Why do you continue to read beauty blogs?
I ask this question today for a few reasons. With the extreme popularity of YouTube, Instagram and other forms of social media when it comes to getting beauty information, some people say that beauty BLOGS aren't as popular as they once were (we can debate that in a future Wednesday Question!).
So what I'd like to know is this: why do YOU keep coming back to beauty blogs? I'm guessing that you probably also get your beauty info from YouTube and social media but, since you're reading this blog right now, I know that you also get your info from bloggers. Is there something about this particular medium that you prefer over other mediums? Are blogs your primary source for beauty info, or are blogs something you follow in addition to YouTube and social media? Does the blogger him/herself keep you coming back for more, or do you just prefer long-form written word over video or short-form social media content?
I cannot wait to see your responses to this one (and thank you in advance)!
Long time reader, first time commenting :) I prefer blogs to get general information about makeup whereas Youtube is for tutorials or swatches. Plus watching videos at work is frowned upon! I also check out reviews from makeupalley.com.
ReplyDeletegreat question! I watch beauty YouTube videos in addition to reading blogs. I like blogs because I can read the content quietly and discretely either at work or at home and I like detailed pictures that I can examine if needed. I also love YT videos because I like to see live swatches or the product preforming in real time :)
ReplyDeleteThats my answer too. I like watching tutorials because there is something calming about watching people put makeup on. Weird I know. I like reading blogs for sale info and more detailed reviews.
DeleteSame here! I like both blogs and vlogs! But, I watch YT videos more. When it comes to blogs, I prefer certain bloggers over others. Nouveau Cheap is my favorite blog bar none!
DeleteI prefer written word + photos to video because I can read at my own pace - the vast majority of videos are WAY too long and chatty for my tastes. Video is good for certain types of tutorials, but that's it (for me, that is - I know others love them).
ReplyDeleteI like Instagram for swatches / quick reviews, but it's really difficult to search - tags sort of work, but there's often too much noise to find what I'm actually looking for. And Instagram doesn't work well for more detailed reviews and comparisons - there's nothing like blogs for that! :)
I read beauty blogs for reviews on new products a lot of youtubers don't review whereas products on youtube are either really hyped up or the reviews on products arent as concise as those in written form. I also read your blog for big discounts available for a limited time which i love love love!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much--I really appreciate that!! :)
DeleteWith blogs..if there are deals sales u v get the info immediately as opposed to d next day or so..in YouTube they record uploaf and bu the tym its done the deals are done or they go outta stock..the info s delayed..hence blog s the wtg!!
DeleteI write blogs, so I like to read blogs because that is what I prefer to do... Its also easy because blogs like this one are updated quite frequently, so there is always something new to read or find out about something different.
ReplyDeleteAnd its nice to know that someone is monitoring the comments on blogs like this, so there are no haters.
I'm with Project Swatch; beauty blogs are more efficient. I can read a long detailed post in less time than it takes to sit through a video. And sometimes the photography is breathtaking (um, not on my blog, but in general.)
ReplyDeleteI also enjoy the writing: many of my favorites are eloquent or funny--or both!
The beauty blogs that just regurgitate PR releases remind me of Instagram. They're marketing products, but they're not telling me anything I can't get from a magazine ad.
I do enjoy makeup tutorials. A magazine article or book or blog post can tell you to "blend, blend, blend," but you won't realize how long this can take until you actually see someone do it.
Also, I actually watch Get Ready With Me videos when I'm doing my makeup. It's like getting ready with a girlfriend.
I'm an avid reader and blogs are the way to go for detailed information about products. YouTube can be a great source, but sometimes, I'd rather read about it than watch it. Because I like to refer to blogs for product information, swatches, etc. YouTube is useful for tutorials and live swatches, but sometimes, having to wait to see what I want to see can be a pain. For example, a new eyeshadow palette launches, but it's a 10 minute video and swatches (which I want to see) is 7 minutes into the video. Now, if that was on the blog, I can quickly scroll to see pictures of the swatches. I guess time is a factor as well, for me. If I need a quick reference, I go to the blogs. If I have the time to watch, then I go to YouTube. But I do use different forms of mediums in researching for information. If the blogs are well written, then I subscribe and refer back to them.
