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.

mungrymutt What interpretation is that? I said I don't know anyone in real life who rates or wears brands like Cos and Toast, which is true, and later acknowledged that there is a lot of support for those brands on this forum.

Also skinny tan (it's the worst tan I've ever used. Orange, patchy. Dont see how anyone could rate it) and magnetic lashes (also rubbish).

The Ordinary is great though for the price and receives a lot of press outside MN.

apologies @Lily193 I thought you were the posted I originally replied to.

@mungrymutt I did think those comments were very harsh.

😊

It's a bit of an issue though, as soon as it's voiced something might not be authentic it's given other posters the idea it's okay to ridicule.

Going by responses on here that has affected and impacted others, either being concerned they're being viewed as plants or gullible fools.

Interesting about M&S which seems to be easy bait for MNers to point and laugh at. Sure, there are some polyester horrors, but it tickles me when the same posters slag M&S off and rave about the ruched shiny garish Hush and Mint Velvet stuff. (MV is another one that 3-4 years ago was everywhere on here- I fell for it and ordered some t shirts which looked lovely on the site. They were minging. Primark £2.50 ones are better quality and the colours were totally different.

Boden had the whole of MN waiting up until midnight on the eve of sales back in 2004 ish. We used to keep each other going as we filled out baskets.

Re: crappy websites- Next surely gets the top of the podium with its bizarre is it a catalogue is it a website clunking. I agree Uniqlo is pretty bad though too.

I think Decleor and Elemis were both planted 10-12 years ago by QVC employees.

This thread has turned into something really interesting- thanks OP.

And Judy- I can smell your Chanel 19 from here, along with Xing's Sel Marin.

I bought some face tanning oil from a company called Tan luxe after reading about it on here and have been wondering if I've fallen for a bit of subliminal marketing around that product.

Come back and see us soon!

I like Cos and Toast. Not ordering from Toast is mainly due to not having the lifestyle for it.

I like Hobbs, but the store I used to go to had assistants who pounced and followed you around. They made Body Shop and Lush look like they left customers browse at their leisure. It might have been that one shop.

Instagram on the other hand, I tend to stay away from, because most of what I've seen really does look like thinly disguised PR - and it's also teeth-achingly dull.

I’m great for having an Instagram browse but sadly, Floisme, I think you’re right. And it’s getting more teeth-achingly dull (love that phrase) by the minute. Barely and badly veiled PR. It surely must be saturated.

@Jokolo - eccentric calf raises 😁
I don't know if it's a typo or I have to be eccentric to do them 😂
Thanks for the tip though.

Back to the thread. I love it when sponsored product placement goes wrong. Does anyone remember eBay wanting us to become sellers? MN sponsored post inviting us to get back to ebay. Around 40 of us piled in within minutes ripping them a new one. From commission o postage to unfairly siding with the buyer claiming it didn't arrive - even when signed for. They got a focus group they weren't expecting.

Can I just rant about the fact I was an early adopter of instagram & to be pissed that fb ruined it. I grew up buying dozens of magazines & devoured fashion etc. Instagram offered a diverse & more relatable & realistic alternative to magazines. Then it all changed to monetising & algorithms to fit this.

@DianaT1969 www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/11924Ptendinopathy.pdf

This one is for achilles tendinopathy but you can do the heel drops on the stair on page 10 for plantar.

@Jokolo thanks!

Canterbury, well guessed: Sel Marin was yesterday's SOTD! Still wearing Dune, or have you moved on?

I still have one of the 15mls left but it's gone into my perfume memory chest!

I've lost my mojo a bit with perfume, hence not being on the thread anymore. I literally spent the winter in Shalimar and am now resolutely in Eau d'Hadrien while my other 200 or so bottles glare at me

I usually mention qvc if Elemis is being discussed because it makes it affordable, especially if there's a tsv or easy pay options available. It's the only way I can afford any Elemis and I buy Liz Earle from there too. Otherwise it's Boots/Superdrug/supermarket for me.

I've been on the royal style threads for ages, if anyone wants to send me diamonds they're most welcome to

Oh yes Kitty, so do I.

You just get a feel for the people planting

I've just come across another. Retinol thread. First three or four answers all recommending Dermatica as being Gabby and life changing and "agree with pp".

I'm sure it is probably wonderful. But...

Kitty- the Liz E website often has very good bundle offers with freebies. Sometimes great freebies like a Superskin moisturiser or serum. You also get minis free but big minis iyswim?

The same happened to me, Canterbury. DH really does not like scent, and I got fed up with his complaints.

A few years back there was a sudden fancy for Uniqlo's merino jumpers worn over one of their white shirts. But their website was so glitchy and slow that it just made me loose the will to live so never ordered from them. Then when they opened up a new store near us it was a revelation, the quality was fantastic and the t-shirts are the only ones that day get those tiny holes in around your button hole.

TheCanterburyWhales I like Dermatica's retinol - it's effective and they're a reputable supplier. I definitely recommend it.

Canterbury I can't use the 'normal' moisturiser from LE although I haven't tried the new formulation yet, so I tend not to buy the bundle. I did get a couple of hair oils with 30% off from the website around the start of lockdown, that's my holy grail hair product and I've not been without it since it launched. I do miss the days of getting a freebie with every order though! I wish they'd do an unscented cleanse and polish too although the neroli from the recent tsv is absolutely gorgeous and really gentle. I like the cica paste too although my DD seems to have pinched that!

I often wonder if the numerous mentions of the app MyFitnessPal were all genuine. Especially at the beginning. I looked at it and thought it was rubbish. Way too much personal info required and too many foods that we had to input ourselves. It may have got better. Then they had the massive hack and data breach. If someone asks for ideas or buddies for weightloss, loads of people like in and mention the app.
I'm sure there are a lot of people on here who like it and use it, but it seemed over the top.