.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "Love these drops. So effective, a little goes a long way. Great for a boost of hydration, especially in the colder and/or drier months. Great as a primer before makeup to smooth the skin. Such a value for a product that packs a punch. My skin hasn't looked better!" — Ken
27. Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre, an iconic Parisian staple so versatile that it functions as a moisturizer, primer, and makeup remover so beloved that reviewers (and makeup professionals!) of all ages swear by it. In fact, some are so loyal that they won't use any other brand (including one who has been using it for FORTY YEARS)!!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I am in my fifties and this is the only moisturizer I can use that keeps my skin soft and supple and makes putting on makeup easy and looks so smooth. I'd be lost if I could not get this product!" — Belly Jelly
"I am 70 years old and started using this in my 30s. I am old now. But my complexion is NOT. There is a reason French women don't wear much makeup. They don't have to. They sell this stuff off of a shelf in French pharmacies, cheap. And believe me, it matches any $400 cream in existence. I guarantee nothing matches this line. And the Lait-Creme is a wonder." — 3rdCoastCC
28. Medicube's "Zero Pore" Pads, which are dual-textured toner pads made with lactic and salicylic acid to exfoliate and refine your pores. The excess sebum oil in your face just met its worst enemy in this cult-fave Korean skincare product. 😈
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I kept seeing this product on social media and finally decided to give it a try. I use this twice daily, and it's been a couple of weeks, and I definitely noticed my pores have shrunk. I even apply it to my neck and chest area. Product is soothing, gentle on my skin (have extremely sensitive skin), no strong smell, cottons are soft, and did not cause any breakouts! It's great for the value, and I'll definitely be repurchasing these." — Ee El
29. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Daily Skin Therapy for EXTRA strength moisturizing — this solid moisturizer is designed to soften, smooth, and protect extra dry skin all over the body for up to 48 hours. Reviewers with sensitive skin, dry and cracked joints and heels, and sensitive skin especially love how fast this works, and how deeply it hydrates.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"Having extremely sensitive skin, I'm very selective about what products I use on my dry skin. I've been using this for years as it works wonders for my skin, providing the moisture it desperately needs, and it's compact, so it's easy to keep in my purse. It's solidly made but glides smoothly and smells incredible! I just LOVE how it doesn't leave my skin oily but soft and well-hydrated. I get complimented on my skin often and I feel as though this Palmer's product is the reason for the overall radiant appearance. I'm beyond pleased with this Palmer's moisturizing product that works as designed to heal and soften, and my skin absolutely LOVES it too!" — Glam-Ma's "Unbiased" Review
30. A reviewer-beloved anti-dandruff shampoo to relieve flaking and itching and help prevent outbreaks by getting directly to the root. A lot of reviewers mention that it not only started working from the first use, but it *also* helped with shedding and hair loss caused by dandruff in the first place.
This shampoo was designed to work for sensitive scalps, color-dyed, and chemically processed hair, as well as for all hair types and textures, with reviewers with 3b–4c curls mentioning it worked for them.
Promising review: "I saw this product from a TikTok video. I was hesitant. I have been dealing with dandruff for almost 10 years, fortunately not that heavy but enough where it was embarrassing. I tried everything. Leave in conditioner, tea tree oil, Head and Shoulders, etc. One brand did work for a couple of days but that's it. But this product has worked EFFECTIVELY. Dandruff free for two months so far. Can leave your hair feeling a little dry so just use conditioner and it will balance out. If other products aren't working for you with dandruff I can confidently recommend this one." — Martin C.
31. Salt & Stone extra strength, clear glide deodorant that's a popular pick for aluminum-free reviewers, using probiotics to help neutralize odors and a blend of hyaluronic acid and moisturizer to keep your skin extra hydrated. But the real star of the show is the lovely scent profiles, including Santal & Vetiver, Bergamot & Hinoki, and Black Rose & Oud.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Psst — reviewers mention that the Santal & Veviter scent smells a LOT like Le Labo's famous Santal 33!
