- [Narrator] Advertising doesn't always have the best reputation when it comes to being honest. There are many adverts out there that just seem too good to be true. And most of the time
that's because they are. With so much competition, some companies take
some creative liberties to stand out in a crowd and the results can be pretty outrageous. So let's expose some of the
craziest ads that lie to us. The power of balance. Would you like to learn
how to take $2 wristbands and sell them for $50 a piece? Well, now you can with iRenew. - That is so cool. - That is crazy. - This is great, what is it? - [Narrator] What is it indeed? Well, random old lady, it turns out that this product
claims to improve strength, wellness, and balance just by
wearing a silicone wristband. - So what if I told you
that regaining your strength and feeling renewed was
easy as wearing this. - You see, the bracelet is so powerful, you can't even point directly at it, but where does this supposedly
power actually come from? Well, iRenew claimed that their bracelet was developed using an
ionized energy system, which they refer to as wave technology. According to them, this technology is imbued
within the bracelet and is proven to work. Now, if you've never
heard of wave technology or don't understand what
they're talking about, then don't worry, nobody does. By using made up jargon and
complicated sounding words, the guys over at iRenew are
trying to sound super smart and even claim to have more
than 20 years of research to back up their invention. But given the fact that all these claims have absolutely no
evidence to support them nor any actual scientific explanation, this technology doesn't
seem very proven to me. More likely, iRenew's marketing team plucked a few technology
buzzwords to sound legitimate to the more gullible and less
informed customers out there, who are totally taken in by it. Maybe it's also the ads
shining endorsements that lure them in. - Athletes wear it, celebrities wear it, and you've heard the buzz about it on talk TV and the internet. - [Narrator] That's right, celebrities and athletes like the ones in those random stock images seen in the advert use iRenew, only problem is they're not wearing iRenew in any of these images in
which they're doing activities, that would definitely benefit from the addition of a silicone bracelet. With such shaky evidence for any benefits, it's not surprising that the company behind
the iRenew bracelet faced two class action
lawsuits due to false claims that the bracelet helps promote balance. And had to reimburse anyone
who purchased bracelet between 2009 and 2012. But iRenew aren't the only
company throwing customers for a loop with these
so-called energy bracelets, perhaps the most famous
of these mystic wristbands is the Power Balance band,
which hit shelves in 2007. In their words, these bracelets are
embedded with holograms that supposedly interact with the body's natural energy flow. So what does any of this mean? Well, Power Balance are
unsurprisingly vague on the matter, claiming on their website
that the so-called holograms are designed based on
Eastern philosophies. These Eastern philosophies
supposedly relate to the practice of arranging objects to create a balanced energy
flow in living spaces known as Feng Shui. How exactly are these principles
integrated into the band? Well, they've never bothered to explain. It seems that Power Balance are just exploiting spiritual beliefs to lend believability to
their own phony science. But why do people get so
taken in by the claims made by companies like this? If there's no proof any of it works. Well, the adverts cleverly show a simple looking balance test to prove that their wristbands improve balance and resistance. However, these demonstrations are much more than meets the eye. All thanks to a little slight of hand. In ads for these balanced bands, a participant typically stands on one leg with their arms stretched out while the demonstrator pushes
down on the subject's arm, causing them to fall
off balance very easily. Next, subjects are given a balance band and demonstrators conduct the test again. But this time the participant
is miraculously able to resist to a much higher degree
before losing balance, but it's not actually the
band causing this change. It's a simple physics trick
and it works because of torque or the angle through which
the force is being applied. In this case, the power balance representative merely changes the direction of the force he's applying the second time around, subtly angling it in a diagonal direction toward the participant's feet,
rather than straight down, resulting in an easier to resist force, acting on the participant. With bogus bits of deception like this strewn throughout almost all of their ads, companies like Power Balance and iRenew always include a nifty little disclaimer, stating that the brand
themselves make no claims about the effectiveness of the wristband. That's right. They let the customer decide if it works based on their own experiences and that's why their
marketing is so driven by customer testimonials, testimonials of these regular people that is who are totally not paid actors. So without any credible science
to back their claims up, I guess, balance band producers would be better off running a magic show, specializing in nothing
more than placebo effect. Misleading mobile ads. If you're active on social media, it's likely you've seen tons
of ads just like this one. (woman screaming) Most often they show fun looking puzzles where the users need to avert
