If you have noticed anything by now when we talk about blogging and beauty blogging tips, is that there is no “must” or “should” 🙂 However, there are some “rules” or practises that are so established that everyone tends to follow suit. One of this is in product photography of new items.
How often have you come across a product review of a colour cosmetic that features a used product? Not often, I’d warrant. Most of the time (and I’m just as guilty of this) the product will be photographed in its brand new pristine state before a blogger uses it. There is something so beautiful and pristine about a brand new piece of makeup and it looks gorgeous in photographs.
And yet, how often have you, as a blogger, had to push aside using your makeup simply because “I haven’t photographed it new yet!” Again, I’m perfectly guilty of this. But you know what? I plan to change all that very soon because I’m not going to slavishly follow this practice anymore and I’ll share with you why.
If you own a beauty blog, I’m sure you are guilty of this too right? And I know readers will appreciate seeing products brand new too 🙂
Yet, I think this whole product photography thing can get a little out of hand. As much as many of us want to show you a nice beautiful brand new item, the fact is that we do not always have a brand new perfect item to show. What do you do then? Spend all your money buying the newest and the latest? This is, I feel quite unhealthy and breeds a culture of excess. Many of us have existing products that we love too but feel embarrassed to show, because they aren’t “new” anymore.
On top of that, after we buy, we can’t dig into our purchases. Add on work and life commitments, poor weather etc and some products can languish in storage for weeks or months before we can photograph and use it. I trust I’m not alone in this conundrum!
So here’s what I think. I don’t think that product photos on a blog necessarily needs to show a perfect, brand new item. Naturally, if you have the time to do so, please do. I will gawk at it quite happily 🙂 However, I too believe in having a bit of reality check.
If we don’t have the time, and we really want to use our new purchase, why not just dig right in? It is quite possible to just use a corner of a colour without disturbing the rest of the design too much if that matters. When the time comes to take your photograph, clean up your palette or product and show it. I personally feel that a used product, so long as its clean and well photographed, serves the same purpose as that of a brand new one. Sometimes, it serves an even better purpose, because readers can actually tell what it looks like once its used, and they too can tell if you really love a product!
The only time I can see a brand new product photo serving a purpose, is if there is an intricate design that will disappear once the product is used. Usually, this happens when there is overspray and in these situations, a before/after photo is very helpful. In most other circumstances, I think a well taken photograph, whether of a new or used product will serve your product review just as well. Just as a blog should reflect a blogger’s views, it too should reflect the reality and the reality is that we do use our products, not just line them up for display.
And this, Ladies, means you may be seeing photos of used products cropping up on my blog after this. I don’t always have a lot of time these days to indulge in product photography or even on my blog, and I really want to use what I have. So, if this bugs you, well I could always refer you to another blog. There are loads out there that are full of beautiful photographs of pristine new items 🙂
What do you reckon, bloggers? Do you feel the need to photograph only or mainly brand new products? As readers, do you expect that a brand new product be shown instead of a used one?
As a blogger, yes I do feel the need to photograph a product new and I feel that by not doing so, I’m somehow not living up to some ideal. Yet, due to my constraints, I don’t plan to slavishly do this anymore. As a reader, I enjoy seeing beautiful pristine brand new items especially when they are well photographed. But I also delight in seeing a well used item because it means the blogger loved it and used it enough. So long as the product looks clean, I don’t mind so long as it is clear. I after all, also place a large score on the writing that complements a photo. Anyone with me? 🙂
Paris B
Simple Blogging Tips are some simple tips I have for fellow bloggers, based on my own experiences. I’m no ‘guru’ but I hope they will help you. You may read up on previous Simple Blogging Tips here or please feel free to ask your question in the comment box or in email.
I prefer to take photos before using a product, but sometimes I’m so excited about something I’ve just bought that I have to dig in immediately! I think pictures of used products are ok as long as they’re clean.
