Cosmetics Contemplations: Decisions, decisions...

even in the 1920s they were at it

We all make our buying decisions differently - and when it comes to beauty products, the wealth and diversity of recommendations out there can be overwhelming. With so many shiny new product stands, glossy advertisements and lacquered sales assistants out there to 'help' us, how can we decide what products we really need? This is made even more complicated by 'needs' that are created by the brands themselves (do we really 'need' serums, toners, or separate moisturisers for our faces and our necks? I'm not sure that we do), and by the sheer number of different opinions that proliferate. Interested buyers are not only influenced by advertisements, celebrities, in-store displays, and features in newspapers and magazines, but also by friends and family, blogs and vlogs, and product reviews on retail websites. 

But how influential are beauty blogs in particular on people's purchases? Warwick Business School researcher Marianne Johnsen wants to hear from you regarding your views on the trustworthiness of the beauty blogs that you read - and all it takes is your participation in a short survey. How far do you consult beauty blogs before making a purchase? Do you really feel that beauty bloggers are more informed than the average consumer? For how long can beauty bloggers compete against the many other sources of opinion out there? Marianne wants to know. Just a few clicks and you'll be on the way to finding out scientifically how far beauty blogs can be considered trustworthy resources when it comes to making online purchases. Naturally, the results will be shared with you as soon as they are published. 

This is a subject which has hitherto only been studied in Asia - and as they're already ahead of the pack when it comes to BB creams and so forth, it could be a good time to participate in this innovative research by following in their footsteps. If beauty bloggers are really found to be trustworthy and influential, that could affect brands' future tactics in marketing products to the public - which, in turn, affects the products you buy and how you buy them. Decisions indeed!