disasters by making a choice, pulling pins in the right order. Hmm, kind of like my
survival riddles series, which is actually legit and
worth checking out by the way. However, those social media ads are far from a truthful
representation of the core gameplay you actually experience after
downloading one of these apps. Homescapes is the most notorious
for these misleading ads. And even the app icon references
what's shown in the ads as opposed to the actual game play, which is actually much closer to a bejeweled style icon matching game. playrix, the developers of Homescapes have attempted to justify
their misleading ads by claiming that the type
of gameplay in the ads is in fact in their games and
technically they were right, but here's the catch, out of thousands of levels of gameplay, there's only around 10
mini games that look anything like the ads. As a result of this flagrantly
misleading practice, the ads were actually banned by the UK's Advertising
Standards Authority in October, 2020. But that doesn't mean there aren't other similarly deceitful
mobile game ads out there. Another mobile ad playing
games with audiences is Mafia City, which promises action packed game play in which players move up in
mafia ranks by making choices. What users get instead is an experience that's almost as bad as getting
duped by the real mafia. The app is actually a base
building strategy game, somewhat similar to Clash of Clans. Although with some
admittedly epic voice acting. - I'll round up the men right now. - [Ghostly Voice] Our
mobility challenge like that have to be blown onto our enemy. - [Narrator] As silly as they seem these misleading game ads
reveal a massive fault within the algorithms of
popular social media platforms, particularly Facebook and Instagram, where more often than not,
adverts featuring flat-out lies can be peddled without restraint. It's crazy to think that
social media platforms allow this kind of thing. I mean, I really can't
think of why they would. - Hello, I like money. - [Narrator] Unfortunately,
when it comes to mobile game ads, the biggest loser is
ultimately the players. Perfect smiles. There's a lot of pressure these days to have the perfect smile while there are lots of
dental procedures out there, most take a big bite out of your wallet with adult braces costing around $6,000 and veneers often costing
upwards of $1,700 per tooth. It's no wonder people are
looking for alternative products. So picture this, you want
better looking teeth, but don't have the cash to drop
on professional dental work. And then you see this. - [Narrator 2] Veneers,
implants and braces can cost thousands of dollars, but you don't have to pay
thousands or even hundreds to have a million dollar smile. - [Narrator] What a transformation, right? And just, how did these people
get such perfect smiles? - [Narrator 2] The secret is the super comfortable micro
thin polypropylene veneer. Simply soak it in hot water, press it on your top layer of teeth and it custom conforms
right over your teeth. - [Narrator] Yeah, that's right. You can be just like your grandma with these fake plastic
teeth with Perfect Smile, but do these things really work? Well thankfully, there are
plenty of reviews online to fill us in on the reality
behind these perfect smiles. And you might wanna brace
yourself for the results. According to the ads, these $14 veneers simply
need softening in warm water before being fitted to your teeth, using a moldable plastic
strip as demonstrated here by YouTube beauty guru, Chloe Morello. - Okay. - [Narrator] Looks fantastic. Despite claiming to be a
one size fits all product. These teeth don't actually
measure up as expected, resulting in a pretty
uncomfortable feeling in the mouth, and leaving Chloe looking a little creepy. Thankfully for Chloe, she's already sporting some
pretty perfect chompers, but what about those who
have more difficult teeth? YouTube reviewer Bunny Meyer
got her hands on Instant Smile, another product claiming
to cheaply help consumers achieve the Hollywood
smile of their dreams. And her review showed exactly
where these products fall hilariously short of
their advertised promises. - They're really. It's a close one. That's as far as they all go. - [Narrator] These very
natural looking dentures aren't even big enough to line up with Bunny's natural gumline, let alone provide a convincing
cover for uneven teeth. And if you're still not persuaded
that cheap online veneers are best avoided. There are countless other
hilarious toothpicks out there that reveal the truth
behind the brutal con of internet dentistry. It really was just tooth good to be true. And while there may not be
much wisdom behind fake teeth, tooth whitening is another
increasingly popular way to spruce up your smile. But with the rise of celebrity endorsed teeth whitening kits, companies are going above
and beyond to get noticed using ridiculous fake
ads like this to do so. The product shown in the ad
turns these yellowing teeth immediately bright white. You don't have to be a dentist to realize the results shown here
are completely fake. Achieved with a simple bit
of masking and recoloring and video editing software. The transformation shown
is beyond ridiculous, and achieving these kinds of results would be completely impossible in reality, without taking a lot of time and money. The worst part about this ad
is that the comment section is filled with hopeful people wanting to know where to
buy this phony product. It's pretty sad to see that
despite the obvious fakery, there are people out there so desperate to believe that
