Share: Tell us what you love and hate about Celebrity Spokespeople!
my answer: When it’s for a good cause OR it feels organic, it’s totally cool. If it just feels like they’re a face but who knows if they even like the brand, it feels more like a money-grab to me, so it can be a turn off.
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Funny you ask, because I was just think about this issue. I dislike it, because I feel like it leads to inaccurate professional credits. For instance, Hayden Panettierre’s skin on Nashville looks incredible. I did a search for the products used on her, but because she’s a spokesperson for Neutrogena, every result indicated that Neutrogena is what they use on set. I think we all know that’s not the case, so to me it’s inauthentic and even dishonest to imply otherwise.
This is an issue in magazines, too, when they have a celebrity on the cover who has an endorsement deal. Beyoncé is not wearing a face full of L’Oreal on the cover of Shape. She just isn’t.
This exactly! While I can get on board with celebrity spokespeople if they’re a good fit for the brand and the pairing creates great campaigns*, I feel like “behind the scenes” info really suffers because of these partnerships. Everything from “what she’s wearing” to “what’s in your bag” columns seems to be suddenly all about the sponsorship, rather than the products — and, I mean, what good is that? 🙁
*I LOVE Katie Holmes for Bobbi Brown, for instance, and I’m super excited about both Kerry Washington for Neutrogena and Lily Collins for Lancôme. Also, Blake Lively for L’Oreal? A terrible fit imho, but I’m so excited to see her as the face of a cosmetics brand that I’m not even sure I care >.<
This times a million. Also, if you look at the Cover Girl Hunger Games ads, it’s so obvious that they’re not using CG to get those looks. If Temptalia is rating CG in the B range, the shadows can’t be that pigmented. It’s the same for magazine shoots. Most MUAs (myself included), use a variety of brands to get the right look.
There’s also airbrushing, Photoshop, and other “enhancements”, so while I believe they *are* using the stated products, there are other factors to consider. There are also likely to be other products used, such as primers, bases, etc., but since they aren’t the obvious products, they simply aren’t mentioned.
I’m a freelance MUA. I get to see the before PS and after PS shots. Photoshop can’t get any photo to that level of intense color. In any case, even if it could, it’s still deceptive because it’s not what a consumer would get if they bought the product and used it at home.
And like with Rihanna and MAC…. the collection is not on the promo image, so it seems.
Yes – what you said! Diane Keaton has recently (last 5 years or so) been the spokeswoman/face of one of Olay’s lines for “mature women”. I somehow doubt she uses it and anyone in my age group knows she’s been a faithful devotee of Erno Laszlo for decades (the iconic “black soap” in Annie Hall). In light of the millions they must pay in endorsement fees and free products to these so called “spokeswoman”, I’d rather see all that money going to a charity for women or some other worthwhile charity or even be reflected in lowered prices to their true “spokeswomen (and men)” – their customers. I’d say 90% of the celebrity spokesperson stuff smacks of dishonesty to me.
It really depends; I’ve read Rihanna, for example, actually uses MAC, so I think she was a good choice. However, when actresses like Nina Dobrev (who I adore, for the record) endorse American policies, I find ot extremely off-putting, if not offensive. I don’t decide whether or not to buy a product based on a spokesperson or model, though. I also rarely allow a celebrity’s name attached to a brand sway me either way (with the exception of Justin Bieber, Michael Kors, and a few others).
I never buy a product because of the spokesperson. That said, a spokesperson I like might draw my attention to a product I’d never seen before.
Dishonest! You know they don’t use the stuff or were just paid to use it.
They make we want to NOT buy products. Any thing the Kardashian’s endorse I will not buy as I do not support a mother producing her daughter’s porn video. Any thing Rihanna endorses I will not buy as she has not been a good role model for abused women.
I actually completely agree. I went out of my way to find a list of kardashian product indorsments just so I could boycott them. I think the cult Of celebrity is going seriously overboard. It makes me uncomfortable just how much these people get paid and how they are hero worshipped in today’s society. I try to stay away as much as I can
Not a fan a Rihanna but in her defense, she is not a role model, she is an entertainer. Blaming Rihanna for being a poor role model is like blaming McDonald’s for obesity.
i forgot to write ‘in my opinion’ sorry English is not my native language 😀
Stop victim-blaming! The blame should be on the abuser and on the society that minimises and promotes abuse. Abused women have the right to do whatever they want to feel safe and happy. They don’t need role models and they don’t need to be role models. Comments like yours are what really hurt abused women.
