Breathe in…………..
I woke up this morning, logged onto Blogger and YouTube and felt completely uninspired, frustrated and frankly a bit bored.
Can I possibly be the only person who is sick and tired of reading and listening to the same old regurgitated reviews on the same old products? Or am I alone in thinking that a little originality wouldn’t go amiss?
When I first started blogging, it was for fun, and essentially for myself. When people started to read and comment that was simply a bonus. I’ve continued to feel like that about it and enjoy it up until about 2 months ago. I can pinpoint when the tide turned for me, and I would have to say it was when the PR companies got in contact.
Suddenly rather than review things I had picked and paid my hard earned money on myself, I was being sent cosmetics and hair products for free. GREAT I’m sure you’re thinking….. well I would have to disagree.
I’ve reviewed a few of things I was sent such as the OSiS Gloss and the Barry M lippies, these got reviews as I actually personally tried & loved them….. however I’m basically left with an ever growing drawer of shite as I get sent more and more things that a) I’d never have bought for myself and b) are just pure and utter crap. I don’t want to be a PR Product Prostitute.
Its no surprise then that when I log into Blogger or YouTube all these items are being reviewed by fellow bloggers, and I’m sorry but some of them are blatantly bigging up ANYTHING they are sent, regardless if its a good product or not. I have issues with this on many levels but basically for me its all about the integrity.
If I recommend a product to you and give it a positive review, you can be 100% sure that I genuinely feel this way about the product. I’m not a nodding dog. I won’t sell out, and I honestly couldn’t live with myself if I thought I was encouraging people to waste their money on a product I didn’t actually like, or even worse (and what I suspect with sadly quite a few) had never even tried it.
So agree or disagree with me, but this morning I have taken positive steps to undoing the “damage” as I see it. I’m not suggesting in any shape or form this is what you should be doing, but this is what I have done to up my enjoyment levels of them again.
This morning I culled the channels I subscribe to on YouTube by around 3/4. I literally couldn’t see the wood for the trees, and by that I mean all these insignificant reviews were covering up the true diamonds I had subscribed too. It was only when I deleted these that I realised all the fabulous tutorials I had been missing out of, they were simply being pushed out of sight.
I’ve retained only 1 major Product Reviewer, namely Lisasz09 as I trust her reviews are totally genuine, I know she buys the bulk of her own products and as she is US based I get a sneak peak at whats coming to the UK. 
The rest of the subscriptions I held onto are truly talented people in the application of make-up. Not all of them are Make-up Artists but I believe more than ever you don’t need a qualification to be an artist or expert, in any creative field. If you’re good at something, you’re good at it. End of. I’ve also kept some weight loss & fashion gurus that inspire me in there too.
In regards to Blogger I have my favourites who I will still be reading and enjoying, but there has been a major pruning there too, and you know what?…. I wish I’d recognised the problem 2 months ago and done it then. Already this morning I’ve enjoyed 2 refreshing tutorials on YouTube and all because they weren’t hidden under frankly a pile of twaddle.
I’m going to get lynched for this post aren’t I? 
Ah well, I have to be true to myself!
I’m now looking forward to blogging again, if I want to review a mascara that came out a year ago, I’ll do it, an eyeshadow that came out 6 collections ago, I’m gonna do it, a lipstick that has just been released… I’m gonna do it But I’ll be doing it in the order I want to, and not just because 20 other bloggers have decided thats the flavour of the day. I’m nobody’s sheep.
Breathe out……… wooooooooooooooooooo
Talk soon beautiful people xox
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
I agree, I purge my subscriptions whether it's YouTube or Blogger, quite frequently to avoid getting clogged up with people I don't love as much as I should…LOL! I really only have a select few that I love to watch/read…your blog/vids is one of them
I think it's ridiculous to review a product that you don't like and say you do, kind of defeats the whole purpose! Great post 
xoxo
Hey sweetie, I breathed in and out! That was very well written.. I agree with you 100%, I was looking at my makeup yesterday and thinking whoaaa I didn't know I had that – or why didn't I blog about this it's amazing etc, everything should be 100% genuine and not forced upon. Frankly, if I don't like something I will say it and have been saying because in no way shape or form do I want to influence people with incorrect information. xx
I've been feeling the same recently but wasn't sure exactly how to approach it or verbalise it.
