This is Mary Engle, Associate Director Bureau of Consumer Protection. Part of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US. Watch this clear video to find out more about the guidelines we bloggers and reviews are being asked to uphold. I feel that although I'm in the UK, I have a duty to be a part of the FTC endeavours to protect my readers in the US. I also feel that the FTC has done us a favour, we can now be as "honest" as we like without fear of reprisal from other reviewers, PR agencies and cosmetics companies.
All this hoo-ha is not done just to annoy us or expose reviewers as frauds. So far, it's been easy to comply with the new guidelines with a few simple disclaimer words on my blog and YouTube. There is no need to go mad with massive disclaimers, I just need to say where I have received a product or been paid (paid I wish!). I seriously don't think anyone has a problem with the fact that I get sent stuff to review? I am very pleased that I am now even more open about where I get products. I don't feel like a marketing channel because if I don't like something, then I say so and why.
I have noticed in the last few days of videos that my friends on YouTube such as Sirvinya and FilthyGorgeousMakeUp, who have always been upfront and honest, are even more "honest". It is refreshing to say the least, I am really enjoying this new found freedom.
So keep it up girls, it's liberating to the say the least. The only thing I am asking myself is why didn't I do this sooner? I guess if I am "honest" I always felt it was like boasting if I mentioned that I got them for free, weird but true. So now that I have to, it's like a weight off my shoulders. I still buy a lot of products that I use and review but perhaps it's less than you thought and I hope you aren't disappointed. I guess because I am a make up artist, I already have a full kit of stuff that I use. A product has to be pretty revolutionary and a must have for me to be interested in purchasing. So it's nice that I get sent every day products to try for a bit of fun.
Have a fun weekend!
