Electric Shock for Beauty Boosting
Back in the ’90s, the Rejuvenique electric face mask was one of the scariest beauty gadgets around. It was silver, rigid, and shaped to fit the human face, making it look like something straight out of a horror movie. But that didn’t stop beauty enthusiasts, especially since it promised to stimulate facial skin with tiny electric pulses for a firmer, younger look.
The catch? Anyone wearing it looked more like a robot assassin than a skincare guru. The pulses were uncomfortable, even painful for some, and could cause injury. To top it off, experts seriously questioned whether it actually worked — and the ads disappeared overnight.
Colgate Flavors Reimagined
In the 1960s, Colgate decided to expand its toothpaste lineup with ready meals. Under the name Colgate Kitchen Entrees, they offered dishes like Swedish meatballs and Salisbury steak.
What went wrong? Almost everything. Many thought the packaging was a joke, expecting the usual minty flavor under the lasagna box. No one understood how a brand promising clean teeth could suddenly offer frozen dinners. Sales tanked so badly that Colgate quietly pulled the products. The attempt was so out of character for the brand that it’s now a classic business school example of how not to expand your product line.
Want a Pepsi for Breakfast?
In 1989, Pepsi thought, "If cola has caffeine, why not make a morning version to replace coffee?" So Pepsi A.M. was born, with 28% more caffeine than regular Pepsi — supposedly perfect for commuters who hated coffee.
But most people weren’t ready to sip soda at 6 a.m. They stuck to their trusted black coffee. The ads were confusing, sometimes focusing on flavor, other times on energy. Plus, many couldn’t reconcile the fizzy taste with their morning toothpaste (sound familiar, Colgate?). Pepsi A.M. quietly fizzled out.
Cheese-Scented Lip Balm from Cheetos
In the mid-2000s, it was trendy for every product to smell like candy or a favorite food. Chewing gum-scented cosmetics were somewhat acceptable (especially for teens), but some ideas went too far.
Enter the Cheetos lip balm, promising hydration while making you feel like you dipped your lips in a bag of cheddar chips. The result? More gross than fun. The texture felt waxy, and the cheesy scent was a major turnoff for kisses.
The product was pulled fast, but some collectors still sold it on eBay years later for sky-high prices.
Dog Washer Instead of Car Washer
Think these examples are ancient history? Hold on: the Woof Washer 360 debuted in 2016. This gadget promised to take the hassle out of dog bathing for pet owners. Imagine a plastic hoop that connected to your garden hose and slipped over your dog like a hula hoop.
Water sprayed 360 degrees, supposedly giving your furry friend a gentle, even wash in seconds. The ads showed calm, obedient dogs enjoying a backyard spa day. Reality? Panicked pups running for cover, especially since the water was usually cold and the pressure sometimes knocked smaller dogs off their feet.
Welcome to the internet age — viral cringe-worthy videos flooded the web. Returns skyrocketed, and major stores quickly pulled this "must-have" off shelves.