I have quite a few blogging and YT pet hates that are really griping me at the moment but I'm gritting my teetch and just getting on with what I do. Like you, I write my blog for myself and the fact that I have 300 followers is a bonus because I love reading all the comments but ultimately I'm not writing a commercial blog aimed at an audience – I write it for me. I have a few products that I've been sent recently that I'm just not sure there's a place for on my blog – I guess I'm going to have to make that call. I don't want to be a PR puppet.
Nice one Arlene, thanks for raising this.
xx
OMG I love you!!!! Thank you for bringing this up!
I don't believe half the things I read from people who are sent things to review. The company is waiting for you to do a glowing review and you don't wanna disappoint.
I'm sick of hearing about Barry M to be honest and it hasn't made me rush to buy any of their products cos they're deemed as 'fab' or 'amazing'. I'm not read one review that has found anything wrong with a product but I can easily write up a nail polish review that shows they chip after 2 days!
When I review items I'm brutally honest and won't big up a brand in the hope I'll be sent more freebies.
Illamasqua shadows are crap and I'll yell it from the rooftops. I spent a good 15 mins swatching at their counter and the pay off showed up after I'd packed on colour for the 4th time. For £14 I expect better quality.
I now refuse to actually read, view or click on anymore Barry M posts – EHOUGH!!!!!!!!!!
I like reviews on products that aren't well known by the masses and which don't appear in Top 10 lists.
You have totally restored my faith ladies and made me realise I'm not alone. Thanks so much
Mushine, I was really refreshed when you got all the Body Shop freebies but were frank enough to tell your readers that really it wasn't all that and you preferred your Neals Yard skincare regime.
Emma, you know I adore your blog, your Ins & Outs craic me up and really they are unique to you as no one else has quite kept up with them the way that you do
Vex I hear you girlfriend. I totally agree with the Barry M nail paints, I have to do serious priming, coats and top coats to even get a day out of those. I thought I was the only one
In regards to Illamasqua I'll hold my hands up and admit to getting caught up in the hype, I love the foundation and primer but the shadows are very meh. I think I've worn them twice with little love xoxox
You are completely right hun.
I've been keeping away from blogging/youtubing recently as its the same old crap all the time. I've been wanting to do a post like this recently too.
I get so frustrated and angry that some bloggers/youtubers have hundreds of followers/subs, yet say all the same crap, and when they review a product they just say 'i really like it', or when they give out false information/don't know what they're talking about.
xxx
EXACTLY!!!well said Arlene!!xxx
Well done for speaking up and getting your point across. Once you've seen a review on one product do you really want to watch ten more? As you've said it could be time spent watching more original YT videos x
This is a really well written post Arlene…I think you have vocalised what is on a lot of our minds…I barely sub to any YT's now, because it's a lot of the same, I like people who are creative and honest, which is why I stopped making videos because I could never compete in my eyes!
I 'cull' the list of blogs I follow regularly, in fact I did it just yesterday morning (just like I do with 'friends' on facebook)!
I do write quite a lot of reviews on my blog, and I don't do it to please the PR companies…I have done negative reviews and I am always completely honest, if I really hate it I either won't put it up or I'll do a review so people don't buy it! I love getting sent things, but I have also said no to some PR companies when I have zero interest in receiving what they are offering.
I have to disagree about the nail paints from Barry M though…I have some on my fingers that's still going strong after a week, with only a base coat and 1 coat, no top ups or top coats!
Even though I have a fair few followers I still write my blog for myself primarily, but knowing that others read it and potentially take advice etc means it's even more important that I am 100% honest.
