I Tried All the Weird Stuff the Kardashians Promote on Instagram

SugarBearHair Vitamins

(endorsed by Kim and Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner)

I’ve only ever tried hair growth vitamins once before, and it was a major flop. I was in Paris, got seduced by a fancy French label and shelled out far too many Euros for the pills. They ended up tasting gross and they did absolutely nothing. So when I tried SugarBearHair Vitamins, which claim to provide healthy nutrients for hair growth, I was skeptical, to say the least. The vitamins contain biotin, which evidence suggests can help with thin, splitting, or brittle hair, but studies aren’t conclusive.

The first thing I noticed about the vitamins was the amazing taste. They tasted like a Fruit by the Foot. Every day I would actually look forward to the berry-flavored gummies and had to stop myself from eating more than the required dose. Initially, I was hesitant to take them because I was worried all of my body hair would start growing faster, but thankfully, that didn’t happen (myth = busted).

What I did notice was how much shinier my hair was after a few weeks. At work, people were complimenting me on my glossy strands—even when I hadn’t washed my hair in three days. But by far the biggest change I noticed was how much faster my hair grew. After one month, my hair was noticeably longer—I think I might have to schedule my bi-annual haircut a little sooner than expected. So, it’s official, I’m a SugarBearHair believer.

Verdict: Kardashian locks—minus the weaves and glam team on deck—achieved.

FitTea

(endorsed by Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner)

I’m an avid tea drinker, and I was kind of excited to try this detox tea. The product claims to promote fat burning and weight loss, provided you drink it every morning for the allotted 14 days. While there is no definitive proof that detox teas work, research suggests that tea has many health benefits. I should note that on the packaging of FitTea, there is a disclaimer saying it has not been evaluated by the FDA and results may vary. So, with this in mind, I started my 14-day journey.

The tea itself is a blend of various teas (like green and rooibos) along with ginger, lemon juice, matcha and a few other ingredients. It tasted pretty good: It wasn’t too strong or offensive in any way, especially when I added a little honey to the mix. But, I have to say, after my two weeks were over, I didn’t notice any changes. I definitely got a boost of energy after drinking it, which makes sense since it contains caffeine, but it didn’t burn fat—or any that I noticed.

Verdict:Same old, non-Kardashian-enhanced curves.

Artis Elite Collection Gold Edition 10 Brush Set

(endorsed by Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner)

I’m going to start by saying that these makeup brushes are outrageously expensive. The set I tried retails for $495! That’s not a typo. But everyone I know who has tried these pricey brushes swears by them.

Before I tested the set, I did a little research. As it turns out, the Artis brushes are made with special fibers that were especially engineered for applying makeup. Translation: They are soft AF. They felt amazing against my skin, and I didn’t need to use nearly as much product since foundation, concealer and eye shadow didn’t seep into the brushes—rather, the product sat on top of the brush. I will admit that blending foundation with these brushes was a dream. My face looked airbrushed and somewhat Kardashian-esque once I finished.

But the real strength of the Artis brushes came into play when I contoured. To clarify, I’m not someone who usually contours (read: I don’t have the time, patience or skill), but these brushes made it easy. Instead of spending hours blending and layering makeup, the brushes did all the heavy lifting, allowing me to expertly blend highlighter, powder and foundation. I also used all the brushes in the set for different types of makeup application—even lipstick.

So, would I recommend the brushes? It depends. If you are someone who wears a full face of makeup and loves to contour, they’re worth it. If you live by the motto “less is more,” skip the full set. The brush that every girl should invest in, in my opinion, is the Oval 8 brush for foundation application. They sell it separately for $65, and it will change your life.

Verdict: The ultimate Kardashian kontour kreator.

Manuka Doctor Bio Active Manuka Honey 24+

(endorsed by Kourtney Kardashian)

Of all the products I tried, I’m most ambivalent about this one. First, let me break down exactly what makes this honey so special: Bees that collect nectar from the Manuka bush in New Zealand make this hallowed Manuka honey. It contains a special enzyme that is said to help with everything from common colds to acne to heartburn. There have been a few studies that prove that Manuka honey can be effective in eradicating infections and treating certain wounds, but nothing is conclusive. So, as any self-respecting Kardashian observer would do, I tried it for myself.

For one month, I used the honey every single day. I put it on toast, in hot water, I even put a bit in my hair. When I felt a cold coming on a few weeks ago, I made sure to eat even more than normal, and I was able to stave it off. Now, this might have been from the honey, or from the fact that I was getting lots of rest and vitamin C—I can’t be sure. After putting it in hair, my hair looked and felt great—but this could have been from the SugarBearHair vitamins. The jury is out on the honey, but I will say this: I plan to continue using it and am secretly hoping for a breakout just so I can test out the honey.

Verdict: Seemingly harmless; maybe miraculous; almost certainly won’t transform you into a Kardashian.