I received an interesting comment recently, that had me first roll my eyes and then, start to think about perceptions. Without quoting the comment verbatim, what was essentially said to me in the comment section was that I “obviously” did not know how to use makeup, since the product I featured did not look like I’d taken a spade to it, and I suppose it was also because in my photo of how it looked when I wore it, it did not look like I had trowelled it on. At least that’s what I think was the intention. The words used weren’t as complimentary. LOL! 😀
But after I got over the initial irritation, I started wondering if that’s what readers perceive of bloggers. Is it the general perception that bloggers all know how to do immaculate magazine-cover makeup? Or that if a blogger is talking about a makeup product, they must therefore be able to trowel it on, and look perfect at every angle, contoured and highlighted to within an inch of their life. Is that what you think?
Speaking as a blog reader, I do like seeing how a makeup product looks on the skin, whether by way of swatches or product application. However, because my own makeup skills are limited (which I freely admit), I will admire how a product can ideally look on someone who has immaculate makeup, but I also like seeing it on bloggers who adopt a more everyday makeup sort of look, where a bold colour could be tempered for daily wear, or perhaps a simple eyeshadow look that I might be able to replicate with the same product.
I usually can’t be bothered to layer on primers or pile on makeup for anything, mostly because my makeup is worn for a practical everyday purpose, and the truth is simply that, on an everyday basis, I wear pretty light, work-friendly makeup. So, I like seeing variations of that.
As a blogger, that’s what you see on my blog. Simple, rudimentary, non-makeup artist skills. I like to think of my makeup product presentation as what the everyday woman will do with her makeup. She likely isn’t trained in applying makeup, and only wants to put some colour on her skin so she looks better and more presentable, facing the world. Sure, she also wants the new and pretty makeup available out there, but she may not be the most skilled or creative person at creating flawless makeup looks. She just wants to get the colour on her face, in the most natural manner possible. But that’s also why I don’t do FOTD posts. I have nothing new to show you without it looking like yet another same old, same old photo. How exciting can everyday makeup be I ask you? Lol! 😀
So, I like to think that there’s blogger or blog for everyone. I’m not a fan of the heavy makeup looks that we see a lot of these days. All the layering and highlighting and contour, or the latest “baking” trend just isn’t my cup of tea. If anything, it complicates and confuses things. Those who do it are terribly skilled at it, and for that, I take my hat off to them, as they look absolutely flawless. But is it a look I’ll go for? No, it isn’t. Perhaps, if I had to face the cameras all day long, I might. But as I’m no Kim Kardashian, I’m happy doing what I do and playing with colour my way – to enhance, not change how I look.
However, I do think that the heavy makeup trend is gaining traction, so it has become the norm or perceived norm that if you do wear makeup, or talk about makeup or have a blog about makeup, you should sport the same look. So I don’t necessarily blame the commentator for their surprise coming across a blog that has failed in their eyes, to show a makeup product at its best. But you know, sometimes, the product just sucks (as was in this case LOL!) for the everyday woman! 😛
If you’re a blogger, I say do whatever makeup look you want and damn the detractors. Just look presentable in your photos and if you’re highly skilled, please do share your skills. If you aren’t, not to worry, most of us reading aren’t too! 😀
Do you perceive beauty bloggers to be highly skilled in makeup application?
I do expect a blogger to know what they’re talking about in terms of product, but I don’t expect them to create picture perfect looks every time. I do expect a certain degree of skill, but with practice, we can all gain that skill 🙂 But not everyone seems to be able to understand the need to just be nice even though you’re anonymous 🙂
Paris B
Makeup, like skincare, is very personal. A particular technique might work on a particular shape of the feature that could never work on me. So, to expect a beauty blogger to be an expert at makeup, well, I’d say yes to a certain extent but only as an expert to his/her face/features.
Unless the beauty blogger is a professional makeup artist who’s had exposure to all sorts of facial/feature shapes, it’s unreasonable to have that sort of expectation.