Well done for having the guts to write this…not everyone will agree, I do and don't, but well done
I respect your honesty.
x
In a way I disagree with what you've said about PR companies getting involved because I personally like reading GENUINE reviews as I always like to do a spot of 'research' to ensure I will most likely be satisfied with a product or not before spending my money on it. You can usually tell when someone is clearly just nodding their head and saying it's a brilliant product etc. – This is where the issue lies. I've found some good products that I will purchase again and again because it has been brought to my attention through the blogging and youtubing world and I believe that this is a good thing.
I will always give a truthful opinion/review on products I've bought or have been sent as I equally expect other people to be honest and truthful when a product does not work out for them too. I'm glad you are considering reviewing your old products as they should be worth a mention, especially if they are still available for purchase! This is your blog and you are free to say and do as you please
Keep it up and thank-you for bringing this to everyone's attention! x
Totally Shortie, as I've said there are genuine truthful reviewers out there such as yourself, however unfortunately I think LATELY you're in the minority.
Hi Laura, I always enjoy reading your blog, I think mostly thats due to the fact that you keep it varied and you've adopted your own little ratings system. I'm really pleased you enjoy getting sent the freebies, and I think thats point & case that everyone is different.
I was receiving all manner of products and feeling a) a bit of a "kept" blogger and b) wasteful and ungrateful when I hated and binned half the stuff.
I'm happier shelling out of my own pocket and feel more comfortable mouthing off about anything that doesn't quite float my boat BECAUSE it wasn't gifted to me
xox
Fair enough Arlene, it’s sometimes hard to truly express opinions across blogging in comparison to ‘real life’ as facial expressions etc. can not be seen so it’s understandable that I may come acorss that way
Hiya,
I have been sent a bit of stuff by both PR companies and cosmetics companies which is very nice of them, but I treat it like a business deal. They are after all getting their monies worth out of me in that I just try them, especially if I haven't been tempted by their marketing so far.
The company I work with most and it's no secret is ELF. They are a small family run company and I like that they want feedback on their products and will work on changing them. I was really pleased when everyone commented about the glue being crap with their false lashes, seriously!
I want to improve the cosmetics buying experience and remove useless hype as I have been disappointed enough by buying things people have "raved about" only to find that they are crap. I think it's a reviewers duty to consider that others will PAY for these products and consider how they will feel if they are mislead. It is not a case of you get what you pay for as rightly mentioned expensive brands can have crap products and cheap brands can have some real gems.
I also refuse to work with a lot of companies because it is clear they are just using me, they don't even take the time to read my blog or YT profile which says I only use Cruelty Free cosmetics!
So Arlene, I salute you for saying what needs to be said, as reviewers we are not here to be used and abused.
Jasmine
I totally agree with this. I hardly get sent anything from PR companies but when i do get sent something I review it as honestly as I can. If i dislike something I will advise what my experience has been but I usually add a positive note, simply for the fact I would hate to tell somebody something is rubbish when it would actually be very good for them. For example, Barry M nail paints, you dislike them but I find them (most of them) to be of very good quality.
From the PR companies who have contacted me, I know for a fact one of them did not read my review, it wasn't the most flattering review but she went on about how fab it was – assuming I had written great things. She just made herself look like a numpty and to be honest I'm not sure I would be interested in reviewing anything else from her.
My main thing is that there is a lack of originality on blogs and YT. It is boring to read the same old thing although I will write about same product as everyone else if I truly think it is great or truly think it is terrible. With YT i rarely watch videos of peoples make up rambles, I don't have time to listen to this, likewise, I can't watch the same regurgitated smokey eyes/nude lips tutorials. I limit myself to a few ppl who do great tutorials that really get me thinking outside the box on my own make up application.
Thanks for raising this debate, it is inevitable not everyone will agree but its great to hear all opinions from every angle. xx
I think you're absolutely spot on.
I only have 5 or 6 people I subscribe to on You Tube and although they do reviews, they definitely say if they don't like something. As for blogs, I have maybe 10 or 12 beauty ones that I subscribe to and read regularly. I had more, but I had a massive cull because a lot of it was just rubbish.