products like this exist, that they'll hand their money
over to just about anyone. Splash Down. And we all remember the
joy of summertime as kids, ice cream, water fights, and of course an epic inflatable pool. But how would you feel after putting all the effort
in to order this kitty pool, which was advertised online and inflated only to be left with this? I can only assume that the
advert featured the world's smallest children, or at least that's the only explanation for how the pool in the
ad looks so much bigger than the one that arrived. What looks like a fun
filled water Wonderland of any child's dreams turned out to be a lopsided disappointment that barely has enough room for
one child let alone the five shown in the ad. Hilariously the tiny child mutation seems to carry across a variety
of pools advertised online because surely no upstanding manufacturer would dream of using Photoshop to make their pools seem
larger than it actually is. But it turns out it's
not only inflatable pools that have a shrinking effect
on the younger generation. This soccer ball looked perfect for the ultimate backyard kick around, but unfortunately the miniature
child curse struck again. I mean, really that boy would have to be less than two feet tall to be that size relative to the ball. And I don't see any label
stating the product is intended for garden gnomes only. It just goes to show, no one is safe from
misleading advertisements, not even children. Wishful thinking. Ordering online can be
pretty risky sometimes given that anyone can set up shop and sell just about anything. Beyond just traditional adverts, seller's images regularly fail to show a truthful representation
of what you're buying resulting in products arriving, looking slightly or even
totally different than expected. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are notorious for
recommending scam products and their algorithms
often recommend adverts on behalf of hugely unreliable, low cost, low quality sites like wish.com. One hapless customer appeared
to learn the truth about Wish's questionable product, after they found a
seemingly impressive deal for some AirPods, when
their order finally arrived, they noticed the packaging
was a little bigger than expected. And when they opened it up, they found these inside, that's right. Not the AirPods he'd ordered, but what looks like two shower heads. Well, some online have argued
that this particular example may have been faked for laughs. There's no denying the abundance of very real instances of people
being sorely disappointed when buying from Wish. Take this unfortunate soul, for example, who ordered a giant chunky knit blanket only to receive this. Instead of a luxurious looking throw, it almost looks as though
this customer received just a single strand out
of the whole blanket. Or this measuring device
known as Vernier Callipers, which upon arrival didn't even have the
advertised digital display. And how about this rug,
which was vastly different, both in size and color
from the advertisement. Then there's these horrifying
masks, disappointing mouses, dreadful dresses, ridiculously tiny rings. The list goes on. It's pretty troubling that sites like Wish are able to get away with the
blatant lies they advertise. And while a few false advertising lawsuits have been levied against wish.com, none have resulted in
anything but a win for Wish. Until major government
organizations step in to prevent Wish's particular
brand of online deception. It's likely that online consumers
will continue to receive ropes instead of blankets, and other wacky surprises
from the lucky dip, that is buying Wish products. Root of the problem. Hair product adverts are everywhere on TV, billboards, and social media alike. After seeing the sleek and glossy results shown in these advertisements. It's no wonder consumers are
desperate to get their hands on whatever product is being advertised. However, almost everyone
ends up a bit disappointed when their hair ends up
looking not bad, but just okay. Nothing like the hyper glossy
strands they were expecting. And that's because hair ads are notorious for some super sneaky
tricks to make model's hair look out of this world. In hair adds, shine is often communicated through a line of beaming light that runs through the hair,
usually in slow motion. To achieve this, hair advert producers will call in some help
from a green screen, along with a couple of
guys armed with long sticks to help the model switch there
perfectly placed strands. As these invisible sticks
move through the air, it creates a shiny bar that highlights how great your hair can really look if put directly under
studio lighting, of course. Meanwhile, invisible
hairstylists in green morph suits manipulate the model's
hair to move in a way that it is unable to naturally. These green suits mean that the stylists can be edited out of the scene. So it will look as though the hair is bouncing completely of its own accord as the model walks along. So the next time you see one of these ads, just remember that there's
likely an invisible man running around in a hair flicking frenzy, or moving a curved bar for
extra cinematic bounce. And if truly perfect hair
is your one dream in life, all you need is a
professionally lit studio, a couple of bull wielding
dudes in green morph suits and around 100 crew members
to follow you around all day. It seems practical. Barefaced lies. The technical side of
producing an appealing advert is one thing. And you may be willing to accept
