Help Improve Temptalia - Feedback Wanted!
Hey dolls! I’m trying to figure out the value of some types of posts and weighing the pros/cons to determine overall value to you all as readers! So if you could take the time and cast your vote, it would be MUCH appreciated. If you want to elaborate on your answers in the comments’ section, please, please do so! Your feedback is so vital to the improvement of the site.
For Dame Edna, Chill, and BBR, I have purchased all of the products from the launch. I have then photographed each product, and if there were lip products, put each on and photographed that, too. Are either of these really valuable to you? Is it worth doing?
This poll has closed, thank you for your participation!
This poll has closed, thank you for your participation!
Finally, I’m trying to incorporate more video into this blog. I have some things planned, but I wanted to know if you find product reviews helpful in video format, if you prefer written reviews (as are already in place), etc.
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Thank you!!
I think video reviews are great, but I can’t see them at work because they’re blocked. I love reading your reviews the day of the launch and then going to the store after work, so I very much appreciate the written reviews and pictures – please don’t discontinue them 🙂
Thanks, Heather! 🙂 Looks like I’ll continue to do written reviews only (realistically, I don’t have time to do both)!
I think you do an awesome job right now & don’t really see any need for change/improvement! Thanks for everything you do–I definitely appreciate it!
Aw, thank you so much, Alannah! 🙂
Regarding the lip swatches, I love seeing them both on the arm and on the lips BUT I have a very hard time determining how the color looks when all I see is the lips. For some reason, I need to see the whole face to get an adequate idea of how the color looks.
Wow, I TOTALLY agree with Angi 🙂 I wasnt sure what it was about the up close lip pictures that just didnt click for me. Its the inability to see the whole face and thus put the lip color into perspective…if that makes sense.
Besides that, I rather enjoy the way you handle new releases 🙂
Thanks for the suggestion, Angi!
For the video section, I think the current format of written reviews is really good. It’s very helpful to see all the information there written down and be able to go and have a quick read over it, so I don’t feel such a need for video reviews. I do really like the video tutorials, however – it’s good to see an eyeshadow look being put together on video and to get some tips for technique. I really like the written look section that’s posted with a photo of the eyeshadow look, along with brief instructions to get the look and think that’s a good way to give info on looks, so I wouldn’t like to see that change but also think it is well complemented time to time with a video tutorial.
Thanks so much for your input and feedback, Saira! It is really helpful 🙂
Forgot to mention – this doesn’t relate so much to the videos/photos/swatches questions in the feedback section but a post that I really, really like is ‘Five Ways With…’ e.g. ‘Five Ways With Freshwater’. I like those postings a lot, as it gives me some inspiration and ideas for new looks.
I completely agree with you! These are wonderful! Although, one suggestion for improving – the post when you list the five ways, include an example screenshot. I know the link takes you to the page with your full look, but I don’t want to click on each link to see what I’m going to get.
I third the “Five Ways to Wear…”! Love those!!
I will try to add that if I have time, thanks!
More are planned 🙂
I love the written reviews and the swatches. I usually check your blog all day through my sidekick…. which unfortunately doesn’t play videos though. When I can get to a computer I do watch the videos. I love your tutorials when they have step by step picture so that I can follow along more closely
It’s much easier to reference the part of your post that I am interested in if you do a written review than a video review. Also the quality of the video review sometimes leaves much to be desired – Your pictures are fantastic and far better quality. Sometimes video reviews can be very tedious to watch.
Thanks, Styrch! Based on the polls, I will continue to do written reviews only 🙂 Maybe throwing in a video one occasionally, but definitely not planning to do any at this time.
i think a good mix of video and written reviews is good. as for the rest of the site, i like it the way it is.
Thanks, AshBash!
In terms of colour and finish it’s really hard to see in a video. I never buy anything based on a video review when I’m looking for make up, but tha doesn’t mean it’s not great to see. I think tutorials work better as video and reviews and product info work better in photo format. That being said it’s your blog and if you naturally find yourself leaning one way then that’s what you should do.
Thanks for a great blog! I’m addicted to blogs of all sorts and of all the categories I’ve never found one as thorough as yours.
Thanks for the feedback, Amanda 🙂 I’ll stick with the written reviews!
i think the videos are good for seeing the techniques used, but in terms of product/launch reviews, and seeing finished looks i really like the way you do them at the moment, with swatch photos and write-ups.
individual campaign product photos aren’t always useful, since they are often photoshopped, and can be misleading in terms of colour potency and product finish. of course, its always nice to get a get a shot of the overall collection pre-launch.
your reviews are extremely thorough and well written, and you seem to have a very good eye (and memory) for colours, shades, and textures. i also like your writing style very much, so if you completely switched over to video i’d miss that!
one small suggestion i do have is that when writing up looks, there is a lot of focus on how products are placed on the eyes (which i know we all appreciate)–it would be good to also know how lip and cheek products are placed, especially when more than one shade is used together and especially if you’re doing something different from the norm. (you did this for example for lips when you reviewed the black gloss from ysl) you don’t need to go into masses of details or anything, just a wee note would be appreciated.
i think you’re doing a fantastic job with this blog, and its really amazing how much time and energy you have dedicated to it, and to us, your readers.
Thanks so much! I really appreciate the feedback, Aradhana!