I think after a time, you get suspicious when someone loves everything they use. I know from my own little product addiction that it isn't like that!
I'm really pleased that someone out there is keeping their integrity in tact and I'm definitely looking forward to reading some reviews along the lines of "Oh my god, you won't believe how rubbish this is!" lol
Bx
Hi
I just found your blog – very refreshing to see someone actually address this…issue (?) with beauty bloggers. I have always prided myself on being truthful on my blog, and writing what I want to write (and its always the rare, no longer purchasable odd items that people don't want to comment on, but I feel passionate about!). Infact I have had a few – narky? – emails in the past from PR. Just a few. I always warn PR people – if I don't like I can either not review it or review it but say it like it is.
Hence I have always been fussy about the blogs I read. I want to see good reviews with personality, that are interesting to read, not reams of vapid praise for all the free make up received and free events attended.
That's all. Like your blog, will be back
I love how you're wrote about this. A friend & I have talked about this quite a lot. I hate when I see reviews of products & the reviewer is obviously just giving it a positive review because they've been sent it for free. In turn that makes me trust their opinion less & I have less respect for them. I only give good reviews of things I like (& all bought myself) I'd hate to think I was saying something is fantastic & having people spend their money on it, when it really is not a good product.
xo
Oxford Jasmine I think you hit the nail on the head. It should be a 2-way business deal with these PR companies, but other than some free stuff that a lot of the time is an item you'll never use again, what is the blogger getting from it??
I think people can be naive (I include myself in this) and not realise that bascially you just gave Barry M, Schwarzkopff etc free advertising and got them potentially a lot of sales. Out in the "real" world if Barry M wanted to run an advertising campaign (for talks sake
you can bet your bottom dollar that they'd pay thousands for the priveledge. A blogger gets zero in comparison.
I understand and love the work you do with ELF but lets be honest most people can spot a genuine partnership that is working for both people a mile off.
My worry is that impressionable teens and young women see and believe all the biased reviews and in turn feel the need to buy all of it, while a lot of the time getting themselves into debt.
xoxo
Hi Row, Thank you & Welcome Aboard
A few stonkers of shite items coming up just for you Beth
xo
Thanks Saskia ,I knew you'd love a good aul debate
xox PS Very jealous of your obviously stellar Nail Paint application skills!! xxx
lol not all of them are great for me … im wearing orange just now – love the colour but quality sucks altho still no chippin just seems bit streaky .. black is the same too x
you have total respect from me girly! I loved your yt vids so genuine but to be honest I can't watch many other yt vids now coz they're just PR Monkeys! x
Maybe its certain colours then…. hmmmmmm I have the black and dark purple and they both chip like crazy on me. Haven't tried the Block Orange etc yet. Must be all the hard work I do thats chipping it
You must sit about like lady muck 
xox
Just want to say I completely agree with everything you've said – I have blogged on and off for a couple of years but not specifically about beauty and I have done it because I want too- now it seems too many people are doing it because they get free stuff – I even know of somebody who has their own small business that was sent a list by a blogger of over 15 items that she would like to be sent for free – fair enough if the companies approach you but demanding items from businesses is going a bit far. I do like product reviews but when they say they have been sent something maybe I'm cynical I always question their views a little bit – here is to more honesty amongst reviewers oh and I only seem to have problems with the Barry M darks too – paints like mint green and turquoise seem to be pretty comparable with the china glase imo – who knows maybe the different colours are formulated slightly differently
Love you honesty dressjunkie x
If someone contacts you and ask you to accept delivery of products in respect to potential publicity, then as far as I am concerned, you are under no obligation to write about them one way or another. If the PR company feels that they're not getting coverage, then all they have to do is take you off their mailing list.
However, if you're calling in product then yes, there should be an obligation to feature it, and that goes for mag journos too.
