Bizarre Products That Ruled Late-Night TV You Totally Forgot About

The 1990s were a unique time for TV infomercials. Late-night channels were filled with quirky, strange, and often downright bizarre products, each claiming to solve a problem or make life easier. Promoted with boundless enthusiasm, these gadgets gave us countless hours of entertainment and a few laughs. Here’s a nostalgic look back at some of the weirdest infomercial products of the ‘90s, guaranteed to bring a smile and maybe a “Why did I want that?”

Hair in a Can seemed like the perfect fix if you wanted fuller-looking hair without hassle. This spray-on hair product promised to cover bald spots and fill in thinning areas with colored fibers that “looked” like hair. With just a quick spray, you could supposedly transform your look. While results varied, watching the “before and after” transformations was entertaining. However, the practicality of a spray-on hairdo remained questionable.

The Flowbee took at-home haircuts to a new level by combining clippers with a vacuum attachment. This device used suction to pull the hair up as clippers trimmed it, resulting (they claimed) in a perfectly even haircut. According to the infomercial, the key to success was “proper suction.” While some viewers were skeptical, the Flowbee’s strange charm made it an instant infomercial legend—and gave us a memorable tagline we’d never forget.

In one of the most unusual beauty products ever pitched, the Rejuvenique Electric Face Mask promised users a “non-surgical facelift” right at home. This mask resembled something from a sci-fi movie, delivering mild electric pulses to tone facial muscles. The infomercial portrayed it as the future of beauty, claiming it could help users achieve youthful, toned skin. Though it may have raised a few eyebrows, the Rejuvenique mask had a strangely enticing allure for anyone hoping to turn back the clock.

This novelty product targeted golf fans who wanted to practice putting—even in the bathroom. The Potty Putter included a small green that fit around the toilet, a miniature putter, and two golf balls. Advertised as the ideal gift for golfers who wanted to work on their short game anytime, the Potty Putter was both amusing and strange. The concept may have been a little out there, but it gave infomercial viewers a laugh.

Before cell phones, landlines reigned supreme, and holding one for extended conversations could be tiring. Phone Relief promised a solution: a hands-free experience using a Velcro strap that attaches your phone to your head. The infomercial claimed it would bring “relief” to anyone who needed both hands free while chatting. Though it looked odd, Phone Relief catered to anyone spending hours on the phone and became a quirky piece of infomercial history.

Microwaved food often comes out slightly soggy, but Microcrisp aimed to change that. This gadget consisted of a metal sheet that absorbed microwave energy, supposedly heating to high temperatures for crispy results. From fries to pizza, Microcrisp promised to make microwaving a crispy affair. For snack lovers who didn’t want to use the oven, the idea of crispy food straight from the microwave was nothing short of magical, even if the gadget’s performance didn’t always match the promises.

The Exerlopers looked like mini trampolines strapped to your feet, letting users bounce around like a human pogo stick. These jump shoes were marketed as a fun way to improve fitness, strengthen muscles, and boost agility. Watching people in the infomercial bounce down the street was both entertaining and surreal. The idea of fitness combined with fun was appealing, even if Exerlopers seemed a bit impractical for everyday life.

The BaByliss Magic Twist made braiding hair a breeze. This tool twisted and braided hair sections in seconds, allowing users to create intricate styles with little effort. The infomercial made it look like the ultimate gadget for anyone craving a new style without spending hours in front of the mirror. For ‘90s kids and teens, the BaByliss Magic Twist was a tempting tool, though mastering it took practice to avoid hair tangles.

The Topsy Tail was a simple yet mesmerizing tool that allowed users to create a “flip” effect with their ponytails. By pulling the ponytail through a loop, users could achieve a twist that looked stylish with little effort. The infomercial promised to revolutionize hair routines and make salon styles accessible to everyone. Though its popularity eventually waned, the Topsy Tail had a moment in the sun as a hair accessory every ‘90s teen had to try.

The Eggstractor took the mundane task of peeling hard-boiled eggs and turned it into a bizarrely entertaining spectacle. This device claimed to make peeling eggs faster and easier by popping them out of their shells with a satisfying “push.” The infomercial showed users pressing down on the contraption to launch perfectly peeled eggs out the other side, turning a simple kitchen task into a full-on event. While it didn’t always work as smoothly as promised, the Eggstractor offered a strangely captivating solution for egg lovers everywhere.