This is a spin off post from a comment left by reader Jen on my previous post about beginner blogging tips. I felt quite upset when I read it, and felt for the blogger in question although I don’t know who she is. Here’s Jen’s comment:-
I’ve read from a blogger that I’ve been following that someone told them that they don’t have the right to have a beauty blog because they’re not beautiful.. And I thought, what the heck? Do you blog about beauty just bcoz u’re beautiful and u wanna flaunt u’re pretty face? And do you think that if u’re beautiful somebody will read ur blog even if its not worth reading and you’re talking nonsense?
You see why I get riled when I read things like this? It is so wrong! 🙁
I’d like to know what you think. Should beauty bloggers all be young and/or beautiful? Does not being young and/or beautiful preclude you from blogging about beauty? When you read a beauty blog, do you have it in your mind that the blogger should be young and/or beautiful?
I’m going to step up the plate and tell you that I think this pure and utter nonsense. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and there are many aspects to beauty, not just the superficial common place perception of photoshopped beauty that is being doled out by the bucketloads by magazines, tv and the like. Every single one of us is beautiful even if we do not fit into the cookie cutter ideal of beauty. The key here is to look groomed. If you’re putting your face out there, looking groomed is already the first step to looking beautiful.
As for youth, it comes with it the attendant beautiful glowing skin, less hang ups, more imagination and perhaps courage to just get out there and do it without fearing repercussions. The more visible beauty bloggers are the younger ones who aren’t afraid to put themselves out there. Once you hit your 30s, and have more commitments, more social interactions in your life and just more responsibilities, you becomes less willing to be more “out there”. Speaking for myself of course 🙂 Please feel free to disagree.
Some of the best beauty blogs I’ve come across are written by “older” women who have an elegant beauty and who show us a more wearable, polished look which is how most of us would wear our makeup. They have more to share than just the conventional notion of a pretty face. And when they tell me about skincare products for older skin, I pay a little more attention because they would have been round the block longer, and lets face it, in your 20s you don’t need anti-aging skincare no matter what the brands say, so when a blogger in her 20s claims an anti-aging cream or serum works wonders, I just take it with a pinch of salt.
From the point of view of a “reader” and not a “skimmer” I prefer reading these blogs. I do not deny however, that in the main, many bloggers who focus on beauty fall into the “young and beautiful” category and to be honest, its sometimes daunting from an “older blogger” perspective. There will always be comparisons drawn in terms of looks, talent and courage; but I’d like to think that readers, as well as bloggers grow older and grow up and the older we get, the wiser we get and the less tolerance of giddiness we have. And perhaps then, that’s where the “older bloggers” like me fit into 🙂
Its not to say that young bloggers have no place in the beauty blogging world. There are matured young bloggers out there too as well as giddy “older” bloggers. There is a space for all of us because there are different niches that we fill. I just do not think that beauty blogging is the domain of the young and/or beautiful only to the exclusion of everyone else.
I remember that Sesame of Vivawoman asked this question on her blog a while ago. In light of Jen’s comment, I thought it would be interesting to get your views.
Your Say: Are beauty bloggers supposed to be all be young and/or beautiful? Is that your first thought/impression when you come across a beauty blog or blog primarily about beauty? Be honest. But be nice whichever side of the fence you sit on.
Paris B
p/s I’m not feeling insecure or upset that I’m not young and supermodel material (very happy with my age & how I look at this point of my life 🙂 ) but just upset that there are stereotypes like this persisting and infiltrating the blogging scene. Enjoying reading all your thoughts!
Appy says
Age and physical appearance are just irrelevant when u re really passionate and confident abt what you do.
If you love something and if you want to do something, just do it.Dont think what people gonna think.If you will bother abt others comment, you can never do what you really want.So just listen to what you want and do it.
🙂
Flaunt your style coz you totally worth it….
Thanks Paris for writing on such great and inspiring topics….I am an abid reader of ur blog !!!!
Paris B says
Hi Appy, thanks for sharing your thoughts and delurking 🙂 I have to agree with you that if you love something enough, just do it. I’ve personally experienced the fear of other peoples comments but know what? With age, I’ve gotten that confidence to just go and do what I have to do and it’s great! Don’t be a stranger now! 😉
Swati says
I read the same issue being discussed on Sesame’s blog long back and it is so wrong!!! who has the prergoative to decide whether someone is beautiful or not??? And, even I concur with you that blogs written by “older” woman as you say are more worthy of being read than other blogs.