Promising review: "Best deodorant ever. I tried it thinking it will be a waste of money, mostly because it's the most expensive deodorant I have purchased. Though I wish it were a little cheaper, let me tell you, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. it was as fresh as if I had just applied it — oh, and it's the height of summer for me. I expected it to fail me as I do a cycle class at the gymm and trust me when I am done I am soaking wet. I got home, and this deodorant is still as fresh as when I applied it. With the bikes so close to each other for the first time I was not conscious of me having workout body odor. This deodorant is now my new best friend!!" — Nashie
32. E.l.f.'s Monochromatic Multi Stick here to win the award for Doing The Absolute Most — you can use it for adding pops of color to your eyes, lips, *and* cheeks, and with its thin, buildable layers, it's essentially foolproof.
Promising review: "I love this product! Whenever I'm on TikTok I tend to be influenced by a number of people who say that a certain product is very good, hence me buying this. I just started diving into the world of makeup and I can't get out. 😂 Anyway, about the product: I have very sensitive skin so I was pleasantly surprised. It's also smooth and thin, which is always a plus :)." — Jude
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
TikTok launches 'TikTok for Artists,' a new music insights platform
TikTok announced on Tuesday that it's officially launching TikTok for Artists, a new music insights platform that is designed to help artists build their careers. The official launch comes two months after TikTok was spotted testing the platform in select countries. The tool is built to help artists and their teams better connect with fans, improve their promotional efforts, and inform content creation on TikTok. The platform gives artists, their labels, and their teams access to data about the performance of the artist's music and posts and TikTok. These metrics include the number of views, posts, and creator engagements per song, along with similar insights into post performance. Other insights include information about an artist's followers, such as their age, language, and gender. TikTok for Artists also includes step-by-step guides to TikTok's tools and features, and additional support and resources, the company says. In addition, TikTok announced that it's launching a new "Pre-Release" tool that allows artists to promote upcoming album releases on TikTok. The feature lets fans pre-save albums directly to their Spotify or Apple Music library, where they will become instantly available to listen to upon release. TikTok plays a big part in driving music trends and viral songs, so it makes sense for the company to introduce a dedicated space to help artists better promote their content and drive fan engagement. TikTok for Artists could help artists expand their reach and grow their audience. It's worth noting that the launch of TikTok for Artists comes eight months after ByteDance decided to shut down TikTok Music, a music-streaming service that was being tested in a handful of countries. At the time, the company said it decided to retire the service in order to 'focus on our goal of furthering TikTok's role in driving even greater music listening and value on music streaming services.' The events of the past year show that TikTok is no longer trying to compete with services like Spotify and Apple Music, and is instead going to focus on being a platform for music discovery and promotion. TikTok for Artists is now available in Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina. The platform will be rolling out in other countries soon, TikTok says.