And I’m being extremely polite in using ‘unreasonable’. I’m inclined to say, use your bleep-ing brains. *rolls eyes*
That makes a lot of sense. The thing is, not all of us care nor aspire to be makeup artists, and I do think that looking presentable online and showing how YOU would wear the product serves its function. That said, I suppose putting it out there does mean you put yourself under the microscope. Just depends on whether you actually care what happens then!
Haha this exact topic has been in my Drafts folder for months! Makeup is very subjective; what works for one doesn’t always work for another. Eg I think that perfect sort of FOTDs we see on Instagram and Pinterest is way too heavy for my liking, yet these people are admired and followed just for their makeup “expertise”. To each his/her own, I say. Do I expect a beauty blogger to be an expert in makeup? No. Nor do I expect him/her to be an expert in skincare, haircare, nail care, etc. A person can have his/her passion for something, even if they’re supposedly not that good in it. Readers who see me in real life outside would be shocked to see that I will almost always have no makeup on. 😛
When you get back to blogging, do share your thoughts! I always have a ton of drafts lying around on topics that I see others cover. Makes me wonder if it’s worth my time, but then I figure, we serve different audiences so it’ll always be interesting 🙂 Like you, I rarely have makeup on when I’m out, unless I’m meeting someone or to work. But I suppose that’s why my makeup skills are rudimentary 😀
No, I don’t expect a blogger to be an expert at makeup, but I do expect some skill-especially if they’re showing eyeliner or eyeshadows on their eyes. I mean it doesn’t have to be perfection, but you know an even eyeliner application at least, if ya’ know what I mean. I like seeing products on a bloggers face because at least it shows that they maybe use the products. I’m not a fan of blogs that just show swatches and that’s it. Like lipstick swatches just on the hand or arm, and not showing the lipstick on your lips and face bothers me A LOT. Same for foundations as well! But, the bloggers I love and read do that already haha. Like you said, there’s a blogger for everyone! And I’m with you about all the heavily contoured, highlighted, bake to high heaven makeup looks-NOT FOR ME. And it won’t be for them either as they get older LOL-that’s when they’ll maybe realize it’s ridiculous to walk around like that.
Oh yes like you, I too prefer that a blogger actually shows how a product looks on their faces. It does help give a better idea of what it might look like when worn, especially with lipstick. Swatches can only take us so far, and not having any swatches at all is equally unhelpful! But I do wish the heavy makeup trend will die already. I don’t see many people walking around looking like that, so really, where/when will the need arise when you need to put on a mask vs your own face?!
I don’t expect the beauty blogger to be expert like the MUA. But if the beauty blogger want to show the eyeshadow look or make up of the day that she created at least make it look like she try her best. I’m not refer to you. Just want to share my opinion 🙂
No offence taken, Mi and thank you for sharing! Like you, I do expect a certain level of expertise e.g. no harsh eyeshadow lines, properly drawn eyeliner etc but not to the level of a makeup artist. It would be a disservice to the MUA who go for lessons and practice for hours!
Sorry to be the blur one here… what does FOTD stand for?
Oops sorry! FOTD = Face of the Day = refers to the daily makeup look 🙂
I’m with Tracy. I mean, swatches are fine, especially for eye shadows / blushes but if they want to show how it looks on their face, then I do have an expectation that they’ll apply it properly. Like, maybe with some blending skills? I’m not in favour of those heavy makeup trend nowadays, because I’m all about natural every day makeup.
The market is so huge, there’s bound to be something for someone out there, but yeah, some people just don’t really know when to keep quiet. When you have nothing nice to say, just shut up. Then some will say, But I’m entitled to my opinion! Yes, the entitled. Hhmph.
There’s this really big site that shows how an eyeshadow looks, but she does a strange thing like, wear every colour from a certain collection – often makes me wonder what’s the point, when swatches work just as well if she was not going to do a proper look. Then again, different strokes for different folks! 😉 Oh and the entitled ones! Yeah, just because you are entitled to your opinion doesn’t mean I have to hear it! LOL
I once cringed when I received a PR invitation to host an event in their store as a “makeup expert” because I’m supposed qualified a blogger, when really they are just looking for someone to work for free to boost product sales. Back to your question though, when I watch a tutorial or FOTD blog post, the skill of application is helpful in witnessing a makeup product’s performance in action, but is not essential, nor is it the only aspect of researching a product before deciding to buy it. At the end of the day, I value a blogger’s ability to write an authentic review that speaks to me beyond pictures, not their ability to apply makeup professionally!
