Subliminal marketing on Mumsnet

[OhYeahLucky]

Has anyone else been wondering if certain companies have been sneaking a few cheeky “influencer” type posts onto certain threads on MN in the Style and Beauty section in order to sell more of their goods??There’s one group of threads in particular that I’ve been following for quite a while and I’ve seen the content change quite considerably, now becoming dominated by mainly one or two brands. Maybe it’s just a coincidence and a few of the posters just do really like those brands but the conspiracy theorist in me can’t help but wonder if a few of them are either being paid or receiving free goods in exchange for a bit of subtle marketing.

But that has changed hugely bioprepper
MN is no longer mainly MC. Hasn't been that way since penis beaker influx, tbh.

Notredamn I think, again, that's not an MC thing any more. Companies like Very, ASOS, BooHoo, littlemisssomethingicantremember etc all operate on that model- order 12 things, send 6 back. That's just how internet shopping has become.

@johnhamm I buy jeans and trousers and have 4 summer jersey tops ( all sale or brand alley as I’m
Not fussed about ‘this season’buys) from
Baukjen. I avoid that odd ruched stuff /dresses they do. Quality is excellent But wish they did petite.

@EPPM ah i forgot about the penis beaker.. outraged i was

botemp I always recommend Wolford too. If there's ever a thread asking for recommendations for red lipstick I ALWAYS pop up with my tuppence-worth, because it's my specialist subject! I have suggested jeans on a few threads recently, because they are the jeans I wear - Whistles and Levi's.

I think I am more suspicious when it's threads about brands which are online only, like Snag, and Beauty Pie, because online marketing is obviously a good fit.

I’ve ordered some items from Baukjen off BrandAlley too. One is arriving today! I have been ordering from Baukjen since I used Isabella Oliver for maternity stuff though then the 365 range came out. I’ve not bought anything in the last few years though as a fair bit isn’t quite my style anymore but needed some basic tops recently.

@jokolo. You have just described my boobs, would love a bra that doesn't gape at the top and where the wires don't dig in under my arms. Have you found a worthy replacement to the Cleo Juno??

Oh and Snag tights have revolutionised my world, I wear (or did before lockdown at any rate) them every day to work and have recommended them to many IRL and they agree. I could never find a pair that didn't fall down and were comfortable, I genuinely can't recommend them enough

Judy, true, heritage brands are much more likely to be trusted as they tend to lag behind with digital marketing. Charlotte Tilbury's entire business model has been built around exploiting social media so the suspicion is warranted, I'm expecting it'll be sold off to one of the big cosmetic companies for ££££££ just on that performance, nothing to do with the products. Problem is almost all new brands are predominantly digital so they're instantly suspicious.

In terms of influencer marketing and further espousing of love, Wolford were the tights my mother shoved in my teenage hands with the threat of don't bother buying anything else you'll regret it, which I always have. I do like Fogal for their sheers with silk and their cashmere opaques but they're £££ and I like Swedish Stockings for an eco friendly alternative .

We probably should all just state our S&B Mastermind expertise so we can refer back to it whenever we're accused of being a spambot. I love a good red lipstick too but have never owned one by Mac

I'm 99% sure that these brands post on here:

Charlotte Trilbury
Babyliss
Trinity London
Toast

botemp CT sold just a few days ago!

www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jun/04/spanish-puig-snaps-up-charlotte-tilbury-makeup-empire

MAC Lady Danger is the best orange red out there.

I’ve noticed this happening on threads about Christmas presents and it has actually stopped me following them. Once you spot it then you start wondering how many recommendations are actually genuine

I have mentioned Lucy & Yak a few times. I have ordered many times from them, and sent a lot back. I only liked one style, and the sizing is as described on their site. It is a certain look and you either like it or you don't. That one style looks IMO great on me, and younger relatives wanted to try them on. I was pleased with the quality and with the service. I also have some from Gap and I like them too.

Charlotte Tilbury has been sold to piug, a spanish company.