I think that’s a dilemma we all face, Gio! We want to take a picture of it in its brand new untouched glory yet we want to use it as well LOL Ah well, I figured, I don’t plan to be an encyclopedia, just a blog so a lightly used product photo should be alright – good test of photography skills too 😉
I didn’t read all the conversation above but I do believe that most of your readers (including me) would definitely like to hear about so-called-old products (or used product) of yours… Every blogger has its own style and I do love all the blogs I read, I for myself read your blog because of your product reviews either they are brand new or old (per say!). If I want to look at unused, brand new pictures of products I can check their official sites 🙂 And I am with you 100 % about the culture of excess. I noticed that this year I bought a loooooooot of moisturizers and serums for myself for different purposes (pores, whitening, acnes, etc) and I don’t want them to be thrown away since I paid so much money on them, so I made a chronological list of them and I will use them from older dated to new ones one by one.. And after this I will definitely not gonna make this mistake I did and buy loads of products.
By the way, out of topic, AT LAST I HAD MY VACATION LAST WEEK I AM SOOOO HAPPY RIGHT NOW 🙂 Just wanted to share, since I literally whining you about this everytime you made a new post including beach or summer 🙂
Ah Casey, I’m just as guilty of indulging in excesses. I’m on this huge skincare mission and like you, have a stockpile of various types of creams and serums. The only thing I hope is that they keep me looking decent for my age LOL! 😉 Thanks for the affirmation that used products will look ok on the blog. and YAY for a vacation! 😀 I remember you were hankering for one 😀 Where did you end up going? Was it the beach? I’m sure you had a great time wherever you went
Oh yes it was on the beach! It was very good, the place is called Bodrum, it is here in Turkey, a Mediterrean city.. It was very relaxing though the weather was soooo windy I was always feeling cold 🙂 Overall, it was a nice, relaxing holiday, thanks for asking 🙂
Sounds like an absolutely fun holiday! Glad.to know you had a good time and had a chance to relax 🙂
as a reader, i don’t mind seeing photos of used products as long as it is clean. what i look for in a blog is its content, the nice photos are just added bonus 🙂 and at least, i would know that you really are using the product 🙂
Hi Issa I like that too! I would love for more blogs to show a product used – sometimes the change in texture or how it looks after its used can make or break a purchase too (especially for colour makeup)!
Hmm… this is certainly an interesting discussion.
As a blogger, of course, it is ideally nice to have photos of products while they’re brand new before I start using them. But for me, especially since So Loverly tends to review stuff that works for us (or otherwise), I usually get inspiration to blog after I’ve tried something, and knowing whether it works or not.
This can sometimes take days or weeks. So yes, I’ve been terribly guilty of taking shots of used products. But I guess as long as it’s clean, and well-taken, the used bit can be forgiven, no? =P
That’s what I figured Syen 🙂 So long as its clean and well shot, it should be alright. Much as we’d love to show off our lovely new purchases, realistically, we may not have the time or circumstances to do so. I for example, dislike taking pictures at night because of lighting and since many new purchases come home with me at night, I can’t do the “I’ll take the photo immediately when I get home” thing.
What an excellent topic for discussion Paris! I try my best to wait till I have photographed my new toys because everyone loves pictures of pristine makeup but once in a while I cave into temptation and use them before taking pictures. So sacrilegious! 😉 I am very impatient when it comes to new makeup, I want to use them immediately. I usually shop for cosmetics on Saturdays so if I can make it back on time, I take pictures of everything when there is enough sunlight. Then I’ll be able to use them. I remembered my Chanel Rouge Coco Mademoiselle which I featured in my post used because I just couldn’t wait.
Honestly though as a reader I could not care less, so long as the item looks clean and not gunky and gross.