I place the cheek products the same all the time – blush on the apples of cheeks extended towards the temple, then highlight on the cheek bones (which is why I don’t say anything). I’d definitely let you all know if I did something different beyond that! 🙂
Temptalia I absolutly love this website to start off. You have an amazing talent!
I love the swatches, and the tutorials, and everything here.
I do however have one request. I did a search and noticed you didn’t have too many looks involving a favorite eyeshadow of mine…steamy. I was wondering if you could do a new look with it please and thank you.
Thanks a lot, Megan!
I actually don’t own Steamy any more, I don’t think! I preferred Shimmermoss to Steamy back when I was paring down my collection!
I love all the swatches/pics you do Christine! I wish you didn’t have to buy all the products, unless you get some kind of discount, or really want them anyway. But on the other hand I LOVE the pics. ESPECIALLY the lip swatches, because sometimes you just can’t tell from the tube how they’ll really come off, and on the hand swatches it can sometimes make them more vibrant because hand skin is lighter than pigmented lips.
On the videos, I love them! But I always like the picture step by steps the best! And it’s good to have both instructions and video because sometimes you’ll be in a place where you can’t see video (because of poor connection or old computer) or because you can’t listen to audio (in a workplace or class, etc). So I think both is fantastic!
And I know you hear it all the time, but you DO AN AWESOME job on here! Seriously, it’s not just fun, it’s INCREDIBLY helpful! 😀 *hugs*
Hey Mariah!
I don’t mind buying them all if it helps all of you 🙂 I am trying to make the blog a business, so anything that improves the business and makes it more valuable…! Just want to make sure the value you all get is worth the investment, and I can see from the poll results that it is!
Thank you so much! 🙂
I like seeing the pictures of your lips with the products on, but as I rarely wear a lipglass alone, they don’t help an awful lot. Seeing a swatch of a l/g color on your skin is just as good. My lips seem to be more pigmented than yours, so I check your reviews for ideas and then go to the store and try on the l/s and l/g that looks interesting. I never check out a new line though without reading your review first!
Thanks for then input, JillyB! I, too, rarely wear lipglass alone, ha!
I would love to see video swatches of products.
Thanks for the input, Lisa 🙂
I really like seeing the swatches, especially on your lips (not so much on the hand). But I agree with others, it would be helpful to ALSO see what it looks like on the whole face.
As for the website, I find that once the post is older than few days, it becomes really hard to find. For example, I can NEVER find the set of posts you put together for beginners. Something like – for newly addicted. It may be helpful to have a set of most popular posts (based on clicks, not your perception), and also a set of links START HERE – including the how to use this site, and where to find things.
Thanks, Myxa! I appreciate your feedback – it’s really helpful.
Actually, at the top of the site, on every page, there is a box of most popular posts, featured posts, etc. – the most popular posts are right there, based on what people think is popular, and the MAC posts for beginners is under the featured section.
I like written reviews because it’s very straightforward. You just read through, instead of waiting for the whole vid to play (I use broadband but there is a time when it’s acting up and I can’t be bothered looking at the vid) and with written swatches and review, you can always go back and forth to whichever part interesting you. Help a lot when you’re trying to decide the perfect lip color/shadow/blush out of the whole collection. Hello BBR!
However, video is great when you want to share a new technique. I’d definitely try to watch the video if things like that are uploaded. Just make sure it’s not too long and pretty straight to the point.
Good luck, Christine!
Thanks, Pia! 🙂 Looks like written reviews are here to stay!
When I goggle a collection or item your site is usually always there-ha! I love your written reviews because if Ive missed something from an old collection or have decided to rethink purchasing an item. I can always search here and get everyones input including yours- wish I need! So written is key. About swatches I will say I think in would look better if they were swatch like from the inside of the arm which is always smooth like a babys bottom and the skin is always lighter instead of so many colors one hand. Whatever you are planning for us doesnt matter cause your faithful readers will stand behind you 🙂 Ok there is my 2 cents.
haha 😉
Thanks, Haydeen! It’s so great to hear what everyone likes and dislikes, what their preferences are 🙂
I think it’s so sweet of you to try to improve your blog for us readers. Thanks and we really appreciate it. At least I do 🙂 But just to let you know, you’re doing a great job already!! 😀
Aw, thanks, Anna! Feedback is just so helpful, I can’t believe people wouldn’t ask for it more often.
I think what you’re doing is wonderful, and if you didn’t change anything I would still check your blog everyday! I wouldn’t want you to spend lots of money buying everything from a launch, that doesn’t seem reasonable to me.
But I did love the in depth analysis you gave to the items from the BBR collection, comparing the payoff and colours to other items. Your ‘must have’ list was great in helping me whittle down my lemmings too.
A big thank you to you!
Aw, thanks, Ada! 🙂 It’s a matter of comparing the value of the money spent on the collection to the value added to the blog, so then it’s not unreasonable since so many of you really find it useful!
Please never get rid of look book! I love it and go to it all the time when trying to pair a colour up with something else
LOL, no plans to remove it yet ;P
On the video topic: Some writers I would prefer more video because they tend to cut product reviews short, but thats one reason I love your site. Video’s would be welcome, but I wouldn’t worry about doing them all the time.. your swatches/articles are pretty in depth already 🙂
Thanks for the help, Diana 🙂