Hi everyone, 

Its now Week 5 of our #letstalkblogchallenge. This week’s topic is:

Blogging V Magazines

As much as I love the feel of a magazine, smell and all-round shininess of it, I personally think that blogs do have the winning edge. Here’s my ramblings..

I am a 70’s child (2 month’s of an 80’s one which I like to remind everyone!) so all through my teenage years, the internet was unknown to me. There was no Instagram showing me of celebs wearing the latest looks and doing cool things in real time. There was no Twitter feed of regular people posting stuff about their everyday life and if I wanted to “get in touch” with a celebrity, you had to write, yes write to a fan club.

Blogs

I remember experiencing the web for the first time. I was in awe. I could find information about anything I wanted, in a second. I could browse photos, read articles, watch videos……the list was endless. Fast forward 10 years or so and blogs, having seen a decline over the last 3-4 years, are now experiencing a newfound revival. Normal people like you and me, sharing our views on matters and topics that interest us. Obviously my interests lies in make-up and beauty and I have read beauty blogs for the last few years. They have given me information on products I like, ones I own and would love to have. (and a smaller bank balance!)

• Its an environment that allows us to be passionate about a hobby.
• Allows us to be honest in our views, and give a “warts and all” insight into our lives.
• Allows the reader to to get personal with the writer as you get to know them through their posts each week. You might follow them through social media channels, you might even meet them in person at some stage.
• Content can be read again at a later date.
• You can watch videos and makeup tutorials.

Magazines

I have never been a massive magazine fan. True, I always bought my Just Seventeen every Friday when I was at school but after that, I didn’t really bother with them too much. To me, woman’s magazines are too much of a happy place. Everything is something you must have, clothes you must own, items you must buy! That make-up that you had your eye on, looks flawless on the airbrushed model but it wont state how best to apply it, or what the packaging is like that it comes in. The Top five beauty products of the month. Are they picked by real people who recommend them for a reason, or simply by someone behind a computer – who’s probably sponsored by specific companies to do these articles.

• Nice to hold and look at, good quality images. Sometimes pricey and afterwards the content is disposable.
• Usually hit with advertisement after advertisement. These are the happy ads, the product you don’t need but you must get.
• Most articles are not given from a personal point of view.
• You don’t feel any sort of bond with the writer behind the page.

Final thoughts..

You see, the reason I love blogs over magazines is that the content is real. I can relate to the person behind the blog. They will let me know their skin type, if other products were used in conjunction or if what they are reviewing is just pants! I wont get this from a magazine, just the airbrushed model who probably has never worn the product she is advertising in her life.

So I don’t need to throw the latest issue into my shopping trolley and get little change from €5 for the privilege. I am happy enough with my wifi connection, my ipad and phone, and get the reviews and information I want, without the airbrushing and waffle! 

I hope you liked my post! The Lets Talk Blog Challenge was set up by Sarah Hamersley, and you find her wonderful blog here. Also use the hashtag #letstalkblogchallenge to see the posts from everyone taking part. Till next week…..

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(image courtesy of mymodernweb.com)