Following a conversation on Twitter, it seems that MAC and other makeup brands are offering a discount to bloggers.
MAC’s is the same % to bloggers as it is to pro artists; 35% whereas student MUAs get just 20%.
Other brands are following suit.
Is it right that bloggers should be rewarded for their loyalty?
Absolutely!
But should it be the same as a pro who’ll have to submit proof of MUA status with tear sheets, business cards, invoices, editorial content etc?
Genuine question and would love to hear ALL sides and points of view!
Yes, give blogs a discount, but not the same as we get. We are the pros after all.
I don’t think blogs should get any discount other than the general public gets. Like at debenhams sale times
You don’t think a blogger, even one with a big following should get anything? Interesting viewpoint!
I think the mua rate should be kept for muas, not bloggers. Give them their own discount, but not same as ours.
I’m a blogger, but remaining anonymous as i don’t want to get embroiled in a personal debate.
I don’t think bloggers should get any kind of discount. We get enough stuff for free, and we are already stepping on the toes of make up artists with the IMATS and Pro Beauty, plus, at the end of the day, most of us don’t do make up for a job, so why should we have the same discount as professional artists?
Loads of blogs started up to get freebies, how many more will flood this saturated area just to get a discount that they’re really not entitled to?
Thanks anon. Sorry you didn’t feel able to share your identity, but thankyou for taking time to read and comment x
You’re a really stupid cow. You’re a shit makeup artist and you shouldn’t get a discount yourself.
I don’t think I can really take a comment like yours seriously when you’re hiding behind Anonymous. Bit thanks for your ‘input?’
Ahhhh good old anon commentors
Where poison little weirdos get to say what they like without fear of reprisals.
Moves on.
As a blogger of course a discount is nice, not going to lie. But ANYONE can be a blogger, I think a MUA who is accredited has worked bloody to get where they are and will probably be a bit annoyed that someone can set up a blog and two days later get the same discount they do and rightly so.
Thanks Kellie, don’t you just love a nasty anon comment?! x
Interested to see our anon user is using an IP masker…. Perhaps this isn’t the first time and theyve been caught out before?
Hmm. I’m not a blogger or an MUA however there are so many blogs out there that I’m dubious as to whether it should be so easy for them to get discounts.. Does it mean that I could start a blog, possibly with no readers, and get the same discount as someone who’s worked hard, paid for proper training and experience and a full Pro makeup kit?!
No you have to have high stats, not easy to get at all.
Only bloggers with high stats get the discount, to get high stats the bloggers have to work hard. It’s not a walk in the park and not every blogger can get one. You can’t just set up a blog and straight away get these discounts. Yes anyone can be a blogger, but anyone can also be an MUA. You have to work to get the discount in both areas. I think bloggers with large stats deserve the discount, they work just as hard as MUA’s do.
I’m still not sure that the Blogger in question didn’t get a special IMATS deal. I have a press discount for MAC (20%) and wouldn’t expect more than that. I’ve never come across a blogger getting 35% before. There are very few bloggers who have a discount as it’s not a scheme you can apply for as such.
I think it’s ok for bloggers to receive press discounts (not sure journalists would agree) as long as they are judged on their writing rather than it being automatic. I would never compare myself to a makeup artist but I do consider what bloggers do to be a form of media.
I’m a MUA and I think our discount should be higher. After all we are using the product on customers not just writing about it. I do blog as well but I buy nearly everything I write about and I don’t go to any blogger events or get discounts on the products. I have done 15 years of training for my skills so I think I deserve a higher discount!
I do believe that bloggers do a very worthy job though and i guess we are both aiming at consumers!
Like Joyce above, I’ve been working as a make-up artist for many years. More than 15, and it has taken years to get to my kit together, having spent thousands of £s building my kit.
I work around 60 hours a week, I spend hundreds of £s a month on products and tools and supplies (and insurance – love the other post Sam!) and as far as I’m concerned, that 35% discount should be for me and other professional makeup artists.
Give high performing blogs a discount, but don’t insult the artists who support you and in MAC’s case, made them, by giving them the same as us.