Hi Jacqueline, like you I get terribly impatient too. Sometimes, I sample a little corner and try not to muss up the rest but its hard because like everyone else I love the look of a fresh pristine product too! What a dilemma LOL! Lucky you to shop on a weekend when you could then do a quick photo shot. I tend to go out on weekdays and by the time I get home, I’m not all that keen to do anything much less take photos 😉
Personally I’d want to take pics of pretty unopened packaging, but it doesn’t bother me if websites have pics of used makeup as long as they’re presentable – only exception is if the product had a particular design (or overspray) which can only be seen on the brand new item. 🙂
I actually like it when people show the pretty overspray pattern and the another one showing it gone LOL So sadistic right? 😛
Dear Paris, Plz do take some time from ur schedule and write about ”A day of a beauty blogger”…. If u want to keep it private, I wonot mind. But I think readers will like to know how u juggle b/w work n blogging?….how long u take ur beauty sleep?….do u cook ur dinner?? I do remember ur new year resolution ….u wanted to be a better cook n learn more cooking…More over We will get some tips on time management
Hi Shirley, that’s a wonderful idea! 😀 I will try to oblige one of these days. Just very quickly, I have to get at least 8 hours sleep (I can’t function on less) and I sometimes cook dinner but lately I’ve resorted to eating out which is really taking its toll. I always feel healthier when I eat in (and control my weight better too!) Will work on this one 😉
For product reviews I prefer to take pictures of the items brand new, just because I personally have this unreasonable fear of fingerprints LOL. I don’t mind seeing pictures of used products at all as long as they’re clean, but I’m too lazy to wipe everything down before I photograph it so I do it when it’s new. Sometimes the wait is annoying, but at least I don’t have to fuss over it later!
For “Favorites” or similar posts then I honestly don’t mind. You can hardly call something a favorite if it looks untouched!
Haha some products are just fingerprint magnets aren’t they? Would that I could work at home or do this full time LOL (if only makeup was edible and that I could pay bills with them eh? 😛 )
Happened to me all the time, especially lipstick. It looked pretty awful if I took the used picture. But it is diffficult to avoid because I feel guilty too when I have no time to take pic of them especially weather is not cooperating. So nowadays sometimes I’ll used first and take the picture later.
I know, I feel the same! And I dislike taking pictures at night too thanks to lighting and all that (and just plain tired to LOL!) I plan to do the same thing now – use wherever I want to and make the best of the pictures later 🙂
Hear hear! Brand new product shots are a dime a dozen and you can always head to the shops to have a look at the product. I’d rather see how many uses you get/ if the product changes colour or consistency over time! These are far more rare and valuable in terms of the info these sorts of pictures provide.
You’re right, Firn. Sometimes a product changes texture after a few uses and that sucks. It would be interesting to be able to detect it and report back if it happens 😀
In awe here… Do readers really mind if the products are not brand new? That’s so silly!! If they spend too much effort trying to judge if the product is brand new or not they obviously have nothing better to do. Get a life, readers! :p bloggers are not selling cosmetics. If they want to look at brand new product photos, they can very well go look at the cosmetic company’s website. Full stop.
I won’t mind used or new, as long as its clean and presentable. 🙂
Not sure about you, but I have a tendency to swatch everything on the back of my hand as soon as I open the new cosmetics (yeah even if it’s just a plain old boring black eyeliner)… I’m suspecting my own behaviour as marking territory on these products… Hahahahaha so I can totally understand if a picture shows a products being swatched or used a little. 😀
Haha… I don’t think readers necessarily mind but sometimes I think we bloggers try to live up to some unattainable ideal because “everyone’s doing it” Makes you feel weird if you don’t LOL! But yeah, I think its time to break that vicious cycle 🙂 I like swatching stuff immediately too! I sometimes pick it up from a corner so its less noticeable (which is likely to happen from now) and swatch just to get an idea of texture and colour, and yes like you say, mark it and say “You’re mine… precious….” 😉
I usually take photos of products I’ve already used, I almost feel like I should show my readers that I’ve actually used what I review. I know, I’m weird!
Haha I like that! Its a good philosophy to have!
I love this! I have been torn about this for a while, and have basically refused to only photograph new products unless it was convenient for me to do otherwise. New products are beautiful, but as someone who isn’t getting PR samples regularly (or at all) I have to photograph what I already have and use. Thank you for writing this!