Whoops I just realised I typed that too fast & a few grammatical errors popped up!! That was supposed to read as “because I’m supposedly qualified due to being a blogger”
Aww I’m so sorry to hear they made use of you that way Yishan. I’m always very wary with putting myself out there with brands for this reason! But that said, like you, if someone is purporting to teach me something then yes, I do expect a certain level of expertise. But if it’s just about a product, then I’m much more lenient provided the person looks decent, not like with wonky makeup on
Ha ha bloggers are certainly not Lisa Eldridge . Else we would be called make up artist instead of blogger la . The person is confuse. I like your everyday make up look n enjoy reading your makeup review.
Thanks Lavender and yes, if we were all Lisa Eldridge then she’ll be out of a job! LOL!
The person who left that comment is just an overly entitled idiot. Are they paying for your posts and is the boss of you? Since the answer is no, they shouldn’t expect anything. If one not happy with what the blogger produces, then stop reading/unfollow etc. duh.
The only beauty bloggers I expect to be very good at applying makeup are those who are also professional makeup artists (and those who are aspiring to). Also those who are working in the makeup industry eg formulating makeup. And if they’re not, I just don’t follow them 🙂
I follow a mix of beauty bloggers some who just do comprehensive swatches (all the pretty colours!), some who do heavy makeup w the works, some who do everyday looks; and those who write honest reviews and impressions. As long as I like their writing and their style/values.
Actually I wasn’t pissed about what they said, but more of the implication that just because I blog about beauty, I should be some sort of expert. That said, I think there are bloggers for every taste out there, so to each our own! I enjoy reading so I like those who actually share their opinions, not just rah rah all over the place 😀
I totally agree with you. I feature makeup reviews and applications for the real middle-aged woman, being one myself. I therefore don’t have a massive following as a result because my blog is fairly niche, In the sense that i use only high end products and i talk a lot about how these products will work with more maturing skin.
I do not profess in any way to being some incredible makeup artist. In fact my FOTD’s will clearly prove i am not. I HATE (yes i did use capitols deliberately) heavy makeup looks. It looks too drag queen and false for me. No, i don’t apply my eyeliner perfectly and yes, my makeup is natural and not cakey.
I would say that i write very honestly about beauty products to help people make more informed choices because beauty products are so expensive and in the UK; you cannot return them once opened or used.
I will never have PR’s sending me samples because of all the reasons above and nor do i care because i will write the way i want to and if the product is pants you will know about it and all the reasons why. Great post and thanks for featuring it x
Thank you for sharing Mandy 🙂 I think part of the “problem” lies in the fact that many bloggers are young and there is an impression (that I get) that everyone wants to look the way everyone one does, i.e. heavy or prominent. But as you’ve mentioned, being older, products do work differently on older skin and when you get older, you don’t really want to have all that piled on anymore right? Keep dong what you’re going. It will matter to those who matter 😉
I don’t expect much from a beauty blogger but if you’re on Youtube and you’re intentionally doing a make-up tutorial with eyeshadow involved, then I expect some skill. You’re doing a tutorial where you’re the tutor, you have to be good at it. I’ve seen a couple of (Malaysian) Youtubers do eyeshadow tutorials and their eyeshadow look terribly unblended and not smooth.
I absolutely agree with you about the video tutorials. I think tutorials should be held to a higher standard, simply because they are holding themselves out as teachers. I don’t watch many Youtube videos but now I want to go and look for these that you mention haha! 😀
I like your POV. Makeup for everyday look. I think it helps makeup noobs like me although frankly, I don’t read that many makeup posts in the first place.
But on to your question…I think the issue is the blogging scene is “spoiled” by makeup gurus who set up expectations above the average standards. So some readers are less forgiving when they compare apple to apple.