If a celebrity is into beauty and glamour, it makes sense to me. When I saw Jennifer Connelly in the Revlon ads that didn’t make sense to me because she’s not known as a beauty addict. Her style is kind of minimal. It seemed like she was just there because they needed a famous face to push product. I also don’t know if people like Emma Stone and Lea Michele are really successful enough to warrant a cosmetics contract. It’s kind of like what you said about it being a money-grab. They just want an It Girl who can draw in younger crowds.
Endorsements like Fergie with WnW, Rihanna with MAC, make sense to me because those women are known for loving makeup.
Jennifer Connelly represents “every woman”, in that she is not what most would consider hlamorous. I think at the time, Revlon was going for that.
It depends. Celebrities with their own lines are more likeable to me because they have to fully back up their own brand and in most cases, they use what they make. Like Josie Maran….I love her stuff and what she and her brand stands for. She uses her own products a lot too. But for other celebrities that are just a spokesperson….I ignore the fact they’re the spokesperson and only buy the product if I want it.
It really depends, sometimes it totally works and it feels like the celebrity was meant to be a part of the brand but others it seems all awkward and not a fit. Over all it really depends. Another point is sometimes when I do like the celebrity endorsing the brand, it does sway me to buy it but sometimes it does the exact opposite if it’s someone I dislike. Xx
Oh, the almighty advertising dollar. I worked for Procter & Gamble Health Care Advertising for 10 years as well as their in-house Market Research Department.
I know too much and am not swayed (and am many times turned off) by using celebrity endorsement of products. I base my purchase of products solely on consumer reviews and trusted Beauty bloggers like Temptalia.
I don’t usually like it. If it’s for charity, I don’t have a problem with it, but a lot of the time it isn’t. The one that really gets me is when celebrities are spokespeople for boxed hair dyes, because you know that isn’t what they are really using.
Hate it when it’s so obvious that they are just doing it for the money. Love when you can tell that they are really passionate about it and are being genuine.
Since there’s such a vast range of celebrities out there it’s hard for me to say. There are some instances where I think the celebrity face really fits the brand’s aesthetic but there’s an equally large number of instances where the celebrity is an awkward fit. The Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan endorsed a skin whitening cream (I’m not trying to open the argument about whether such products are bad or not) and it seemed ridiculous because he clearly has darker skin in real life, and in all his film roles, than he does in the ads. And he’s considered attractive just the way he is. Why would a company particularly select a celeb spokesman who either demonstrates that their products don’t work, or shows that their products aren’t necessary to look attractive?
I also find it annoying when celebrities spruik products that are of demonstrably poor quality. Like Drew Barrymore and her beauty line. I read a magazine interview where she discussed creating the line, and it actually got me interested, but then every one of the products reviewed on this blog and others was a total dud. I don’t see how either having no perception of quality, no experience with your own products or no honesty is a good way to attract consumers.
And then there’s photoshop. I know that every celeb in mascara ads didn’t get their lashes through use of the product, and it is depressing to see that even when you’re a celebrity famous for your good looks you have to be mercilessly photoshopped to be considered attractive. How am I meant to feel good about myself after seeing that in an ad?
(sorry, long rant…)
Good point about Shah Rukh! 🙂
They all suck, even the celebrities that I like. The motivation is obviously money. I much prefer seeing the girls on YouTube opposed to models and celebrities because I don’t feel as deceived by the lot of them.
Call me cynical, but I think that celebrity spokespeople endorse products simply for the money they are getting (which is considerable, by the way) and not because they actually use the products. You can’t convince me that an actress who can afford to buy the most expensive and exclusive products available is going to buy her skin care and makeup products at the drugstore.
It usually doesn’t mean much to me, but every once in a while a celebrity will get me to pay attention to a product I otherwise wouldn’t have. Jessica Chastain’s ad for Yves Saint Laurent Manifesto comes to mind, because I like her. On the other hand sometimes it bugs me because it seems so transparent. Like, Emma Watson for Lancome seems like such an obvious push for drawing in the youth dollar.