ReplyDeleteI prefer blogs to videos when it comes to seeing swatches or reviews. I always end up fast forwarding the videos because it seems like they just go on and on, and I really just want to see the goods :). I like Instagram for quick snapshots letting us know to check the blog out for a certain article, or in your case, a deal. Your blog is up there in my top five because you update and post often. There are others who seem to struggle posting even once a week, and I've found that I check their website less and less often now.
ReplyDeleteI prefer blogs over Youtube because I can read the content far faster than it takes for someone to say something. I'll go to Youtube for a demonstration video, but that's about it.
ReplyDeleteBlogs tend to have better swatch photos. I love watching YouTube videos, but it's kind of hard to do that at work. ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't follow Youtube or social media, so blogs are my primary sources of new info, reviews, and swatches, though typically I only seek out swatches if the promo material interests me. This blog keeps me up to date on new drugstore releases and sales, and that's what I need! :) But I also enjoy reviews and swatches, and I prefer reading them here than watching reviews--I don't think I've ever watched a youtube review!
ReplyDeleteAwww, thank you!! xo
DeleteUnless I'm looking for a real-time demonstration, videos simply take too long. I've tried to watch some of the vloggers, but just found myself yelling "Get ON with it already!".
ReplyDeleteBlogs have nice, convenient RSS feeds that I have sorted in my reader, I can read them at my leisure, I can study the pictures for as long as I like. And there's nothing like words for a good review. Again, I look at instagram from time to time, but I keep asking "but what's it really like to use?".
(It's all kind of why I still prefer books to movies. It's not that I never watch movies, but given the choice, I'll curl up with a good book. That way I can enjoy it at my own pace.)
I love a good book, too. Nothing like it! ;)
DeleteBlogs are updated more frequently and are easier to use for future reference especially in the case of your blog. For example "where did G say that was on sale?" Solution: let me quickly find the post on her blog, its a little harder to look through a video for the info. I like YouTube too however, like many of the others have said it's mostly for tutorials.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that you can easily find what you need here. Thank you! :)
DeleteI prefer beauty blogs because I enjoy reading detailed reviews. Watching videos are okay, but I prefer reading what others think of a product.
ReplyDeleteBlogs are so useful because they are searchable archives of reviews, swatches, info you need quick. I can find more detailed reviews and pictures. Plus the info is posted quicker than a YouTube video. Videos need the perfect lighting, outfit, makeup and editing before they get submitted for review by YouTube. Blogs also have more relevant comments from the community that reads the blog and shares the same interests. Plus no ads! YAH!! 99% of the real reason right lol. Blogs just go into more depth and get the info out quicker than YouTube. YouTube is great too, but I NEED TO HAVE both ������
ReplyDeleteI like how you post throughout the day. I can just look on your page and know about a lot of deals. You get to the point and dont waste my time. I love this page. You are great.
ReplyDeleteAwww, thank you so very much for that! xo
DeleteI read YOUR blog because it's so up to date. It's like instantaneous gratification. You are really good at what you do. It is super detailed, efficient, accurate and again instant. I have way too many people on Instagram so I never catch your posts and I just use Instagram and YouTube for different reasons. It's not necessarily to catch what's in right right now. You are the only one that provides that for me. I like this community as well. We are all looking out for great deals and new things and keep each other abreast of new info the moment we come across it. With that said... you have been really bad for my bank account since I started reading your blog and I read your blog hourly... yep... I NOW have a problem.
ReplyDeleteLol!! Thank you so very much for all the kind words! I'm so grateful that you enjoy my blog and I have to say that I totally agree about this little community. I am biased, but I think it's the best community on the internet specifically because everyone here is so knowledgeable, kind, and generous with information. I'm constantly amazed at how everyone is so willing to help one another--I wish I could hug all of you every single day! Lol! xoxo
DeleteThe only woman I can spend 20+ min watching her talk is my mom, because I have to...Just kidding, I prefer Blogs (especially yours, G!) to get newest beauty deals.
ReplyDeleteLol! Thank you. ;) xo
DeleteI have always preferred reading over watching videos, so blogs are good. You can read them anywhere, since it's quiet. I have only a few beauty channels followed on YouTube. A lot of the time, I skip some parts of the video. I just don't like to sit there the whole time ya know? I prefer a good blog.
