I still am in denial some days how this is even a thing today, to not be honest in your reviews. When we were writing perfume blogs in early 2000s, this was not even on our radar. We simply shared what we thought, good or bad. PR was barely a thing. We had to sheepishly contact the brand to ask for samples in exchange for a review, all along feeling like an imposter. Like they were doing us some big favor. 🤭 Oh, how times have changed.
It is absolutely breathtaking how things have changed even within the past five or six years! I do remember those days as well. Ahhh, the nostalgia of it all...
Great post, Joseph. I’ve built my rather sizeable collection bottle by bottle without PR. I simply do it for an enduring love of fragrance. It’s also worth noting that my collection began back in the blogging days. Though the authentic voices have become few and far between, I do sense a resurgence. I think a certain amount of “influencer” fatigue is setting in. I find I am most drawn to content creators that I consider arbiters of great taste rather than outright critique as scent is so subjective.
Your storytelling pulled me in but your thoughtfulness on the subject kept me here! Thanks for talking about such an important subject and breaking down the pros and cons. In a perfect and honest world, PR is a perfect system for the fragrance community, but I agree that these kinds of “transactions” have the potential to create kind of a weird relationship with creators and consumers.
Love this Joseph, imagine what the fragrance world would look like if we looked at it honestly.
Here's hoping we are seeing a shift in action!
Yes to all of this!! The era of false hype to please the PR overlords is exhausting.
It's time to demystify it all!
I still am in denial some days how this is even a thing today, to not be honest in your reviews. When we were writing perfume blogs in early 2000s, this was not even on our radar. We simply shared what we thought, good or bad. PR was barely a thing. We had to sheepishly contact the brand to ask for samples in exchange for a review, all along feeling like an imposter. Like they were doing us some big favor. 🤭 Oh, how times have changed.
It is absolutely breathtaking how things have changed even within the past five or six years! I do remember those days as well. Ahhh, the nostalgia of it all...
Great post, Joseph. I’ve built my rather sizeable collection bottle by bottle without PR. I simply do it for an enduring love of fragrance. It’s also worth noting that my collection began back in the blogging days. Though the authentic voices have become few and far between, I do sense a resurgence. I think a certain amount of “influencer” fatigue is setting in. I find I am most drawn to content creators that I consider arbiters of great taste rather than outright critique as scent is so subjective.
Thank you! I’m glad you sense such a resurgence as well. 😊
Your storytelling pulled me in but your thoughtfulness on the subject kept me here! Thanks for talking about such an important subject and breaking down the pros and cons. In a perfect and honest world, PR is a perfect system for the fragrance community, but I agree that these kinds of “transactions” have the potential to create kind of a weird relationship with creators and consumers.
You're welcome, and thank you so much for you appreciation!