While reading one of my fave beauty sites, Temptalia, I came across her post about The New York Times article "Beauty Blogs Come Of Age: Swag Please!". The article was ridiculous and appalling. It exploited beauty bloggers as being grubby, greedy, beauty whores - at least that's the picture that was painted in my mind. As wretched as this article was, I'm really not surprised by it. I saw it coming and knew it was only a matter of time "official" media outlets would turn on us. Receiving free swag, which was once privileged to beauty insiders and magazine editors, is no longer the case now that beauty blogs have increased in popularity. Not all blogs receive free products and invitations to glamourous beauty events. There are a select few that get to enjoy these perks. Yes, there are some people that have started blogs solely to receive free product but that's not why we all do it. I won't lie, I love to receive anything free - who doesn't? But I work damn hard at updating my blog, providing inside beauty information and helping other women with their beauty woes!
When I started this blog, I thought this would be a great way to combine my two loves: writing and makeup! Through my blog I've had the opportunity to meet and connect with some pretty amazing people that otherwise would not have happened. Many makeup career opportunities that have boosted my career have all been through my blog. I love helping women, giving them professional beauty tips, doing tutorials and step-by-step guides because I just think it's my duty lol. I make very little money from my blog which takes up the majority of my time these days. I think it's great to receive free product and review them, but a lot of my reviews have been all out of my own pocket. I'm very grateful when I do receive free things because I get the chance to try something new and share it with the readers but let's face it - it's not cheap! I thank all my readers for letting me inside their world!!
Check out some responses to the article from Christine, BonBons In The Bath and Spoiled Pretty. Well said ladies! Beauty blogs are here to stay! If you want honest reviews and opinions, beauty blogs are where it's at. Don't you agree? I'd love to hear what you, the readers, think about all of this. Why do you read beauty blogs and how do you view us?
4 comments:
i read your blog because it's informative and fun! you can post an entire essay and i'll read it, seriously!
your #1 fan,
mila victoria ;)
Aww thanks Mila! I'm YOUR #1 FAN!! :)
Wow I completely missed the whole drama regarding the NY Times article. I am surprised the writers didn't delve deeper into the subject. Because I agree that most bloggers aren't writing to get free swag. Gosh, what about all of us smaller bloggers out there who have no chance of ever getting free stuff? Yet we write about beauty because we love to. How does the NY Times article account for that? Thanks for the heads up reading that article.
No probs Psychoexgirlfriend! Ya, it's pretty ridiculous and the beauty blog network is going to be writing a rebuttal article to another newspaper so stay tuned! The drama continues!
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