ReplyDeleteI primarily like to get my beauty info from your blog. But I also get info from social media.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for making me a source for your beauty info! I truly appreciate that. xoxo
DeleteI prefer to read. I'm not looking for tutorials. I've been wearing makeup for almost thirty years. Things haven't changed that much and the things that have are marketed to people much younger than me. I'm here for product reviews in my price range.
ReplyDeleteAnd I like your writing style.
Thank you so much--I'm grateful that you like my writing style! xo
DeleteI love your writing style! And whereas I don't want to put headphones in and watch makeup videos throughout the day, I come here when I'm waiting in line, have some down time, or just to check what's new! I also know you're updating all the time while videos go up less frequently/on a schedule- not as the info is coming out.
ReplyDeleteAaaw, thank you so much for that! xo
DeleteI like to read Beauty blogs to get info on up and coming collections and it's also a better way to see swatches and get a more thorough review. It's also easier to find content on past products. I don't really search Instagram or YouTube if I want to see if I'd like a certain lipstick or something. Google is much faster. YouTube reviews are nice but the quality isn't always great so you may not get to see the product like you can in a picture. Plus I just enjoy reading.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty picky but I prefer reading because it is easier to go back and reference. I only read yours on a daily basis. I like your style of writing. There are 3 others that I read once or twice a week. I do like YouTube for tutorials. But there are only few that I follow religiously.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, R. I'm honored that you still, after all these years, make my blog a daily read. So grateful for your support--I can't even express it in words. xo
DeleteFor me beauty blogging is a much more casual and time efficient experience. With my busy schedule I don't always have the time to pull out my headphones and watch a few 10 minute videos, especially when most of it is just fluff. Usually there's about 1 or 2 minutes of things I want to see in a typical youtube video.
ReplyDeleteBlogs give me quick yet informative posts I can scroll through in my spare minutes here and there. I feel that blogs have smaller audiences and I don't feel buried under 300,000 viewers per video. I just enjoy the experience better, can't always explain it.
I follow you on instagram and when I see something that I want more info on then I come to your blog. I do not just come to the blog to check out whats going on. #sorry #beinghonest I know I probably miss stuff cause u have warned us of that at Christmas time but its all good. Saves me money in the long run, ha!
ReplyDeleteGlad you have a system that works for you! :) Thanks so much for coming over from Instagram (when you feel the need)! xo
DeleteI prefer blogs over YouTube, as u can read blogs in office too but we cannot watch video at work. Blogs r quick too , easily we can find what we r looking . Videos r not convenient. Moreover blogs r easy to update I guess than to upload a new video. I prefer blog over the videos. Thanks G for all your hardwork, I started following you recently but you have helped me to get some good deals in short time. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're so welcome! I'm so happy to have you here--thanks for finding and following me! xoxo
DeleteI watch a lot of YouTube- no cable! I subscribe to a fairly small group of beauty vloggers, most of whom upload every day or multiple times a week. Yours is the only blog I read on a regular basis because you post so much information, in detail, that I don't get on YouTube: sales/promos, sightings, reviews (especially of products others aren't talking about), news, etc. It's also easy to navigate as well as use for finding something in the future, as others have noted. I haven't found another beauty blog that I like as much as yours-
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your hard work, G!
Thank YOU, Allison Joy! I truly appreciate that and I'm so grateful that you find my blog easy to navigate!! Thanks SO much for reading. xo
DeleteI don't follow many people online, but the ones I do, I tend to follow across multiple platforms. I tend to prefer blogs over YT because I can easily get to the info I want to see. On YT, you really can't easily skip over things that aren't helpful to you. And, I agree with some of the others that videos can ramble and be too long. I think blogs are just more "user friendly."
