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Style and beauty

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Original poster

Sali Hughes (The Guardian)

49 replies

Methenyouplus4 · 17/01/2016 08:19

Just discovered her reviews, she seems very honest (in that while giving high praise to some, she is critical of others). Am I being naive in thinking her recommendat ions are genuine? Once upon of time would have believed them no questions asked but after reading on here about how sponsorship works in beauty blogs/ journalism, should I take it all with a big pinch of salt?

OP posts:

Wolpertinger · 17/01/2016 13:22

She doesn't work for me as basically I look nothing like her and have completely the opposite skin type to her.

I did think she was more independent that others until the fateful video she did with Caroline Hirons at which point I really lost faith in her, and massively massively lost faith in CH.

For anyone wondering why check out the Caroline Hirons thread currently running to see how completely brand sponsored she is now.

MadisonMontgomery · 17/01/2016 13:31

I do like her and think she is about as impartial as beauty journalists get. But like all of them you have to take into account that what works for them may not work for you - I am easily sucked in by beauty hype & have learned the hard way that just because it is someone else's HG product doesn't mean it'll be any good for me.

Levantine · 17/01/2016 13:38

I thought her book was dreadful. Like a just seventeen feature. I do trust her reviews though. No idea if I should or not

ConesOfDunshire · 17/01/2016 13:48

There is always a range of price points in her guardian column.

HumboldtFog · 17/01/2016 13:53

REN Instant Brightening Beauty Shot Eye Lift.
In fact I should be shot for even contemplating the purchase of a product with such a ridiculous name!

MuminMama · 07/03/2016 14:27

I do trust her, as she is often very critical of products, and is very effusive on the subject of transparency. I also think she is good at recommending products for people that don't look like her - for example, I've heard her criticise make up brands many, many times for not having a range that included shades for women of colour. And I love her writing style.

Toxicity · 07/03/2016 16:35

I do read her column in the Guardian and like some of the others here, I trusted her a bit more a while back, I can't help being a bit sceptical now. Also I can't stand the comments in her section in the Guardian - so gushing!

Ilovetorrentialrain · 07/03/2016 17:06

Seen this just now. www.salihughesbeauty.com/features/on-honesty/

Whochangedmyname · 07/03/2016 17:36

I was a SH fan and I do like her weekly Guardian column but just lately it all seems a bit rushed. It feels like it has become less important to her than her own website which is a shame as I only ever see her in the paper so would like to read more.............

Ilovetorrentialrain · 07/03/2016 17:45

The thing that grates the most with me is the 'changes of opinion' to suit whoever is influencing. SH does this a lot. In one vid a while ago she 'never wears handcream', then some time later raving about a handcream. Never putting mascara on bottom lashes. Until doing a Clarins-sponsored feature and recommending to do just that. Recent video claiming to be not bothered about wrinkles, whilst being pretty much frozen from the eyebrows up.

I think this thread and other similar ones on MN at the moment have been very useful. They've certainly helped confirm what I've thought for some time. I love make up though, and still watch certain tutorials, but am no longer swayed by the rave reviews.

pontynan · 17/04/2016 14:13

None of her publishers make her write anything and she receives no sponsorship or payment from any brand - though she has been offered money to promote a product lots of times. She is adamant that this would compromise her position.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 17/04/2016 18:26

CH and SH 'In the Bathroom' should be watched for comedy value, it's like something from Ab Fab

SwedishEdith · 17/04/2016 18:38

She wrote an article about having an allergic reaction to hair dye. She, clearly, still dyes her hair but I've never see her explain what she uses. Couldn't help thinking it was a bandwagon- jumping article about the issue rather than it actually happened to her.

Gwenhwyfar · 17/04/2016 19:23

I trust her to be honest in her reviews, just don't agree with her on everything, particularly makeup as she likes bright red lipsticks etc. and I like nude/natural tones (as discussed recently on the Style101 thread!)

Also, I think she recommends the Bobbi Brown stick foundation, which I found really awful for dry skin.

I've got the book and it covers a lot more than washing your face.

EveWornOut · 17/04/2016 20:32

I love her. My favourite products are almost all ones she has recommended.

Costacoffeeplease · 17/04/2016 20:41

I'm not a huge fan of Sali Hughes but I remember when she had the allergic reaction to hair dye, it did happen

pettyprudence · 17/04/2016 21:47

I love Sali and I really enjoyed her book. Because I am on a tight budget I liked that she tells you what ingredients you need, rather than a specific brand/product so I spent a lot of time reading the ingredient lists of cheap brands. I don't know if it's coincidence or not but my skin has massively improved since starting to cleanse, serum & moisturise day and night. I was a wet wipe kind of person before that though so I think anything was going to be an improvement!

Housewife2010 · 17/04/2016 22:23

I am getting bored of her face in every Guardian column (and always wearing the same look). I'd rather see a photo of the products she recommends so I don't need to click on the link to see them.

knowler · 18/04/2016 12:05

I do really like her column and recommendations, but as noted by PP, I do have exactly the same colouring as SH and therefore am confident in choosing the same colours that she recommends. She recommended some fab nude palettes a while ago and they are brilliant (for me).

BluebellGal · 18/04/2016 12:50

I really like Sali - I enjoy her columns and her 'in the bathroom with' videos. Haven't read many articles on her website though.

She always tries to recommend products for a range of budgets and skin types/ colourings. I think she is 'pretty honest' (lol). I really liked her book. It's well written and contains lots of advice new to me and I've been wearing makeup for years.

I can't wait for her new book to come out. Apparently it will be much more product focused.

ThenLaterWhenItGotDark · 18/04/2016 14:47

I trust some of the stalwarts from last year's amazing faces threads more (some of whom are right here, right now, on this thread!)

BluebellGal · 18/04/2016 15:11

Can you provide a link please ThenLaterWhenItGotDark

DameXanaduBramble · 18/04/2016 15:23

I like Sali but thought her book was like a nice Vogue article, if you're into your make up and skincare anyway there was nothing in there that would be a surprise to you, all a bit boring. I like the way she writes though.

WicksEnd · 18/04/2016 15:26

Did the long running thread in S&B get zapped in the end? (About beauty bloggers)
Sali Hughes says that the mumsnetter who made claims about her deleted her account but indicated that MNHQ declined to comment?
She seems very genuine to me.

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