Beauty blogs: do you read them? What are your thoughts?

[daisydaisys]

Do any of you read beauty blogs? If yes- what do you read them for? Specific reviews? General interest? Pretty pics? If no- what turns you off them?

To kick things off I'd say I read them for specific reviews, and to find out about new products. What I dislike about many of them is the cutsey, girly, pretty in pink kind of tone that many have. I'm also fairly unbothered by makeup looks, outfits of the day and the like (and when big bloggers decide to share every last detail of their lives- the coffee they had for breakfast and their boyfriend's sister's dog...)

I tend to have one or two I really like and will return to their pages, otherwise I google products I'm interested in and then read the first few google hits for blogs...

What are your thoughts?

Daisy xxx

I don't read beauty blogs. I prefer to come on here and get honest opinions about what people use and what works, not a sponsored blog.

My fav is the British beauty blogger, because as you say she tends to showcase new releases in a very straightforward way, and always provides helpful links.

I also really like London Beauty Queen for the same reason.

For looks and application I go to Lisa Eldridge, she somehow always manages to rejuvenate me when I'm 'stuck in a makeup rut' (she's also a similar age (although stunningly beautiful!!) to me which helps).

Which do you like reading?

I like Vivianna Does Makeup and Lily Pebbles they are not super girly and their makeup looks are very clean and simple. They review a good range of high and low end.

I invested heavily in Caroline Hirons recommendations then realised my skin hated so much stuff on it so now I avoid them all and ask MNers for real recommndations.

I've had a quick look at yours too OP. ;)

No, I prefer to talk to people on here who don't have an agenda...

I used to really like them (and fashion bloggers) but now feel like they are all sponsored to promote things. I do sometimes check hirons and Paula's choice but don't really rely on their input anymore.

I'm a bit about most beauty blogs (and book review blogs, for that matter) as, unless they're very established specialists, most bloggers have a vested interest in being gushing and uncritical in return for a limitless free supply of beauty junk/novels. I love Lisa Eldridge's site for make-up looks and recommendations too, but I even read her posts with the mental reminder that she works with a lot of the brands she recommends. If I can see the product working, or looking good, that's fair enough, though.

Much prefer MN Recommends, or the threads on here, for unbiased experiences.

I love Into the Gloss - it's American so some of the products aren't as easy to find, but great reviews, interesting interviews/articles, not cutesy.

I too really like Lisa Eldridge (and also because of the similar age thing, although she looks a whole lot younger than me). Great tutorials and I follow her product recommendations slavishly when I can afford to, although I suppose she isn't a conventional blogger in terms of written content.

Karbea - I found the same thing. I used to read them regularly about two years ago when they felt a bit more authentic, but over time most of the bloggers I read have cozied up to big brands and now I have to take their reviews with a pinch of salt. (A friend of a friend of a friend (!) is one of the biggest beauty bloggers/YouTubers out there and she had her entire very lavish wedding paid for by beauty companies... Bit of a reminder of just how profitable the industry can be.)

I usually combine reading them with using mumsnet/makeupalley/paula's choice ingredients checker and so on. That way you can read them for ideas, and then verify with other people before going out and spending money.

Like seasalty50 I also spent a fortune after reading Caroline Hirons' blog, but had mixed results - some things I loved, others were a serious waste of money and I felt silly for having gone out and purchased in blind faith!

I think the problem is that most big bloggers are doing it as a full-time or significant part-time job, and their livelihood depends on their rave reviews... I wonder if there will be a 180 turn and we will see the rise of the hobby bloggers - as people get more and more dissatisfied with the high-earners!

And yes, as the above poster said, I do have to declare a vested interest in this post as I run a blog myself. I just find it really helpful hearing why people read them, whether people agree about the whole over-cosy relationship thing, and what blogs people think are authentic, useful, interesting.

Daisy xxx

I find some of CH's product recommendations a bit overhyped, and indeed overpriced when there are probably cheaper alternatives out there (don't get me wrong I lovelovelove a trip to space.nk). However her technique tips/cheat sheets are great.

I usually prefer bloggers that have a mix of beauty/lifestyle/etc but dedicated beauty bloggers are a bit meh, either obviously in the thrall of a brand or always doing 'hauls'. So I would only read them after googling a specific product I have in mind/particular skin complaint.

I'm sure I read yours yesterday OP

I agree with most of the above. I stay very well clear of the big beauty bloggers in general. It wasn't so bad a few years ago, but now they all review exactly the same thing (often coming out with the same blurb) and products are just so clearly sponsored it's become a turn off.
Essiebutton used to be great. Really seemed authentic and gave honest opinons. That has changed dramatically in the last couple of years however. All her posts are highly sponsored. I don't have issue with the free products and sponsorship that all these bloggers recieve, so much as the dishonestly that surrounds it, and that is what I have found to be the biggest turn off. They treat their readers/viewers as though they are naive idiots. (judging by the fawning comments some of them get they are probably right though!)
I agree that Lily and Vivianna are nice enough girls. Again though they are sent the same free stuff that all the other main bloggers are.
To be honest I would especially stay well away from any of the bloggers that are signed with "Gleam pr." They seem to be the worst around at the moment. Essie, Tanya Burr, Lily, Vivianna, Zoella etc are all with Gleam.
It's getting harder and harder to find honest and impartial beauty blogs since it became a full time job for so many of these girls. They're just walking talking adverts nowadays and they are being paid huge sums for it as well.

Daisy - It wasn't Fleur that had her wedding pretty much paid for was it? That wouldn't surprise me if so, seeing as she had a whole wedding blog and youtube channel dedicated to planning her wedding.

jasmine1979 - I completely agree esp. re: Gleam PR and the homogenous product reviews. It's so blatant because, as you say, they use really similar phrases when describing them, as if they've basically been given a script. Likewise, there will be a barrage of reviews about one particular product, all within the space of a couple of weeks. Often they'll go on about how amazing the product is, and then a couple of months later they'll do 'My current skincare' videos and the supposedly amazing wonder product is nowhere to be seen!

I think, like you say, it's all just quite dishonest, and if they were just a bit more upfront about things then it would give them at least a little bit more credibility. Until then, I'm largely boycotting the big ones and trying to find smaller bloggers who aren't out to make a living. There are also a few people out there that have retained some integrity - Lisa Eldridge being a pretty good example.

Haha, and as for the wedding blogger - I couldn't possibly say ;-)