Having a celebrity endorse a product does not make me more prone to buy it whatsoever. I’d endorse a lot of things if someone paid me millions to do it…
I’m naturally a strongly opinionated chickadee so most paid celebrity endorsements are a total turnoff. I tend to have strong sentiments regarding celebs and have my own polarized opinions. As a longtime anti cruelty advocate I tend to judge celebs by the literal company they keep. I was quite saddened by Winslets affiliation with Lancôme, and further irritated by Julia Roberts. This whole Rihanna fiasco has left such a horrible taste in my mouth, I believe it is the last straw that will finally get me clean and off ALL the EL companies. I don’t want to see any more Nikki Minaj either. Cara Delevigne rubs me the wrong way so no Burberry. Anything with Kate Moss is automatically off limits for me. I’m pissed that P!nk who generally seems to care heavily about animal welfare would work for CG. I remember back in the day when Gwen Stefani and Shirley Manson famously wore UD, I was very attracted to the brand. I belong to a shrinking demographic that is strongly and negatively influenced by certain celebrities and conveys those sentiments by keeping my wallet closed. Chantecaille ads really disturb me, the daughter they use to advertise always looks very ill and that does not encourage me to want to try the product. I understand my feelings may seem irrationally strong but I work hard for my money and would not want to support further advertising involving these individuals. Like Andy Warhol and Guy Bourdain associations have changed my feelings about NARS. For every campaign that chaps my hide, there is a new indie company I am excited to try!
In response to some comments, I think these celebrities are required by their contracts to wear/use the products they endorse, but I don’t know in what capacity (maybe only for certain public appearances?). I have read about celebrities being sued by the company for not wearing something (makeup, clothing) that they are endorsing.
I do believe that most of these celebrities do not use the products they are endorsing when they don’t have to.
Me, most of the time, I don’t care because it comes down to whether the product is any good or how I feel about the company’s business practices. Sometimes, though, if a certain celebrity really rubs me the wrong way, I will very stubbornly refuse to buy anything they endorse (unless I have to and/or it’s truly amazing).
I find that celebrity spokespeople are most likely just a “face” for the brand and all about the $$ for both sides. Those celebrities do not wear that makeup, we all know this! I doubt actresses that make millions use drugstore makeup mostly. ITS SO FAKE. STUPID ADVERTISING. I wish they would just be real. I agree with the other ladies, whenever they say “whats in my purse” you know its just an opportunity to pimp their money horse makeup brand. I think occasionally in Allure they will be honest and show what celebrities really use and I like that.
I do like when a celebrity will take on a brand because they DO like the product like Jen Aniston who has bought into Aveeno and Living Proof. I heard Katie Holmes actually uses Bobbi Brown and would only work for her. I like Josie Maran creating her own company and creating products she loves. I think Drew Barrymore tried to but clearly did not spend enough time in production.
I don’t mind seeing celebrities in ads, I mean they are beautiful ladies! BUT i hate the lies that they say they exclusively use those products. QUIT LYING, WE ARE NOT STUPID. I think beauty ads are so fake now that its crazy! what kind of message are we sending to young girls? Your never good enough here’s photoshop! And the hair dye ads are the worst…those celebrities have never used those box dyes once they became famous!
The only one I’ve like was Pink as she wears both stage and cover shoot makeup all the time it feel like a proper fit for the product their advertising with covergirl new outreach to bold makeup.
I don’t mind celebrity testimonials but the adverting really doesn’t say much about the product there more of a model then anything.
Also I want to see texture in there skin. lol
I don’t care for celebrities as spokespersons because around 99.9% of the time the real celebrity doesn’t even wear it. First and last time I let a celebrity influence my purchase was when Rihanna was with Covergirl promoting the Eyelights mascara or something like that. Thought it would make my green eyes pop. Biggest load of bull. I will not buy something just because a celeb I like is pushing it and I am apprehensive to purchase products from celebrities I’m not a huge fan of. I wish celebrities would be more honest with the products they use. Find me an honest celeb who will share their secrets!!!! Preferably Kim Kardashian. Not a fan of her but I can’t deny she always has flawless makeup.
Meh. I don’t really care about celebrity spokespeople. I just bought a Justin Bieber-themed lip gloss and blush from Essence (and I really, really don’t like Justin Bieber) and I love the Kate Moss collection from Rimmel (even though I really don’t like Kate Moss). The Rihanna collection did attract me because I have this huge irrational love for her, and also I think that a lot of thought was put into her collections. However, I don’t buy MAC because I think it’s overpriced and also because of that despicable Juarez-themed collection they did. So I had to forgo the Riri collections, oh well. Sometimes it’s so desperate a money grab that I just laugh – I read an article on the plane about Cate Blanchett’s endorsement of a perfume which was so sickeningly insincere that I lost any respect I had for her.