Paris B says
Hehe it seems to be a recurring topic, this beauty bashing thing 🙂 I have come across some well written blogs by younger bloggers too but there is a difference when it’s written by someone a little ‘older’. I feel they lend a bit of a different air about it, which is a little more wisdom perhaps? 🙂
Esther says
I think it’s actually easier to relate sometimes when the blogger isn’t that beautiful – it makes it seems like you’re both on the same side of the fence (in a sense). Don’t get me wrong – I don’t begrudge beautiful bloggers their own beauty know-how, but I think I value enthusiasm and friendliness (and understandable posts) more than a blogger’s actual looks when it comes to reading these kind of blogs.
Paris B says
I totally get what you mean! I find beautiful bloggers lovely to look at, but intimidating because I just know I won’t have their flawless skin and looks. The nice part is that I’ve met some young beautiful bloggers and they are really lovely girls who will grow up to older beautiful and just as lovely women. But we don’t see many of that. Pity. The friendliness and enthusiasm is now lost in competition 🙁
jen says
wow! it’s me again! 🙂
anyway, IMO real beauty bloggers blog about beauty bcoz of their passion for it and not just bcoz they want to flaunt their fairest-ness and flawless skin and good genes to the world lol..beauty bloggers blog not bcoz of the free products sent by PRs for ‘consideration’ (well not all of them) or for sponsorships or affiliations (again, not all of them)
beauty bloggers for me are inspirations..they encourage me to make myself look better, and feel better (sounds like a commercial lol)
they help me build my confidence by making me accept and love my imperfections by simply telling me that I am not the only one who have this or that imperfection and they’re with me! hmm (lack of words here lol)
i personally love ‘matured’ bloggers bcoz (1) they’ve been here for awhile now (2) they know what they need and what they want and what really works for them (3) they know what they’re saying and they stand by their opinions (4) most of them blog bcoz for them it was a hobby or pastime and not for money or source of income or source of beauty products to review ;D
great post ms. paris! u nailed it again!
p.s. when I read my name again for the second time here in your blog, I was again gigglish, almost died (lol) , feeling OMG! just the same as for the first time! lol crazy but it was such a wonderful experience and I feel so appreciated here in your not-so-little-beauty-blogging-community.. this encourage me more to comment and say my own opinion onto something here in your blog and whenever I check the box that says ‘Confirm you are a valued contributor’ there’s always a smile on my face bcoz I really feel that way..
p.p.s. the feeling is mutual ms. paris, I appreciate you too! here in my heart 😀 <3
Paris B says
Hi Jen, thank you for the kind words. You are way too sweet! I’m so glad to have you comment, because where else would I get ideas to blog about?! 😉 I have met and read young beautiful bloggers who are lovely young women who love what they do and I can appreciate them. The thing as you have pointed out is that of competition. I find that everyone is so competitive these days, even in blogging, that the whole fun aspect is lost. Bloggers of all ages have lots they can share, and just as similarly, I’ve come across older but immature bloggers who are just as cut throat and competitive. Sometimes I wonder what prize they’re chasing after, when the world would be a better place if we all got along and supported each other, eh?
emily says
I want to read from a blogger who is passionate and investing in her topic and subject matter. That holds true for cooking, lifestyle, decorating, beauty, etc. I want to see “real” perspective, regardless of what the blogger looks like.
Paris B says
Thats true! We read blogs to learn something or find some information and some blogs don’t even have photos of the blogger! Doesn’t stop me reading though
Stephanie/Yukaeshi says
One of the appeals of reading beauty blogs is how the beauty blogger is almost “similar” to you and it’s a humanising aspect. You are, after all, sometimes looking for “solutions” to your “problems” (Skin woes, makeup tips and tricks for facial features similar to yours) and comparing notes, so why should beauty bloggers should be perfect (Or almost perfect) modelesque beings? And to me, I don’t judge a beauty blog because of how the writer looks, but rather on content.
And yes, in the end it all boils down to the beauty blogger too- I think you’ll have to be relatively resilient and prepared because haters gonna hate either way! (Even if you ARE a perfect modelesque being haha)
Paris B says
You said it, Stephanie. Blogs are written by normal people telling us their normal everyday reactions to products which will appeal best to us normal people. I’m not sure how a pretty face or youth could have an edge except perhaps if it was to show off a particular makes look or technique. But for skincare, it’s all fair game!