ReplyDeleteThis is really the only beauty blog I read regularly. I value the closer to real time deal alerts. YouTube videos tend to go through a lengthy editing process that is not conducive to deal alerts. YouTube provides tutorials and reviews, but the blog provides additional info not often found on YouTube. Instagram can provide some deal alerts, but not with the same detail I can find on this blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!! You have no idea how much I appreciate that you enjoy the detail in my posts. I'm a detailed person in general, so that level of detail tends to get carried over in my blog posts (I just don't ever want to leave a single detail out, if I can help it!). Instagram is definitely a different animal and I'm still trying to find my way over there even after being on IG for a few years now. Sorry this is turning into a novel, but the thing I find with Instagram is that people generally want just the essentials. So that's why I say "link in bio for more info" because there truly is A LOT more info in my blog posts about a particular deal, new release, etc. I look at IG as more of a way for me to notify people of what's going on over on the blog, rather than replace the blog. So when people ask questions over there, I refer them to the blog because everything you need to know is here. I don't have time to copy all of the details that I've already written out here on the blog over into an Instagram post, and if I did, the caption would be a mile long. So that's why I always say "link in bio" or "please see my blog post" over on IG when people ask questions. Whew! It felt good to explain that, even though you totally weren't asking about that. Lol! Sorry for rambling, but thank you again for valuing the detail of my posts. You have no idea how much I appreciate that! xo
DeleteI'm a reader. I'll always take the written word over video. You are so very real, you write in a way that makes you sound like someone I'd hang out with while many of the folks on YouTube come across as very fake. Besides, this is what I do while I sit with my kiddo as she falls asleep. Not exactly an activity conducive to videos!
ReplyDeleteThat is literally the best compliment ever! THANK YOU!! It took me years to find my voice, so you have no idea how much I appreciate you saying that. When I first started this blog in 2009, I feel like I was trying to write in a "professional" tone because beauty blogs were still kind of a new thing then, and I just wanted things to seem professional. After a while, I hated the way my blog posts sounded (I still cringe when I go back into my archives and see those old posts!) and somewhere along the way I decided to just let go, and be myself. I never looked back after that, so what you see is what you get here in terms of my writing style. If I were talking to a friend about a new product or deal, I would sound the exact way you see me here. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your comment. That means the world to me! xo
DeleteHonestly you're one of the only blogs I read because you keep it so updated but I prefer your blog over YouTube because you'll mention new products/collections weeks before I ever see them mentioned on YouTube and I enjoy the daily post as well as knowing about current and upcoming beauty sales. YouTube is fun to watch if I'm in the mood for hauls or favorites. But when it comes down to current product, reviews, sales and sneak peaks for me it's your blog all the way!
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for that, Erika!! xo
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ReplyDeleteI am not saying any different really than most everyone in that I prefer blog posts over you tube and definitely over Instagram. I go to YouTube when I want a demonstration mostly of hair tutorials but also if how to do say contouring or baking etc. YouTube just takes too much of my time. I now leave my browser open on your blog and check it periodically throughout the day rather than waiting on an email. I keep coming back to yours because you keep me/us so up to date on sales discounts, the important stuff!!!!! Thank you. I do not say that often enough.
ReplyDeleteI am so honored that you leave my blog open on your browser! Wow! Thank you so much for the support and for the kind words. Thank YOU for reading!! xo
DeleteI love to read long-detailed reviews. I don't like to read reviews on Instagram since they're not that detailed, sometimes it feels like just an overview. And about Youtube, the internet connection in my country sucks. Watching Youtube will cost a lot >.< Unless you're using free wifi, but you can't always count on free service, right. So, beauty blogs it is :)
ReplyDeleteI prefer reading to watching videos. Picture posts are also ok, but if I can't get all the information I need from the picture, I'll still prefer to read the info in a post/blog etc. If I want to I can simply scroll back up to check something instead of trying to figure out where in a video I saw something.
ReplyDeleteI come to your blog every day hoping to find pictures of new sightings at the drugstores. Then the hunt begins trying to find said items. Then I test out the products and do reviews of the products on Youtube so without this advance information I wouldn't even know what it is that I need to be looking for when I shop so THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled that my blog can be a resource for you and your channel!! Thank you!! xo
DeleteI still read blogs the most. With videos, I find so many of them to be badly edited, or the person speaking hems and haws too much. Also some of them wear too much makeup. I don't want a masklike look, just to learn about a nice lipstick or nail color, or to see foundation swatches, etc. And with instagram feeds, etc., I like some of those, but then others tend to flood the feed with off-topic content, so I'm not a fan of that, really. A bit of personal info or sharing some find is fine, but if someone has a makeup page on instagram and 50 percent of it is pictures of their lunch or of their dog, then I'm rapidly going to lose interest. (And I love dogs and I love lunch ...)
