Bloggers / Influencers releasing products [Please read note in post #966]

gossipgirl10

Hi mods please remove if not allowed I know someone mentioned this in the thread discussing what the charter should be etc and I didn't see a response on whether or not it was an allowed topic of discussion.

So as the thread title says what are people's thoughts on bloggers or influencers releasing their own products? Have you bought any of the blogger products and what were your thoughts on the quality etc?

I think for me the only kind of blogger product I've bought that I can think of off hand are real technique brushes but I think they are pretty popular independent of there being any blogger connection.

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MOD NOTE: Please read the note in post #966 here.
Thanks,
Niamh.

baby and crumble

The way I look at it, I reckon it's fair game. Particularly in the area of blogs & social media I follow (tech and menswear/LGBTQ fashion) most bloggers have a real interest and knowledge in their area- so why not develop a product using that knowledge and their influence in their sphere of influence?

Lindy97

I have no problem with it either. I've bought the Poco jeans in 2 styles and I have to say I do love them. They're expensive so I dont wear them daily but they do have a great fit (for me).
Only thing that's a slight bug bear is when they make out they've created the product from scratch, when in a lot of cases it's white label stuff. No shame in it and bringing a product to market still takes a hell of a lot of work and overseeing, but don't make out you were sitting in a lab formulating a brand new revolutionary product mixing the base products yourself.

Sunny Dayz

I've bought the Blank Canvas Pippa palette and I quite like it, apart from the blush which doesn't seem to have any colour payoff for me. I can see where she was going with this palette, I mainly use it for travelling, it does a nice daytime look for me and I've gotten good use out of it.


I've bought SoSu nail polishes and wasn't impressed. The first one I tried it literally peeled off my nail the following day. A few months later I took a chance and bought another one cos the shade matched what I was looking for. Again the longevity was poor. The colours and packaging were nice, but it didn't wear well at all on my nails.
I've heard good reviews about her lashes but I'm not a false lash wearer myself. Likewise with her contour and highlight palettes, I've heard good things but they're just not my style.

retro:electro

No problem with it in theory- but a lot of blogger produce are just white labelling.
Many of the contour kits and brushes are private label as are Rosie Connolly's sunglasses, which you can get on Aliexpress for €2. Most of these are just plucked from a magazine and then bought in bulk.
I bought the Pippa palette and used it at the time but it's at the back of my make up drawer now.
There's clearly a market there and some of their followers would buy anything as long as it had a bloggers name on it. Fair dues.

Sunny Dayz

Lindy97 wrote: »

Only thing that's a slight bug bear is when they make out they've created the product from scratch, when in a lot of cases it's white label stuff. No shame in it and bringing a product to market still takes a hell of a lot of work and overseeing, but don't make out you were sitting in a lab formulating a brand new revolutionary product mixing the base products yourself.

This. I don't mind things being white label, I just don't like how they imply that they completely formulated the products from scratch. There's only so many shades, formulae etc of eyeshadows, lip products etc - I'd like to see a good effort put into packaging and presentation. Some releases look very similar in terms of presentation.


I do think blogger/influencer releases are clever - as someone else pointed out they know the market, they know what works and doesn't work for followers. Most of their products are a sure thing, will sell and maybe a bit safe. I'd like to see one or two bloggers push the boat out a bit in terms of design, style, colour etc.

gossipgirl10

Yep agreed fair dues to them it certainly takes a huge amount of work to launch a product and any of the ones I have seen so far have done it very well no half assed attempts they are all very slick.

My main issue is the whole white label thing I do think that no more than the lack of transparency with the #ad or #sp there is definitely an element of making out they have done more than they probably have with regards creating the product itself. They create the actual brand yes and that in itself is massive but I don't agree with them making out like they are in the lab mixing up nail polish colours themselves etc

Ray37

I'd only have interest if I can be sure the product is NOT white labelled. I find that really tacky, and just a way of ripping off your followers. It takes no talent to pick out something from a catalog, or Aliexpress, and passing it off as if you created it yourself. I find that so awful. Some cheap tat is sold for up to 9 times the price it can be bought for on Aliexpress/Ebay etc, and that is just pure greed IMO.