Mira says
I think beauty is subjective. Like you said, beauty lies on the eyes of the beholder. What I seek in beauty blogs are the skincare & cosmetics reviews, personal products recs, tips & tricks on how to apply skincare & make-up better, etc etc. And in your blog, I personally like the “save & splurge” section. And I like it when you talk abt other things beside beauty, like handbags (I loveeeee handbag!).
Paris B says
Thank you Mira! You sound like me – mad about bags 😀 I like blogs that mix things up too. Variety is good for the soul and we don’t need to be young or beautiful to have an opinion on beauty! I haven’t found many save and splurge options lately but I’ll be sure when I do 😉
Helen Nguyen says
To be honest, I do understand and agree with ya’ll that blogging shouldn’t limits to being young and beautiful. And mature ppl would appreciate a good quality written post, than looking at a pretty face on a blog. In skin care is understandable to seek out to some one who have the same problem as you, so you can model whatever they doing to get better skin.
But what about fashion? Many of those who have fashion blog are mainly young and beautiful ones and their site has many followers. So it means ppl want to dress like them, or have a body like that so they can pull off any outfits. But could you imagine, a girl who is overweight and acne skin, blogging about fashion and styling an outfit of the day? I know there are girls who do this and I DONT hate on them ok! You think the ‘bigger’ girls will get more popular than the skinny ones?!
I think we all know what the answer is. We’re living in a superficial world.
Lily says
I agree we live in a superficial world. In fact, I can’t say I’m not superficial either. I do like to see a pretty face myself. I cant say much abt fashion blogs because i dont read them. However, when it comes to blogging in general and haters dish out nasty degrading comments, that’s just wrong. I saw some vids on YouTube about these haters and it’s crazy. The comment that jen mentioned is nothing. I think gossmakeupartist did a video addressing these people. Also Marlena from makeupgeek. If I don’t like a blog, I just don’t go back. I don’t leave unconstructive venomous comments that aim to bring down the person’s morale. There’s a thin line between being verbal and being bitchy. Just sayin’.
Paris B says
Indeed, in this day and age when everythings hanging out there for the world to see, with no secrets or mystery, we are all to an extent superficial. But it’s how we want to deal with it. I don’t personally read fashion blogs so I can’t comment on their situation but I’ve been told that just like in the world of fashion and modeling, the fashion blogs get it worse than beauty bloggers do. It’s a pity because again, fashion comes down to ersonal style and there’s no right or wrong to it. Can’t comment on any other aspect though because I don’t read them 🙂
Mee says
It doesn’t matter what someone blogs about, I usually don’t read a blog just because the blogger is super beautiful. One person should enjoy and believe in the things he/she writes! So my opinion is that a blogger definitely doesn’t have to be like a model with a beautiful face and an amazing body. Furthermore it is much nicer for me to read articles and opinions of a person who is “normal” than of a superficial blogger (which doesn’t mean that all good-looking people are superficial!).
I really like your blog, I am a regular reader, keep up the good work!
Paris B says
Thank you Mee 🙂 like you, I go for blog content first. If the content and writing is good, I’m usually hooked anyway, and it’s a bonus if the blogger is pretty. But I have come across some blogs that are so high and mighty about living the high life that I can’t identify so I don’t follow them. Ultimately, it’s how we feel and what we look for in a blog and that’s something only we will know ourselves 🙂 thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Amanda says
I will not marvel over a beauty blogger who is young and beautiful, because she is just showing what she already has (while she still has it). My love will be more on those who make the effort to “groom” themselves, regardless of their age and beauty.
Paris B says
You’re absolutely right, Amanda! A well groomed person is already one step ahead, regardless of age 🙂
kuri says
Absolutely not. The beauty of blogging is that all kinds of people can share their experiences – in particular we get the everyday person’s voice, which I love, since I can relate to it so easily! I read the blogs that interest me – some of these bloggers are young and beautiful, but a lot are not. As long as you have passion about something then it comes across in the blog and makes it interesting.
Paris B says
You said it! If there’s passion and interest and you manage to communicate that, looks are secondary because people will be hooked reading anyway! Besides, no one can stop anyone from blogging about beauty no matter what they look like or what age they are!
Sarah says
I agree with Lily! Trolls are everywhere.
I love reading all sorts of beauty blogs, but the kind that keep me coming back are the ones I can relate to (same skin tone/skin type/from the same country) which are well-written with nice clear pictures. It would be just SAD to limit beauty blogs to the young and beautiful (itu pun, who would decide how young? and how beautiful?).
I think it boils down to not letting the haters get to you. I’m glad you brought this to light, and I hope the blogger Jen mentioned reads this and knows that most readers enjoy good content over all else.