ReplyDeleteLol! I'm TOTALLY guilty of posting a lot of non-beauty-related stuff on my Instagram! ;) But that's only because I feel like I use IG as more of a way to express myself in a more personal way than you see here (pics of what Mr. G made me for dinner, etc.) rather than something that replaces the blog. So it's sort of a combo of "here's a hot deal I just posted on my blog" and "here's what I'm currently binge-watching on Netflix". I find it fun to post things there that are of interest to me that don't quite fit in here on the blog. But I know that's not for everyone, so I completely understand if you don't follow me there! :)
DeleteI prefer blogs because I feel like they're more authentic. I think most of the bloggers I follow started out blogging because it was something they were genuinely passionate about. It wasn't about getting free makeup or becoming "Insta-famous." I want that kind of authenticity when I'm looking at swatches or reviews. I still watch a few of the original YouTubers that have that same authenticity, but overall I prefer blogs to any other medium because they're just easier. No fast forwarding to get to the point, no rewinding if you miss something, no pausing to get a better look. Blogs are black and white.
ReplyDeleteTrue! I'm forever rewinding (and sometimes fast forwarding) lol. Blech ...
DeleteI like reading long, informative blogs and their comments, and I don't get that info on Instagram. If I had the time I would keep up my blog, but it is easier and more fun for me to connect with people on Insta so that is where I post my swatches, hauls, and mini reviews.
ReplyDeleteI love readings blogs (I love reading, in general) for things such as reviews, where you're focused on that product. I like videos for tutorials and things I need to see demonstrated.
ReplyDeleteI can read a lot faster than your average YouTuber can speak. So when I'm looking for information about a particular product, I can get it a lot more quickly by looking at a blog than by waiting for someone to get around to saying it. YouTube's useful for "Wait, but how do I DO that?" but not reviews.
ReplyDeleteYou give us better information than any youtubers out there!
ReplyDeleteI am mixed with my usage of blogs, YouTube, ext. I pick who to follow for product review information based on how detailed they are and find text easier to follow. I follow companies on Instagram because other wise it is just an overload of ads on YouTube. The YouTube channels I follow are more for tutorials as I am hopeless at following written directions even when it has photos to go with it, but videos I do better with. So I guess I use each type of social media differently because the different types of media are generally used different ways. While some will post long detailed information on Instagram, it is rare, at least from what I have seen. With YouTube reviews, they sometimes look more like ads, and people do not always explain how they test things which I find helpful. I use Twitter, but barely, I still need to go through my feed and unfollow a bunch of people because it has turned into almost nothing but ads. Facebook I am a little more mixed on, but following people on there who are not my actual friends is much more rare because I know how annoying it can get when you see random likes from other people or "so and so commented on this post" and then you can never find the comment because 1000 other people also commented on it.
ReplyDeleteI get most of my info from blogs because I can read far faster that anyone can talk. Also, a lot of videos are filled with personal/non-related info because I think a lot of people get on there and just talk instead of having specific thing they want to say, like you would do in a blog post. Not that i'm opposed to those people or anything, it's just not what I'm after. (although I do love Phoebe Moon. She is my go-to for youtube nail polish swatching)
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
DeletePS. This is the place I come to for product reviews. 90% of the time I find what I'm looking for here. It seems like most youtubers/instagrammers post about high-end stuff, and I'm just not paying $50 for a half ounce of product that's mostly emulsifiers and fragrance. (Nor for a miracle product. I'm too cheap lol). I know you post deals for those items, but they're not your main focus :) I love that when you are giving a review, I know I won't have to pass because it's too expensive to try
ReplyDeleteI read magazines..but lately I prefer blogs because I can check posts almost daily. If I am considering a purchase..I look up reviews of the product. The only youtube video on makeup I have viewed was Bobbi Brown on applying foundation/concealer..love your blog
ReplyDeleteI don't read many beauty blogs. Noveau cheap is the only one I've consistently read for several years. I'll google topics like a dupe for a certain product or a review of a product I want to try and that will take me to different blogs but it is very much a one time thing. Instagram is just a little bite size bit of color and fun. It can't give you an in depth explanation of a product or trend. Youtube is great for instruction especially for visual learners like myself. I still prefer to read a blog review of products than hear someone yap on and on about a product. They all have their place but instagram cant replace the others and vice versa.
