How much do you trust customer reviews?

Somewhat! I find I need to remove any incentivized reviews, even though some might be trustworthy, and stick to those who are verified purchasers. I also look for reviews with at least a few sentences!

— Christine

4 Comments

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Deborah S. Avatar

I don’t place much value on customer reviews unless there is a pattern. Makeup and skin care are very personal purchases and reading reviews from people that may or may not know what their skin type or undertone is does not make for a valuable resource to me. Some sites don’t ask for that information and so it is basically useless. I much prefer sites like Temptalia where you have an established relationship with the people commenting and with Christine so the information provided is trustworthy and insightful.

Nancy T Avatar

I do EXACTLY what you do, Christine! I say NO to incentivised reviews, because I just don’t trust those to be impartial or unbiased. Also, I would like to read something that gives some details instead of “You need to get this!”, “This is a beautiful _____!”, or anything so lacking in information, such as: how did it apply, wear, and I especially need to know if a foundation or concealer oxidized!
I’m still someone who would rather use Makeup Alley or written/YT reviews, swatches and demonstration.

Mariella Avatar

I thought I’d replied to this question but perhaps forgot to hit “post comment”. I do set some store by customer reviews if it’s someone who seems to have the same tastes or needs that I do. I generally don’t set any store by incentivized reviews (I guess many of you are the same) but when it’s someone whose reviews I’ve read before and who seems to have similar reactions and needs, then I am interested to read what they have to say about a product. It used to be that on Sephora’s site, if there was a reviewer whose reviews you were interested in, you could click on their handle and see more of their reviews (and there were several reviews whose reviews I concurred with) but now that feature is gone.

I do trust the reviews I read here (both from you, Christine, and from other members of this community). It explains why I’ve fallen down the Charlotte Tilbury eyeshadow rabbit hole (not too deeply, though) – the “White Rabbit” responsible for THAT knows who she is!!!!

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