This is concerning, I’m worried that if this becomes common knowledge we’ll get an influx of mediocre blogs created purely for the purpose of gaining discount. I don’t think this should be encouraged. How will they moderate the blog discont? Can just anyone apply?
MUA deserve discounts because it’s your job & you often buy in bulk, bloggers, not necessary. It’s a nice perk for good bloggers, but it’ll get out of hand.
Jayne, please don’t worry. There are very few places that offer blogger discounts and in each case it’s vetted. In the case of MAC, as far as I know it’s always done in person too and it’s very easy for them to moderate it. It’s not a case that everyone can apply. Most people who have it get 20% off as per the press discount too.
agree, it’s probably just as hard to get a blog discount as it is to get a MUA one!
Never heard of a ‘press’ discount before though?!
I think the press discount details are on the MAC website Sam, or at least they used to be (I’m talking several years back). Journalist definitely could apply for discount as I recall seeing it in my Specktra days.
Thanks for the comments everyone, it’s interesting to read different thoughts and perspectives.
I’ve just been onto our forum (you can see the live feed up near the top on the right), and this is one such thread where a grassroots makeup artist (one who works on private clients, ie, brides etc) who won’t necessarily have tear sheets etc.
She’s struggling to get her identity as a MUA recognised, despite being in the industry for some time.
http://makeupadviceforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=210743#210743
I think that’s perhaps what annoys MUAs more than anything.
S x
Personally as a MUA I’m surprised that a blogger (which I am too) should get the same discount as me. I had to prove my work as a MUA from training, to tearsheets to business cards etc and I work with the products in a more in depth way day in day out on clients and do indirect sales through recommending products. To some extent I think I’ve earned my discount.
By the same token, I do feel there are some bloggers out there who should get their hard work and dedication rewarded. How this is done is the question? I’m not so sure about a continual discount of a lesser amount than MUA’s though, as this would be valid all year around. Maybe that could be for top rate bloggers who are proven to be a viable media outlet for make up companies. However, special days where bloggers can get discounted products etc could be done for the masses. In addition bloggers get a lot a freebies from events etc as well, so that needs to be factored in.
Bottom line, is that if a blog started yesterday and could apply for the same discount as me and get it, I wouldn’t be impressed.
Special blog ‘week’ discounts for bloggers sounds like a great idea!
I dont think its fair in all honesty i blog as well but i dont thin bloggers should because whats to stop someone just saying “Oh im a blogger” and getting like 45% off?
I think it’s a bit harder than that Andii, but I do see where you’re coming from!
Reading the responses that have been posted I think its interesting that people feel the need to be so abusive. As a professional with 12 years of experience I do run blogs and talk about the industry, it is difficult to build a following and I can see the points made as being salient and respect the art of blogging can be a positive move that can and does open the doors to a freer lifestyle. Having spoken to a video blogger on this subject I do think its a relevant point that it has allowed her a freedom of life and built a respectable business.
Many artists do not get recognition without the credits in editorial and film and the talent is lost in the sea and that is a travesty, these companies should be looking at the grass roots and finding a way to integrate them and make that level of work on private consult and bridal feel as important as the film and print people with higher profiles. After all just because your not doing vogue doesn’t make you less talented.
blogging is a marketing tool that many companies are cashing in on. Sending out a few freebies and having “blogger days” is a small price in comparison to a massive ad campaign costs. Offering a discount is reasonable, why give it away when you can sell it? I can see the purpose of a discount.
.This doesn’t negate the insult however to the artists who are using the products and helping to build the brand. What we need to remember is these companies are consumer driven and often seeing a real person using a product can be preferable to an artist as it makes the product seem accessible.
The discount debate will rage for a while. Personally while I respect the fact that the brands are recognizing the power of youtube and blogs, they need to be sure not to alienate their core values and customers: the industry professionals who utilize their materials and work magic with a few shadows, a brush and a slick of foundation.
I respect the bloggers and think they do offer a definite service that with a large following should be recognized but without the professionals to back the artistic side, much of the work would not be seen. Look at the campaigns for brands its a make up artist that does the work and helps create the image and the dream. The bloggers create reality and show a more user friendly approach, give a discount but don’t forget the artists are the real image makers.