Paris B says
Lol you are so right. Who is to say that 20 isn’t considered old online? Would be tragic cos then I’d be ancient hehe … I have enjoyed reading all your thoughts on this topic and I’m very pleased that so many people have their heads screwed on right. It’s heartening for the future 😉
Sunny says
No, what nonsense! I think beauty is an attitude, it’s about being happy in your skin and working with whatever you have. Not everybody looks (or should) look like a model or anything like that! Regardless of age and what we were born with, as long as you have the right attitude you can be beautiful!
Paris B says
The interesting thing is that models are only what people decide they should look like! After all the beacon dot of beauty has changed through the ages and I do wish we’d get over this waif look and bring on some healthier looking girls who look like they eat 😛 at least most beauty bloggers I know love and appreciate good food! 😀
Jacqueline says
I like reading how regular ladies deal with issues and acne, sun spots and oily skin etc. so I rather read blogs written by regular folks.
I don’t understand all this beauty bashing, why do some women feel that they need to bash others to feel better about themselves. There is absolutely no need for it.
Paris B says
Beauty bashing seems to be cyclical. Such a pity that people feel the need to empower themselves by bringing another down, eh? And you’re right. We read beauty blogs because we can identify with the problems the. Logger faces and how they deal with it and perhaps that will help us too!
Kim says
Young and beautiful is great, but it’s more real for me if the blogger is the average woman off the street. Blogging (even beauty blogging) is about sharing your thoughts, tips, not about whether the blogger is beautiful or not.
Like you said, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and with make-up, technology and time, anyone can look great. Youth and beauty can fade with time, but inner beauty will stay.
Keep up your good work!
Paris B says
Sweet! I fully agree. All anyone’s doing in their blog is sharing their experiences for the world to learn and if someone finds it useful it would be a success! Yay to inner beauty that we should all strive for!
Mrs Top Monkey says
I don’t read a lot of blogs. But the ones I find myself reading the most (beauty and other topics) are the ones who are well-written and relevant to me. I have no idea what some of the authors look like. I don’t care.
Actually, if I find out the author is just a normal person struggling with some insecurities (just like me!), I like that blog even more. Because hey, you’re just like me and I can identify with the problems and am happy when you post solutions that work for me as well.
Paris B says
Yes! You nailed it. I guess that’s what the majority are looking for. Solutions to problems they are facing and finding someone that is having the same proble (and who found a solution) is so inspiring! If I were reading a food blog, I don’t expect the blogger to be a chef so why a beauty blogger should look like a model is beyond me.
Ashley says
Quite honestly, I especially love beauty blogs when they’re written & edited by older women (and men!)! It’s not that I don’t like and value my age range or those below but a lot of younger bloggers haven’t had the time to accept their natural, youthful beauty (IMO). And a beauty blog is not created solely on flaunting a pretty face, that is ridiculous =__= Has it ever occurred to people some blogs are created solely on reviewing products, telling people what it can help the user achieve or not? That’s why I created my blog – to be HELPFUL, not to simply flaunt my vanity.
Paris B says
Love your view Ashley! Ere is a lot of truth in what you say, that many younger women are less accepting of their looks and more critical of faults where there may be none 🙂 and if were to all start blogs to show just how beautiful we were…. That wouldn’t help anyone would it? 😉
coco says
Very well said. You can’t define young and beauty. To a 70-year-old, being 60 is young. And like you said beauty is to the eye of beholder. Most blogs I read are written by ‘older’ women. I’m ‘old’ and I’m more interested in what ‘older’ people think about products and I like to see how ‘average’ women wear makeup. It’s one reason why I don’t read magazines anymore – they demonstrate makeups on perfect models with flawless skins – they’re already perfect, i can’t see much improvements! It’s the content that’s more important.
Paris B says
Haha yes, what is youth and who defines it? Ditto beauty. I think Younger women who find solutions to their problems will help other young women and ditto older women. We all have a space, the Internet is so big so I don’t know why there are people who persist in bringing others down when there’s no need! 🙂
milktea says
There are some very strange people out there. Let’s avoid them and their shallow views. Blogs are written by the people, for the people! I read blogs based on the subject matter and how well the blogger writes.
Paris B says
I have to second you on the multitude of strange people out there! Especially those who think it great fun to bring another down. What is the world coming to eh?
Rudin says
Sorry, but for me it is all about the products and swatches. If you write helpful reviews, then I couldn’t care less about your looks or your age! Honestly!
And, just saying, I’m 22…. 🙂