As a beauty blogger, I stay away from discussing makeup except for foundations because I’m blank with makeup. I fear the attacks…haha…am cowardly yes.
I think makeup preferences change as we change 🙂 I only look up makeup posts/blogs that I want to find out certain products for. But you are also right about how the online standard for makeup is much higher now than it ever was before. I’m a little more selective about what I show my face for – foundations are always useful to see how it fares, lipsticks are easy to show, but I’m a little more wary with eyeshadow, because the standard for that is very very high indeed! 🙂 That said, you’re doing well in what you do. The beauty blogging world is so wide, we can have different focuses 😉
Hahaha.. this reminds me of a certain year when I was pretty active going to events.
Overheard were conversations that goes
“Is what XYZ? Why she looks so different?”
or “Oh my god. Did you see her face? Did she slapped the whole cake on herself”
“This that colour/style didn’t match this that her dress”
To me, they were normal but then as time proceed I find this strange reaction from the public. Some how bloggers are like models/ambassador or so called expert in that area esp. since they did the reviews or appeared on this that media. For some strange reason, they were expected to have great skin, good image & etc. 24/7?
I also find it funny when I go for fitness workshop or marathon and the bloggers ended up appearing with full makeup. And what’s even funnier when they remark on some bloggers that appeared sans makeup. Means puffy eyes, red skin, no eyebrow etc. which is what a fresh face after exercise supposed to look like.
Now these reaction where not only limited to female. But guys as well. Ahaha coz. I’ve worked behind the scene. The makeup artist & hair guy will also discuss on stuffs lk tht. … which reminds me of the time during my childhood (80’s).
** A kind of out of the topic story..but funny one to share **
My neighbor was a former beauty queen who at that time worked as a fly attendant & model. So in the eyes of the public she was woah vavavoom. Hardly appear during the day. Only at night, once a while she will come out.
Now one night, she forgotten to bring money to “tapao”. Coincidentally, my brother & his gang were cycling around the neighborhood. So she stopped my bro. to borrow some cash. Now my bro could not recognize her & had the shock of his life, speed off. According to him, the sight of her fair white pale, black lips, dark eyes.. and no eyebrows with long hair gave him goose bumps.
Apparently, one of my bro’s friend lend her some money, so the next day, she came to my house to return it looking all perfect. At tht time, I argued with him.. coz. I did not believe how could anyone’s image change so drastically esp. no eyebrows, panda eyes.
I even told him, he must have mistaken someone for that “Lenglui Cheh Cheh” (Pretty Sister).
My bro. was like “You’ve gotta believe me!!! She’s like a pontianak!”
Now all grown up. I realized… being a woman.. & maintaining a beautiful image is not easy. HAHAHAHA..
LOL!! That was funny indeed. And you’re right about how different people look in person away from what we see on their blogs/Instagram accounts. Often, what we see online is so filtered and processed, it’s almost unrecognisable in person 😀
Nah, it’s a plus point if beauty bloggers are an expert in doing makeup, but it’s not a big deal if they aren’t. However, if the said beauty blogger is also a makeup artist (ie getting paid for jobs), then yes, I expect them to be an expert. Otherwise let’s all just have fun painting our faces in whatever way we want eh?
Absolutely! I think a blogger who is trained in makeup is definitely held to a higher standard than a regular woman, but I think most people can’t see past that 😀
I don’t expect beauty bloggers to be expert at makeup application. It’s nice if they are, but it’s not everything and sometimes it’s not enough.
I do expect bloggers to be honest and ethical – I stopped following some bloggers when they did things I considered unethical.
I like reviews for real people, too. Which is why I love Lisa Eldridge but don’t pay too much attention to her reviews 🙂 My lack of skill makes a big difference.
I have to say though – I think you’re really good at makeup!
Ah ethics and blogging – it’s a topic we could talk about forever, mostly because people have different concepts about what’s ethical – or they say they’re being ethical… but go and do something else LOL! Thank you – I never thought I was very good at makeup, as some of my old pictures will show hehe… But thank you anyway.