some levels of exaggeration when it comes to marketing, but sometimes things
just get taken too far. The rise of social media has meant that just about anyone can start
a company and set up a page, showcasing their products. And that includes scammers like the ones responsible
for this online ad for a green stick cleansing face mask. Now, if you're even
questioning whether or not any of that was remotely real, then you clearly haven't
been paying attention. These ads show what seems
to be a miracle face mask that will suck out any and all impurities from beneath the skin's surface. Not only are the supposed
results completely ridiculous, but whoever made these crazy videos, has clearly only just discovered
their editing software's blur tool. These deceptive ad creators
have gone to extreme lengths to manufacture the desired effect needed to convince potential customers. But looking a little closer, it becomes clear that
the models in these shots are caked with thick make-up. While the video's sharpness and contrast are pushed to the maximum to replicate the look of
highly textured looking skin that's covered in deep dark blackheads. Not only that, but they appear to be using chia seeds and masquerading them as skin extractions to add even more impact to that
final oddly satisfying wipe, which itself is merely a
product of a very obvious usage of video editing blurring tools used to mimic flawless skin. But is there any truth to
the green stick face masks claims of clear skin? Well, reviewer Shundara Castion had quite the experience when she decided to test one, and it wasn't because she had a hard time
replicating the seamless wipes seen in the adverts. - Oh my God, this is horrific. - [Narrator] Surprise, surprise. The mask did not perform anywhere near as well as in the ads, and Shundara was very
disappointed with her results. - The house, girls don't waste your $13. It is not gonna build your skin. - [Narrator] Not only did
the mass cannot work at all, but Shundara got some
worrying side effects that go to show that
you're always better off buying from a reputable retailer. - My face is highly irritated.
Like I want to scratch it. - [Narrator] Now while the
infamous green stick mask is bad enough, there are other face masks out
there that claim to produce instantaneous effects that can't be achieved by
dermatology professionals. This ad, for example, shows a truly horrifying clip of a woman who looks to be having a
whole layer of skin peeled off claiming to portray a product
that can peel away freckles and hyperpigmentation in the skin. YouTuber James Welsh burst
the myth of the blatant lies behind this product by
recreating a similar effect, using a simple peel off
mask and eyebrow pencil. As dermatology expert James explains not only would the process of peeling away freckles in this way, be completely agonizing, but it isn't even possible. Pigmentation and freckles go way deeper than just
the first layer of skin and removal of these
conditions can only be achieved with professional chemical
peels and surgery. Despite fooling a few
desperate online customers, fake ads like these
are pretty easy to spot with a little common sense. Man, thankfully people
like Shundara and James are all too willing to take
a complete mask off approach in exposing them for what they are. Padding out the truth. This next ad's tactics to
show off their products are pretty below the
belt, to say the least. As we've seen already, social media can be notoriously bad for promoting misleading ads, but it can also be a very useful tool to expose advertisements'
underhand antics. This behind the scenes
look at a sportswear shoot, uncovers the truth behind these
supposedly perfect bodies, we are often confronted with online. That's right, those are indeed, butt pads, being used to fill out the model's tightly fitting gym leggings
to give her rear end all the necessary attributes
that are apparently required to really sell those leggings. I mean, it's probably time to
go back to the drawing board when you've created a
product that even the model can't make look as intended naturally. I'm sure that's going to make
regular people feel just great when they go to try them on, only to find it impossible
to recreate the appearance of the advertised images. Talk about unattainable beauty standards, what's even stranger is that no one onset seems to be bothered that
their dirty little secret is being filmed. Maybe it goes to show how
shameless these guys really are when it comes to their marketing tactics. Unfortunately, it's not clear
who the brand in question is behind this display of
preposterously padded deception, but the fact that the
process seems so slick, relaxed and effortless, certainly makes you wonder
how many other companies are doing the exact same thing? Man, if this is just part of the process, what other advertising and
marketing lies are out there waiting to be discovered? Perhaps we'll never know, but what have we learned here that you're better off just
assuming that pretty much any advert is a complete lie, and that every marketing
department is pure evil? Well, maybe not quite that bad, but if what we've seen in this
video is anything to go by. It's certainly not far from reality. Now, crazy idea, I know, but maybe going to the store and trying before you buy is the new way forward? It'd certainly help avoid
a repeat of this debacle. Have you spotted any ads in
the wild that blatantly lie? Which ones annoy you the most? Let me know it in the comments
below. Thanks for watching. (gentle upbeat music)