Atlantic
16 minutes ago
- Atlantic
The Truth About Diddy Might Be Darker Than the Rumors
Over the past year and a half, I've kept finding myself in unexpected conversations about Diddy. Cab drivers, deli cooks, and far-flung uncles have all wanted to chat about the 55-year-old rapper who's now on trial for charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. There is, certainly, plenty to talk about: Federal prosecutors allege that the media mogul liked to throw baby-oil-slicked orgies—called 'freak-offs'—where abuse and exploitation regularly occurred. (He pleaded not guilty; his lawyers say he never coerced anyone into anything.) But the conversations tend to be less about Sean 'Diddy' Combs than about playing a guessing game: Who else was involved? Some of the people I've spoken with had theories about Justin Bieber, citing rumors suggesting that the singer—a teenage protégé of Diddy's—had been preyed upon ('Justin is not among Sean Combs' victims,' Bieber's representative said in a statement last month). Others speculated that the Democratic Party, whose candidates Combs has campaigned for over the years, was in some way implicated in the case. Most of them agreed that Diddy was comparable to Jeffrey Epstein in that he was probably at the hub of a celebrity sex-crime ring. Since the trial began a few weeks ago, it's become clear what these conversations were: distractions from the bleak, all-too-ordinary issues that this case is really about. The wild nature of the conspiracist narratives surrounding Combs can't be understated. In January, social-media users wondered if the fires that swept through glitzy L.A. neighborhoods were meant to destroy evidence pointing to the participation of other celebrities. On Amazon last year, sales spiked for a salacious memoir purportedly written by the rapper's late girlfriend, Kimberly Porter, and published by a self-described investigative journalist using the pseudonym Jamal T. Millwood—the latter being the supposed alias that Tupac used after he, according to legend, faked his death. (Amazon pulled the book from its offerings after Porter's family lambasted it as a forgery.) One viral fake news story, based on no evidence at all, said that Will Smith had sold one of his children into Combs's servitude. On Truth Social last fall, Donald Trump himself shared a meme featuring a fabricated image of Kamala Harris and Diddy, with text reading, 'Madam vice president, have you ever been involved with or engaged in one of Puff Daddies freak offs?' The media also stoked the fervor. A former bodyguard of Combs's gave an interview for a TMZ documentary saying that politicians, princes, and preachers were mixed up in the rapper's debauchery. The conservative influencer Charlie Kirk devoted a portion of one webcast to wondering, 'Maybe P. Diddy has footage of Barack Obama doing something he shouldn't have been doing?' Piers Morgan hosted a singer, Jaguar Wright, who insinuated that Jay-Z and Beyoncé had committed crimes much like the ones Diddy is charged with. After those stars issued a vigorous denial and threatened to sue, Morgan apologized and edited any mention of them out of the interview online—and then, in February, retired General Michael Flynn presented Wright with a 'Defender of Freedom Award' at Mar-a-Lago. A few actual facts underlay all of this QAnon-esque speculation. For more than a decade, Combs's legendary White Parties attracted a medley of stars to the Hamptons, Los Angeles, and Saint-Tropez. Attendees often joked publicly about how rowdy the festivities could get. Over the past year or so, dozens of people—an array of musicians, workers, models, and others who have crossed paths with him since the 1990s—have sued Combs for a variety of offenses (all of which he denies), and some of those suits have alluded to alleged misdeeds by other celebrities. (One lawsuit naming Jay-Z was dropped after the star denied the claim; he has since countersued for defamation.) Still, the speed and sheer giddiness with which conspiracist thinking eclipsed the known details of Combs's case confirmed a few bleak realities about the psyche of a country in which economic inequality and sexual abuse are both stubbornly endemic. A whole class of politicians, commentators, and media platforms exist to exploit the resentments that everyday people hold toward the rich and famous. Meanwhile, rates of sexual harassment and assault—reportedly experienced by 82 percent of women and 42 percent of men in the United States in their lifetime—remain as high as they were when the #MeToo movement erupted in 2017. Examining the real reasons for this is less fun—and, for many, less profitable—than imagining that Hollywood is a front for ritualistic sadism. The trial itself, which began in Manhattan on May 12, has not yet revealed a network of super-famous evildoers. Although the testimony has surfaced vivid and bizarre details about the rarefied lives of celebrities, it's also told an intimate, human, oddly familiar story about how power