Cria

anna080 wrote: »

No problem with it in theory- but a lot of blogger produce are just white labelling.
Many of the contour kits and brushes are private label as are Rosie Connolly's sunglasses, which you can get on Aliexpress for €2. Most of these are just plucked from a magazine and then bought in bulk.
I bought the Pippa palette and used it at the time but it's at the back of my make up drawer now.
There's clearly a market there and some of their followers would buy anything as long as it had a bloggers name on it. Fair dues.

Some of the glasses Rosie is charging €15 for penneys are selling for a third of that

Scraggs

I've zero interest in most of the tat certain bloggers sell/promote but I have to say SoSueMe really identified a niche in the market for her lash range. I would not be a fan of her really or any of her other lines (polish, contour etc.) but the lashes are great if you want to buy from a bricks and mortar store. I was at a business event early this year and they did a case study on SoSu and I was amazed by her reach and how many units sold, she must be raking it in!

gossipgirl10

Ray37 wrote: »

I'd only have interest if I can be sure the product is NOT white labelled. I find that really tacky, and just a way of ripping off your followers. It takes no talent to pick out something from a catalog, or Aliexpress, and passing it off as if you created it yourself. I find that so awful. Some cheap tat is sold for up to 9 times the price it can be bought for on Aliexpress/Ebay etc, and that is just pure greed IMO.

Agree with this 100%. I don't expect them to be sitting in a lab formulating nail polishes and make up but some of the products they are selling are so clearly bought off Aliexpress and then sold on at a crazy mark up (like Rosie's sunglasses, CO'D's jewellery etc).
Just saw that Lisa Jordan has a product coming out in September too wonder what that will be...

Lindy97

Yeah I don't agree with the massive mark ups, a small profit is one thing but not what is happening with some of them mentioned.
I am interested in Sue's lashes to be honest, I don't think I've read one bad thing and price wise they're equal to others in the market. Getting them into Penneys/Primark was a complete winner for her

RoisinClare6

Would love to know what JJ is releasing under her Luna by Lisa brand. Wouldn't be bothered by most of it, there's never been anything that is happily go out and buy. Mufs stuff is over priced in my opinion.

gossipgirl10

If you go into the Instagram account for it the category under the title says Health/Beauty so something along those lines... can't really think of anything new or original that it could be...

I was reading some comments when she announced the product name and there were people saying oh my god I want to preorder it now I don't even care what it is so that gives you an idea of how much some of their followers idolise them they will buy the product regardless of what it is

idunno78

I've read on one of those fb pages that it's eyeshadow! She apparently said when asked about her eyeshadow at some event she couldn't say what it was! It's definitely something makeup related I'd say! You can tell how excited she is about it and how much she has put into it! Her face really lights up when she is talking about it.

The only blogger thing I have is Pippa palette which was given to me as a present. You don't hear as much about it now as you used to. Just don't like the blush in it but other then that it's pretty handy! No other blogger thing has made me want it!

I'd Suzannes highlighter and Joanne's lipsticks were sold separately I'd have bought one to try!

Lindy97

A few people I know have Pippas and they like it for every day use

heyjude88

Really enjoyed Sinead from the beautiful truths snaps today on the poccos.

She has a body shape like a lot of Irish women, and you could really see the jeans really just suit skinny women! I remember a few months back, Pippa had a "size 14" model wearing the jeans. The girl was super skinny with curves, which just isnt a realistic size 14.

Delighted Sinead tried them all on. She didn't diss the jeans at all, just said they didn't suit her.

retro:electro

heyjude88 wrote: »

Really enjoyed Sinead from the beautiful truths snaps today on the poccos.

She has a body shape like a lot of Irish women, and you could really see the jeans really just suit skinny women! I remember a few months back, Pippa had a "size 14" model wearing the jeans. The girl was super skinny with curves, which just isnt a realistic size 14.

Delighted Sinead tried them all on. She didn't diss the jeans at all, just said they didn't suit her.

I adore her. I think she is so lovely.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

I love sinead! She doesn't care what she's reviewing she seems to give tell it as it is. The fawning over Pippa and poco, I've got the impression from most other bloggers that she's almost like queen bee in blogging world so to see sinead go in try them on and give annhobest review/feedback was refreshing


I find it mad how all pippas friends are raving about her jeans (but not a word about them before they were sent for free), I'd love to support my friends in a new business venture, not wait to be offered freebies

heyjude88

Are that waxperts Ellen lady and Pippa best friends? She travelled down to cork for the opening with her husband. She already owns about 4 pairs and bought a new pair on the night. Presume she didn't pay for all them?

frogstar

I think she did pay for all her pairs but did get sent one pair after she bought them at the very first launch. She said at the time that she was throwing out all her other jeans and all she needs are the POCO's (eye roll). I actually dont think they are that flattering on Ellen's.

