On average, how many reviews do you like to read about a particular beauty product before making a purchase?
My answer is kind of tricky since I usually blog about my beauty purchases. Sometimes, when a product is brand new, I purposefully don't read ANY reviews, because I like to have a clean slate and not be influenced in any way when I review something for this blog. But sometimes when I'm purchasing something for a particular purpose (such as undereye concealer) I like to read as many reviews as possible before I commit to a purchase. I also like to read reviews written by people who have similar needs and concerns (age, skin condition, skintone, etc.). Other times, I actually have been persuaded to buy a product after reading a review from someone who is the complete opposite of me (I read a perfume review once written by someone who loves intense florals--something I usually don't enjoy--and I just had to purchase the fragrance after reading her review). So...that's my answer. How about you? Is one review enough, or do you like to read as many as possible before you make a purchase?
If it's something that I tend to use on a regular basis (such as lipgloss or nailpolish), it only takes one beautiful swatch or glowing review to influence me to buy it. If it's something I'm in the market for (such as undereye concealer, like you mentioned), I like to see as many swatches and read as many reviews as possible. Also, I'm more likely to read more reviews about a product if it's on the expensive side.
ReplyDeleteAll it takes is one really good review for me to go out and purchase something I'm interested in. If I buy something WITHOUT reading reviews first, I usually go home and read as many as I can about that particular item. I like to see if my thoughts on the product are the same as most, or not.
ReplyDeleteWith skincare and foundation/base makeup, I read at least a couple of bad reviews on makeupalley (under 3 lippies) before I decide whether it's worth it, since I have too much makeup anyway it's better to discourage myself from buying it
ReplyDeleteFor lip products, I just get it if I like the color... Usually on sale though
I look up reviews for just about anything I buy at the drugstore now haha! I'm cheap, so it takes a lot for me to be sure enough that my money spent will make me happy. It's also a pain to go and return something after buying it. And reading reviews is fun anyway. So I usually read 3-5 reviews!
ReplyDeleteMy reviewing trends differ by price. If I see a product that looks interesting and it's really affordable, then I will most likely just go for it and risk taking a loss. But if a product costs a bit more or needs to be ordered from overseas, I read as many positive and negative reviews as possible. Then I try to determine where the truth lies. Sometimes negative reviewers have unrealistic expectations.
ReplyDeleteI read alot of them. I have found that reading many of them you could see many consistencies of the pro's and cons. Then I make a decision.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the reviewer for me. If it's someone I've been following awhile and I trust, it might take only one review from her, especially if like you said, she has similar skin or hair to mine. (Which is why I read you for your reviews.) I also agree with christinah715, that if a product is expensive I'd like to see several glowing reviews before I take the leap. Of course there are times when I need no reviews because I have a good feeling about something I see in a store, like you with your browny pink lip shades, or it's so cheap it's worth a try, like Dollar Tree finds. So I guess it's dependent on how familiar I am with the reviewer, knowing my own preferences, and price of the product for whether I need one or more reviews or no reviews at all.
ReplyDeletefor me it depends on price. the costlier the product, i gotta know what i am getting into. for drugstore products, usually just your G.!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteIt depends. On hair items I will read as many reviews I can find. I am obsessed with and determined to obtain the hair I know I was meant to have but got on the wrong line for when they were giving it out. I want straight, frizz free, flowing hair.
ReplyDeleteOther things I will read a review and probably determine I will buy it on the first review but then read some others even though my mind has been made up - i.e. the Sally Girl blushes you reviewed, nail polish, etc.
It's dependent on the price and the item for me. If it is something like mascara, hair products, or other things that I am likely to use a lot, I usually try to read enough reviews to get a general sense of how people are liking it, which could be like 5-10. On the other hand, if I find something that is cheap enough I might just buy it or look for it based on one good review. This usually happens with nail polish; if I see enough good swatches or it catches my eye in the store, I will just buy it if I feel the price is right.
ReplyDeleteIt guess it depends on many reviews I have to read through until I find a fair and unbiased review :) I might read ten reviews of "OMG THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER" and still feel like I've learned nothing! So one really well written review would be good enough for me to convince me :)
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the price for me too and how interesting the product looks. Right now ive been looking at alot of reviews for self tanners. I finnally got the Banana Boat sunless tanner. Has anyone tried this? Also does anyone know if those 3 color eyeshadows from La colors are limited edition all my Dollar Tree's were sold out. At least i think they were the associate said she thought they carried them a few weeks ago but she wasnt sure.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the product and the reviewer. I read your review on the John Frieda Blonde lightening products and couldn't get to the drugstore fast enough.
ReplyDeleteI had the exact same reaction to the ELF not Lipstain as you.
The majority of the makeup I wear is all mineral, so I don't buy too many mass marketed cosmetics. For indie mineral makeup I read reviews like it's my job. It's a hassle to return make-up via mail.
One or two, unless it is nail polish. For np I need to see at least 3 pictures from different sources.
ReplyDeleteAKB, when you said this, "Sometimes negative reviewers have unrealistic expectations." You reminded me of something that isn't makeup related. My sister is planning a cruise, but she was just getting started and hadn't even decided on the cruise line or much else. I told her I would help her research and check out reviews for different cruise lines and their ships. I was reading one review where the woman said that the price was right, the service was excellent, food was delicious, entertainment was wonderful, getting on board and off was quick, etc etc etc. And then she says, "I took off one star for the decor." ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? The cruise ship had everything a person could want, but she downgraded her review because they didn't decorate to her taste!
ReplyDeleteThere are a few blogs whose opinions can influence me to buy something without reading others' opinions (yours is one of them!), but for anything expensive or in the case of concealers, foundations, etc. I try to read many reviews.
ReplyDeleteI especially like seeing swatches of eyeshadows and lipsticks, for example, though I will buy these without reading reviews if the price is right (or if there are testers in-store).