Am I a Sellout?

[MsAarynZhou]

I really wish all beauty gurus did a video like this to explain their own policy regarding being sent free products. It puts everything out on the table so there's no need for speculation/rumours. Thanks for this! I always find your videos so well-researched and informative. :)

[pinkmacprincess]

great video! How did you add the video annotations? :)

[earthymoon]

I love how concise you are.

[MrMidnightRomance]

how do u become a product person lol sorry for the way i worded it XD

[fionaman]

@MrMidnightRomance Companies just contact me. There's really no trick to it to be honest.

[MiAkount]

oo this is nice, i found out that i had to be 16 to do get a review handset of a phone ...

[hokumakaa]

you vdo!! I like the fact that you keep them within 7-8 mins. Many others gurus out there make their VDOs so long...sometimes it's too long

[fionaman]

@hokumakaa Haha well the YouTube limit is 10:59, so I have to keep them short and to the point ;) Thanks for your comment!

[cindlababe]

I love your videos! Keep-up the wonderful work. I support you! ;D

[fionaman]

@cindlababe Thank you so much :)

[hello0obunny]

I find product wars to be very honest!! The effort you go to test the products out is super helpful in understanding the products!! thanks ♥

[fionaman]

@hello0obunny No, thank you for your continuous support!

[Pescaicho]

You are a very intelligent girl, admirable the way you do things, congratulations!!

[fionaman]

@Pescaicho Thank you so much for your comment and support :)

[jmirahmadi]

Great like always I have no clue about creams and make up stuff and never even bought any for anyone but i love watching ur videos so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fionaman]

@jmirahmadi Aww that's really sweet of you!

[bforbalenciaga]

Thank you for staying honest!! There's nothing wrong with bringing in a "business" aspect to your hobby: beauty!! Stay honest and you can do no wrong.

[fionaman]

@bforbalenciaga Thank you! Each time I see your username, my bag lemming just comes back ;)

[SimplyOH]

YOURE NOT A SELLOUT, I LOVE YOU!

[fionaman]

@SimplyOH Aww, you choo choo choose me? ♥ back at you!

[vesperholly]

Thank you so much for this video Fiona! Your Product Wars videos are among the best out there for reviewing products honestly and objectively. I think it's awesome when YTers post about their behind-the-scenes process. I'm in journalism, and ethics and disclosure is super important in my profession and I think YT reviews is a form of journalism :)

I liked the music but it was a little bit loud, so it made it hard to hear you. :)

[fionaman]

@vesperholly YT is such a great platform: journalism, public relations, video production, etc.  I agree, ethics is really important to me and it really shows a person's character.

Thanks for the input about the music. I will make better adjustments in future videos.

[JadeLiCat]

I honestly trust your reviews, I really don't see a problem with you reviewing something just because you got it for free. You're still telling us the pros and cons of each product and as long as your honest, that's really all that matters.

[fionaman]

@JadeLiCat Thanks! I just want to be honest with everyone on how the process works for me.

[Mrs3angels]

I have always liked and looked forward to your videos. I like the different music too. I think you give a fair view on products and I trust that you do use the items and test them out fairly. Keep up the good work. :)

[fionaman]

@Mrs3angels Thank you so much for your comment and support :)

[claudiastrauss]

Sory I am not crazy about hearing music during makeup videos. Ia m really sorry about that.

And I miss your dog!

[fionaman]

@claudiastrauss No worries. To each their own. I love music and it's a big part of my life.

Check out my contest video because my dog is in it.

[PeruvianChick06]

@fionaman thanx for replying =) and yea u do sound honest, luckily i can trust u for reviews, i also read the article that u linked to

[beautyparler]

Great post! I too give my honest opinions & like to think that others do too but I know that's not always the case. Your videos are great & you always sound sincere & humble (which I love) because I don't like when other "beauty gurus" kinda brag about all the freebies in a "I deserve it" tone. Take care:-)

[fionaman]

@beautyparler I know exactly what you mean. No one really "deserves" free products unless you work in that company. Just shows how self conceited they are. It's a privilege to be sent items and/or invited to events.

[tehkseven]

You have a very professional approach Fiona, and you don't have to apologize or explain anythang :).

Even though I'm not into the whole make-up thing.. some principle applies for tech reviews.

The 3 things I think are most important are...

1. Be honest

2. Be construction

3. Be courteous

If you don't like something.. explain why and what the company can do to improve. However, don't uberBASH them on camera.. they sent you stuff.. be nice.

You're a great reviewer girl. Keep it up :)

[fionaman]

@tehkseven Thanks Jon!! I totally agree with you. There's no point in bashing a product on camera. It doesn't benefit the company or viewers.

[PeruvianChick06]

I always trust your reviews, you seem like an honest person =)

[fionaman]

@PeruvianChick06 I'm so glad I come across that way on camera. I'm always worried if I sound too scripted or rehearse for it to be genuine.

[lemontea128]

I don't think your a sellout! Cause no matter how good or bad you talk about a product, once a person buys it and trys it out, he/she will know if the products works for them or not. I like how you explain the pros and cons of products that's why I like to watch videos on certains products that I plan on buying before I actually purchase it, so that I can have a idea of what to expect.

[fionaman]

@lemontea128 Thank you :)

[CallmeCalypso]

You're not a sellout! I really appreciate and respect your opinion on a product because I know it's going to be an honest opinion. =)

[fionaman]

@CallmeCalypso Thanks so much Melissa!

[ellamejia2001]

I personally buy all of my products. Weather its from MAC Cosmetics or what not. But I don't think your a sell out. You let us know the progress that you made when testing a product out via twitter or facebook. I say that's dedication.

[fionaman]

@ellamejia2001 Thank you so much Ella!

[makeitupcanada]

I trust your reviews. For me, if I see a guru promoting a product, the first thing I do is check the info box for a disclaimer and if it says they are being paid by that company to do the video, I immediately stop watching. If they receive the product for free I still watch the video..but ideally in order for me to trust their opinion it depends on previous videos and reviews they have done. For example, its hard for me to trust 'Elle' and 'Blair' b/c they are known for doing paid reviews.

[fionaman]

@makeitupcanada You are very eloquent when you speak. Thanks for trusting me :)

[shan130991]

can you do a product wars video? MAC select cover up vs. MAC studio finish concealer?

[fionaman]

@shan130991 Sorry Shannon but Select Cover Up actually broke me up and wasn't long lasting. And I know for a fact that Studio Finish is a very drying concealer. Both really don't claim similar things because one is more sheer and liquid and the other is creamy and pigmented. I'm not a big fan of MAC base products such as foundations, primers, and concealers. They tend to break me out.

[shan130991]

@fionaman aww thats bad. i need a new concealer and i dont know which one i should get. are there other brands that are really good? brands that dont test on animals?

[fionaman]

@shan130991 My all time favourite concealer (I'm on my 3rd one) is the Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil. The unfortunate thing is that they don't cater to darker skintones. But it is pigmented, creamy, stays put especially when I set it with powder, and blends easily. I just checked the Urban Decay site and they said that they don't test on animals. If you ever want to see my reviews, just check my makeupalley account. They aren't as nice as videos, but they suffice.

[shan130991]

@fionaman oh okay i will check those videos out. thanks :)

[fionaman]

@shan130991 They aren't videos, just reviews I've written.