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.

I'm sure it goes on but I only notice in the most egregious of cases and I don't know how we can talk about clothes without mentioning brands. I got far more annoyed when fashion bloggers (I know - what a 20th century expression) began shilling. There used to be some really good ones with interesting things to say, and then one by one, they either took the money or gave up. But those times are gone. If it was an influencer on here who finally persuaded me to take a proper look at Cos then really all I can say is, 'thanks.'

I think skincare shilling is more underhand. With clothes you can tell pretty quickly if you've been sold a pup, get your money back and not buy again, but with skincare you can't see it straight away so there's trust involved.

@MikeUniformMike, I’ve found M&S have been really good the last few seasons. I don’t get on with their bras but I like their ‘Goodmove’ sports/lounge wear and their seamless, no VPL ‘Body’ Brazilian kecks. The photography/styling on their website is atrocious though.

Me+Em are way too long for me. I’m almost 5’8” and mostly leg but still find the trousers drag on the floor. They are made for 6ft supermodel glamazons, I think.

@Judystilldreamsofhorses, not even lockdown is stopping you! I like it.

@botemp, I’ve heard similar things about the nauseatingly slimy Tilbury and can well believe it. I only have one thing from her collection, the basic pillow talk lip pencil. It’s good. Nice colour for me and good texture but I could probably have found something as good for less money had I hunted for it. I did swatch a few other things at the counter but wasn’t enamoured with any of them. As others have said, huge budgets poured into marketing and packaging with pretty basic/ok contents. I don’t like the rose gold, glittery packaging anyway so all that investment was wasted on me.

I’ve seen the Pat McGrath stuff but I’ve not tried any of it. Mostly because it’s so expensive and I’ve heard that though the contents are excellent, the packaging is shite (environmentally and quality wise).

I quite like Pat McGrath lipsticks. I bought Lisa Eldridge Love of My Life a few days ago after seeing Velvet Morning recommended. I absolutely love the colour but it has no staying power on my lips unless I apply over liner. I hate matte lipsticks from both CT and MAC as they're way too drying for me, but CT's Liv it Up is probably my all time favourite nude.

Baukjen are really long too.
Both Baukjen and Me+Em t-shirt type tops are really heavy.

I suppose it's difficult because we all (well anyone over the age of say 30 anyhow) have learned a language to talk and write about fashion and beauty from magazines which were basically rephrased press releases. Without intending to, we use specific marketing copy that intends to sell to ourselves and each other.

There's probably also some sort of buzz that taps into some ancient happy spot in our brains on forums like these that your recommendation is chosen above all others and that you find like minded people that affirm your preferences or dislikes above others.

Pat McGrath occasionally does crazy sales, I bought my lipsticks for €10 each on Black Friday with free shipping from the US. I wouldn't buy them at full price as they're not easy to wear, and I'm not a fan of the kitsch packaging. I don't mind the texture at all but it is draggy when you apply and I don't find the bullet shape useful for getting a crisp application so I tend to use a brush.

I've been interested in Lisa Eldridge lipsticks, but as I'm not in the UK it makes more sense to buy a set of three with free shipping and then I glance at my lipstick collection and it never happens. Also don't really want three mattes and the pinks don't appeal so I'm holding out for whatever she comes up with next. Never heard a bad thing about them though, so good to know they don't have a lot of longevity.

botemp I would check the formula of Lisa Eldridge because I didn't notice that one one I chose is described as semi sheer. The coverage is actually good but it may be a lighter formula than I expected. I might try one of the reds for comparison.

I remember a few years ago in S&B there was lots of posters raving about the Decleor range. I admit I did try it, found it didn't suit my skin and went back to my usual skincare brand (Estee Lauder). Strangely Decleor is rarely mentioned now.

It’s still around and new formulas have coming out but I only really notice when QVC have a special on it but I mainly don’t buy because there are so many newer brands (and often much cheaper) to try out. They were one of the first to do facial oils but now you can pick up facial oils from almost all brands. Same as Liz Earle was one of the first with hot cloth cleanser (I’m sure they coined that phrase even) but many brands have those too. Probably less brand loyalty these days I imagine?

I think there's a lot more competition in the market, for now. What it will be like in six months is anyone's guess.

Splendid basic T-shirts and cashmere though @Weary, although I shall never forgive them for stopping the 5 and 6 button Henley Ts, as mine are wearing out.

@Wearywithteens I love their merino fine knits - the colours do vary from year to year - I have a lovely macaroon pink one. Really need to try their plain tshirts actually.