Hi Laura, thank you for sharing your thoughts! Sometimes, I think the whole new product thing adds to the whole “pressure” of PR samples and those who get it and those who don’t. It puts unnecessary pressure on us all so its time we stop that right? 🙂
Another great topic! I actually never realised that it was a bit of an issue. Sure, looking at new untouched make-up is pretty and great, but as a blogger I do not feel the need to re purchase a product just for pretty pictures. I do not feel any shame to show used products and as a reader I actually don’t mind it at all, it just shows that you used it and even loved it! I am a bit guilty of waiting to take pictures first and then digging in, but I do use it often in a way that it still looks clean and pretty. I really loved reading the opinions of everyone! Thanks for this 🙂
Haha I don’t think its an issue per se, Teri, just an observation I’ve made that seems to hold quite true. I find some people actually come over all apologetic that the product in the photo isn’t new and I’m wondering why? All we want to know is how it performs – no matter if its new, so long as its clean and looks presentable, I think its all good 🙂 Like you, I take a little more trouble to use the product properly so it doesn’t look dirty. Heaven knows, I don’t want to use a dirty looking product either! 😉
Thanks for this, Paris. I completely agree with all that you have said. Sometimes we need to use that new shiny thing we just bought – it is the perfect treat for our busy lives, and then to have to push it aside just because it hasn’t been photographed yet…it’s quite frustrating. Of course, sometimes this helps me curb impulse buys, lol! If I haven’t used it yet, it can go straight back after I’ve had some time to think about it. But I definitely don’t mind seeing used products in photos – I do agree that it helps to show that we actually do use these things, and that we can’t perpetuate this culture of excess any longer.
Hi Larie, I like what you said. That our little luxuries are the treats for our busy lives and we don’t want to put a treat on hold do we? 😀 I can’t return stuff here unfortunately so it does make sense to dig right in. But if returns were possible, I think holding back will help, definitely! Time for us to start some kind of revolution eh? 😉
This was so needed for me.. hehehe
I am totally guilty for this and for some reason, if I use the product, I dont feel like photographing it….. bad me *tch tch*
Hi Bee, I know exactly what you mean 🙂 Sometimes, I look at a used product and don’t feel like photographing it either but now, I plan to treat it as a challenge for my creativity 😉
I don’t think it matters if it is uses or new, sometimes a product is so pretty you just want to show how it looks brand new. But if you go and review that product a year later of you use is for a look a month later, why not take a picture of it used. And why not review used products, it’s the result that counts right.
I am not that good a photographer and I am not so obsessed about the quality of my photo’s I try to portray my products as true and pure as possible and that I think is what counts. For those people who only want pictures of new stuff and don’t read what the blogger has to say it’s easier to look for marketing photo’s.
🙂
Hi Wojis, thank you for sharing your thoughts! 🙂 I do think sometimes, we put unnecessary pressure on ourselves (some of us anyway me included!) to try to get that brand new shot but really, it would appear that it doesn’t matter to anyone! Its good to know 😀
Not a blogger, but as a reader I quite like seeing products that have been clearly used. I feel more confident that I can take the blogger’s word if she says positive things about the product, since she likes it enough to use it often 🙂 Just clean the product’s surface and packaging if there are any smears etc, and it should be presentable enough IMO.
Hi Raz, thank you for your thoughts as a reader – it makes a lot of sense and it is something that we sometimes forget, as bloggers thanks to all the “peer pressure” 🙂
o/ I remember this conversation! I echo what Rae said. It’s about how it’s photographed rather than it being pristine. Clean up the edges with some remover and it’ll still look good!
Yay for Bandit chats! 😀 I remembered your LMDB palettes and how lovely they looked even though you’d used them and I thought “Heck! I could do that!” 😀
Nail on the head, sister, nail on the head. It’s like it’s drilled in my head, y’know; “keep it clean, keep ’em keen”. Which also means, I’m not to touch them until I’ve photographed them properly, recorded all lists of ingredients, and then only I’m to use them. It came to a point when I literally have a box of unused stuff just because I can’t seem to dig into them yet because I haven’t bloody photographed them! It’s frustrating, yet also something I bring upon myself 😛
So yesterday, after reading your post, I dug into the new Prestige single eyeshadows without photographing them first. GASP! 😛
*gasp* but doesn’t it feel so satisfying? 😉 I am exactly like you. Keeping unused stuff aside but then I get so frustrated when I feel like using it and can’t 😛 I guess you could say I just got fed up 😉 I think for most of us, we aren’t the sort to use products and leave them looking dirty and messy so I guess it’s a bit of a mindset change when it comes to viewing it on a blog. I hope anyway 🙂