can warp relationships in all sorts of ways. I realized that in the random conversations I'd had leading up to the trial, I'd heard a lot about the imagined villains, and very little about the people they were said to have hurt. Combs's downfall in the public eye began in November 2023, when an ex-girlfriend, the singer Cassie Ventura, filed a lawsuit alleging that he had raped and physically abused her. The suit was settled one day later out of court, but many of its details are resurfacing now. Although the federal trial against Combs is expected to last at least eight weeks and feature dozens of witnesses, Diddy and Ventura's relationship has been central to the testimony. Prosecutors say Combs ran an organized criminal enterprise that served, in part, to assist in and cover up this one woman's subjugation. Ventura, now 38, was a 19-year-old aspiring R&B singer when she met Combs around 2005. He'd heard her first-ever single, 'Me & U'; it would become a hit, but Diddy promised that he could guide her to a career of lasting success. He signed her to a 10-album deal with his label, Bad Boy Records, and released her debut album in 2006. It is still her only album to ever come out. Their relationship soon evolved from professional to romantic. The singer said she'd initially rejected the rapper's advances but that she'd felt pressured to do what he wanted because her career was largely in his hands. He also reportedly provided her with gifts, threatened her with punishment, and supplied her with drugs until she felt he controlled her life. She said that he then used that control liberally, dictating what she wore, whom she socialized with, which medications she took. He also beat her. Hotel security-camera footage from 2016 published by CNN last year—and used as evidence in the trial—showed Combs chasing Ventura down a hallway, throwing her to the ground, kicking her, and pulling her by her sweatshirt. The video is a small and terrible glimpse into their relationship. Diddy is in a towel and clearly furious; Ventura, starkly alone, makes no effort to defend herself. 'My behavior on that video is inexcusable,' Combs said in a filmed mea culpa last year; during the trial, his lawyers have acknowledged that he was violent toward her. Other witnesses in the trial have testified that the hotel assault was not an isolated incident. One former assistant, Capricorn Clark, reported seeing Combs repeatedly kick Ventura after learning that she'd been romantically involved with the rapper Kid Cudi. Another former assistant, George Kaplan, described a 2015 altercation between Combs and Ventura on Diddy's private jet. He heard the sound of breaking glass in a private area, where he then saw Combs standing and holding a whiskey glass over Ventura, who was on her back. According to Kaplan, Ventura screamed, 'Isn't anybody seeing this?' No one on the plane intervened, Kaplan said. The now-notorious freak-offs allegedly occurred against this backdrop of violence and intimidation. Ventura's lawsuit said that toward the beginning of Combs and Ventura's relationship, Combs hired a man to have sex with Ventura while Diddy watched. Encounters like that, involving sex workers and drugs, became regular occurrences that could last for days at a time. The freak-offs were, prosecutors say, 'performances' for Combs's pleasure. And they affected the performers; Ventura testified to having medical problems, mental-health issues, and drug addiction as a result of them. Combs's defense argues that Ventura willingly participated in these events. His lawyers have cited text messages in which she appears to express enthusiasm: 'I'm always ready to freak off,' she wrote to him in August 2009. Other texts suggest a more complicated picture—in 2017, Ventura wrote, 'I love our FOs when we both want it.' She and prosecutors assert that whenever she tried to resist Combs's commands, he would bring her to heel with physical violence and threats of blackmail and financial harm. Ventura's lawsuit alleged that when she tried to break up with him for good in 2018, he raped her in her home (an accusation that Diddy's defense has concertedly pushed back on during the trial). Ventura is not the only alleged victim of Combs's. His employees have shared particularly disturbing stories: Clark said that Combs kidnapped her twice; a former assistant identified as Mia testified last week that the rapper repeatedly sexually assaulted her. (Diddy's lawyers dispute that the kidnappings ever happened and have questioned Mia's credibility.) Prosecutors are pursuing racketeering charges on the theory that Combs didn't act alone: For example, they say he may have had someone set Kid Cudi's car on fire (the defense denies Combs's involvement in that arson). In this way, Diddy's case is also a story about what happens when it's easier to take the check and not ask too many questions. But fundamentally, the trial is another highly public test of the definition of consent. It recalls the prosecutions of Harvey Weinstein, the