I love Uniqlo! Great quality for the price but it depends what sort of thing you’re after.

I discovered Didrikson coats on here and absolutely love mine.

I think the thing with Uniqlo is that the basics are good. I've had a few things from the Ines de la Fressange range and they were good too but the garments were only just long enough for me and I'm probably slightly shorter than average.

There are brands that get sneered at on here that are actually fine. They tend to be brands that I wouldn't consider trendy and my mother (70+) likes them. These are brands like Seasalt, FatFace, WhiteStuff, Hotter. Some of the things are great. Don't dismiss them entirely. The clothes are of decent quality. Hotter shoes customer service is good and I believe it's a family firm and the shoes British made. She likes brands like Toast too.
I have had some things from these brands and have been pleasantly surprised.

I've had basics from H&M and La Redoute and the quality was just ok. I've had about 3 things from F&F - not basics, and they've been ok.

I've got something from Zara that looks more like Toast, and some ok things. Same goes for New Look and Mango, although I find Mango quality a bit patchy.

I asked someone at work where her dress was from, she looked terrific in it, and she said New Look. Sadly she'd got it in the sale and they didn't have it in my size - I went there that lunchtime! They didn't have it online either.

I'm mentioning these brands because they sometimes have gems.

The thing about Toast and brands like Margaret Howell, and I'd add Hobbs and Jigsaw, and Boden, is that they are generally reliable. They might look like a linen sack, but don't when you wear them. They generally last well. I've probably left some brands out.

I always mention Fitflops when people ask about a comfy sandal - they completely cured my plantar fascitis and it's such an awful condition I want to help as many other people as possible!

I also love a sparkly shoe and was delighted when they were first launched - previously I could only wear MBTs, which are very orthopaedic.

Uniqglo deserves to go into liquidation purely for it's dreadful website. They must know, but never improve it. Buggy, full of pop ups, search bar and filters don't work. Photos bounce about. Shocking in these days to have such a poor e-commerce site.

Fitflops are one I missed. I've suggested them a few times. They have lots of styles. Definitely worth considering if you have plantar fascitis.

@DianaT1969, device are you using. I've noticed issues with several retail sites, and I often give up because they are too difficult to use.

Saddened at the start of this thread - I was posting on an Ordinary thread this week - I genuinely love their serums. Now am thinking either I was duped by some marketeers into promoting their brand, or people I am a stooge sent to recommend products (am not, just genuinely love certain products).

Interesting thread. I’m an S&B regular, nc recently.

I wear Toast - from the sale or EBay - and love Uniqlo t-shirts & jumpers. I used to wear a lot of Cos when they were quite new & I lived in London but can’t be bothered to deal with ordering online as it’s impossible to tell what will suit me. I think they’re all good, trustworthy brands, on the whole. I buy girls’ Bretons from Boden, which are great value. Their marketing bugs me.

Beauty stuff is a different kettle of fish. So much over the last few years has just been hype hype hype. I’ve developed a kind of revulsion towards brands like Sunday Riley, Tata Harper, Drunk Elephant, Trinny London and especially Charlotte Tilbury, because I’ve seen so much written about them (here & elsewhere) that was obvious bs and they’ve been so overhyped by Caroline Hirons etc. I don’t like buying things that are flavour of the month. I’ve tried a few bits from the Ordinary, which I liked, and I felt their pricing & marketing was quite transparent, but I can’t be bothered to figure out what I ‘need’ to buy at the moment.

I think you do get a lot of honest opinions on here, and it’s a great resource for S&B advice. There’s the odd flavour of the month, but that can be fun. I really enjoy reading the discussions.

@Mike - Android phone. No problem with other retail sites such as H&M, Cos, Zara etc. Although Next is pretty bad too now I think about it.

I agree about fitflop for plantar fascitis. By the way, if anybody suffers badly with it, look into intermittent fasting. The decrease in inflammation caused mine to disappear in 2 weeks and it's widely reported as a side effect. Sorry, I don't mean to derail a good S&B thread. As you were 😁

I use a lot of The Ordinary stuff. I don't think the only reasons to recommend it are because you're a shill or a dupe! There aren't many in that particular niche - there's the Inkey List I spose.

I like their Glycolic Acid (I mean... it's an acid and nothing else but the price point I like) and the Buffet, but I'm glad I moved on to prescription tretinoin (from TO Retinol) as the difference in results is marked. And I wouldn't have known to do that without reading on here and getting a rec for an online dermatologist - I didn't even know they existed tbh. I vaguely thought you had to go to Harley Street and spend megabucks. So I was glad to know about that.