I do think they are friends but I think Ellen is a little obsessed with pippa, a lot of fawning and copying going on

retro:electro

heyjude88 wrote: »

Are that waxperts Ellen lady and Pippa best friends? She travelled down to cork for the opening with her husband. She already owns about 4 pairs and bought a new pair on the night. Presume she didn't pay for all them?

And the fab gift from Sephora... if they're not besties then it looks like some major ass kissing.

fg1406

I posted something similar before. My sisters got poco jeans at one of the Fashion Factory days in Limerick and they look great but to be honest they are pretty much exactly the same as River Island Mollys but for twice the price.

I wouldn't be the target market for blogger products I imagine because I am aware of white label make up which I wouldn't be a fan of. I much prefer to spend my money on quality products and white labelled goods are very much hit and miss but with a premium price tag. The only products I've bought which are blogger (YouTuber!) branded are Wayne Goss's brushes because I read genuinely good reviews and he did invest heavily in them and did partake in their development. But do I think SoSueMe went and picked out pigments and ingredients for her contour palette or Pippa was working with a lab developing formulas for blusher? Not at all. But look fair play to them for seeing the €€€ to be made with branding. Like the kylie Jenner make up...it's all white label with very mixed reviews but it sells by the millions. Kim K's (white labelled) new contour kit is getting horrible reviews but is still selling out every week.

misslt

It's been speculated before but I think the Kylie lipsticks are definitely colour pop. I unsubscribe from Kylie emails and colour pop emails one after the other yesterday and both brought me to the same page.

I'm not a major fan of the blogger products, I have some of the Sosu lashes a son I'd read good reviews but I preferred the Ardell ones. I haven't tried anything else, but wouldn't be rushing to.

qxtasybe1nwfh2

I think they would be silly not to launch their own products when the have the money to do so and the platform to promote. It's a better long term plan when realistically the blogger/influencer gravy train is not going to go on forever. They couldn't rely on the workshops and collaborations in the long term. I think Marissa carter was right when she said previously that it was over saturated etc.

I personally haven't bought any Irish blogger merch. I have looked at the sosu highlighter and contour kits but they are not for me, too chalky and I don't like the card board material. I would rather buy one Mac highlighter for the same price. Band on the lashes look too think for me. I wouldn't buy jeans online. I look at Pippa's palette the same way I see sosu's. No interest MUFs liquid lip. Im big into the look of a product and these are not for me. I personally think they wouldn't look out of place free in a teen magazine.

On the other hand, I have bought Jaclyn hills highlighter with Becca and also Kathleen lights colourpop liquid lips. I love them both but I think it's because theyre brands I know rather than their own white label products.

qxtasybe1nwfh2

misslt wrote: »

It's been speculated before but I think the Kylie lipsticks are definitely colour pop. I unsubscribe from Kylie emails and colour pop emails one after the other yesterday and both brought me to the same page.

Both have the same parent company, Seed Beauty. Stephanie Nicole had a video comparing ingredients for the matte liquid lip and both were the exact same. I think both have changed their formulas since this though.

Ray37

Suzanne Jackson has a new eyeshadow palette out. Similar colours to Urban Decays Naked Heat one. Her first 2 shades are literally called 'Naked' and 'Heat'.... Bit silly IMO, and the colours are right beside each other. Poor planning there IMO. 

Priced at e29.95.

retro:electro

Ray37 wrote: »

Suzanne Jackson has a new eyeshadow palette out. Similar colours to Urban Decays Naked Heat one. Her first 2 shades are literally called 'Naked' and 'Heat'.... Bit silly IMO, and the colours are right beside each other. Poor planning there IMO. 

Priced at e29.95.

I really like the colours, I think they are lovely and right up my street. But ya, as you say, the names are a total obvious rip off. It's just lazy, imo. Like be clever and come up with something new and exciting, and don't completely rip off something that was only just released a few days ago.

qxtasybe1nwfh2

Ray37 wrote: »

Suzanne Jackson has a new eyeshadow palette out. Similar colours to Urban Decays Naked Heat one. Her first 2 shades are literally called 'Naked' and 'Heat'.... Bit silly IMO, and the colours are right beside each other. Poor planning there IMO. 