movie producer who allegedly dangled job prospects to women interested in the film industry in exchange for sex (one of his convictions was overturned last year and is being retried now). It also evokes R. Kelly, the musician who wooed aspiring singers with promises of career help and then violently kept them—and other women—in sexual servitude (behavior for which he is currently serving 31 years in prison). And the issues here transcend celebrity. When #MeToo erupted eight years ago, it forced many everyday Americans to reexamine experiences they'd had in their workplaces and homes. The movement has, by many indications, petered out or even curdled into backlash: Yesterday, one of Diddy's lawyers asked Mia whether she was looking for a 'Me Too money grab,' which suggests he thinks the very words Me Too might be tinged for some jury members. But to sit with the allegations against Combs—and the experiences of the alleged victims—is to again be confronted with the underlying reasons that movement happened. It's to be confronted with the intolerable things that happen when men are given the power to pursue their desires however they want, and to extract whatever they want from their underlings. A lot of people would evidently prefer to turn away from that confrontation—and to focus on fantasy. Since I started paying attention to the case, my YouTube algorithm has become polluted by videos with AI-generated courtroom sketches of stars such as Will Smith and Jay-Z, paired with totally imaginary testimony about their involvement in Combs's crimes. The videos are yet another sign that our society is losing any shared sense of reality. They do, however, have disclaimers stipulating that they are fiction, which raises the question: Why is this the story someone wants to hear? Perhaps because tales of demonic Hollywood cabals offer a simple, clear-cut narrative that doesn't ask us to reflect on how domestic violence and sexual coercion really get perpetuated—and perhaps because that narrative benefits certain agendas. Last month, I tuned in to Asmongold, a popular Twitch streamer who interprets the daily news for a large audience of young, often aggrieved men. He had a glazed look in his eyes as TV news footage related to the trial played on his screen. Then he said, 'I don't care about this case at all—until Diddy starts naming names.'


Newsweek
27 minutes ago
- Newsweek
What Hungry Cat Does in the Kitchen Shocks Internet: 'They're Evolving'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A rescue cat named Klaus has gone viral after pulling off an unexpected kitchen trick that has left internet users both amused and slightly concerned. The viral TikTok video shared on Friday by his owner, under the username @caits182, shows the black and white cat perched on the kitchen counter, energetically pawing at the microwave door, until he finally manages to open it. "Ever seen a cat open a microwave?" the caption says, as the poster rushes to remove the cat from the appliance. In a post shared later in the week, the poster explains that Klaus, who has a history of documented shenanigans on social media with his lookalike sibling, Wesley, is a 1.5-year-old who was rescued at 5 months and is a "a softie who loves cuddles." Cats are indeed smart creatures, but unlike humans their intelligence isn't measured by an IQ but rather by their cognitive abilities and the way they interact. Studies have found that cats have a sense of object permanence, and are able to recognize when an object is hidden from their sight. They have working memory and a well-developed long-term memory, which helps them achieve their goals. They can also distinguish between different time intervals and can recognize different quantities. They also look for human cues and gestures, to respond to human moods, and are able to recognize specific human voices and become attached to people in their lives. Compared to dogs, a cat's intelligence manifests differently. Dogs often seek human guidance while cats prioritize independence. Signs of a smart cat can vary, but they usually include problem-solving, demonstrating persistence, or immediately sensing when you're having a bad day and cheering you up. The smartest cat breeds include Abyssinian, Siamese, Scottish Fold, Persians, Cornish Rex, and Turkish Angora. A stock image shows a tuxedo cat hanging out on his owner's kitchen counter. A stock image shows a tuxedo cat hanging out on his owner's kitchen counter. getty images The video quickly went viral on TikTok and it has so far received over 3.8 million views and 737,600 likes on the platform. One user, LoveSyrinaIRL, commented: "As a cat expert, this can be very dangerous for him, as he might start cooking his own food and become a chef and open his own 5-star restaurant." Ednc said: "God forbid a cat shows he's capable of reheating his own food." Laura added: "They're evolving. The end is in sight for us." Newsweek reached out to @caits182 for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.