Bloggers, the FTC and Objectivity
In response to the FTC’s ruling that bloggers can be fined $11,000 for not disclosing which review products have been sent to us by publicists (really, the fact that publicists send beauty writers things to review is still news?), I’m having my web designer put up the follow FAQs at the top of my site. Until then, enjoy!
Q: Do you buy all the products you review?
A: All products reviewed on this site (unless specifically noted) are sent to me by publicists for free. Your fair Jolie hasn’t paid for a beauty product (okay, other than razors and her beloved Diptyque candles) since way before she become a beauty editor in 2001!
Q: If you receive and review free products, how do we know you’re not being swayed by all the swag?
A: The FTC has recently cracked down on bloggers, terrified that our readers will blindly follow us off cliffs like lemmings, and apparently not trusting that the public has reason and judgment when it comes to deciding which products will, in turn, work for them and are worth their hard-earned money. Hence: this disclaimer. All my readers know that I only review products I feel passionate about and think are worth your exploration. Sure, this is just a beauty blog, but I take my work, my writing and my recommendations seriously. If I write about it on Jolie, I think it’s a great product and ain’t nobody who can sway mama. But, take note–this is only my opinion.
Q: But what about when you go on press trips or to an event and then write about the brand?
A: You have my solemn promise that I will continue to attend celebrity and beauty events and write about them — don’t you want to know what Jennifer Aniston and Lauren Conrad’s hair looks like when the lights go down? (I certainly do!) Whenever I attend a press trip or event, or have an event hosted for me by a brand, I will continue to display transparency about said brand’s involvement.
Q: So what about your hair?
A: You mean, how do I keep it so shiny? (Midnight pagan rituals.) Ahh…you mean, do I get it done for free? I do! As I wrote about in my book Beauty Confidential, publicists often set up appointments for editors — after all, how can you be an “expert” on which salons are best if you haven’t actually tried them yourself? Lest you think, “Well, just pay for it!”, we writers of any ilk are not often rolling in the dough. So, when a publicist offers a gratis service, I’d like to meet the woman strong enough to say, “No! Away with you, celebrity stylist! I shall remain at Supercuts!”
Q: Do you get swag?
A: Have you read my book Beauty Confidential? Of all the bloggers in internetland, I’ve covered this extensively. Luckily, the industry has evolved, so the swag-fest that the beauty industry used to be has vastly diminished and you can feel confident that the bloggers you’ve developed relationships with and have learned to trust will never be swayed by swag. (But does swag still happen? You bet…and much more with editors than with bloggers. Cover that, FTC.)
Q: Do you take money for product reviews?
A: I have never taken money for a product review. I will never take money for a product review. I have run, and will continue to run, ads on this site, as Jolie and my career as a “beauty expert” are my business and last time I checked, capitalism is still kosher. I have appeared in advertisements for two beauty brands–Bare Escentuals and In An Instant–as a professional “beauty expert.”
Q: How do I submit a product for review?
A: Email me at nadine@jolienadine.com and we’ll talk! Unfortunately, I review only a very small percentage of the products I’m sent. (And what products I don’t swallow up into my arsenal I donate to or sell for charity twice per year in that time-honored ritual known as a “beauty sale.” Check out my second book Confessions of a Beauty Addict for more about this hellish pasttime!) If your product does make it past the Jolie filters, however, it’s because I think it’s damn good.
Q: Why do you write about beauty?
A: I believe, with every fiber of my being, that every woman deserves to look and feel her personal best. As a “beauty expert” with access to products and salons and celebrity stylists, I simply want to pass along all that knowledge to you. You don’t have to be a supermodel and you don’t have to have a million dollars – all you need is a little help from your friends, like Jolie! Beauty isn’t about competing with others – it’s about making the most of your own looks and radiating happiness and confidence…okay, and about finding the most flattering shade of lipgloss! Please know that I appreciate and adore each and every one of my readers, and feel honored to serve you. Thanks for reading, and stay beautiful!
Q: One last question. Why do you sometimes refer to yourself in the third person, as Jolie?
A: Jeez. Beats me. Jolie’s been doing it for years. I wish she would stop!
10 Responses to “Bloggers, the FTC and Objectivity”
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October 5th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
This is one of the best statements on the subject I’ve seen. Extremely well said.
http://www.fashionstylebeauty.com
October 5th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Wow. Just wow about this whole ordeal. Good answers though!
October 5th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
I’m so glad the feds are protecting stupid people from themselves. Really, don’t fix the economy or health care. No, prevent us from buying unnecessary lipgloss!
Love your site, btw.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Wow Nadine, great post for sure. The industry has always operated the same way, and as you said, are they going to go after editors from fashion mags and tv shows too??? And what about those non-taxed celeb swag bags where they score a couple of thousand worth of merch as opposed to a blogger who barely receives a quarter of that amount, and by their write up at least they are working for it, it’s not quite being handed to them for ‘free’ like the celebs. What price is the FTC going to place on the writer’s time???
October 5th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Well said, my friend.
I’m still baffled why this is only being applied to those of us who blog though. Does the FTC not think (or are they casting a blind eye) to the fact that magazines also review product that is sent to them…not bought and paid for by themselves?
You know it is a matter of time before we hear that someone hired a lawyer for a class action lawsuit over all of this.
October 5th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Good show Jolie
October 5th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Great post, Nadine!
October 6th, 2009 at 2:38 am
Excellent post Jolie!
October 6th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Nice response! I’m the same way. I just write about the exceptional stuff. And I have to laugh about how the FTC doesn’t go after beauty and fashion mags.
As someone who has worked in television news for big local stations and for networks, I know that news isn’t the swagfest that beauty and fashion mags are. But there’s still plenty of swag sent to reporters. The Today Show offices are literally overflowing with toy samples around the holidays.
I had to laugh when I saw, “In contrast, at traditional journalism outlets, products borrowed for reviews generally have to be returned.” Oh, please.
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:15 am
Good job! I couldn’t have said it better myself. FTC- TAKE THAT!!!!