Priced at e29.95.

I thought this too! But on the flip side, I believe stuff like this takes months of planning and maybe it was decided before naked heat was released? I don't know but the market is saturated with warm toned palettes. No doubt it will make a killing anyways. I personally would just spend the extra tenner and get naked heat itself.

Ray37

Yeah the colours look nice but I'd much rather spend my money on an established brand tbh. The fact that she has the names next to each other that are the EXACT same name as the UD palette is a bit cringe.... I'd love to see an influencer bring out something we havent seen before, something that we KNOW hasnt been white labelled. Apparently Sue says this hasnt, but she said that about her other stuff and then had to backtrack when she let slip that it was. I want to see the entire process, from planning to factory, only then would I ever even consider buying one of their products. Until then, I will continue to assume they are all white label. If they truly are made from scratch, why not share the process? I think it'd be really interesting, and I feel they'd be a lot more respected and the products would even sell better if we were shown the work involved from beginning to end.

Siobhnk

I love the look of the colours but I'd worry about quality. I'd be more comfortable spending the extra few Euro on the naked heat.

heyjude88

i'd day it was unfortunate timing with the naked heat palette. I'm sure she signed off on this months ago. It was obvious she showed the most pigmented colours though tonight on snapchat. The other colours might not be as good.

qo2cj1dsne8y4k

Is if just me or do they look very talcy in the video

Lindy97

"From scratch"

Unless you formulated them from base ingredients, theyre not "from scratch"

The naked palette was also announced months ago. This is her business so its her job to research up coming releases that may clash with hers. I think shes aiming at people who want UD one but feel €47 is too expensive. Coming in under the €30, plus people who likef her other palettes and lashes might be inclined to stick with her.

qxtasybe1nwfh2

heyjude88 wrote: »

i'd day it was unfortunate timing with the naked heat palette. I'm sure she signed off on this months ago. It was obvious she showed the most pigmented colours though tonight on snapchat. The other colours might not be as good.

Yeah she swatched the metallics only. They generally swatch better than mattes. Also I would like to see some brush swatches. Finger swatches always look better due to the grooves on your fingers and better pressure.

Sunny Dayz

I'd say it will sell well off the back of the Urban Decay Heat palette hype, perfect timing to be honest and very clever IMO! It's almost €20 cheaper and would be more widely available than Urban Decay.


Likewise with the launch of her "wedding nails and eyelashes" - very clever to capitalise on the hype surrounding her wedding.


But it seems a bit strange to have products launch while you are away on your honeymoon: a) you should relax and step away from work when you are on holiday and b) you should be on-site and present when you are launching a new product.
Edit - disclaimer - I don't run my own business so maybe I wouldn't know!

Siobhnk

She was in the Maldives when she released her clothing line, so maybe it's just something she does. I agree though, I find it strange to do it all on honeymoon! (On an unrelated note I am jealous of where she is on it, it looks gorgeous)

GingerLily

If I'm going to buy white label I'd want it to be at least half the price, nearer a quarter really, of the high end version. Definitely have no interest in that kinda palette, prefer to buy Zoeva or the likes if I'm buying less traditional brands.

That said I respect so sue me for having more honest income streams then most.

Siobhnk

I see SoSueMe is releasing a body highlighter as well. I don't understand the way she announced her products- making a big deal of some and then casually mentioning others on Snapchat.

scarbouro

Siobhnk wrote: »

I see SoSueMe is releasing a body highlighter as well. I don't understand the way she announced her products- making a big deal of some and then casually mentioning others on Snapchat.

I thought this was quite strange too. She just brushed over the wedding nails, lashes and highlighter with no real build up at all. It Did make sense to launch the wedding nails and lashes around the time of her own wedding but I would have expected more of a fuss about them. Obviously concentrating on the palette was more lucrative. Doing all of this on honeymoon is very odd. She can't really put 100% into it when she's away.

idunno78

Some one might know the answer to this! Some bloggers products they have are said to be cruelty free (or similar) but if they are white label or more specifically white label from china would that not make them tested on animals?