ReplyDeleteFor me, blogs are supplemental to YouTube. (They are also more office/classroom/public-area friendly because they don't require audio!)
ReplyDeleteI follow the blogs written by my favorite YouTube ladies, in addition to this, Temptalia, Shameless Fripperies, etc. What I enjoy most about blogs are when they are well-written (as yours is) and the great photography. Somehow blogs seem more authentic to me, as well... they require more thought and are much less about how pretty you look on camera. There really has to be worthwhile content! :)
1. Pictures. Photo's are better than video. Photo's are better quality, and I can save them to a hosting site or my phone. For shopping later!
ReplyDelete2. Multi-tasking! I can read a blog, and watch tv. Not an overly desriptive few paragraphs mind you, but it's my habit to watch my recorded shows and read my blogs as a method of chilling out. Or waking up in the morning with my coffee. I cannot watch a youtube video and a show at the same time, and I also cannot always watch videos. There is a time and a place. But I can always read a blog.
3. Some people may have really great ideas and content, but they are annoying as heck as a youtuber. I just can't get into them. But on a blog, I don't have to listen to them, I can read what they have to say, and we all live happily ever after ;)
4. Youtube video's use up a heck of a lot more data, when I'm on the go or at work, than blogs do!
5. Lastly ... I guess I just like reading ... Fave past time, what can I say. I can only listen to people talk for so long ...
Agree with so many here! I prefer to read, and I mostly stick to Bloglovin and Pinterest. I don't have other social media accounts. I have to be in the mood for You Tube videos, which isn't often. You can scan over blogs to occupy any amount of time, no matter how small (like killing time waiting around somewhere).
ReplyDeleteI also gravitate toward certain blogs for being well written/enjoyable personality, like this one. You put in so much work, it is really amazing!
I don't get any beauty news from social media - I keep that strictly personal. Blogs are my primary source. I very occasionally look at Youtube tutorial videos. But like others, I am primarily a reader and that's how I absorb information best. I can't view videos at work and it feels "thin" compared to the amount of information delivered in the same amount of time spent on a blog.
ReplyDeleteWhat I get from visiting blogs that I haven't seen mentioned yet is clear(er) clues as to a blogger's alliances, preferences and background, and/or product affiliations. Instagram and Youtube are laid out in a proscribed design. You can learn a lot about a blogger from how they have chosen to lay out their own site, what ads appear, what links and affiliate links are included, etc. That's all info I want to take into account when considering a review or an opinion from the author.
I prefer the "long form" written word because I can read pretty fast, so I can skim quickly to see if the entire thing is going to be relevant to my beauty interests or not. Videos... videos sometimes take forever to get to the point where I can decide if it was worth my time engaging in it and by then I might as well finish watching.
ReplyDeleteAs a blogger I may be a little biased, but I mainly read other beauty blogs over watching YouTube because I can read a detailed review a lot faster than sitting and watching a 5 minute video. Relaxation time is limited for me, so I find myself checking in to my favorite beauty blogs many times throughout the day when I have a minute or two. As others have said, they're updated faster and post more often, plus they're easily searchable. I also like seeing photos of products and swatches because I can take my time and really look at them (and also go back and look again if I need to), while videos only show them for a few seconds. I do watch YouTube and subscribe to several different vloggers but finding the time to catch up and watch them is a luxury for me. Often it's when I'm in bed at night!
ReplyDeleteYou're really the only blogger I regularly follow, but I do watch a lot of YouTube. In the end, I've stuck with this blog because of your honesty, your commitment to low-cost beauty items, and because your blog was what really got me into makeup in the first place. I'll always remember the first few posts of yours that I read that explained SOO much about drugstore mascara. Keep up the good work, G ❤️
ReplyDelete