Supple Moisture Rich
Silk Cream.
I was recently asked, “How are you able to give a full & honest review of how each product works?”, regarding my constant product rotation and testing of new product lines…
It’s a valid concern and I understand how it can be hard to trust bloggers when they don’t seem to test products for an acceptable time period. I’m not here to call anyone out, and I’m not sure how other beauty bloggers, vloggers, or editors do it, but I can tell you how I do it.
Let’s clarify a few things first… I don’t think of myself as a true “Beauty Editor” because I simply don’t have access to resources like medical research, dermatologists, and/or estheticians. I’d fall more in line with a Beauty Blogger and Makeup/Skincare enthusiast – this doesn’t make my opinion any less valid. It simply means I’m reviewing products according to my skin type and experience. Next, I’m sure many people have this million-dollar question wavering in the back of their minds: How do you afford all these things? I DON’T. I’m a working mom of two, which means I’m as ordinary of a working denizen as you are – not rich nor poor. Where we differ though is industry – I am lucky to have products sent to me by PR reps for consideration. This means that I am under no obligation to review these products, but I can at my discretion. At this point, my “gifted” vs self-purchased products are about 40-60. Sometimes, bloggers get paid by brands and feel pressured to speak highly of that brand and even over-compensate. I’m not paid for my reviews, so it doesn’t really phase me…
So then…how honest are your reviews?
I believe in 100% honesty and transparency with anything I put on social media…that applies to beauty, fashion, work – everything. However, I never think it’s okay to bash a product just because it didn’t work for you… Everyone’s skin and hormones are so different that what works for me might not work for you. I have 4 other sisters and we all react supremely different to different products and ingredients though that doesn’t sway them from coming to me for beauty advice. 😉
I do tons of research on any product before purchasing and most times I win, but not always. I rarely talk about products that don’t work for me (but I can if you want, let me know). I also don’t review 100% of the products I receive… it’s probably like 70%.
Everything is tested for ~4 weeks before I write a review, which means WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU GET. I might not start showing a brand/product on Instagram or elsewhere from the time that I get it until 3 months down the road. I’m not really good at this instant Instagram game so that’s just how my feed works. It can be misleading, but forgive me…social media is not my thing…
So then…what does it mean to be a beauty blogger?
It means products are in constant rotation. After 4 weeks, if I still love it, I shoot it, review it, keep using it, and it becomes a re-buy. If it doesn’t feel like a necessity, my friends or sisters get a hold of it and rotate it among themselves. I have never sold anything I’ve received from PR companies (I’m not sure if this is a “thing” or not). With the influx of products that debut daily, it’s possible that old loves vanish in the assortment, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like them anymore…they simply got lost like anything else you love in life.
Hope that clarifies a few things, and if it doesn’t well… feel free to ask more – the comment box is down there! In the meantime, here’s a new video I just made – covering natural makeup for troubled skin… More to come on how I overcame this acne battle! Talk soon xx!
SHOP MY FAVORITES