GingerLily

idunno78 wrote: »

Some one might know the answer to this! Some bloggers products they have are said to be cruelty free (or similar) but if they are white label or more specifically white label from china would that not make them tested on animals?

They only need to be tested on animals to be sold in China! But I 100% doubt that most of these products actually are cruelty free in the true sense of the word.

Windorah

idunno78 wrote: »

Some one might know the answer to this! Some bloggers products they have are said to be cruelty free (or similar) but if they are white label or more specifically white label from china would that not make them tested on animals?

Yup! Before products are approved for sale on the Chinese market the cosmetic/skincare company must submit to animal testing in government labs. I would firmly believe that all these blogger products are white label and as such have undergone animal testing. In saying that I only heard MUF state her brushes or wands or whatever she calls them were "vegan and cruelty free" no mention of her lip glosses being the same. I can't say Iv heard any other blogger state their products were cruelty free. If they are they would usually carry the cruelty free logo.

Ray37

MUF has said that all of her products, brushes and lip things are cruelty free/vegan. TBH I don't believe this coz I reckon they are in fact white labelled, AKA most likely being from China and as above poster says, by law anything sold in China must be tested on animals. Side note, MAC is no longer considered cruelty free as they sell in China, which was hugely disappointing to me

Windorah

NARS have also now started selling in China and as such it is testing on animals. Personally I find it very difficult to find cosmetics that aren't testing MAC, Clinique, Estee Lauder, Max Factor, L'Oréal... I could go on... all test. So I find it hard to believe that these bloggers have suddenly produced cruelty free cosmetics. If it is indeed cruelty free I would think it would be a real selling point. I have no interest in the vast majority of stuff bloggers produce but if it was highlighted that it was cruelty free I would certainly take note.

fartyarse

Ray37 wrote: »

MUF has said that all of her products, brushes and lip things are cruelty free/vegan. TBH I don't believe this coz I reckon they are in fact white labelled, AKA most likely being from China and as above poster says, by law anything sold in China must be tested on animals. Side note, MAC is no longer considered cruelty free as they sell in China, which was hugely disappointing to me

I think you misunderstood the other poster. If it's made in China it doesn't have to be tested on animals. HOWEVER if said product was to be sold IN China, the Chinese law states it must be tested on animals.

Long story short, even if it's made in a factory in China, then shipped over here to be sold, it's probably not tested on animals. MAC sacrificed their cruelty free status in 2012 when they entered the Chinese market. NARS have just done the same thing this year. Appalling.

Side note; MUF always says that her products are vegan FRIENDLY, which is important. To state they're vegan she'd need official certification.

Ray37

Thanks, didnt realize that they don't have to test on animals if they are made in China.... Does that mean though that they explicitly dont, or that legally they are not obliged to? I am very surprised to hear this, I really was sure in China almost everything was tested on animals. Delighted it's not the case if so!

idunno78

I thought the same as ray! That kinda changes it so! I assume vegan friendly means cruelty free to? I haven't a clue!

side note: essence and if almost sure catrice are cruelty free! If you Google there is a list and I'm almost sure there is a list over on the beauty forum!

gossipgirl10

I wonder is someone else like Just Jordan or someone about to bring out some products that So Sue Me has in the pipeline also and that's why she is casually mentioning them now before the others launch so it doesn't look like she is copying them that she's been working on it for ages? Because she had another pic up today where she mentioned everything was sosu even the lippy so obviously bringing out lipstick range too

RoisinClare6

Finally seen a blogger product I would consider getting...the desi x Katy 'dose of colors' highlighter called 'Fuego' is kinda calling me. Its 28 dollars. Desi put some on in her snaps today and it looked amazing!! Checked it earlier and it was sold out! If you scroll to the bottom of the page they have a little bunny with cruelty free!

qxtasybe1nwfh2

idunno78 wrote: »

I thought the same as ray! That kinda changes it so! I assume vegan friendly means cruelty free to? I haven't a clue!

side note: essence and if almost sure catrice are cruelty free! If you Google there is a list and I'm almost sure there is a list over on the beauty forum!

Not always - cruelty free means there are not tested on animals and vegan means it doesn't contain animal products. For example synthetic brushes might be vegan as they wouldn't contain animal products but they might still be tested on animals. (I don't know if/how you would test brushes on animals and don't want to but this is the easiest way I can explain the difference!!) Or something could be cruelty free but contain honey making it not vegan.