The NYT Uproar

Well, everyone is just all aflutter over this New York Times article about beauty bloggers. I think Christine over at Bon Bons in the Bath had an excellent response, but I thought I'd throw my dime in there too.

I don't get free samples. The only samples I get are from Sephora when I spend over $100, because I'm a "Beauty Insider." Not that I would mind a sample or two - that's fun. But it wouldn't affect the way I write about something. If I don't like it, I don't like it. And just because I don't like it doesn't mean that you won't. I've purchased many products that others didn't like and had plenty of good to say about it.

The only problem I see with all the swag is that as soon as it goes out, you get mentions and reviews on every beauty blog out there. Also, you do have some people who are never going to mention anything negative about it, even if they are writing a "review", because they don't want the swag train to dry up.

So, dear readers, however many of them there are, use your critical thinking skills. If a blog is just mentioning a product without giving you any valuable or useful information, consider whether or not that blog is worth reading. Otherwise, who cares if people get free stuff? Good for them!