One of the most common things I hear about beauty in social media is that nobody feels they can easily trust ‘reviews’. It takes a long time to gather trust in this arena and I know why – I’m on Instagram and Facebook as well as here and get occasional, er, comments, but I see where they come from and I understand the occasional hostility (usually). One of the things I really do not think has helped at all is the ASA deciding that these tools of the trade are ‘gifts’ when in fact, they’re marketing materials – the term ‘gifting’ robbed any authenticity from people doing real and honest reviews but there is no way to make a distinction between someone who is going straight to eBay after their obligation to post a selfie is fulfilled and someone who is taking time to learn and convey what they know about products. So, while I know my own space is safe I wanted to flag the Beauty Bible. Gosh, I think I have too much to review, but they are review machines!
I’m showing just a handful of the winners of this year’s awards because there over 100 categories. It works because founders, Jo Fairley and Sarah Stacey, send product to women who don’t work in the beauty arena – i.e. real beauty consumers – and ask them, over a period of months, to compare the results with the claims.
This is a mammoth job – both for the testers and the admin staff. Because the testers have no skin in the game, so to speak, the reviews are as real and honest as it is possible to be. Every year I am surprised by what I read – some awards I fully agree with and others I am baffled by. I’ll name this year’s bafflement as the Foreo UFO face mask machine which I’m ready to throw out of my bedroom window because its app is so complicated – it’s not made for people who weren’t born to the iPhone. Things got to a point last night where I just couldn’t get it to switch off. I will do a proper review of it since others seemed to manage – as soon as I can stop looking at it with hatred in my eyes! I’m in full agreement with winners Kure Bazaar Nail Polish, Aromatherapy Associates Bath Oils, Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm and Dr Hauschka Shower Cream, and at the same time have had my curiosity aroused by Skin City Shower Power Peel and Nail Kind Treatment Oil. In fact, I’ve come across products I didn’t know existed and that’s really helpful.
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I suggest you take the categories one by one with a cup of coffee in your hand – it’s something to dip in and out of because each winner (gold, silver, bronze) has a full review from a tester and it’s not a quick read. As a resource for genuine reviews of all categories at a variety of prices, The Beauty Bible deserves its own gold medal. You can find it HERE. If you prefer to use Instagram, they’re @beautybibleofficial.
Transparency Disclosure
All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
13 comments
I was lucky enough to be one of the testers for this years awards and was delighted to find at least two things that I will/have definitely move/d onto permanently and others that I was really happy to try that I had never heard of. One crazy expensive serium was a massive disappointment and notice it has not come up on their winners list, which I was not surprised about.
Others not so much. I didn’t receive the Foreo UFO face mask, but did purchase it from QVC on their Today’s Special Value and like you, did not feel it was worth the cost. Tried it a few times, but soon got bored with it and so was lucky that I could return it and only spent the money for postage.
You are right that even for testers it is a big commitment, as you really feel you MUST do it to the full and do not want to be casual on any of the products as it is so important. I have discovered brands I had never heard of as well, so all in all I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and am delighted with my new finds that have already been replenished.
I’m so pleased to hear from you Rachel – that bloody UFO!
Hi Rachel, Jane
Same here, I was another lucky tester. I have found some new favourites and yes it is a commitment in a good way. I found a fab lip make up brand and a new moisturiser with SPF which is expensive but I will replace once I have saved up for it.
There were about 2 products I reacted to and one of them was a pricey cream which felt and smelled lovely and did little else. It also made me look at my current regime and flip a few things round / throw a couple of products out which were a bit “meh / blah”. I can highly recommend putting yourself forward for testing as you never know what you will be sent.
I could do with the same process for my wardrobe and shoes, but that may well take quite a bit longer 🙂
I can highly recommend the Tropics range too (which I have used outside of the testing and reading BBB) and am not sponsored to mention. Happy finding of new goodies xxx
My problem with Tropic is that I think it’s a multi-level marketing company – so I tend to avoid it.
I had no idea Jane, thank you for letting me know.
I do like a good read thanks for the info Jane.
you’re welcome!
I was a Beauty Bible tester a few years ago – loved it and my goodness the questionnaires are thorough. I feel the Sunday Times awards are a joke – I haven’t even heard of half what I’m meant to be voting for, let alone personally used them, and I read *loads* of beauty blogs.
I seem to remember ST awards were choices from a drop down menu – which is a really random way to let people vote.
I remember when you flagged this last year and I found so many new to me brands. It’s such a great awards system! Thank you for the alert that the new awards are up!
so welcome!
I love my UFO! Hold down the button on the device for a few seconds and it’ll turn off. You can do this without the app. Also, it does auto-turn off too.
Please give it another chance 🙂
My husband loves the cold (cryotherapy) setting for bad headaches and migraines!
Well, that’s encouraging! I will – thanks Bethany!