I have been and still am a beauty ed on a variety of publications from high-end glossy to newspaper, as well as a blogger, and receive a frankly insane amount of product as a result. But interestingly, in the past year, I have noticed a shift and PRs are now mad for blogs: it's a new (and cheap!) focus for editorial coverage, so you're probably feeling the heat of that.
I really don't feel any obligation to write about a product unless I want to – it's being sent to me for evaluation and that's up to me, so don't feel bad if you don't want to write about things you've been sent. NO ONE loves everything they're sent. Would it make you feel easier if I said only about 20% (at a generous estimate) of what I might get through the post ever makes it on to Beaut.ie?
Where PR (and freebies) really work well is that it gives you extra exposure to stuff you might never try otherwise. That all stretches your critical faculties and experience across a lot of brands, and as far as I am concerned, makes you a better judge of a product.
And none of us get it right all the time – we're all human, we all fall prey to hype and we all write about things that we find after 5 more uses weren't actually as good as we'd thought they were. It's a learning process!
Thanks for the assurance that your reviews are all genuine!
Recently discovered your blog and I love it! Keep up the good work.
That does actually make me feel a lot better Kirstie, thanks for sharing
I think this is just another extension of my guilt complex! I should have been born a Catholic! I feel bad that someone might buy something I'm given by a PR company and not like it. I also hate that I've thrown so many things in the bin lately (mostly hair products tbh) but still to me its just wasteful.
I received a PR email last week where I was called an "opinion former" and it just didn't sit well with me and has bugged me ever since.
I think ultimately, I don't want to be a commercial blog and I'm simply applying the brakes to that. xox
Thanks so much Nic, that means such a lot
xo
with regard to the 'people buying things and not liking them' – ah, do try not to stress too much over that. You cannot control a person's experience and everyone is so different (texture likes and dislikes, skin type and tone etc) that all you can do is offer your honest opinion and try and indicate who it might be suitable for (skincare is a nightmare in that regard). If you feel you're doing that then you're really doing all you can, and rest assured that your blog is very definitely one of the better ones out there and one I check regularly.
Oh and haircare is a NIGHTMARE to evaluate!
Thank you Kirstie, you’re a star! I am suitably cheered now, enough to break out the Jacobs crackers and cheese… naughty
xox
I have to agree with you! I get so sick of seeing everybody’s review of the same items within a weeks time. It seems people tend to give genuine reviews when they have purchased an item with their own money. It’s so obvious when they review items that were sent through PR. The excitement/enthusiasm is lacking, and the honesty is blurred. I mean you can quote what they say: “This item was sent to me to review. *insert what company wants you to say about their product here*. And I really like it!” Then for some strange reason, you never hear about that product EVER again! It’s never in their favorites vids. Anyways. That’s my rant!!
Keep up the great work darling!!! xoxo
I know I'm a bit behind and haven't read all the comments above.
For anything you're sent as a freebie you should do a *tiny post*. "Freebie of the Day" sort of thing and make it clear you were sent it, for free and just a Great, Mediocre, Crap, Couldn't Be Bothered rating.
Anything you actually like you can do a proper review anyway.
It would be enlightening to see what companies feel the need to try and bribe you and you could keep a running total of what it would have cost to buy all the freebies.
Just an idea
LOL That could be fun
I totally agree, I do my blog just based on stuff I see and buy myself. I don't imagine I will ever get freebies (not that I would turn them down if I did!!) as I am not a major player in blogs/reviews and I don't do videos, but I will recommend stuff and stores that I love and have had good experiences with.
I try to talk through my products so that all the positives and negatives are clearly pointed out for everyone, I enjoy blogs where ppl do this rather than just say "oh its brill" or "its not worth it" i like to hear wot exactly pleased them or put them off, which is why I do it that way. Hopefully someone will get the benefit someday, I know going through it like this makes me think twice about what I want from a product =)
I absolutely love your blog Arlene, along with dazzledust25, MakeUpLoveer, Lollipop26, Kerry1487 (think thats rite Kerry!) and TheStyleDiet (and I am open to recommendations as I said I'm new to the blods and vids!) =)
xxxxxx