We've moved! We are now at genmaicha.tumblr.com.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Do you trust your friends?

(I sure do post a lot of pictures of me wearing sunglasses. Hmm. Also, those are totally my $9 jeans.)

This past weekend, I attended the blogger summit hosted by Total Beauty down in Los Angeles. It was super-rad to get to meet so many of the beauty bloggers I've been following for a long time, and get to know some new ones as well.

And yeah, we definitely talked to each other about products and color and what we like and what we use in our "real lives". And it got me thinking about how lemmings and cult classics and such get started now, and about how influential bloggers really are.

BlogHer just released a survey this past March that pointed out the growing influence of social media and women bloggers, particularly when it comes to purchasing. According to the survey, 50% of the responding blog readers have made a decision to buy something (or not!) depending on what they've read on a blog.

I'm sure that when it comes to the shopping blogs, that number's likely a lot higher. I know I'm always going, "Oh! That looks so cool!" and following links and spending money when I see something that looks awesome, particularly when someone I "know" and "trust" mentions they like it. I definitely like to read what others think, and I definitely like to share what I think too. Thus, here I am.

So it was really great to get to be there and hear directly from them what they like. It was awesome to be able to turn to Michelle and say, "How's the Naughty Nauticals nail polish?" "It's beautiful." (And sold out on MACCosmetics.com, sorry! ...but doesn't that prove my point somewhat?) And from Lilan, my roomie, "Have you tried Shu Uemura cleansing oil, Jeanne?" "No, but I've been curious!" "It's great!" And then there's Jamie, who has perfect skin without even really trying. (Unfair!!)

What do you think? Do blogs create lemmings and, ultimately, purchases out of you? Has there been anything featured here on Periodic Style that made you pick up your purse and dig for your credit card? (Or, uh, are you like me and you've got your number memorized?)

image from periodicstyle.blogspot.com

7 comments:

Jamie said...

I love that picture of you! It was so great to finally meet you this weekend. Looking forward to seeing you again in November!

Jeanne said...

Hi Jamie! Thanks for stopping by! I can't wait to come out to NYC!

Beauty411 said...

It was so much fun to meet you! Can't wait to see you again in NYC!

nilla cookie said...

Great post, Jeanne!

It was so awesome to room with you this weekend - hopefully we can do another event like this soon!

And if I have any influence, I'd say "Shu.. must.. get.. Shu.." ;)

Happy Tuesday!

Susie Bubble said...

I do check out stores/wares because of blogs but it doesn't really induce me to buy straight away...

Liz Lizo said...

oh sounds like fun. So true I've lost count of how many times, I would see something on a blog and buy it online within minutes (oh technology). For beauty products, i think it's a great review / recommendation before purchasing a beauty product. Gratzie for posting.

Jeanne said...

Thanks for stopping by, everyone, especially those of you I met in LA! (Lilan, we'll have to do a day in the city sometime -- I still have to go to Shu!)

Susie, you are TOTALLY responsible for something I've bought -- I have that floaty black and blue dress from Mango's designer collection that you posted back in February/March. I surprised the manager by being so aggressive/knowledgable about it ("do you have it? when is it coming out? here is my number, call me if you get it in my size, and put it on hold for me").

And vogued out, you've definitely tempted me with your awesome shoes!

Related Posts with Thumbnails