@botemp you can do an online thingmejig on Mac so it superimposes the lip colour on you and it’s awesome! Load of reds for you to chose from. Relentlessly red and is lovely for spring colouring by the way.

@Onceuponatimethen certainly the subscription type ones can start that way I agree.

I "know" a significant number of posters here from the S&B board, and I have contributed more than my share of views too. I regularly weigh in to recommend Uniqlo (once the source of the best T shirt ever, and so good I have about 15 , and Chantelle bras, which according to the two independent underwear shops locally are the ones that they sell most often.

I used to work in (financial services) marcomms, but now live in the sticks so my consumer life is digital. Re the MN demographic, I'm over 60, degree and PGCE qualified, married with one child, and yes, definitely middle class.

I love the colour of Lady Danger but not a huge fan of the texture. I prefer the texture of the Nars velvet matte lip pencil and their Red Square colour is very similar to LD, possibly a smidge more orange but still a matte bright orange red. Lovely. The pencil format is much more handbag friendly, ime too.

We probably should all just state our S&B Mastermind expertise

THIS

and @Pineapplemonkey there really ISN'T a good replacement for the Juna that I know of. Bratabase lists some. Not listed there but 'Modern Rarity Delphine' is worth a punt -- not as good as the Juna.

I bought loads of em when they were discontinued.

@Judystilldreamsofhorses, your lipstick post has made me think about how many gorgeous ones I have in storage and NEVER wear now that I am a terminally unchic North Face wearing, dog walking, stay at home person. I’m going to crack them out and start wearing them again.

jonhamm I have that too - I own about 100 red lipsticks, so am ALWAYS up for a lipstick thread!

I love Hush and The Ordinary but imagine so pleased to find people who also don't rate Charlotte Tilbury, I think it's the only brand I've thrown away almost unused. And their mascara caused my lashes to snap!

Oops, cross posts jonhamm even during lockdown I am wearing red lipstick every day for sitting working at the kitchen table!

Yeah, I don't like the texture of Mac lipsticks and I find the shops a bit off putting, but I know they're a staple (sometimes the instigator) of many red lipstick collections. I've gathered they don't treat staff well either (and neither does Charlotte Tilbury, all ALLEGEDLY, obvs, but well done on sweetie darling with the sale of her business).

I'm wearing Pat McGrath luxetrance today, in McGrath Muse 418, it's the most neutral anyone could wear it red. It's a very true true red that leans slightly warm, has a bit of the 1940s about it, but as you imagine it in your head on you rather than anything historically accurate. It's very full on heavy pigment so not for the faint of hearted. But speaking of Pat McGrath, not as visible here, but it's another one with underhanded social marketing, if you watch a bunch of reviews on YouTube of something you're interested in you'll notice they all have the same talking points to cover and not an ad or sponsored in sight. And don't get me started on the excessive plastic explosion that is her packaging 😒

I have bought things recommended on here and didn't rate them. That might be down to other factors like age (Primark foundation), colour of product (maybelline lip colour). The products were ok but not brilliant

The Ordinary shop was so busy that I made a sharp exit. The Charlotte Tilbury shop visit didn't make me want to buy anything or go back. I think it was the shop interior.

I bought Lidl Cien serum and I'd definitely buy it again. Same goes for Aldi Lacura.

Toast - I used to love their clothes years ago, but rarely like anything there these days enough to order.

I've seen Me+Em, Hush and Baukjen recommended on here but they weren't for me.

Some MNers enjoy slagging off M&S. Personally, I think they are great. I'm always pleasantly surprised when I go in. I'd rather buy my underwear there, the beauty hall is good, the jeans range is good and reasonably priced and the shoes are good. They have some really nice clothes.

Another shop I like is Uniqlo. Their basic t-shirts are the best and last for ages. I have only been pleased with one pair of jeans from there.

I have no connection with any of these companies other than I have bought stuff from them or have visited their shops.

Just makes me think of tennis unfortunately

I have two Pat McGrath lipsticks (Elson 2, and something like Obsessed or Obsessive) and hate the texture of both! I'm in Lisa Eldridge Velvet Morning today.